3 Years

3 Years ago I wrote a blog post that said Leo has cancer.  At the time, we were told that median survival of canine lymphoma was about 1 year. Leo was only 8 1/2 years old and was a happy, otherwise healthy and active dog.

The first appointment. He was ready to leave. 

We opted for chemotherapy - the Wisconsin protocol, an aggressive (and expensive) treatment with a high incidence of success. We were told that he could be in remission for months, maybe even a year. There were some ups and downs (and we learned why "white feet, don't treat" is true), but by and large it worked. Leo went in to remission, and was in remission for the better part of 2 years.
In the fall, Leo had a relapse. This time, it did not go in to remission. We have supplanted the Wisconsin protocol for COP, and have kept the disease at bay.

Today, Leo is doing ok. People at the park say he looks great, and he bounces around and is naughty and gets in to things and was acting tough about a German Shepherd yesterday (he's never liked them). He was doing better a few weeks ago, but has since had some appetite problems. He's picky - he's happy to eat pig ears and the kitty bowl and my food, but his dog food? The food I made for him? Nah. He's walked away from full bowls, and has actually spit out food. His belly seems... off, which leads me to believe that something, somewhere, is brewing deep down inside. Of course, he could just be not quite as hungry (age? cancer? chemo? all of the above?) and stubborn (border collie!) and knows he can get his way (spoiled!).

Leo is now 11 1/2 - a good age for any dog, and a fantastic age for one that's had cancer (twice, technically). We've done numerous hikes in the summer and winter - Fahnestock, Hudson Highlands, Panther Mountain. We've been camping at Flugertown and in the Washington and Jefferson National Forests.  He's seen me leave Greenpoint for Bushwick, then on to Ridgewood, and back to Greenpoint. He's peed on every tree between here and there. We've seen bears. We've spent a lot time on car rides and a lot of time on the couch. We've had a good life in those 3 years.

To anyone that researches canine cancers, thank you. To those that treat canine cancers, thank you, too. You've given me 3 more years with my best friend in the world.

We got wet on a hike. Someone wasn't happy.

Happier in the car.

My boy