Seamus Oncology Update

I took Seamus to the eye specialist for a check up on Friday. Sadly, it looks like the tumor on his eye is growing; the surgery did not get it all. The tumor is not growing rapidly and Seamus is not in any pain or even discomfort, so at this point we are on a "wait and see" basis. Eventually, the choice will be to try the laser surgery again (but it is doubtful it will help) or have the eye removed. The cancer is not life threatening, but needless to same I'm not thrilled about either of the options. Right now, he gets eye drops three to four times a day (and he's such a good patient about receiving these). And of course he's getting lots and lots of love (as always).  As long as he's not in any pain or discomfort, we don't need to make any decisions. As as always, I'm going to research eye melanomas in dogs and learn what I can. The vet assures me dogs adjust very quickly and just fine to losing one eye. My dad had a dog once that lost an eye and she certainly seemed fine. It just worries me because of course, they can't tell us what they're feeling, so how do we ever know?

In case I haven't mentioned this lately, I hate cancer.

P.S. if you missed my original post about Seamus's diagnosis, it's here: eye melanoma

A Holiday Tradition

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center here in Riverside has a "Pet Pictures" with Santa fundraiser event every year. We take Seamus every year. And every year he does this:

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2010

That's right...every year he hates it! (2009 was my cancer year... I thus call "chemo brain" on the fact that I can't find that photo).

So...aren't you dying to know how 2011 went? Here he is:

Christmas 2011

Hey, at least Santa didn't have to put him in a headlock this time.
But  then look what happened...

I guess Seamus didn't want to wait for Christmas morning to get his treats. He hit up Santa when Santa was trying to take a break. Santa obliged and just happened to have some dog treats in his pocket.

And now we all believe.

Canine Cancer

 (More on the wineapalooza trip soon; as well as a fun interview with a writer you should know about a book you should know....but in the meantime, I found this post which I'd written back in June and then forgot to hit "Post." Chemo brain anyone??)

I've followed the work of the Morris Animal Foundation since a writing friend of mine, Heather Grimshaw, went to work there a few years ago. I love what they are doing and there focus on finding a cure for Canine Cancer is of course near and dear to my heart (and Seamus's...although he's forgotten all about his battle and is firmly focused always and obsessively on food and food only). So I want to share with you their new canine cancer resource website dedicated to the Canine Cancer Campaign. I'm loving the K-9 Cancer walks (humans and dogs walking together to raise funds...how fun!) and have to find a way to get involved in one. So far there isn't one near me...but there is one in Denver and I do have friends in Denver....hmm......

P.S. that cute little Pug in the photo is their "model" for the Mast Cell Tumor information. Pugs are particularly prone to that type of cancer, and that's also the type Seamus had (of course, he totally destroyed it).