Celebrating Life - Sugar's 13th Birthday

I have always made an effort to celebrate my dog's and cat's birthdays.  Sometimes it is as simple as a few extra treats & a walk.  Other times, dog friends are invited over for a party.  Following Millie's diagnosis, I vowed to make the most out of every day with my girls.  Sugar turned 13 today.  I can't believe my baby girl is 13.  I wanted to do something special to celebrate, and I knew my girls would be up for the challenge of "helping" me along the way.  Just two more years till her Quinceanera!

First up, we have some doggie cupcakes...or as I've been calling them - pupcakes!!

Pupcakes

• 2 1/2 cups of uncooked oats
• 1/2 cup of unsweetened, shredded coconut
• 1 tsp of cinnamon
• 2 tsp of flaxseeds
• 1/2 cup of peanut butter
• 1/2 cup of agave syrup or honey

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine dry ingredients in one bowl & wet ingredients in another.

                            

Mix the two together.  I found it was easy enough to mix with a spatula - no mixer required. 

To make treats in the shape of a cupcake, I used a small cookie dough scoop and small silicone muffin pan.  Starting on the far right I filled the well and pressed with my fingers to tightly mold it.  Next (middle), I placed another scoop of the mixture on top.  Finally (left), I pressed the loose mixture tightly on top of the already compressed bottom half to form one, compact treat.

Bake at 350 degrees until browned & dry.  I baked mine for roughly 35 minutes.

Once the pupcakes have cooled....decorate!!  I used a thin layer of almond bark (veterinarian approved) and regular sprinkles.  I also found some adorable mini cupcake liners to pop the finished cupcakes into.  

Cinnamon Bites

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 large egg
• 2 T honey
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine dry ingredients (except cinnamon) in one bowl & wet ingredients (except honey) in another.

 Mix dry and wet ingredients just until the dough comes together.  On a floured surface, roll out dough until you have reached an 8 x 14 inch rectangle.  Spread honey over dough & sprinkle with cinnamon.  

Starting on long side, roll dough like a jelly roll.

Use dental floss to cut dough log into roughly 1/2 inch pieces.

 Place sliced dough on parchment paper lined baking sheet.  

 Bake for 18-20 minutes.  The honey will start to ooze out.  Cool on the baking sheet before removing them.

Peanut Butter Biscuits

• 1 cup of flour
• 1/4 cup of uncooked oats
• 1/4 cup of unsweetened, shredded coconut
• 1/2 T baking powder
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 T olive oil
• 1 T applesauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine dry ingredients in one bowl & wet ingredients in another.

 Mix all ingredients together.  Roll out dough on a floured surface until it is about 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick.  With a floured cookie cutter, cut out desired shapes.  

 Place on an unlined baking sheet, fairly close together- they will keep their shape & not spread.

 Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until golden brown.

 Serve as is, or you can use the dough to make other shapes (keep in mind you will have to cook these longer to make sure the middle of the treat is dry).

 Or...you can keep them as is & decorate them!

Now for the cleanup!!!!  Check out that drool slinger mid-flight!

Teamwork

 Must. Shove. Nose. Further...

Top lip covering the lip of the jar.

Annnnnd because this post is short on pictures..... a few more pictures of my adorable girlies..

 You didn't tell me that was the last of the peanut butter...

 So, I can't just eat treats for dinner?

The party animals are all tuckered out

Dream Girl

From 3 Legs to 8

It is official.  My girl is back.  She has had her spunk back for a few days now, but I didn't see the real Millie till yesterday.  What was it that made me say, "she's back"?...none other than humping Sugar.  Yup, you read that right.  When Millie was amped as a four legged dog, I would often catch her cornering Sugar, followed by some mild humping.  Yesterday as I was making dinner I spotted it out of the corner of my eye.  Poor Sugar looked troubled (as always), but it took me a few minutes of laughing before I could lend a hand to Shugs.  Poor thing.  

Millie continues to do very well on three legs.  I have been slowly increasing the distance of our potty walks each day.  She really prefers to go fast, and I think it is because it is easier for her to bounce around at a fast speed.  By the time we get home (maybe half a block walk), she is clearly tired.  She has to really throw that back leg up our one step to get inside.  

