Last Sunday Alayne discovered a growth on blind Goldie's side, near her right shoulder. It was very small, buried in a lot of other tissue, and it had that "uh oh" feel to it. Not a fatty tumor, and it felt attached. This was more alarming than it would normally be, because Goldie had already had surgery for another cancerous growth in January. That was a soft tissue sarcoma on her back. Our internal medicine specialist in Missoula, Dr. Dave Bostwick at Missoula Veterinary Specialty Clinic, had successfully removed it.
On Monday I took Goldie in to see Dave, and a fine needle aspirate confirmed our fears. The growth was a mast cell tumor. We scheduled surgery for today.
Goldie is one of our 'personal' dogs who moved to Montana with us from Seattle in 2000. She is the chief minion who never lets Alayne get more than 5 feet away from her. Goldie is a dog who is as much as part of us as any animal we've had. We've had her longer than anyone else.
And as many of you know, this has been a truly terrible year for losses for us. We've lost three of our other personal dogs this year ... Dillon, Dolly and Shiloh. Little Oscar died, too. Then there was the death two weeks ago of our beloved Birdie, who was as much "one of ours" as Goldie. Add in all the other losses, and it's been an emotionally brutal year.
So having Goldie develop a second cancer in six months was the last thing we wanted to hear, and this week we have been on edge worrying about her. I took the photo of Alayne with Goldie this morning, just before they left for the vet hospital in Missoula.
The good news is that Dave called an hour ago to say Goldie came through surgery just fine and was already up and walking around. He is sending the tissue in for a biopsy, which will tell us what grade of mast cell tumor it is. They range from 1 to 3, with 3 being the most aggressive and requiring follow-up chemotherapy. Most come back as grade 2 tumors. We should have the results by early next week.
Alayne had stayed in Missoula to be able to bring our little golden girl home this evening, and she just called to say that a very happy Goldie was in the truck with her and headed back to the ranch.
Now, of course, we have to get past the post-operative danger zone where things like blood clots can kill them instantly, despite a successful surgery. Birdie's death painfully reminded us that just because they came through surgery in great shape doesn't mean they are out of danger, so our fingers are staying crossed for a while yet!
so sorry about all your animals passing to dog heaven recently i too have lost three and dealing with one right now for growths and wobbling legs ,that,s the part that sucks is when they get old and we don,t want to say goodbye,i hurt for my animals more then i do for humans.....bless you and goldie
Posted by: beverly | November 11, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Oh, I do hope the vet has good news for you, on the biopsy.
Of course, we won't hear about it right away...but you deserve a blogging break, so enjoy!
Posted by: Vicki Small | August 16, 2008 at 01:40 PM
I will keep Goldie in my thoughts!
Posted by: Shawna from Milwaukee | August 14, 2008 at 09:44 PM
Oh my... all you have endured and now your lovely Goldie. As always, my heart is with you both. I know the waiting game well as my chocolate lab had a biopsy too years ago. The waiting is the toughest, then once you know, you take it from there and do what you can if need be. If only there were an easier way. You will perservere as you always do and the love and joy from your animals will see you through.
Posted by: Barbara | August 14, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Livestrong Goldie! You are so fortunate that "your people" noticed the tumor at an early stage. We're thinking very positive thoughts for you all.
Posted by: Margaret | August 14, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Well my fingers will stay crossed too - until I hear the news about how little Goldie is doing - and what a precious picture of the sweet duo decorating the front seat of the truck!
Posted by: Angela | August 14, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Oh, Steve & Alayne how much you have endured this year. I love that picture of Goldie & Alayne. I'm so glad she came through the surgery so well. I will pray for a safe recovery & for good news next week. God bless you both & all the four-legged family members.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin - San Antonio TX | August 14, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Good luck Goldie! I have a feeling she's going to around for a good while yet, she's too happy with Alayne to want to leave. My thoughts are with you both, hang in there!
Posted by: Katy | August 14, 2008 at 09:41 AM
I wish you a speedy recovery, little Goldie.
For all the other creatures that have left you this year:
"And can it be that in a world so full and busy, the loss of one weak creature makes a void in any heart, so wide and deep that nothing but the width and depth of eternity can fill it up!" Charles Dickens
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | August 14, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Great photo of Alayne and Goldie.
We'll keep Goldie in our thoughts and prayers as she recovers from surgery and hope the lab results come back with good news.
Posted by: Boundforglory | August 14, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Hoping and praying for the best! I really has been a tough year for you guys....hang in there!
Posted by: Debbie | August 14, 2008 at 07:46 AM
Dear Alayne & Steve, my fingers, needless to say, are crossed, too! I'm sending positive thoughts your way and pray that Goldie won't need chemotherapy and live many more happy years with you at the ranch.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | August 14, 2008 at 02:55 AM
Goldie you are a Gold Medalist in our book!! I feel so bad I don't remember the blog that Shiloh died. I was holding my breath on Shiloh. I'm so sorry! Keep strong Goldie. Steve and Alayne remember to breath!!!
Posted by: Shirley * James * Portland, OR | August 14, 2008 at 01:06 AM
My heartfelt wishes for all the best go out to Goldie, and to Steve and Alayne, too.
Posted by: Moon Rani | August 13, 2008 at 11:40 PM
How can a blind dog have a look of such abject love and adoration in those sweet eyes? And Alayne's brave smile would make one think they're headed off for a little picnic...........my hope is that will be the end result.......a picnic with her humans to celebrate good news !!
Posted by: Bibi | August 13, 2008 at 09:17 PM
You are in my prayers, Goldie. Get well quick. Steve & Alayne have had enough bad stuff this year. God Bless You at RDR.
Posted by: Sonya Brooks | August 13, 2008 at 08:38 PM
I will cross my fingers too. You have been through so much this year! I didn't realize that Shiloh has passed away. My heart goes out to you and Alayne.
Posted by: Leigh | August 13, 2008 at 08:18 PM
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Alayne and Goldie. You have been through so much this year! I didn't realize that Shiloh has passed away too. The sadness can be so overwhelming. Thank you for all you do for the animals.
Posted by: Leigh | August 13, 2008 at 08:00 PM
What a great pic of Alayne & her top minion, Goldie! I am sending all positive thoughts to Goldie that she has a successful recovery from her surgery & that the news from the lab will be the best possible.
Special healing hugs for Goldie,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | August 13, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Fingers crossed and prayers for Goldie from St. Louis! She sure is loved! I remember your story of how you became her guardians - she is one lucky girl and I sure hope that luck continues. Best wishes Goldie!
Posted by: Suzanne | August 13, 2008 at 06:11 PM