Given the frequency with which I haven’t posted this year, it probably seems odd to write a post announcing that I’m stepping back from the blog.
It probably seems I already did that, but it wasn’t intentional. Nearly every week I have the blog on my to do list. After my previous post, I told myself that I would lower my goal to posting monthly and to try spending 15 minutes each week on a single post. I figured if I could slowly build that habit, I’d get back into it and work up to posting at least twice a month again.
But I realized that my to do lists (yes, there’s more than one), are too long and I put unnecessary pressure on myself to get it all done. And I ultimately end up disappointed when I don’t get to certain things like posting to the blog.
I started this in part as a way to process my grief over losing Ziggy. And also to share what I learned from Ziggy and through his cancer journey. There’s still a lot that I want to share – some lessons not specific to him. But there are other things that I need to focus on and prioritize.
So, I am intentionally stepping away from goals or expectations with this blog. I may write when the mood strikes me, or you may never hear from me again.
I have also learned that blogging and creating social media content is not as simple as it may seem. I have gained more respect for those who pursue that full-time and even those who do it successfully as a hobby or side hustle.
Cheers to a happy holiday season and a new year!
Chip and Cookie posing with a Santa hat, reindeer snood, and Santa glasses. Christmas 2024
Well, I certainly didn’t plan on four months flying by after my last post. Nearly every week, I tell myself to make a post and not overthink it, but invariably, I find an excuse not to.
The pups had a busy few months with a trip to Key West, Chip’s first time at dog day at the beach, and a few minor health issues – fear not, everyone is well (and I plan to write about both at some point).
With the start of Ziggy’s cancer journey, coupled with the peak pandemic, since Thanksgiving 2020, the holiday has been one mostly spent with my husband and the pups. I’m grateful for the shrinking of the holiday as it reduces stress and allows for a long weekend to gear up for the end of the year. I’m not fond of the origin of Thanksgiving, but I like to take the opportunity to be more mindful of what I have to be grateful for each. Plus, it’s the “official” start to the Christmas season, which is always cozy.
This year, I’m particularly grateful for health—for the pups and for ours. Inevitably, we all experience varying degrees of illness or health challenges. While the last few years have been marked by canine cancer, I’m grateful that everyone is healthy overall.
It can be hard to express gratitude for what we have each day, but I am always grateful for Cookie and Chip, who always bring joy, comfort, and love, no matter what is happening around us. (And my husband, too, who can always be counted on to make me laugh – intentionally or otherwise! 😜)
Hello! It’s been a while since the last post. I’ve been trying to get back in the habit for at least a month, but life has been “life-ing.”
Shortly after my last post, I got COVID and was out of commission for about a week. Then there was catching up on work and life after being sick, home projects that took time, a road trip (with the pups!), and a bunch of other reasons why the blog went on the back burner.
I have several blog post ideas bouncing around my brain, but I have had some mental blocks to drafting them.
In the meantime, I wanted to post something to let you know that I haven’t given up on the blog.
First Rally Competition
Chip and Cookie participated in their first AKC rally competition this past weekend. We only entered on one day, but they were the only two competing in their class (novice A). They were disqualified during their first run of the day because their lead was too tight. They fared better in the second run – with Chip earning first place and Cookie getting second place (thanks to the judges’ pity points!).
Chip and Cookie’s scores. To qualify, you need a score of 70 or more.
Chip’s Performance
I’m incredibly proud of Chip’s performance in both runs and outside the competition ring. Their crate was positioned near the entry to the competition ring, so dogs were constantly walking past his crate. He ignored or calmly observed them all. While in the ring, he generally listened to me, did what I asked (eventually), and didn’t bark (at the judge or the competitors sitting outside the ring). Last summer, Chip was in a training class for reactive dogs. The progress he’s made is TREMENDOUS. The official qualifying score and first place are the icing on the cake for us!
Chip’s “award-winning” rally run!
Cookie’s Turn
Cookie is an excellently trained, competitive, eager-to-please pup. She has repeatedly “told” us (in class, this trial, and elsewhere) that she’s done. She’s only interested in the “paycheck” (chicken or cheese). At 10, Cookie has earned the right to retire. So we’ll provide her with mental enrichment in other ways – practicing for fun at home, going on special outings, and bringing her along as Chip’s cheerleader.
