Carter Mobley

To recap: the cancer moved faster than any of us were expecting. On New Year’s Day I fell very ill. Dr. Moore changed my medicine and I rallied for a while, but on February 3, after five or six bad days, that was it for old Carter.

Dad had never seen a dog die before his eyes and he was devastated. He told me I was the best dog he had ever known, and actually one of the very best mammals. I don’t know what I did to deserve that kind of praise, and Dad said he couldn’t find the words to tell me, either.But he said he loved me more than anything, and that everybody else in the family did too, which I knew.

He told me that he and I were both the two luckiest dogs ever because we had met Mom, and I thought so, too. My life had its ups and downs, but the last half of it has been great, thanks to her. She is the greatest! She honored me by commissioning the portrait you see here and giving it to Dad for Christmas, who honored me by loving it.

In the end, I wasn’t unhappy for long, and I don’t know how I could have been more loved. Since October, we’ve learned that life on three legs isn’t bad at all, that I could still be pushy for a walk around the neighborhood, and turn circles and howl at dinner time. To all of you who have been out there following me, love to you and your tripawds. Enjoy your life while you can, and keep smiling. It always worked for me!

God bless you all –

Carter

It has occurred to me that in my short – roughly thirteen years – I’ve learned some things that others might find useful. I share them with you today….

Never miss an opportunity to shake a hand or make a friend.

Never, ever pass up a dog biscuit.

A doggie door is a most excellent thing!

Balls are for chasing and sticks are – well – sometimes just for carrying around.

An old dog CAN be taught new tricks!

Smell the flowers, smell the air, and feel the warm sunshine every chance you get.

Lie down on as many soft spaces as you can as often as you can for as long as you can.

The tough times in the beginning of your life can be overcome by the love and caring you receive later.

People who are sad are always happy to receive a hug or a loving touch.

Many people love me – and I love them.

Hello friends!

With apologies to Charles Dickens, let’s just say that since my last post I’ve had some great times and some less than great times. The first chemo didn’t work on my tumors and some others appeared almost overnight. I was in pain and mom and dad were really scared. Dr. Moore put me back on steroids and we went with Palladia – a drug that’s given every other day.

My people were giving me steroids, Benedryl, my usual thyroid medicine, – all that – something every morning and evening. I have to say, I was a great sport for many months. I knew they were hiding the stuff in pill pockets, cheese, canned dog food (YUM!), meat – everything that’s possible. So that is to say that after our initial scare, the holidays were good. Here I am with my family….see for yourself!

Since the New Year, things have been getting harder. I’m losing weight – just not so interested in food. I don’t turn in circles when mom and dad come home – I don’t have the energy. I’m also about finished with pills. Seriously. Done. As a Texan, I would say that I’ve drawn a line in the sand.

Anyway, it’s Super Bowl weekend! We’ll be spending some quality time watching the commercials. I have previewed this year’s Budweiser commercial. Spoiler alert! Dog people will enjoy!

Happy Day!

The Christmas lights went up outside our house yesterday. They’re so pretty! No more bumbling around in the dark when I go through my doggie door in the evening! The inside decorations will wait for a few days because today I started my chemotherapy. I’m not happy about it, but it has to be done.

Dr. Moore gave mom all of the instructions for my medicine. I’m taking masitinib mesylate (Kinavet-CA1) tablets – one 150 mg. tablet and two 50 mg. tablets, once a day. Piece of cake! They all fit in one pill pocket. I’ll need to take them for a long time – at least until my boy, Ross, comes home from college for Spring Break. I feel pretty optimistic about this medicine…Dr. Moore says everyone who has taken this has done really well, with no side effects.

Keep a good thought for me!

I don’t know how things are at your house, but we are (college) football people! Saturdays in the fall are game days. My dad and Maggie (and Marshal) are University of Texas grads. My brother, Ross, is away at TX Tech now. (Guns up, Ross!) My granddad, Johnny, is a serious TX A&M alum. My poor mom is “from off,” with degrees from three universities and no ties to a football team of note. (Unless she’s cooking, she manages to work up more emotion than most anyone else in the room!) But I digress…

Saturday afternoon, we all watched as UT lost to Oklahoma State. UGH! After dinner, Ross’ team lost to Baylor. It was sometimes difficult to watch. The tough game was made easier because I got to snuggle on the sofa with dad and Johnny.

Sorry about the game, Ross! Better luck next week, dude!

Well, my mom and dad had a great time with Maggie (and her boyfriend, Marshal — I love Marshal!) in New York City! Mom told me they sent love and kisses. She showed me these pictures…

Bailey and I had an EXCELLENT time with Jake! (Missed you, mom and dad!) Mom returned, but dad was in Ohio for a week. I was pretty tired when he came home last night. But this morning – oh boy! We went to the PARK!!
YESSSSSS!! I’ve been getting good at going on walks up to about 1/2 mile. I am awesome! Today I chased balls! Check this out….

IMG_1512

Dr. Moore hasn’t received the report from the lab yet. That means it will be next week until we know what kind of chemotherapy will be best for me. (Trust me, I can wait for this…) More pills…yuck! Mom and dad are just SO HAPPY that I’ve gotten my energy back and am looking happy! Thanks to everyone who has asked about me. You really help my folKs feel better…

HAPPY DAY!

My mom and dad are leaving for New York City tomorrow. With my recent diagnosis, my dad was thinking he would stay at home and not leave me. That would just be wrong! (My sister,Maggie, just passed the New York bar exam and they needed to celebrate with her. I really miss her…) Anyway, Dr. Moore (I showed you her picture) said he should go.

My sitter, Jake, is going to be here with us! He’s so fun! We’ll take walks and play and hang out and stay up late like regular dudes – – plus Bailey. He’ll take good care of us. (I had a glitch…I’ll show you Jake’s picture next week.) Excellent! I’m feeling great! Have a good time, mom and dad!

PARTY ON!

Well, yesterday was not a totally happy day. I did get to go see my friends at Brykerwood Veterinary Clinic and they gave me hugs and kisses. There was a family in the waiting room and they just found out their kitty would need to be put down. They were sad. I went over and comforted every single member of the family. I hope they felt a little better.

So I was having a good day, with Dr. Moore talking about how well my incision had healed, when she gets to discussing the pathology report. The tumor ended up being Grade III, not II. This is not good. I could tell from watching both Dr. Moore’s face and my mom’s. I have to have something called chemotherapy. More pills – great! Just when you think you’re through the worst of it – something else! We came home and mom and dad talked. They cried. Then we started a fire in the fireplace outside and sat and snuggled under a blanket. They promised me they would do everything they could for me as long as I seemed happy. I said to myself, “Who’s not happy? Look at me?”

I’m feeling better and starting to get my old mojo back! The past couple of days, I’ve been sleeping less (a little) and interacting more. My dad came home today after being away on a business trip. I was so happy to see him! I walked right up and we had had some man time. It was great!

Thanks to everyone who has been sending good wishes! I read all of your notes and they make me smile –

Happy Day!

“So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed) Kid, you’ll move mountains.”
– Dr. Suess, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

Today I went for a walk! (I know – seriously!) I had my leash and everything. I didn’t go far, but I was awesome! My balance is getting better and I was able to walk about half a block before coming home. Mom thought I might want to go a little farther, but I had other ideas. I don’t want to overdo now, do I? That could be a mistake.

Tomorrow I go back to see my friend, Dr. Moore. She’ll remove my staples and give me some pats and hugs. The techs might even give me a little treat!

Happy Hump Day!