Month: February 2014

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!