Regardless of her score, she qualified as a comedienne in my book – sitting backward in the first run and jumping on me during the second. She channeled her inner mischievous puppy.
This is Cookie’s first run that disqualified her. The qualifying run wasn’t recorded, but take my word for it – it wasn’t much better.
Bottom line
Chip and Cookie await the ribbon ceremony so they can go home and have dinner.
I want to take the opportunity to thank the trainers that my husband and I had when we first started our dog sports journey 10 years ago with Cookie. They always emphasized having fun with our dogs, celebrating our runs (no matter how sloppy they may be), and always ending on a positive note. Some people focus too much on competing and earning titles and lose sight of these sports as opportunities for bonding and fun.
If you’re disappointed in your dog, you’re doing it wrong. And always listen to your dog before you listen to anyone else.
Now that you know that there are so many dog sports to choose from, how do you pick?
General Research
Reading about the experience of other pawrents, or talking to friends with experience in dog sports, can be one way to familiarize yourself with the sport. So can watching YouTube videos of classes or competitions.
The websites of the various venues can also provide a wealth of information, including connecting you with dog clubs in your area that host competitions and/or classes.
Here are the websites of various groups I’ve referenced this past month.
Ziggy and Cookie waiting their turns in an agility class, circa 2019.
Research dog trainers or dog clubs in your area. Sign up for classes to better gauge what the sport will entail long term. If you take a class and the sport interests you, but you’re unsure, consider trying classes with another instructor. Everyone has different teaching styles and personalities. Look for someone you’re comfortable with and that prioritizes the well-being of your dog.
Assess Personality & Interest
Cookie at a CPE agility competition in March 2019Ziggy competing in Barn Hunt instinct 2019. Credit: Pix N PagesChip goofing off at graduation time for his CGC certificate, November 2023
A good place to begin is assessing you and your dog’s personalities and interests. Is your dog high-energy? Agility may be a great fit. Does your dog have a knack for sniffing? Perhaps barn hunt or nose work would interest them. Can’t keep your pup out of the pool? Give dock diving a try!
If you recently adopted your dog, or perhaps your dog is still a puppy, you may not know their interests. Obedience is always a great place to start, even if you don’t compete, because obeying basic commands will be important in any sport, if for no other reason than good behavior in classes and competitions.
Safety
Safety and physical well-being is also important. This may be true of all sports, but the one that I’m most familiar with is agility. The high speeds, twists, and turns can put a strain on your dog’s body. If you’ve never used any agility equipment before, don’t introduce your dog to them without guidance from an instructor. Young pups are developing their bones and muscles. Introducing them to tight weave poles too young can cause long-term damage. This is an excellent article about preventing orthopedic injuries in dogs that compete in sports.
Budget Considerations
Depending on your goals for your dog, some sports are more expensive than others when you add up classes, entry fees for competitions, travel expenses, and any equipment you may choose to purchase for at-home training.
Start slow and make sure you want to commit to the sport before investing heavily.
Bottom Line
There countless canine sports available to try. Take your time to find one that best suits you and your pup. And, remember, the competition and titles are a distant second to having fun and bonding with your pup!
This week, I’m touching on several sports. A couple of them we have some experience with, while others we have only heard of. As always, this is based on my knowledge and experience with the sport (more limited than usual), and I encourage you to do your own research.
Tricks
Are you familiar with videos of dogs performing silly activities or even dancing a whole routine with a human handler? Well, that’s what the American Kennel Club’s Trick Dog title is all about.
Similar to other AKC sports, tricks have multiple levels in which you can title. In our experience, it’s not a competition like agility but a test like Canine Good Citizen (CGC). Some dog clubs will host classes where you learn a variety of tricks for the given level. Other times, they only offer the test, and it’s up to you to train your dog.
The qualifying tricks at the novice level are mostly your basic obedience commands. In fact, if your dog has their CGC certificate, they only need to perform five novice tricks to earn their novice trick dog title!
Cookie earned her advanced trick dog title virtually during the pandemic. Depending on your patience and motivation, you may plan to train certain tricks but pivot to others depending on how easily your dog picks up the tricks. I did that with Cookie at the more advanced levels, and also with Ziggy.
Cookie earned her advanced tricks title virtually in 2020.
Nose work
Several years ago, we did an introductory nosework class with Cookie. The aim is to train your dog to find certain scents that are hidden. Training starts with finding the scents within boxes and progresses to scents hidden elsewhere in a course. This class was harder for Cookie. Since none of us enjoyed it much, we didn’t pursue it further.
During Chip’s reactive dog class, our instructor shared that nose work is an excellent activity for reactive dogs. In our last class, they showed us how to introduce the concept using boxes and treats. While Chip did OK in class, when I tried at home he was afraid of the boxes! I hope to dig up some patience and try again, consistently, with him because I really do think he would be good at this (and enjoy it!).
Since my experience is incredibly limited, I don’t know anything about how competitive nose work operates. The National Association of Canine Scent Work is a great resource to learn more.
Tracking
Similar to nose work, we only did one class in tracking with Cookie a long time ago. She did well and seemed to enjoy it, but classes were a bit far and offered infrequently, so it was hard to keep up with.
Instead of searching for specific scents, in tracking dogs search for dropped articles outdoors. Tracking is another AKC sport. It’s non-competitive and simply a test with different levels.
Rally
Once again, rally is an AKC sport. We have never tried this with any of our dogs, but it’s one that I contemplate trying with Cookie since she’s a senior dog and the most obedient of all our dogs.
From what I’ve observed, rally is similar to agility in that there is a set course, but instead of obstacles, you stop and do various obedience actions at each “stop” on the course.
While this appeals to me for Cookie because of her age and the fact that she’d crush it, it appeals to me with Chip as it’s an opportunity to practice obedience, but in a new light.
Dock diving
I have never considered dock diving with any of my dogs because they all hate water! Dock diving is exactly what it sounds like – dogs jump into a long pool. The farther they jump, the better. While a Google search showed that there are multiple venues that offer dock diving, North American Diving Dogs is the organization that a friend and mentor has taken her pool-loving dogs to compete in.
To my knowledge, training involves having your dog jump in your pool. Cookie is the closest to a swimmer that we’ve ever had. She can be bribed to step (yes, step) into our pool and swim a semi-circle. If there are no high-value treats involved, she will not step a single paw into the pool.
Cookie swimming a lap in 2021, with Ziggy keeping a protective eye on her.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there’s a dog sport for everyone. I know that the sports that I’ve written about are just the tip of the iceberg. There are sports involving frisbees, farming (perhaps that’s herding?), and more. Finding a sport that both you and your dog enjoy will help strengthen your bond and be a more effective and healthy outlet for them to tire out their body and mind.
Next week, I’ll share some advice on how to find the dog sport that’s right for you.
Since January is National Train Your Dog Month, I want to dedicate this month’s posts to the different dog sports out there.
As always, these posts focus on my knowledge and experience of the sport. Consult the various links in the posts for more information.
First up, obedience and Canine Good Citizen!
What is it?
Obedience is probably the first thing that comes to mind when most people think of dog training. It’s following basic commands and your dog obeying those instructions.
Canine Good Citizen (CGC) is a skills test that is meant to show that your dog has good manners. To me, it’s a form of obedience, but where the end result is a certificate that shows that your dog has good matters, and you, in turn, are a responsible dog owner. I’ve been told that this can be helpful in getting acceptance for your dog with a landlord or similar situations. I’ve never had this need, so I don’t know how accepting people may be of the certification.
I’m sure there are more differences, but you can compete in different levels of obedience, whereas in CGC, there are different classes and test levels, but it’s not a competition. Simply pass or fail.
How we started
As a child, my mom trained Lady with basic commands. Somehow, we came across an obedience competition that I entered, and we did well. I have no clue if it was affiliated with the American Kennel Club (AKC). Aside from this one random competition from my childhood, we have never competed in obedience.
Me circa 1992 with my childhood dog, Lady, “competing” in obedience.
Cookie is the one who truly introduced us to the world of dog sports. It started with us taking her to a free (for a donation) obedience class at a shelter down the street from us. After a few sessions, our instructors suggested we upgrade to a paid AKC Star Puppy class. From there, we were introduced to a dog sports club that offered a range of classes, including Canine Good Citizen.
