Aaaww, Poor Cocoa!

Poor Cocoa, our almost-13-year-old Cocker Spaniel! He started bleeding from a mass near his tail, probably a few days ago. We noticed some blood spots on the floor (thank goodness for our new tile), but were unable to see a source for it. I thought maybe one of the dogs had a paw injury, but couldn't find anything. Then yesterday I realized that it was definitely from Cocoa, that wherever he sat there was a smear of blood. I started looking closer, and found what looked like a mass right under his tail.

So, we took a trip to the vet this morning, and discussed options for treatment. We had decided to go ahead and have surgery on Monday to remove the mass and have it biopsied. Once we got results from that, we could decide about whether to pursue treatment options beyond that. While we were waiting for the doctor to come back and give us some more information, all of a sudden Cocoa started really bleeding a LOT, just dripping blood all over the floor. So that changed things. Now it had become more of an emergent situation and surgery had to be done today. The only good thing about this was that we were still in the vet's office when this happened; it could have been worse.

So, he had the surgery, and I picked him up a couple hours ago, the poor little thing. He needs to be kept away from our other dog, and he has to wear an "elizabethan collar" to keep him from licking the wound. So we've enclosed him in a little bathroom area off the kitchen, gave him a blanket and his food in there, and are hoping for the best. He is VERY upset, to say the least. Anyone who knows him is aware that he can be extremely vocal about his feelings!

You can see why the collar is difficult. We've never had to do this before, so I'm not sure if there's any way to make it easier. Right now, I don't see one.

He's having a hard time figuring out how to maneuver with it, especially being able to eat and drink. He can manage it, but he has to get the collar positioned just right in order to do it. And now it seems I have another part-time job (as if I needed one), just taking care of his medical needs for the next couple of weeks. Pain pills, stool softener, and antibiotics twice a day, surgical wound care twice a day and as needed, as well as an ointment for his red and irritated eye. I figure I'll be getting up 30 minutes early every day, just in order to get this new routine completed before I go to work!

Here's all the stuff we came home with. Yikes--he has almost as many meds as Jessica! As bad as this seems, I'm reminding myself that it is only temporary, maybe 10 days or so, and if the mass is not malignant he has a good chance to continue on his merry little doggy way for maybe another couple of years. If we don't get a good report from the biopsy, well, it will only have been a few more days, and I guess he deserves that.

UPDATE 11/29:

(Once again, I don't know how or why this is in blue; I can't seem to figure out how to turn it off.)

Well, less than 24 hours into it, I had to take the collar off. Cocoa was going to lose what sanity he has left; he was going absolutely crazy. He was wailing so much that he was getting hoarse, and whipping his head around so much trying to get it off that he probably would do more damage that way. So I took off the collar this morning and he has been very good, doesn't even seem to notice the wound on his behind, hasn't tried to lick it or rub it at all so far. So, so far so good... Now we just wait for biopsy results.

LOVE LOVE LOVE

I love love love these kids! I know, I know, what a surprise. I was just looking at a couple pictures from yesterday, and... well, that's what I thought.

The Halloween Queen

Anyone who knows Jessica knows that she loves decorating for the holidays. Her year seems to begin with Halloween, and goes on through to July 4th. (I know you probably think the year begins in January, but you'd be wrong.) It's her "thing." People tease her mercilessly about it (including me), but she doesn't really care. She has her ideas, and one can't dissuade her. Her taste is SO not mine, but in the end it doesn't really matter, and I mostly end up letting her do pretty much whatever she wants to the outside of the house. I try to look at it like this: I don't really see the front of the house all that much; usually I drive right into the garage after work and hardly notice what's out there. And when I do, well, sometimes I cringe, and sometimes I think it's kinda cute. All depends on the holiday, and how far overboard she's gone.
I've also realized, somewhat surprisingly, that I don't really care that much what other people think about it, which is pretty freeing.

I was surprised to discover, when I started this post, that I didn't have more pictures of her at Halloween. These were from 2004 (I think), and 2002. I know there are more, just not sure where.

I realize that sometimes I've been a bit short with her about her compulsion to decorate any and every surface in my home. But I've decided this "new year" to try to be kinder to her about it, to just let her have this one area where she can express herself and have fun. After all, there aren't that many things she can do; I'm determined to try to just be quiet and let her have this. Check back with me at the end of the year in July, and I'll let you know how my plan worked out.

LUCKY GIRL

Kayla is one lucky little girl.

First of all, she has wonderful parents. They can't say that themselves, now can they. That would be a bit immodest, to say the least, and isn't like them at all. But I can say it, and I do.

Second, she has big brothers who are so excited to finally meet her, and who love her and will be excellent examples to her as she grows.

Last, this girl has a fabulous wardrobe! A girl just can't have too much pink!

Sweet Kayla

Kayla is one week old tonight. Here's my favorite picture from the hospital, at less than one day old. Is this not the cutest little face?!