Cody Bear

We got the results of the biopsy for Cody and it is a cancer. What it's called I can't remember but basically one year is the norm. Seeing as how he is 12 1/2 I figure we've done well.

My BIL's dog is an eight year old Golden Retriever and the stuff they have had to deal with is unreal. Not only that, the dog looks old. I've only ever met one dog that was close to 16 years of age and their dog looks just like it. Grey hair all over her face, she can't get up without groaning and looks to be in a lot of pain. The BIL figures she won't make it through the year.

Cody will go in next Wednesday for more X-rays and a mild sedative to check his lymphnodes. At that point we might learn how invasive it is now and we can prepare ourselves and watch for any signs of suffering. Bob was very upset tonight and worried that Cody was suffering. I can tell you in all honesty that he isn't suffering. He has those panicky moments when he can't get enough air through his nose but I know he isn't in any kind of pain anywhere else.

I was considering radiation treatment which won't cure him but would keep the tumor from growing. I thought it would be in pill form (and it might be but I have to talk to the vet yet) but it looks like it is 3 days a week where they give the dog mild sedation and he has an IV in him for 10 minutes. Quite frankly, if he were a much younger dog I might try it but quality of life is the most important thing right now and since he is considered 'very old' for a dog of his breed I don't see the benefit. I would rather put him on pain pills to take care of any discomfort he might have than put him through the radiation where burns are a definite side effect. Not only that but Cody (and I'm sure most everyone on the planet) seems to be groggy for a good 24 hours after coming out of the sedation. So he would just get his pep back and have to be sedated again. Can't do that to him.

As to giving him sedation, we have discovered that that is what makes the boy gas-y! On Monday he no longer stank and thank goodness. Bob has to go away on business next week so he gets to miss the three day stink fest that'll be happening on Wed, Thurs, Fri. Ugh.

Bob said he wants Cody to sleep upstairs in our room and I said that was fine. It was quickly followed by 'on our bed?'

Hell no!

I love him but it's bad enough I have to fight Bob, Amber and Emma for a spot on the bed. If Cody climbed in *I* would be the one sleeping on the floor.

As it is, I am looking the other way when I come down in the morning to find Cody curled up on my brand new couch. I'm a smart monkey though. I put blankets over all the cushions before going to bed. That way it's all washable.

Yep. Cody finally has us just where he wants us and don't think for one moment he isn't pleased as punch about it.

Edited - I wrote this on Thursday night and promptly lost it in the new Beta version - I just couldn't write it all up again so I was thankful when I figured out that I needed to select 'All' versions to see the posts I have in draft status.

Last night Cody put his front legs up on the sofa while I was lying there (it has a chaise part which is where I was stretched out). I looked up at him and said 'okay, c'mon up'. I know he didn't know what I was saying because he didn't try to get up any further but his tail was wagging like crazy - he also does this cute thing where he puts his chin on the seat cushion and looks up at you. I kept encouraging him to get up on the couch and he just acted like a clown for 10 minutes putting his chin on my tummy and rolling his eyes at me.

I love the little fur ball.