Cookie earned her Canine Good Citizen and Canine Good Citizen Advanced. Chip earned his Canine Good Citizen in November, though some of us suspect the evaluator graded on a curve.
Chip’s CGC graduation. Thankfully, the test didn’t include wearing a graduation cap.
What they don’t tell you
If nothing else, the AKC is adept at making money. While you’re likely to always pay a fee to take the class and/or tests, to have AKC titles (obedience, CGC, or other sports) registered, you will have to pay.
Your dog must be registered with the AKC. Don’t worry if your pup isn’t a purebred. They have a program for mixed breeds.
The one thing that is truly fun about registering with the AKC is that they require a dog’s name to be unique. When I first registered Cookie and learned of this requirement, I searched the combinations of her name and our last names. Hyphenated versions of our last names were available, but that seemed boring. Thus, Cookie is officially Cookie Wookie. Then came Ziggy Kenobi, and Chip S. Ahoy. (This is also why you may come across some very long, crazy names the more involved you become in the dog sports world.)
Aside from registering your dog, if you want a certificate recognizing your title, you also get to pay for that. The AKC also allows you to purchase medals and ribbons showing your new titles. If you compete in obedience and title, I assume that the club sponsoring the event will provide ribbons (that is common practice in other sports).
The biggest lesson that I remember from our early days in obedience and CGC is that your dog will only be as good based on how much you practice. Your dog may heel and pass CGC, but if you never heel again, their obedience to the command will also suffer.
The bottom line
Whether or not you choose to compete, obedience is a great starting point. At a minimum, you should want your pup to respond to basic commands and behave. Even if your pup will be a homebody, they will need to venture out on occasion, be it for walks, vet appointments, or trips to the groomers. Having them understand basic commands will be invaluable for you and other caregivers.
Whether it’s the pressure of society’s traditions or marking the end of a larger moment in time, many of us are motivated to form New Year resolutions. Last year was the first year that I formed resolutions for my pups.
Cookie and Chip’s resolutions were hopes that I had for what I would accomplish with each of them in 2023.
Resolution Tips
Any article about resolutions will give you advice that is applicable to all resolutions – keeping them realistic, achievable, etc. But there are three that are particularly important with your dogs.
First, keep it fun. Even if there’s a serious goal of improving behaviors (a la Chip), training should be fun – for both of you.
Second, consider your dog’s personality and interests. You may want to get them to jog with you, but if they don’t enjoy it or are not otherwise equipped for it, don’t do it! Make it YOUR resolution, not theirs.
Lastly, if the resolution is exploratory in nature like Chip’s trying new sports, be sure to monitor their response to it and adjust accordingly. Chip has a knack for barn hunt, and seemed to have fun. But, he refused to tunnel (a requirement to title beyond Instinct) and was difficult to leash up after his run. So, instead of just entering him in more trials, I’m going to take the time to try some training with it.
Similarly, I wanted to try nose work with him. After trying some initial training attempts after an unrelated class, he’s afraid of boxes. So whether or not we pursue anything will depend on whether I can help him overcome his fear.
Chip’s 2023 resolutions
Chip and his 2023 resolutions last year.
Chip’s resolutions were easy, considering he was a few days shy of six months old and still learning how to behave. Here are his resolutions (and subsequent outcomes):
Change [his] “official” name from Leave It Drop It No Chip to Good Boy Chip!
Result: Achieved! He’s not perfect, but we did five classes with him throughout 2023, culminating in earning his American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen certificate.
Try new sport(s).
Result: Achieved! I hoped to introduce him to multiple sports this year, but we only managed one – barn hunt. While he earned his Instinct title, he has a lot to improve upon before competing in another trial. Hopefully, in 2024, we can try a barn hunt class to see if he stands a chance of competing again.
Make [his] sister ❤️ [him].
Result: Achieved! As evidenced by the below photo taken yesterday, Cookie let Chip snuggle with her for more than 10 seconds (it lasted several minutes!). Cookie is not particularly affectionate and usually relocates almost immediately after any attempt to snuggle with her. She is increasingly tolerant, and she even sometimes worries about him being left behind. Make no mistake, Chip is still an annoying little brother that Cookie needs a mental health break from on occasion. But she no longer wants to return him.