At lunchtime today I came home to find the memory foam topper had arrived.  I pulled it out of the box & immediately Hallie was in the box, filling the empty spot.  Luckily Sugar seems to be excited about the memory foam addition to the crib mattress dog bed.  Millie, on the other hand, still doesn't really like to even be near the bed.  Baby steps I guess.  Anyhow, as I was leaving to go back to work I told the girls goodbye & started to tell Millie it was time to go in the crate.  This girl had other thoughts.  She ran to the door & started furiously wagging her tail.  I asked her if she wanted to go to work & she started dancing.  How could I say no to that?!  Off we went with Millie pulling on the end of the leash.  As I was attempting to help her into the back of the car, she jumped in.  JUMPED IN.  JUMPED!  I couldn't believe it.  It wasn't the prettiest jump, but she did it.  This girl was ready to go!  Per usual, she strutted her stuff through the office, accepting kisses & scratches along the way.  

Earlier this week, we got the nicest surprise in the mail - a Tuffies stuffed octopus.  The box came marked with only my address and the words, "Salubrious Day."  Honestly, I didn't notice that part until later, and then had to look up salubrious  *I know, not my finest moment*.  (If you are curious, it means:  favorable to or promoting health or well-being).  I looked and looked for a clue to see who it was from.  Nothing.  I posted a picture to Facebook & asked my friends and family members.  I made Evan swear that he had not sent it.  I called the shipping company with the tracking number.  Nothing.  Finally today I noticed a small piece of paper with a 6 digit code on it.  I called the company back to see if this could help solve the mystery.  Low and behold it did!!  This super generous, fantastic, surprise was sent to us from one of Evan's best friends, Rachel.  I could just melt.  To further explain, I have never met Rachel.  I have never talked to Rachel.  Evan has told me a fair bit about her (& her husband, Blas), so I suspected we would get along just fine when we eventually cross paths...but....  I did not expect such a fantastic gesture of friendship and kindness.  So, if you are reading this, thank you Rachel & Blas.  You made our week!!

Hmm...what is this thing?

Just a little nibble to try it out....

MINE!  I love it, I love it, I looooove it!

Millie's newest buddy

And...this is why it is so hard to get out of bed in the morning

Too sleepy to fend off an octopus attack.

Good Idea?

Today marks day 6 after Millie's first round of chemo.  I think it is safe to say she has had no obvious side effects.  She may have been a touch sleepy, but really...Millie generally is sleepy.  She had a day or two of an ever so slight upset stomach, but I am attributing that to the extra special Valentine stuffed KONG.  

She has been getting around really, really well.  She easily jumps on the bed (though it is still on the ground), and can easily get herself on the couch.  She turns, sits down, stands up, and goes potty like a three legged pro.  As she continues to figure this out, I am beginning to calm down.  She no longer panics when I leave her in the crate.  As a result I can go to the grocery store, on a date with Evan, or to work without having an anxiety attack.  

Since her surgery, I've had her sleep in bed with me each night.  As you can imagine, that limits the space in the bed quite a bit.  I'd like a bit more leg room, but I'm not ready to be (nor do I think I will ever really be) a no dog in the bed kind of person.  I love having my dogs snuggle in bed.  As a way to get more space, but to keep them close, I decided to buy a nice dog bed & position it right next to the bed.  I wanted something orthopedic, waterproof, and a decent size.  Dog beds that meet all three of those were somewhere between $200-$350.  Yikes.  I decided that I needed to get creative.  I went to Target & purchased a crib mattress, waterproof mattress pad & fitted sheet.  Perfect & all three were just under $100.  I was so pleased with myself!  I made the bed & placed it right next to mine.  Sugar immediately hopped on the dog bed & laid down.  Millie gave it the stink eye.  Five minutes later & Sugar was off the dog bed and on mine. 

I told Millie to get off of my bed & invited her onto the dog bed.  She did everything she could to avoid it.  I finally got her to step on it & I could see why she wasn't a fan.  The springs in the mattress moved around her paw, and it was clear that the bed wasn't really all that supportive. 

Four days later, and Millie is still giving the dog bed the stink eye...

Sugar doesn't weigh enough to make the bed give at all, so it really is like laying on the floor for her.  Millie is too heavy, so the springs awkwardly give around her feet.  Ugh, not so perfect plan.  The new idea is to top the mattress with memory foam.  I ordered a 2" thick crib size memory foam topper.  I'm hoping that it will make the bed a bit more comfy for Shugs, but also make it a bit more stable for Millie.  I guess we'll see how it goes once I add that on.  

