Status of The Week With Very Important Prologue

Good Thursday Evening and Happy Friday...
Bring it on!!!

I'm a happy by nature, laid back and silly boy. I'm mild mannered, courteous, gentle and subtle... but if you really know me, you know that I have a big personality and a dry wit.

When I don't feel so good, I get kinda quiet and low key... and my the Mom says I 'shrink'.

My personality crashed along with my the Mom's last December and January, when she and I lost our The Luke. She and I did everything together and over time, we each began to come back to life. Then after some fostering trials and a lot of consideration, we decided to add Reufus to our family.

As The Honeymoon faded, life with Reufus Jackson Wright began to get a little... *scratches head, rubs chin*... let's call it "trying". Little squirt had boundless, uncontrollable energy, recognized no boundaries and had no respect for personal space.

And about that time... My personality shrank. And my the Mom assumed it was because Mister Fabulous was forcing us both out of The Space we called Life.

We invested a LOT of time and energy in restoring BALANCE to our home and family, but I remained reserved and a bit withdrawn... 

And then one Friday, my lymph nodes enlarged. The Mom worried over me until the following Monday when she could schedule an appointment with Our Doctor Mark.

The diagnosis of lymphosarcoma was both dreaded and expected. The Mom intuitively knew... and it had already been revealed to her in the same way it had been with Luke. [Story for another day].

The very worst times for the Mom are those that we call LIMBO.

We made quick work of extended tests and talking all of this over with Dr Novosad, who we already trusted with the Luke's care. And after much thought, discussion and consideration, together we plotted a course of action. We determined a Protocol. And we charged forward.

Over the course of treatment, my personality has BLOSSOMED again! I am fun. I am silly. I am ornery!!! My energy, interest and enthusiasm for Our Life has returned. And my the Mom knows now... I was sick, and not depressed.

Things have been going wonderfully, the results far more beneficial than any of the sacrifice! There isn't a regret in sight, and we have had the highest of Hopes!!!

Test time has come, however... You see, with our chosen Protocol, Week 7 marks a "gate", so to speak. This is the point that Remission is expected, as it is the time when The Enemy has seen all the ammo and all The Troops have to offer. And the rest of the Protocol is ineffective to risky if the stability of Remission hasn't been achieved.

This Past Tuesday marked Week 7 for me. And I didn't make Remission.
The Mom had postively thought herself (which is a feat, as all who know her will testify) into believing all is well and that my lymph nodes felt normal. I'm a BIG, SKINNY boy. Nothing about me can be compared, by touch, with any other boy. And with my personality in full blossom, my energy recharged, and my sense of humor unbridled... She had the highest of hopes.

Dr Novosad questioned the size of the last of the lymph nodes. He measured them with calipers, and then to make sure... he aspirated. And I guess, under the microscope... it is revealed that the disease, the Enemy... is still there.

So, after discussion with my the Mom... the recommendation that Dr N made was for me to postpone my Week 7 treatment... and to receive an injection of Elspar instead.

What, you ask, is Elspar? Elspar [Asparaginase]... is an enzyme that interferes with natural substances necessary for cancer cell growth. It works by killing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

The initial few hours after the injection were tenous, as anaphylactic shock was a possibility. I tolerated it well, but because I was given a proactive shot of Benadryl, I was a little lethargic for a while. I also had some significant tummy upset... but I'm over it now, and I'm feeling really darn good again!

As happy as I am, and as good as I feel... there still is some pressure on me. If my test results reveal that I'm in Remission next Tuesday, I can resume my chosen Protocol... Week 7.

I hate to even acknowledge the possibility, but if I fall short of my goal again... We will have to plot a new course, try something totally different. And it would be far better in my long run... not to show The Enemy new weapons. I would much prefer to save those for another day. So...

Please to Pray for Me?
Remission is the Key.

A Little This and That, Hodge Podge Things

Welcome back, Friends! And thank you for your willingess to venture into the heat and drought of Houston, Texas to join me as we close out another wonderful weekend!

We've not been too terribly busy this weekend, so I thought I would share a little this and that, you know... just a few hodge podge kinda things.


Outdoor Life. Though I love out-of-doors, I don't spend a great deal of time out there, even under normal conditions... but these days of triple digit temperatures, I am even more efficient with my time out there!

Little Reufus seems to be wired with a different thermostat than the rest of us, so the Mom is forever letting him go outside and calling him right back in! He seems to think there is merit in living outside... Silly, silly boy!!!

Gosh... This heat makes me YAWN!

Have I mentioned that Houston is almost 18" behind our normal rainfall for the year? And the last 12 months have been the dryest in the state's history? Probably not, because drought statistics are so not fun...