Cookie letting Chip snuggle with her on the sofa, December 2023.
Dig more holes ‘cuz [he] ain’t nothin’ but a hole digger!
Result: Much to his father’s dismay, achieved! This was clearly a silly resolution and one that we hoped wouldn’t come true. But Chip has a penchant for digging holes. We’re managing the behavior by limiting his time unsupervised in the yard and ensuring he has better outlets for his energy.
Cookie’s 2023 Resolutions
Cookie posing with her 2023 resolutions.
At the time, Cookie was eight, going on nine, years. Over the years, she’s taken road trips and competed in multiple sports. The perennial good girl, defining resolutions for her was more challenging.
Do more sports (at a senior pace).
Result: Achieved! Similar to Chip, I’d hoped to do more than one sport with her at a senior level, but we only made it to barn hunt. While she participated, she is clearly no longer interested in the sport. I may enroll her in a class with Chip just to see if she regains an interest by taking a formal class. This resolution, though, was more about doing stuff with Cookie. She’s always enjoyed classes and loves pleasing us. So maybe it will take the form of classes next year, or maybe just going out for fun activities like farmers’ markets.
Tolerate [her] brother more.
Result: Achieved! Cookie has always been pretty patient, but she’s truly embraced the role with Chip. She is even more likely to initiate play with him than she was a year ago.
Eat more homemade food.
Result: The jury is out on this one. I intended on putting a Christmas gift from last year to use by making homemade treats. For many reasons, I ended up not doing this. On the other hand, we replaced Cookie’s kibble breakfasts with gently cooked food. Technically, it’s not homemade, but it is fresh food and higher quality than her kibble.
Move upstairs without anyone noticing.
Result: Failed! Like Chip’s fourth resolution, this was meant to be a joke that she would fail at. Sometime early this year, Chip developed a fear of the upstairs, so it’s now Cookie’s refuge. When she needs an escape from him, she goes upstairs and either lays in the guest room bed or next to my husband when he’s in the office.
2024 resolutions
I’d hoped to share our 2024 resolutions in this post, but I haven’t decided on them yet. I’m still reflecting on what we achieved last year and where I hope the pups are a year from now.
Follow us on Instagram to see us reveal our resolutions in a few days!
Those of us who consider our pups family members are eager to include them in holiday festivities – especially when you see other families, including their pups, in real life or on social media. But should you include them? And what are some great ways to include them?
Considerations
Chip and Cookie sitting in front of the Christmas tree, December 2023
The most important thing is to consider your dog’s personality, training, and preferences. Some dogs are social butterflies that thrive being around people and other dogs. Others, like Cookie, may enjoy going out but prefer limited interactions. Most importantly, while your dog may have the personality for it, will they behave around others?
These are important questions, particularly when contemplating social activities such as seeing Santa and attending holiday parties.
Beyond your dog’s preferences, consider the venue. An important note with Santa photos is that not every event with Santa is dog-friendly. Each year, there seem to be more events with dog-friendly opportunities to take a photo with Santa. Be sure to research in advance and plan accordingly. The Santas at these events are more likely to be dog lovers and have experience with various dog personalities.
Many community holiday events and happenings may be dog-friendly, especially outdoors, but check beforehand.
If you want to bring your pup to a family or friend’s holiday party, ask the host if your pup is welcome. Even if they are, consider the venue and personalities. Has your pup been there before? Is there a space for your dog to escape the crowd if they are overwhelmed? For outdoor events in warmer climates, is the yard fenced in? Will there be other dogs there, too? Have your pups met before? If not, and they don’t get along, how will you handle it? (Don’t assume that if the other pup is “trouble,” the other pawrent will leave or crate their dog.)
Hosting a party? Check out the below post from behaviorist Renee Rhodes on Instagram for great tips on prioritizing your pup’s needs when hosting.
Anyone following us on Instagram may have seen us doing an advent calendar with the pups this year. I purchased the bone-shaped calendar on clearance after Christmas last year.
Our dog advent calendar
You can fill each pocket with an activity to do with your pups or insert a treat. Next year, I may alternate an activity day with a treat day!