Look how furry her booty is getting!

Speaking of good ideas...I continue to be amazing & surprised by the thoughtful gestures of friends.  So many people check in on a regular basis asking how Millie is doing.  An old coworker and friend from the local dog training club gave me a very thoughtful card filled with goodies (including a gift card to Subway).  Thank you Heather!  Millie's godparents in California sent me a surprise gift certificate for a massage.  Massssssage!!!  Thank you Josephine & Lorenzo!  I am so lucky to have such supportive and thoughtful friends and family members.  Millie sends lots of slobbery kisses your way.

1st Round of Chemo (written a day late)

Let me backtrack a bit...

The evening of 2/12, a college classmate of mine wrote me to say that her dog was also fighting osteosarcoma.  His tumor was found in a rib last summer.  After surgery he was put on the same chemo regimen that Millie will be on -- carboplatin every 3-4 weeks for a total of 5 treatments.  She also mentioned that following his last dose of IV chemo, she started him on **metronomic chemo.  

**I found this definition to help explain metronomic chemo:  "The definition on metronomic chemotherapy varies, but generally it refers to repetitive, low doses of chemotherapy drugs designed to minimize toxicity and target the endothelium or tumor stroma as opposed to targeting the tumor.  There is a considerable body of evidence that even low, nontoxic doses of chemotherapy drugs, when delivered frequently for a prolonged period of time (metronomic chemotherapy) can retard tumor blood vessel growth (or angiogenis) by destroying endothelial cells.  Endothelial cells are the cells that line the blood vessels.  Angiogenesis, or the orderly formation of the endothelial cells into blood vessels, is necessary for tumors to grow and spread." 

My classmate had asked her dog's oncologist (who coincidentally is Millie's oncologist) for anything she could do proactively, rather than just sit and wait for the cancer to spread to the lungs.  I like her thinking.  The oncologist cautioned that metronomic chemo is not typically used in osteosarcoma.  It works well in soft tissue cancer (to slow the progression), but there is no clear evidence that is does anything with OSA.  I want to know that we did EVERYTHING possible to give Millie every single chance she has.  It is administered as a oral capsule - usually given once per day.  What a fantastic surprise to find out that there is one more thing we can try.  Also, what a wonderful thing for my classmate to share.  So, if you are reading this - thank you again!

The next day, 2/13, we woke up bright and early.  Millie's appointment for suture removal and chemo was at 8am.  I had no idea if I would be able to load/unload Millie from the car by myself, so I asked Evan to help.  I was nervous on the way over & Evan tried to calm me down by saying that the hard part (amputation) was over.  Chemo would be a breeze & Millie likely wouldn't even remember her last visit to U of I.  Ohhh, I knew he was wrong.  We parked and normally this is Millie's moment to rush the door & burst out like a bull.  My adorable girl sat in the car with her butt parked on the floor.  She was not moving.  I thought for a minute that she just didn't want to get out of the back, so I opened a different door - on the side.  Nope.  This girl managed to climb her way into the driver's seat.  Not Moving.  After a little coaxing, she came out & we hopped inside.  As expected, U of I was empty at that time in the morning.  Our technician came in & by that time she had fully relaxed.  The oncology resident came in to discuss how he had planned the day.  They would have surgery check her incision, remove her sutures, do some baseline bloodwork, and then start chemo.  We discussed metronomic chemo.  He said that while there are some possible side effects from the medications, he thought it was worthwhile to give it a try.  YAY!  I was told to come back at 1:30 to pick her up.

At 1:29pm I was in the lobby.  Thankfully, they were on time.  The chemo technician brought Millie up & we went went to a room to discuss her first treatment, etc.  The small, firm swelling under part of her incision was normal, and should continue to shrink with time.  All 26 sutures were removed & they were very pleased with not only how it looked, but how well she was doing on three legs.  They weighed her...and...wait for it...this hot little mama is 125.1lbs.  Holy cow.  One thing that made me laugh was the tech asked me if Millie typically ate things she wasn't supposed to.  When I asked why, she said that she had placed a pressure bandage on her leg for a few minutes, and when she returned it was gone.  She suspected Millie ate it.  I'd be shocked if that wasn't the case.  That's my girl!  If Millie develops side effects, they expect them to be GI related -- nausea, vomiting, soft stools/diarrhea, inappetence, etc & to occur 3-5 days after the chemo.  In 10-14 days, Millie will need to have a CBC done so that they can see how low her white blood cell count goes.  They expect it to decrease some, but they want to make sure it doesn't get too low.  In 3-4 weeks she'll have her next round of chemo...and the cycle continues.  

