December 19, 2017

White Dog first wanted to know if the staff at our vet clinic enjoyed the special noms that the White Dog Army had specially put together for them. "Yes," Steve told her. "Everyone loved the cheese spreads and breads. Several especially mentioned how nice it was to get cheese instead of sweets." She and the WDA beamed that their choice had been so appreciated. Steve continued, "And Dr. Julia and Cindy loved your pressie bags."

Stormer stood patiently waiting for her to ask about his followup visit.

Tizenegy walked over and sniffed his neck. "Is that where they took your bloods?" He asked. Stormer nodded and complained that they had also muzzled him and that it had been uncomfortable. Opal nuzzled his face in solace.

The blood work indicated that Stormer's HCT, low last week had moved back up. we breathed a sigh of relief. Dr. Julia shook her head. "The low number hints that there is a problem but that it is not what Yo had."

She sighed and told us that they STILL did not have the xrays from his former vet. "Let's do them now," I told her. "You need to see his hip issues and know what is going on." "I hoped you would agree," she replied and had the tech REmuzzle poor Stormer and take him to be zapped.

Holding a tablet when she returned, Dr. Julia showed us the image of Stormer's hip bones. They are badly worn and misaligned. "I am glad the pain meds are providing relief. If he is getting up and down more and walking then it is a sign he hurts less. Our goal is to keep his pain managed so that he has some degree mobility."

She thumbed the screen to show the next image, Stormer on his side. "I can't see much here," she said pointing to a large grey tissue-y area behind and lower than his belly. His liver is enlarged and his spleen could be as well. It might be a tumor and we can certainly take a closer look if you want. But Stormer is 17 years old and not a good candidate if it is some kind of cancer. He is on all of the supplements and medications that there are for liver but they are not cures."

Stormer looked at her as if to say, "So I am an old man with old man issues and you are going to make sure that I won't hurt and can just enjoy being comfortable, safe, happy and loved?" Dr. Julia ran her hand down his neck; "We will make sure you have what you need. You deserve that. I want to see you in a month, OK?" She put a treat down on the floor between his paws.

The WDA stood still, processing and not sure how to react to the report. Stormer hopped over and took a long drink of water. "So, isn't it dinner time? I am starving! This traveling all over and being poked and prodded sure works up the appetite! In fact, Dad, how about a bit extra as a Brave Boy reward?"