Some activities that you can include are:
Having a pup cup
Making dog biscuits
Taking a photo with Santa
Christmas shopping
Having a howliday pawty
Watching howliday movies
Chip and Cookie with their Zippy Paws advent calendar, December 2023.
Better yet, you can buy a pre-made advent calendar! After planning our custom advent calendar, I found the above advent calendar from ZippyPaws (https://amzn.to/47PdbdQ – I’m an Amazon affiliate and can earn from qualifying purchases).
I had to get it because Chip LOVES their burrow toys. So, since yesterday, we’ve also been opening up this calendar. There are also pre-made ones with treats. What I like about this ZippyPaws calendar is that it has toys (I haven’t seen many). Plus, the box seems sturdy enough that I can save it to reuse in another year, potentially mixing it up with toys and treats one day (toys for Chip and treats for Cookie) with an activity the next – plus, have a shorter advent season!
‘Tis the season
Santa photo with Cookie and Chip, 2023
The bottom line is to remember your pup’s preferences and to HAVE FUN no matter what you do (or don’t do).
We wish you happy howlidays! I’ll be back in two weeks with the next new post!
‘Tis the season for gift giving. If you’re like us, you include your pups (and those of your family) in holiday gift exchanges. And, you’re likely to appreciate receiving dog-themed gifts and gifting those to your fellow dog parent friends.
Gifting your pups
Cookie enjoying a gift, Christmas 2014
The most important part of gifting your pups is to consider their personalities. Like us, their interests may change as they get older.
Once upon a time, Cookie enjoyed getting toys as presents. Now, all she wants is food. So we ensure Santa Paws leaves a treat or a chew for Cookie. Chip enjoys the food, but he also LOVES toys.
If you have amassed an insane toy collection (as we have), keep some out of rotation. So, come Christmas, we save a large box and fill it with new-to-Chip toys that we will swap out with some of the toys he’s currently playing with. He may still get something new, but since the chaos of opening gifts is half the fun, we like to do this to bring joy without breaking the bank.
The holidays can also be a good time to refresh some of their staples, like upgrading their bed (or adding to the beds scattered in each room), harnesses, or collars.
We took advantage of Ruffwear‘s (I’m an Amazon affiliate and may earn based on qualifying purchases) Black Friday sale and purchased new harnesses for Cookie and Chip. We love these harnesses because they’re among the few brands that ensure a proper fit (hooking further down the body) without constricting shoulder movement. The Flagline model (I’m an Amazon affiliate and may earn based on qualifying purchases) also has a top handle that can be handy if you need to aid your pup in getting in/out of the car (or navigating a hike for the more adventurous). They have a back and front clip for the leash. Ruffwear harnesses are also great for tripawds since they go over the head and clip in the back – no balancing is needed like with step-in harnesses.
The pups have an extensive collar collection, but I can’t help buying a new one or two whenever 5 Dog Designs opens their Etsy shop. Their collars are cute, funny, and high quality. They have great BOGO deals (part of the reason we have so many) and even have a “recycling” program. I haven’t taken advantage of that yet, but I have a collar in mind to swap the next time they re-open.
Gifting Pawrents
Cookie and Chip posing with one of my gifts, Christmas 2022
Like gifting your pups, it’s important to know your dog-loving friends. If you’re gifting their pups, it may be harder to know what to get them if you don’t know their pawrenting habits.
For instance, pawrents are becoming more particular about the quality of treats they feed their pets. Be cautious about purchasing highly processed treats (commonly found in major pet retailers). Instead, look for high-quality, small-batch, single-ingredient treats.
Similarly, when it comes to toys, do you know their personalities? Some dogs destroy toys just by looking at them or tend to chew off certain parts that can become a hazard.
A safe bet can always be a gift card to independent pet stores or retailers like Chewy and Amazon, with a broad product selection. Dog-themed clothing, mugs, etc., are always welcome. Even if you think they have too much, we’ll always disagree. Great retailers on this front include I’d Rather Be With My Dog, Dog is Good, Teddy the Dog, and Life is Good. (You can find similar products at discount retailers such as Home Goods and TJ Maxx.)
Joy of the Season
Cookie and Ziggy by the tree, Christmas 2019
Giving presents to the dog pawrents, or their pups, in your life can be a challenge. Most pawrents would also appreciate donations to rescue groups or charities that are meaningful to them.
