Getting Those Lumps Checked

Today was "run around town" day in Missoula -- among other stops, a press check on the fall newsletter at the printer, taking Molly and Priscilla to the groomers, and the thing that's been weighing on us ... having blind Goldie checked for a new set of skin growths.  Goldie has already had a couple of surgeries to remove cancerous growths in recent years, which is why we were alarmed to see three new lumps develop.  So I took her to see our internal medicine specialist in Missoula, Dr. Dave Bostwick, this morning for a medical exam.  That's vet tech Alex holding Goldie while Dave looks at two growths on her left front leg; a third growth was on her back at the base of her tail. 

The good news is that two of the lumps are basically warts, but one of the growths on her leg was most likely a basal cell carcinoma.  Although a carcinoma, these tumors "behave" in a generally benign fashion, meaning they are local and don't spread.  We'll need to remove it and send it in for a biopsy to know for sure what it is.  And because the warts are something Goldie will continue to lick, chew on and generally "worry" -- which will only make them grow larger and more inflamed -- Dave will take them off at the same time.  We'll get this done next week.

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And in Poodle news, I was so proud of Molly and Priscilla this morning.  Usually I have to carry the blind sisters from the truck, across the parking lot, and into PetsMart to the grooming section.  They just haven't felt comfortable walking in such unfamiliar territory, with the pavement, vehicles, all that city noise around them.  Not today.  Both girls walked on a leash the entire way, right into the store, down the aisle and into the groomers.  And they walked back to the truck this afternoon when I went to pick them up.  One of the groomers walked Priscilla out with me to the truck while I took Molly, and she told me that these two girls are "the best Standard Poodles we've ever had" ... and by that, she meant in terms of being easy to work with for clipping, bathing, and overall handling.

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I also went to the "groomers" today, and it finally occurred to me that the Poodle sisters and I are pretty much on the same schedule.  When it's time to get them groomed, it's time for me to get a haircut ... and vice versa.  It's just that I don't need three hours to get all gussied up.

Comments

[Miranda]

While you are waiting for the poodle sisters to be gussied up and go to your own grooming appt, how about a mani/pedi?! Just don't tell us about it and it can be your secret pleasure! :-)

[ginger]

I'm glad that Priscilla & Molly finally figured out that it was safe to walk from the truck across the parking lot & into Petsmart! Bravo, ladies! Maybe they figured it was time to give you a break, Steve. So you hair grows at the same rate as the Poodles, that's an interesting fact.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Goldie. We only want good news!
Big hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit

[Carla Polastro-Nigro]

I quite agree with Michele: it is high time for a cancer break at RDR!!

Great comment, Bob, lol!:-)

A big hug to you all from Italy.

[Michele]

I'm praying for a cancer break for the ranch. Too much, too much!! Thanks for loving them and taking such good care of all of them!

[Maureen Bishop]

Woo Hoo I agree!!!!

Mo and the 4 pugs plus the new baby Bella : )

Will send pictures asap..

[Lynn (in Louisiana)]

The refined Poodle sisters and their hound dog boyfriend Trooper........one of my all time favorite stories of Rolling Dog Ranch.

Goldie is such a cutie. I bet all will be well.

[Suzanne Babbitt]

I do the same with my dog. When she goes to the groomer so do I. Saves some time

[Janet in Cambridge]

You're an "easy" keeper, Steve.

Congrats to the Poodle Sisters for their new-found confidence in walking into PetsMart on their own. Of course, they're the best around. They're at RDR!!!!

[Bob]

Southern Ladies need a certain amount of time to become presentable. Hope they aren't getting gussied up so they look better for that good for nothing hound. He is probably just interested in them because he thinks they come from family money.