I thought I’d be writing a column celebrating Buzz’s 10th birthday on March 1, but instead, I’m writing this column to ask for well wishes and positive thoughts for him.
And, I’m probably breaking all kinds of doggie HIPPA rules by telling everyone this but, at 7:15 a.m., I delivered Buzz to Lane Animal Hospital (without his breakfast), fighting back the tears so he would be the first one in today’s surgical rotation.
Buzz is spending the last day of his 9th year having a tricky surgery and then once he’s come out from under anesthesia, I will have the agonizing wait to find out if what was removed is cancerous.
A little history is needed here. While showing him in “stand and eat food” at the UKC shows on Feb. 11, one of the judges discovered he had a fluid-filled scrotum and she asked if, perhaps, I’d entered him in the wrong class.
Buzz was altered more than three years ago, a procedure needed to save his life when he became very ill due to prostrate issues.
So, the following Monday, we were off to see Dr. Margaret Lane, which resulted in many tests and the decision to begin treating the issue with the least invasive course of action. He was on two weeks of antibiotics and antihistamines in the hopes that this was just a quirky reaction to something.
Nope.
In the meantime, since it didn’t bother him in the least bit, and I was hoping for positive results with the treatment plan, we participated in a Rally match last Sunday and I entered him in a trial in Toledo on March 4.
But, back we went on Feb. 22 to see Dr. Margaret for a recheck and since I’d been carefully watching to see if there were any changes, I knew what the answer would be – surgery.
I just thought it would take place a little later in March.
Nope. More tests and with the results in hand, surgery was fast-tracked to Feb. 28 giving me little time to prepare myself mentally or story-wise for this week. (So, please forgive me for the lack of stories that will be published as Buzz and I navigate this first week of quiet during his post-surgical recovery.)
Sunday, I drove Mr. Aidan to Shelby Township telling him he was “going to camp” – a week spent with his brother, Dare and mom Phury. He might even go to a training class with his breeder. I know she’ll keep me posted on all of his adventures.
This alone-time will allow Buzz to have a quiet, stress-free start to his recovery. And I’ll go back and pick Aidan up as soon as I’m sure Buzz is feeling better and can tolerate the puppy antics of his younger brother. Buzz will tell you, his younger brother can be a bit much some times.
I spent Saturday evening preparing Aidan’s meals in individual containers and he’ll have his familiar crate, things to chew on, and of course, his beloved Snuggle puppy with him while he’s away “at camp.”
I’ll be hand walking Buzz – and doing all I can to keep him quiet. No stairs or rough housing allowed. Just lots of rest and calm.
So, today, please send positive and healing thoughts to Buzz as you read this and pray that there is no cancer detected. I’ll keep everyone posted on his progress.
But I will end this column with some positive news – entries for the Rally National championships opened on my birthday, Feb. 21, and AKC received his entry into the championship class. Friday, I received word that he did get in.
So WHEN all goes well today, we’ll be competing in the Rally National Championships, representing Chelsea, June 16-17.