We are fortunate to be able to afford gifts for our pups (and ourselves). And while we don’t need gifts, some folks insist on gifting us. Donations (monetary or otherwise) to the rescues where we adopted our pups (e.g., A Second Chance Puppies and Kittens Rescue, Barking Outloud) or to those fighting canine cancer (e.g., National Canine Cancer Foundation) are also appreciated.
Cookie’s cancer journey is less dramatic than Ziggy’s, but it’s scary in its own right.
How it began
In July 2021, nine months after Ziggy’s diagnosis, I spotted a decent-sized lump on Cookie’s front left leg, right by her elbow. It shocked me because of its size – that of a very large grape. I was surprised that I hadn’t noticed it sooner. We monitored it for a few weeks before scheduling an appointment with our vet in early August.
Though the vet felt confident that it was benign, I know from Dr. Sue Cancer Vet, that no one could tell whether a lump is benign or cancerous. So we aspirated. It was inconclusive.
Unsure about aspirating again to get another inconclusive result, we scheduled a consult with Ziggy’s oncologist. He was concerned that it may be a soft tissue sarcoma. He recommended surgery to remove and biopsy the lump.
Our primary vet did the surgery and opted for conservative margins. Given the location, he was worried about healing if the margins were too aggressive and it turned out to be benign.
Cookie’s suture site after the initial surgery.
Sure enough, the biopsy confirmed a low-grade soft tissue sarcoma. It required a revision surgery to get full margins.
Cookie’s surgeries were outpatient surgeries with an easy recovery. But each time I picked her up, she tried to leave with another family! And she gave me the cold shoulder for 24 hours. She’s a pretty different patient compared to Ziggy.
Cookie was ready to leave before her revision surgery.
Cookie didn’t require further treatment, but we did chest X-rays every few months as a precaution. She was probably already on the same diet as Ziggy, but we added some supplements to improve her care.
Oops, it happened Again
In March 2023, a year after Ziggy passed, I saw the same lump in what seemed to be the exact same spot. We again did an aspirate, which indicated the lump was likely cancerous.
This time, our vet recommended a consult with a board-certified veterinary surgeon. He was concerned about the difficulty of the surgery, given it would be round three in nearly the same spot.
The surgeon wanted us to consult with the oncologist before proceeding with the surgery. In her written report, she was concerned about the ability to get full margins and indicated that amputation may be the best approach for a curative result.
The possibility of a front leg amputation on our first furbaby, an agility athlete, gutted us. My husband was immediately against the possibility. I also wanted to be, but I wanted to hear what the oncologist had to say – what the different prognoses may be with different treatment options.
Fortunately, the word amputation never came up with the oncologist. He said the lump was technically not in the same spot, so it wasn’t a recurrence, and removal would be curative.
Cookie post-op after the second lump was removed. You can see the size of the suture site compared to the first.Cookie wore a surgery suit and a leg sleeve since she had bumps removed on both sides. I highly recommend these suits – far more comfortable than a cone!Chip playing nurse for big sister Cookie.
We did the surgery, got clear margins, and also removed a giant lipoma from her other side. Cookie did well, but this was a slightly harder recovery for her as she’s a little older, had surgery on both sides of her body, and had a younger brother to contend with during her recovery.
One product I highly recommend is a surgical suit or recovery sleeve (I’m an Amazon affiliate and can earn on qualifying purchases). Since Cookie had the lump and lipoma removed on either side of her body, she wore both to protect the suture sites and remained cone-free until the sutures were removed. It’s wise to get more than one to swap them out while washing one.
Ongoing treatment
Cookie, fully recovered, is judgmental about the fake corn maze in Florida.
Our oncologist gave us the option of putting Cookie on chlorambucil, a low-dose at-home chemo treatment, to reduce the likelihood of recurrence for ongoing treatment. Typically, pawrents opt for six months of treatment as it is the standard of care and for financial reasons. We’re fortunate to be able to afford to continue her on the chlorambucil. It’s a chemo that is safe for her to take longer, especially since she’s tolerated it well. We check in with the oncologist every two months and will do chest X-rays every six months or so.
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