09.22.16
Baloo’s 12th Birthday!
Baloo turned 12 on the 19th!
A year ago we were just about to learn he had cancer, and could only dream that we would be wishing our happy boy a happy day on his 12th birthday. 9/19 was a special day.
Two months ago we found out that Baloo’s cancer was spreading after 9 months of successful treatment and a successful amputation, and were given a few weeks prognosis. There was evidence of sarcoma in his lungs, trachea, and even a suspicious area on his kidneys, all that had developed in the window of a few weeks between scans.
But Baloo lives on his own timeline!
We are beginning now to see his breathing quickening a bit, and are we’re painstakingly monitoring him for any disinterest or decline in enthusiasm over his life’s activities, but he is still waiting at the top of the stairs for me every afternoon when I come home, every morning when I get up, and even surprises me by occasionally deciding he’s capable of things like jumping up on my bed for a cuddle. He flies out to get the paper in the morning when he hears the door open, and intently destroys the ears on the fuzzy toys I bring home for him.
Not sure who was happiest sharing this car ride!
The life he fought to live is still a good one, and he’s earned the right to live it as long as his life makes him so happy.
Apparently he’s not about to play by the vet’s guesstimates, and we’re definitely letting him set his own rules.
Nights are a little harder on him, and us, when his breathing gets more labored, but each morning he has a sparkle in his eyes, a wag in his tail, and is raring to go.
His great joy is running out to do his job!
Whether or not Baloo celebrates his one year ampuversary in a few weeks, these extra 11 months have felt like a lottery of good luck.
Baloo has had an incredible 12 years, and the last 11 months with him as a tripawd have been nothing short of a gift.
Afternoon sun basking
A soak in the bay with his mom
All the best, from B&E
September 22, 2016 at 9:37 pm
Hooray for Baloo! And yes, you do have so much to be thankful for. After all, for a big dog, 12 is pretty impressive under any circumstances. Here’s to living in the moment and enjoying every second you have together!
September 23, 2016 at 10:58 pm
Thank you!! I think we’re beyond thankful to have these extra days with him, and realize what a lucky outcome he’s had to have a quality 11 months together!
September 22, 2016 at 11:26 pm
That is great news!!! 12 is very impressive so happy birthday!!!! He looks great and you guys are such a happy pack. Enjoy each day… I know it sounds cliche but try to live in the moment and be more dog. That’s all Baloo is doing! XO
September 23, 2016 at 10:55 pm
Thank you Allison! We are so happy for him with his milestone birthday, but I think even more so just looking back and realizing how far he’s come. I think he loves proving his vets wrong as much has his mommy loves being right ;o) I think we’re so happy to be with him in the now that the future isn’t on our minds yet, but I do love looking back and seeing what an incredible journey he’s had. And life lived “more dog” is always the best advice! xo
September 23, 2016 at 1:08 am
Happy terrific 12, dear Baloo! You make everything look joyful – what a gift that is.
A wise man facing his own mortality with a terminal cancer, Warren Zevon, said in his last interview with David Letterman when asked if he had any advice from his current perspective, “Enjoy every sandwich!” Here is to being more dog and enjoying every sandwich. And every cuddle.
Lisa and Pofi (who turned 12 last week, too)
September 23, 2016 at 10:51 pm
Happy birthday to Pofi too, and thank you Lisa! Baloo got his name because he was nothing but a happy big bear, and the name has served him well. :o)
We’ve worked hard to educate kids on amputation when they ask us about his missing leg, and I think seeing how HAPPY and rambunctious he is as a tripawd has normalized what otherwise shocks them. Baloo’s gift! :o)
I suspect that if a dog could know he was facing mortality, Baloo does. And that as he’s declining, he’s working to do more – play, snuggles, and begging for steak (aka sandwiches). He’s enjoying each day more than I could imagine. Here’s to being more dog!
September 23, 2016 at 1:21 am
Happy 12 Birthday Baloo. Way to go. I will wish you a happy 1 year ampuversary today and we will celebrate with you again in a few weeks too. Hugs & Cuddles and spoil rotten. Love the pictures and he looks like he is still enjoying life to its fullest
hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
September 23, 2016 at 10:40 pm
Thank you Michelle! :o) I love hearing that he looks happy to you too! Another month together would be an amazing gift, and I’d love to report back in a month that he’s a happy, healthy boy, but in the meantime, we’re going to be so glad for every extra day. We know how hard he fought to get this far!
September 23, 2016 at 4:34 am
Ohhh sweet Baloo, hoppy birthday you wise old pup! We are just so in awe of your amazing journey and how you and the humans have stayed in the Now. ROCK ON my friend, you are so strong and miraculous, you are showing the world that time means nothing, all that matters is right here right now. You’re livin’ life to the fullest and that’s the way it should be.
WE LOVE YOU!!!
September 23, 2016 at 10:30 pm
Thank you Jerry!! It’s been a wonderful journey. I know we’re lucky every day, and am sure glad we’ve had these 11 extra months to shower love on our boy. There’s never enough time, but every extra day is one more chance we’re glad for! Thanks for the love and support!
September 23, 2016 at 2:28 pm
Happy Birthday Baloo! You surely are one impressive Warrior living in your world filled with LOVE from your humans. I’m sure they get that love right back from you too. Keep on keeping on beautiful Baloo.
September 23, 2016 at 10:19 pm
Thank you!! You’re right – no matter how much love we could pour his way, he’s always there to give back even more!
September 23, 2016 at 3:15 pm
BALOO!! BALOO IS A MIRACLE DOG!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET BALOO!! You are a very, very handsome senior and don’t look at day over 35 !!!
And heck yeah, we can start celebrating your HAPPY ONE YEAR AMPUVERSARY right now!! Nothing like having a month long pawty!! 🙂
Baloo, I adore you for sooooo many reasons, not the least of which is because you are YOY!! You are Baloo and you live by YOUR rules and you never, ever let any stupid ole “diagnosis” have any impact on you!!!
To see how happy you are and how soooo loved you are is absolutely delightful! You are, indeed, living the good life! Your humans are doing a stellar job of staying in the moment and letting NOTHING interfere with your joyous time together!
Seeing these pictures of you…the joy, the happiness, the love, seeing you and Maverick, seeing you and your humans……all this just melts my heart!! 🙂 I love how pleased you are with yourself as you hold that newspaper! You are so darn cute!!
Okay, let’s keep this pawty going!! Ice cream and cake for everyone!! 🙂
Lots of love to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
September 23, 2016 at 10:17 pm
Thank you Sally!! He is definitely living it up, and we’re keeping close track of that light in his eyes! It’s wonderful to have a place like this where others understand how much our time means! We found a specialty dog bakery for the occasion, but I strongly suspect the humans thought the treats were more fun than he and Maverick did. They’re happy with steak tidbits we set aside…not spoiled at all! Thanks so much for the support. He may not realize he has it, but I sure do! :o)