“Hi, remember me? Yawl probably know me from my nickname “The Explorer”. My Mom asked me to write asking for your thoughts and prayers. In the morning I am scheduled for surgery. I have a big, scary problem. It isn’t easy sharing with you, but maybe my experience will help my friends.

I have a tumor in my, oh well here goes, rectum. I am having such a hard time going. I try and try, but nothing. Sometimes, after a long walk I can. Whew! 

Monday, I went to my regular vet and let me tell you, she adores me! She had Sibi’s just like me, and she gives me lots of hugs and a few treats. She told me it would be best to go see another doc. So she sent me to another place, a world renowned place that takes care of doggies, cats, horses, cows, everything!

Let me tell you this place is so big it is scary with lots of people running here and there.  I am use to things being a lot more quiet. I think this place is called CSU Vet Teaching Hospital, have you heard of it? My vet here decided I can have surgery hoping it will help me poop better and you should have seen my Mom and Dad, they were so happy to hear this news.

Me, not so happy. I have to stay here overnight to have two tests. One to check my chest, why I don’t know, and the other to check my butt. So if all goes well with these tests tonight and there aren’t any emergencies in the morning, like one of my friends coming in hurt, I will get fixed up. I sure am hoping that I get all better and won’t have to worry about going any more. I really just want to go home. 

Lately, I have been getting lots more hugs, I sure do get a lot everyday, but I have been getting extra these last few days. Yesterday, Mom and Dad took me to one of my favorite places. A place where water shoots up in the air. I love to run and try to grab a drink before the water goes away. Where does it go, I wonder? Anyway, I get a big kick out chasing the water spout. I get all wet and have to shake before my parents let me get back into the car. It feels so good! My Mom even missed Pickleball to stay home with me, she must really love me!

It is lonely here tonight in the hospital and I miss my sister, Dad and Mom. I’am a little scared, maybe more than a little. I sure hope I get to go home soon. Think of me in the morning okay and I will send you my special doggie kisses.

Oh wait, I have more news. I just overheard my 3rd year attending resident talking to my Dad. She was giving him the results of my two tests. I think from what I heard that one was good and one was not so good.

The chest X-ray showed no problems. The sonogram showed some interesting things. What the vet felt during my exam, which he thought were enlarged lymph nodes, is a mass filled with fluid, on the outside of my bladder and my liver is enlarged.

I could tell, from the conversation, my Mom and Dad were upset. I want to tell them that things will be okay! They will remove the liquid filled mass along with the rectal tumor and I will be fine.

I also heard her say I am going to get to eat in a few minutes, I think I am getting hungry, its past my dinner time!”

Oh, here I am at the water park: