STITCHES OUT! GAME ON!!

Happy to report that Phoebe's 100+ stitches are OUT!  The tech who brought her back out to me afterwards said that all the staff in the back offices were fawning all over her....remarking how sweet she was, how great her incision site looked and how beautifully she had healed.  They just validated what I already knew....I won that lottery when that angel flitted into my life.

So, where do we go from here?

There are two ways, I suppose, of looking at it:  She's had cancer twice, even though we got clean margins the first time and yes, it could come back again.  Or, it might not.

Phoebe and I agree that we'd rather look at every day as a blessing.....she will simply be a dog with cancer who is LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST!  There are puddles of mud to be rolled in, fur-siblings to play Bitey Face with and to *mother*, new friends to make and old friends to treasure.

From the bottom of my heart yet again..........((((thank you)))) for saving my girl's life.  You gave her this chance, and we will spend every day doing our best to pay it forward!

Phoebe sez...................*LIFE ON!!*

THE TONSIL BIOPSY RESULTS ARE IN.........

"Remember that growth on my tonsil?  Guess what??  It's BENIGN!!  (Not sure what that means but Mom was trying to do the happy dance, so I guess it's good!)  Thanks everyone for the prayers!!

Mom and Dr. Maureen decided not to send off part of my mammary gland tumor for biopsy this time.  You see, when I had my first mammary gland surgery in February, that was on the left side and we got clean margins.  But I still ended up with it on the right side, so Mom and Doc said we would go under the assumption that it is cancerous.

Mom says she will continue traditional and holistic treatment to make sure that I'm as healthy as I can be....and even more importantly, as happy as I can be.  And as you can see, HAPPY is my middle name!"

Love,
Phoebe xoxoxoxo

SUNDAY UPDATE

(Direct quote from Phoebe):  "Seriously, WHY am I still in this ex-pen?  Doesn't mom know that I'm doing GREAT?!  There are dogs to play with, grass to roll in, couches that are calling to me......and yet, here I sit in the ex-pen.  Mom says that I have to take it easy until my stitches are out.  Oh well.......sigh.  That's coming soon, so stay tuned!  I LOVE YOU,  ALL MY FRIENDS!"  Love, Phoebe xoxoxoxo

Phriday Phoebe Update: Phabulous Phoebe sez "It's Feel 'Em UP Friday!"

If there was ever any doubt in your minds how important *Feel 'Em Up Friday* is, please look at that beautiful face above.

Being pet guardians is so much more than plopping down a food and water dish.....you are the advocate for your pet's well being. They can't talk. It is up to YOU to take 5 minutes out of your week each Friday to feel every inch of your pet's body, mouth and teeth included.

Phoebe continues to heal, and we are eternally grateful to all who helped her get this life-saving surgery. PLEASE.....share this blog with your friends. Post Phoebe's message on your Facebook wall. Rescues, please post on your Facebook pages, your websites, in your newsletters. Early intervention saves lives.

My little ray of sunshine and I thank you.

 

 

Thursday Phabulous Phoebe Update :)

How is our pretty girl doing today?  Direct from Pam!  "Phantastic! Happy, tail wagging, barking.....still mad that she's in the ex-pen. How dare I do that to her! LOL I am overjoyed and so grateful!"

Phoebe Update - Wednesday Morning :)

Direct from Pam:  "She slept! I slept! Right now, she's protesting because she's in the ex-pen and can't get out to play Bitey Face......she's not going to be happy to have her *Rex cone* (e-collar) on when I leave for work, but can't risk her chewing out her 100+ stitches. Ouch! We still have a long road ahead of us, but how blessed I am to hear her whine from protest rather than pain...I am overjoyed! I think the morphine patch caused a severe reaction in her.....so thankful we seem to have turned a corner!!"  Go Phoebe!!!

Phoebe Update - Tuesday Afternoon

Poor Phoebe had a rough night last night - she came home with a Fentanyl patch for pain, which may have contributed to her distress, and Pam had to remove it this morning.  Her incision is very large, but her spirits are much better, and Pam said she wagged her tail for breakfast and would really have liked more  :) Please help send lots of good thoughts and healing prayers to this sweet girl, and that tonight is a much restful one for her (And for Pam!).

