Twenty-One Month Check Up - 5th September 2011

Hi Everyone

I'm a bit sleepy tonight. It was my big check up - full mouth exam, Ultrasound of my belly (which is now a lovely smooth pink belly), chest x-ray and to top it off, knee exam while I was knocked out. Mum and dad dropped me off early and decided to wait (instead of driving the 45 mins home and 45mins back) . I was supposed to be out at 10.30am. They rang at 2pm - no results. They tried to wait patiently. Then they came back at 5pm and decided to wait in the waiting room.

And the results.... (drum roll please)....

ALL GOOD. Now you might remember right at the start they told my mum and dad that average survival was eighteen months. And now we're up to 21 months, which is pretty good. All those pesky lumps and bumps are all fatty lumps (labradors are prone and I've got the labrador gene). So now I don't have to go back for six months. Yippee.

I will leave you with a photo from the farm on the weekend. Spring has sprung (we woke to a very balmy ten degrees) and I spent Sunday morning enjoying the sunshine, while mum and dad worked on the fences, and Misty chewed up a tennis ball and watched for cows.

Off to bed for me.

Gromit

A Winter's Tale (or is that tail?)

Well, winter has arrived and it is not being kind. Now that I'm old I get to sleep inside, and I have a great jumper that my mum sewed, but it has been freezing. Misty hates the cold and tries to cuddle with me all the time. Sometimes I let her. As you can see, two dogs on one bed is very squishy.

Dad has been going to the farm without us these last two weekends - which is great because it was minus five last Sunday morning. He's been working on a special project and I can't wait to see it. I've never seen a fireplace before, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to like it.

Maybe winter won't be so bad after all...

Fifteen Month Checkup - 7th March 2011

Hi everyone

I am just back from my fifteen month checkup for my fibrosarcoma - I had an Xray of my chest and the vets had a look in my eye, which keeps weeping and a good look at my mouth.

And the good news, I got the all clear. Next appointment in six months time for an ultrasound and more Xrays. This doesn't mean no vet visits - I am still trying to figure out my knee, which blew up a few weeks ago, leaving me temporarily a three legged dog. I am now back walking and building it up again at physio. So I'll still be seeing my physio and my orthopaedic vet. But at least there's no cancer.

Sadly, my radiation vet Dr Valerie is returning to her home town in Canada, so this was my last visit with her. Farewell Dr Valerie - mum, dad, Misty and me all agree we could never have done it without you. While we're sad you're going, we think its great you'll be closer to your family. We hope we'll get to see you again some time.

Love Gromit

Happy New Year

Here we are in 2011 already.

Misty and I had a quiet Christmas - it rained and rained and rained. The farm flooded and we didn't get outside much. So now Mum has us all on a diet because we've all eaten too much over Christmas. I am still doing physio for my leg, but other than that I'm well.

Last Friday night, I had a trip to the Emergency Vet. Well, I thought it was me going. Turns out it was Misty, who'd managed in that labrador cross puppy way, to break the antcapping on the corner of the house and slice her own foot off. Well, not all the way off, but it was pretty bad. Bad enough to go to hospital overnight and go to theatre.

This time last year, I had the bucket-head, anti-biotics and pain-killers. This year, same bucket, same anti-biotics and pain-killers. Different Dog. Of course, I could give Misty some hints on getting through doors and turning around. Or maybe I'll just have a giggle when she gets herself stuck.

Happy New Year all. 2011 was going to be the year of "no vet", but day 7 of the new year and we blew it. I guess mum and dad won't be giving up work any time soon.

Check Up - 6th December 2010

A big check-up. Today I had an xray of my chest to look for cancer, a poke and prod of all my lumps and bumps (also looking for cancer) and an xray of my leg to make sure the bone is healing.

And guess what???

It's all good. I am continuing with my rehab on the leg, but I can now go into the yard and up and down the stairs under supervision. My cancer checks all came back clear. Other than physio and water treadmill, I'd don't have to go the vet for a whole three months.

Yippee.

Now I just need to sleep off the anaesthetic.

One Year Later ...

It's hard to believe, but I just realised it's been a whole year since Mum and Dad found that yucky tumour in my mouth. I'm glad they found it cause I feel much better now it's fixed (if only they could do something about the puppy!)

Hervey Bay Holidays

October is holiday time at our place and we're just back from the fabulous Hervey Bay. Now, there was lots of discussions as to whether or not we could go this year because of the cruciate repair. Worst case scenario - a sore leg while we were away.

Mum and Dad decided to take the crate, and me and go anyway. Lindsey, my fabulous physio, said no beach or loose sand but keep up my walking and stretching exercises. So, off we went. Our holiday house was great - the crate was set up inside the lounge next to the TV, and there was an undercover area off the living area. And across the lane and down a bit was the cat rescue lady from the local rehoming centre - Hervey Bay Pet Warriors. Unfortunately I wasn't allowed to visit the cat enclosure.

We had a routine while we were away - each morning Mum and Misty walked over to Aunty Allison's house, where Sienna the doberman lives for a play date. Dad and I stayed home, watched TV and ate Coco-Pops. Then we hung round till 4pm (and laid in the sun), when the off lead beach opened. Misty went for a walk and paddle while I stayed home, then Mum and Dad walked me over to see the beach. After five days of following this punishing schedule, Misty started to falter. And we thought a not-quite two year old labrador cross was unbreakable.

Our first day home, Misty still hasn't woken up properly, I haven't stopped smiling and Mum and Dad are checking their 2011 diaries to book for next year - a great holiday had by all.