Toni & Lyle Killpatrick's Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 'Roy' Is Again Proving To Be A Winner: Roy Keeps On Trucking! Part 4

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Read the first three parts of this series: Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3

You know, you just wonder what goes on in a dog’s mind. Being around animals all my life, I have always wanted to be able to communicate with them, like knowing what they are thinking and saying when they bark or growl. I know that their eyes and ears tell us a lot and I would love to know what it means. Dogs communicate through sounds and body language and if you watch your dogs carefully, you will notice when they are trying to tell you something. Growls, barks, and whines are all forms of communication. Tail wagging, posturing, and wrinkling their brows are forms of communicating.

I know when I look into Roy's eyes, he tells me a lot. I try so hard to read him and sometimes I just can't. I do know when he is not feeling good; his ears hang and his eyes look hollow, because when he is ready to play his eyes are BRIGHT and very full.

When we were going to dog shows and the competition was getting tougher, Roy's eyes would really change. They would become really dark, dark brown and very almond shaped, as if he was saying, "I am really concentrating, Mom, we have a lot of competition out here and we have to win. I will do my best for you, just keep up with me!"

As we would go around the ring, Roy would look up out of the corner of his eye, to see if I was on the same stride he was. He always kept his eye on me. Roy knew he was the best. He is a very confident dog, not a shy bone in his body, but he really wasn't sure about me. That is why he was watching me at all times. When the show was over and we WON, Roy's eyes would go back to a soft, gentle brown and he had a silly looking face.

I remember 4 months ago on that dreaded day, when Dr Bissmeyer told me that Roy had Mast Cell Cancer Grade 3. I just couldn't believe it. It was Just a Lump, I said, pea size on the inside of his right ear. Roy is, I guess you would call it, in remission at this time, with no sign of cancer...Dr. Bissmeyer has done two blood tests, with all the results within normal limits. She wrote this in his file: Roy’s physical exam today showed no abnormalities. His blood was evaluated and all systems are doing well, though his thyroid hormone level is a little low.

Along with Roy's Acupuncture done weekly, by Gloria Garland, Herbalist, and Dr. Bissmeyer and my Acupressure daily, Roy keeps rolling along. Roy is still taking all of his traditional Chinese herbal formula along with his Grain Free diet, as we discussed in Part 3 of this series.

It is hard not to feel a strong sense of panic when you find out that your dog has cancer. It doesn't matter if your dog is 2 or 13, it is very hard to deal with a cancer diagnosis. But give yourself the chance to deal with these emotions away from your dog. Don't cry in front of your dogs. They will need all the support they can get without you sending any negative vibes to them. Take a deep breath and prepare your mind for this battle. When you begin this journey, your dog will need every ounce of strength and courage you can give him or her, so you can get through this cancer together.


Steps toward Cancer Survival:

Take a deep breath
Education
Get a good support team
Start a grain free diet.
Live for the present moment

We are enjoying life with Roy and hopefully he will be healthy for a very long time. We hope and pray that we have Roy with us for a LONG time to come. If your dog has recently been diagnosed with mast cell cancer, please know, there is HOPE.

It is very helpful to talk to others who either have gone through or are currently going through the same situation. It is sad that there are so many people whose dogs are dealing with this disease.

I have had questions asked of me about Roy's lump on his ear. First of all, I am NOT a vet !!! I am just a dog owner who loves dogs and has been dealing with a Mast Cell Tumor Grade 3. So, I will share with you some resources I have gathered and hopefully it will provide you with information and save you some time.

My dog has a lump. Now what? Please go straight to the vet. Don't waste time watching it thinking that it will go away. But if you receive the bad news that it is a MCT be hopeful that you have caught it early, like we did with Roy, and your dog may live a long life. One of the books that I really enjoyed reading was, HELP YOUR DOG FIGHT CANCER, by Laurie Kaplan. Lots of good information and a great cancer diet.


Once you have a diagnosis, get a couple of opinions.. There are many ways to handle MCT's. There are different types of treatments. You can do Chemotherapy, Radiation, and different oral drugs. Talk to your vet about all treatment options and which one is best for your dog. Every dog's situation is different.

In Roy's case, My husband and I along with Dr Bissmeyer and Herbalist, Gloria Garland, decided that since Roy's ear was completely removed and there was no evidence of Cancer Cells around the margin of the ear that was removed, we made the decision NOT to do chemo or radiation, but to do Holistic Herbs (see www.wholehorse.com) and a cancer diet with more protein and low carbs.

It is extremely emotional to deal with all of this and to try to make the necessary decisions, but I had a great support team. My husband and friends are there for Roy.

I hope this information has helped in your research. My heart goes out to you and I pray that your beloved companion lives for many more years and brings much happiness to you and your family.

Roy Keeps On Trucking!

Our newest adventure. Watch for us in town gathering our supplies at the local hardware store…
A TRUE working dog………

Roy and Toni

Toni & Roy will be joining the KILLPATRICK'S SWISSY ANGELS for the 2012 K9 Cancer Walk in April..Attached is our Pledge form so please sign up and send the money to me.
(Updated page) KILLPATRICK'S SWISSY ANGELS Pledge Form

Click here for more information: (Updated page)
KILLPATRICK'S SWISSY ANGELS.

For past articles and slide shows click here.

Read the first & second articles of this series: Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3.