When I was at WSU yesterday, Dr. Fidel asked me how blind Callie was doing after her brain tumor radiation treatment back in April. I told her it had been a long slog, and for a few months we began to wonder if the old Callie was ever going to come back. She was pretty much zoned out most of the time. We'd see brief glimpses of her former self -- she'd start grooming someone, for example -- but it didn't last long and she'd revert to what we called her "lost" state.
We didn't know how much of it was due to the inner ear problem she developed during her stay at WSU, the radiation or the phenobarbital. Well, we finally opted to take her off the phenobarbital altogether several weeks ago, and that's when the "real" Callie started returning. Not only has her personality returned, but the seizures haven't ... showing that the radiation worked to shrink her brain tumor.
Alayne got the photo above of Callie in the living room a couple of days ago, and that's the Callie we used to know. Before we took her off the phenobarbital, she wouldn't or couldn't even get on the dog cots. Now she's back up on them all the time, and in her preferred sleeping position -- upside down.
---
Update on Gabe: He had his surgery this afternoon and I just found out a few minutes ago from his case manager, Al, that he came through it in great shape. The surgeon told me this morning that they planned to cut through the skin along the top ridge of Gabe's nose, peel it back, then remove a section of bone about 8 centimeters by 1 centimeter, and then scoop out the tumor. They will cover the missing bone gap with the skin flap and eventually tissue will grow back over the hole, underneath the skin, so it is permanently covered like a tight drum.
(We actually did something similar on a blind horse a few years ago ... drilled a one-inch hole into his sinus cavity and covered it back up with skin. A couple of months later, you couldn't tell there wasn't any bone underneath.)The surgeon said that because of the nature of the tumor and its location, they'd end up leaving microscopic bits of cancerous tissue behind, but that's what the radiation is designed to clean up. Overall, the surgeon was very optimistic about Gabe's long-term prognosis. He will come back to the ranch next week, recuperate for a couple of weeks, and then we will take him back to WSU to begin his radiation treatment.
I'm glad to see Callie is back up on cots and posing ever so cutely.
Great news about Gabe! He's still in our thoughts and hope he can come home this week, as expected.
Posted by: boundforglory | August 31, 2009 at 09:43 AM
Does Callie still wag her tail faster and faster when it's time for her last pee break to give away her dead dog routine? That is the funniest thing on Youtube.
Posted by: Bob | August 30, 2009 at 05:19 PM
I am so glad Callie is feeling better, I love the video of her playing dead with that tail going ninety to nothing!! Sounds like Gabe will recover & do great also!! Thanks for all you do!!
Posted by: Mary | August 29, 2009 at 09:39 AM
Christal, to answer your question, the cots are from Kuranda and the beds are from West Paw Design.
Posted by: Steve Smith | August 28, 2009 at 11:11 PM
I thrilled for Cassie & for you all. I know it's great to have the sweet, silly Cassie back.
Wonderful news about Gabe! I'm excited for him.
Continued prayers for both.
I agree with Barbara Arenal. The amazing lengths you go to give love & care to babies that have never known this much love & care & giving them a 2nd chance is truly, truly admirable. And, the support of all the followers & your loving care & dedication makes it all possible. God bless!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | August 28, 2009 at 06:38 PM
May I take a moment to remind everyone that RDR has a Facebook Cause page:
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/43839
If you are on Facebook, join up! You can donate there too... :)
Posted by: Lynne Parker | August 28, 2009 at 04:09 PM
Thanks for the great news about Gabe!
That's the Callie we all know & love!
Big hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | August 28, 2009 at 03:57 PM
I wish I could kiss that ear that's flipped over the edge of the cot.
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | August 28, 2009 at 03:29 PM
You certainly have your hands full! Good news about Callie and glad to hear Gabe's surgery went well. Now for Teddy - come on little guy~~ Let's get you home and well!
Posted by: sharon | August 28, 2009 at 03:17 PM
Steve, I thought you'd mentioned before in the past where you got the cots/pads from. Could you let me know? I think our older boxer might like them based on the overall visual recommendations shown in your blog photos. Thank you!
Posted by: Christal Anderson | August 28, 2009 at 12:27 PM
It is nice to see Callie doing so well. Hopefully Gabe is recovering well. You 2 are incredible. I am in awe of you both.
Posted by: Evelyn | August 28, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Good News all around! Now we can focus on Teddy and his teeth cleaning today.
I cut my phenobarbitol dose in half for my dog and the only time I have to really watch her is when it gets hot outside, for some reason this will trigger a siezure. Otherwise she is a brand new dog.
Posted by: Amy A | August 28, 2009 at 11:46 AM
I'm so glad to hear that Gabe's surgery went well. I thought about him and Teddy (and Helen) last night as I meditated. As others have said, thank you for your excellent care and compassion. I'm glad to hear Callie is better. I wondered about her as well.
Thank you for keeping us in the loop.
Posted by: Lynne Parker | August 28, 2009 at 07:52 AM
Hooray for good news! The picture of Gabe's tumor had left me in shock...I have never seen anything like it....I'm glad they got most of it.
And poor Callie, I bet she's glad to "just say no" to the phenobarb....she looks like another success story to me!!
Posted by: Debbie | August 28, 2009 at 07:31 AM
Thanks, Steve, for the sweet photo of a sleeping, very relaxed Callie and for the encouraging update on Gabe!
What about Teddy? How did his dental go?
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | August 28, 2009 at 03:41 AM
What Great news about Callie, and especially about Gabe! I never cease to be amazed at the lengths you go, to give these poor deserving animals a 2nd chance at a Better life....its Truly Admirable. And through such caring RDR followers, its possible. I hope to be able to someday again, be a big contributor and help too. In the meantime, I am so glad to know that all the critters are getting the BEST of what they need to heal and live a gentler, pain-free life. Thank You, Steve and Alayne! You're Angels on this Earth!
Posted by: Barbara Arenal | August 27, 2009 at 10:18 PM
That's fabulous news for such a cute and deserving boy. Now he will be able to really enjoy his new home at RDR.
Posted by: Toni | August 27, 2009 at 09:09 PM