Phoebe update - Monday Afternoon

(Direct from Pam!)  PHOEBE UPDATE: The surgery was a bit over 2 hours....all of the mammary glands on her right side were removed, along with a tiny growth on her muzzle and a growth on her tonsil which I knew nothing about but they found when intubating her for surgery. I will pick her up just before 6PM....she has a morphine patch and there will be oral pain meds also. Thank you to all my friends for making this possible and loving this beautiful little girl........stay tuned :)

Love Multiplied :)

Not only did we meet Phoebe's Surgery fund goal, we exceeded it :)  Sweet Phoebe will have her surgery on Monday morning!  The love and prayers are flowing from all over the country for this beautiful golden girl.... and we are all confident that not only will she come through surgery just fine, she will beat this horrible disease again.  "Thank you" cannot convey the gratitude we feel to everyone who has made this happen for Pam and Phoebe!

Love, Love, Love :)

Phoebe has touched so many hearts, and it's obvious because we are SO CLOSE to meeting the goal for her surgery!  HUGE thanks to everyone who has donated, shared this blog, spread the word, and is keeping Miss Phoebe in your prayers.  Please keep the word going - just a few more dollars and we will MEET our Goal!!!

Ready for her "Close-up!"

Did we mention Miss Phoebe can now claim "actress" on her already busy resume?  Recently Phoebe "starred" as the featured dog in a promo for a new  TV show called *Pets Welcome Here, * about places in the US where you can vacation with your pets and the stuff you can do with them.  Phoebe and her pretend "family" (Mom, Dad, 11 year old boy and 9 year old girl) took an airboat ride in Cocoa Florida.  The Director had Mutt Muffs for Phoebe's ear protection, and she had on a life vest as well as a seatbelt harness to hook her safely into the airboat.  Pam shared:   "My girl will just shine!  I'm a stage Mom!  Phoebe is a dream dog.... everything you could ask for in a golden retriever, and more.  She's my ray of sunshine, my happy girl.... and I'm so happy she's in my life!"  

We can't wait till she starts giving "paw-tographs!!"

How can you help?

Phoebe needs surgery - precious, life-saving surgery to remove the cancer from her mammary glands and give her the best chance at a healthy, long life.  Having gone through this surgery before, and not to mention the other medical needs members of Furville have had recently, Pam is facing a large medical bill and needs help.  Currently the vet office estimates the bill to run between $900 and $1,000, including bloodwork.  Please consider making a donation through the Chip-In button on the side of the blog, or make a donation directly to the veterinary office that will be performing Phoebe's surgery.  You can mail a check to the vet's office or contact them by phone to make a credit card donation.  If you wish to make a donation directly,  the contact info is as follows:

Piedmont Animal Hospital
(407) 880-7387
Ask for Tara or Jessica
783 Piedmont Wekiwa Road
Apopka, FL   32703

All proceeds from the Chip-In fund will go directly to Pam's Paypal account.  Phoebe's surgery is tentatively scheduled for June 19th,so timing is critical!  Please consider making a donation to Phoebe's surgery fund!!

The many faces of a sweet girl :)

Family Love :)

Phoebe with her sisters Kona and Shelby, who is another cancer survivor :)

 Phoebe with Kona & Farley - one of the newest members of Furville!

 Phoebe & little brother Farley :)

Kisses from Phoebe :)

Phoebe and her mom Pam spend lots of weekends promoting rescue and sharing her story.  Phoebe manned the "kissing booth" for GRRMF  and lots of money was raised to help fellow puppers in need!  

"Feel 'Em Up Friday!"

Phoebe is a proud cancer Survivor!  Having undergone mammary cancer surgery just a few short months ago, Phoebe in true Golden Spirit turned lemons into lemonade, and with her mom Pam created "Feel 'Em Up Friday!"  Phoebe encourages all dog owners to take 5 minutes out of your day to feel every inch of your pet's body. Open their mouth, check the gum line and don't forget to check the pads of their feet. Early detection can save a life!!

Meet Phoebe :)

Welcome to Phoebe's world!  In Phoebe's former life, she was owned by a BYB who bred her relentlessly; then, when they found they could make more money with smaller dogs, gave her away without a second glance.  The Angels at the Rainbow Bridge were obviously hard at work, because a young college student came along at just the right moment, and helped Phoebe make her way to Pam Strickland.  Pam fell in love (naturally!), and the rest is history!!  Phoebe became a permanent resident at Furville, and is now living a wonderful life under Pam's watchful and loving eye, and spends her days promoting rescue with her mom and keeping an eye on her siblings.