We had our first "poor dog on three legs" moment while checking out at U of I.  I was paying and a German Shepherd was waiting near the desk with his owner.  Millie and the Shepherd were giving each other the evil eye & I could tell by her body posture that she wanted to start some naughty behavior.  I told Millie to sit.  She didn't - not because she can't, but because she clearly was ignoring me.  I sternly told her to sit again & she did.  A woman next to me tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Maybe she doesn't want to sit because of her missing leg."  I politely told her that Millie can sit just fine on three legs & that she does it all the time at home.  

Now, on 2/14 -- so far, so good.  She had her first potty walk sling free (see below -- yes, the video contains a few pee stops)

She has had a great appetite, and is a happy, cuddly girl - all normal for her.  In fact, if anything, I'd say she feels better.  I've started feeding her back in the normal location (she had been eating almost all her meals in my bed with a towel wrapped around her).  The girlies even got a special Valentine's day KONG treat today.

Frozen peanut butter, canned food & water mixture with a chewy stick!

First full day of work away from Millie & she could care less.  Success!

 Sutures out & looking good!

She's Got This

Tomorrow marks Millie's suture removal & first day of chemotherapy.  She has really come a long way since her amputation.  She is getting better and better on three legs!

She's still a little clingy, but I can't really blame her.  We've all had a rough couple of weeks.  She's getting up on her own to get a drink when the mood strikes, has jumped on the couch unassisted (AKA:  I didn't want her doing this & she was too fast for me to stop her), is barking at the mail person again (I'm sure she appreciates this just as much as she used to), etc.

She almost 100% off of her pain meds.  I'm still giving her some Tramadol as needed (maybe once or twice a day -- when I feel like she's uncomfortable).  She's got a pretty incredible pain tolerance, but I can't imagine she'd be healed a week and a half after amputation.  It just doesn't sound plausible.  So, really...I'm giving her pain meds because I feel like she probably wouldn't mind having some.  Eh, it is a learning process I guess.

As Millie heals, I am getting better about leaving her.  I've gone to the store & actually shopped rather than grabbing one item, impatiently waiting in line, and speeding home.  I've gone out to a movie, met my parents for breakfast, and even taken a nap at Evan's house once.

This past Friday Millie's surgeon called to let me know that leg biopsy results.  When they amputated her leg, they sent the whole darn thing to pathology.  The tumor site came back positive for osteosarcoma.  Shocker.  Okay, I realize this is a bit bratty, but what the heck did they expect?  I mean,  on one hand, it's nice to have a second positive biopsy result, but...  I guess they just need to give the whole report.  Anyway, the lymph  node/s closest to the site of the tumor were free of cancer.  I took this as a plus.  The surgeon said the same thing, but she also said that I need to remember that the cancer usually spreads to the lungs before it spreads to the lymphatic system.  So, it isn't a giant plus, but it certainly isn't a bad thing.  I'll take it!  The cancer originated under her TPLO plate.  There are two ways to look at this -- 1.  The implant caused the cancer.  Implants have been shown to be associated with the start of cancer.  2.  It is complete coincidence that the cancer started under the plate.  Osteosarcoma is most often found in the tibia, in the hock (wrist), or shoulder.  Honestly, I don't really care which is which.  There is no way to prove either, and I don't think I'd care to know.  She has cancer - no matter how she got it, she has it.  Also, I would never not do the TPLO.  If Sugar needed it tomorrow, I would do it.  Millie's two TPLOs gave her a life she never would have had without them.  Until, if there ever is, a different way to fix a torn cruciate ligament (without using an implant) - I'll be the biggest TPLO fan out there.

Now a few pictures....

I love how her extra skin puddles.

 Breakfast in bed!

"Really?  This has gone a touch too far don't ya think?"

Auntie Kolleen came for a visit & some snuggles.

 Pretty pretty Piper.

Incision as of 2/12/12 -- getting furry!