Well, very little will actually grow in this heat and drought, but there IS one thing that seems to be starting to grow nicely...


Reufus Fur. Check it out, Little Reufus is starting to grow some Golden fur! It's hard to see in photographs, but his fur is thickening around his neck and through his shoulder blades. His undercarriage, pantaloons and tail are also filling in and growing! 

It's kinda bittersweet, because a boy only has the puppy looks for just a short while.. and the Mom wants to hang onto that memory. Photos don't do Reuf justice. He really, really, really is "a pretty boy". And I'm pretty sure his looks have carried him a long way in this life!

And on the other paw, we are hoping we can get him approved or certified by the AKC under The Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) for pure bred dogs who don't have papers.


If recognized, it will mean that he will be eligible to compete in Obedience, Rally and Agility events... I, personally, don't see this ever happening, but it's his dream, and I don't want to squash it. After all, I still have dreams of having my own dance crew!

For The Love of Luke... and Great News. The Fund has been quite successful, and we are pleased to introduce Rusty Flomar... the first awesome Senior slated to receive treatment via this fund!

Rusty is 7 years old, and he was abandoned at a pet supply store in Beaumont, Texas. This handsome boy definitely has "The Luke" factor!  He is supremely handsome and has confidence galore. He was recently neutered and is heartworm positive, but brace yourself for the greatest news ever!!!


Rusty met his Forever Family yesterday! And I mean, this handsome boy scored. They are as wonderful as he is. And they are ALL at the brink of a beautiful life together. I just know...

Beautiful Life. I treasure each and every new day. I also treasure times past. Sometimes I long for them. And here is Our The Luke, one year ago...

What a brother...

And here we are, working the door together....

Those were the days.

And so are these. Just saying.

The Bleu Day at The Dog Show!

The Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows in in full swing, and the Highlight of the entire show was my appearance at the GRRH Booth yesterday!

As you can see... I was all smiles!

I took my role very seriously, as I greeted our visitors. I was kind and gentle and...

Handsome!

Everyone commented on my cuteness and my soft fur.

And I surprised a number of people when I stood up...

Many people asked with great care and discretion... "Ahem... Is he a little taller than the typical golden?"

And lots of people wanted to adopt me... including this little girl and her family!

I liked the little one, and gave great consideration to the fact that they did not have a puppy at home, but the fact is... I know I'm the sunshine in my the Mom's day, and I'm one of the best reasons she lives! So... I told them, "No, No. I'm taken, and only here to tell my story..."

"When I was surrendered to GRRH in 2008, I had no hair on my back. I came with a 2" tall stack of veterinary care sheets, a basket of toys, a box of bandanas and clothes, shampoo and brushes... and my famous and treasured green bowl. My previous family obviously loved me...

They thought that I had allergies, and had treated for such. I lost my fur when they moved to Houston, so that was a natural assumption. Nothing seemed to be helping...
 
Once with the GRRH organization, I was tested for allergies, and my only significant sensitivity is dairy... so that couldn't be the source of my hair loss. Now that I've been with my the Mom who understands me, she knows... My original family began having children upon their arrival in Houston, and I was having a nervous breakdown!"

Three years later, and look at me now!!!

Here I am with GRRH volunteers, Nancy and Jan... and cute, silly and available Bobby!

Take Two.

Take Three!

Oh... And this little boy was VERY sweet. I loved the way he talked to me!

Many people melted into my upturned eyes!

And the Mom was quite taken by my unadulterated cuteness!

I corrected her by saying... "Awwww... The Word is HANDSOME, Mom!!!"

Just for fun, let me give you a tour of our booth...

Below the 'R' on the banner, you will see my Cousin Buddy of The Herd. And below the 'H' is The Luke! In the corner on the panel coming toward the right side of the photo... top left is The Luke. Bottom center is the Reuf. And below the 'R' on the wall of the booth is The Me!

On another booth panel, are these photos of The Luke and Little Reufus! The Mom sent in photos of the three of us... with the same serious expression, from the same distance, same pose. Once the show is over, the photos are hers for a donation... and she has BIG plans to display them side by side!

I'm the only one of my family who only had one photo on the Alumni Wall, but then... I'm the only one who actually got to come to the show!

Well, that's not exactly true... The Luke was there, too. He is everywhere we go, because he's in our hearts.

And the BIG reason I was at The Show yesterday, was to announce and formally introduce...

'For The Love of Luke'

a fund dedicated

to providing new life

for Senior Goldens

The Luke made a loving and meaningful difference in our lives.
This fund will make a loving and meaningful difference in the lives of Senior Goldens.
The Mom will see to it...
For the Love of Luke!