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Kahly was my dog George’s first and only love. A gorgeous chocolate lab and an “older woman”, by three years, he was quite smitten with her.
I know it sounds crazy, but when we lived in a first floor apartment, George would perch on top of my big over stuffed chair in the sunroom and look out the window. I always knew when Kahly was outside. George would start this nervous, grumble, mumble, anxious sound from deep in his gut and wag his tail. She was the only one he reacted that way to. All other dogs he would see outside he would bark with authority!
So Kahly, who lived upstairs from us, quickly became known as “George’s girlfriend” She has always been stylish. Some of us ladies like shoes, Kahly has a collection of darling and decorative dog collars that have to make her the envy of all her canine companions.
Sadly I have just learned Kahly is not well. She had surgery this week to remove a six pound tumor from her spleen. Fortunately there were not any visual signs it had spread to her liver. That is something worth keeping a positive outlook. Her doctor also found a large tumor behind her teeth on the roof of her mouth and removed that.
Kahly made it out of surgery just fine and is home recovering with her family. With this one hurdle cleared, now comes the hard part.. Waiting and wondering what the outcome of the biopsy will be. I’ve been there and know how hard it is. My heart goes out to Kahly’s mom and dad.
After learning of her health problems this week I have been thinking about my George more than usual. Then today it hit me. It was exactly three months ago this very week George got sick and passed away. I’ve done very well, but I do miss him. I have not adopted another dog yet. But I will when the time is right and when the right companion comes along. The bar has been set very high!
Since George’s cancer diagnosis more than three years ago I have known so many other dogs battling the same illness. It seems to be more common than uncommon anymore. I can’t help but wonder if the environment we live in is contributing to the increased incidence of illness in our pets. Years ago no one treated their lawns with all of the chemicals that are used today.
But it’s not just pets. There is speculation that the environment could be a contributing factor to a higher rate of autism in children. The list could go on and on.
The cause aside, we are lucky science is able to keep up with the troubling trend. As upsetting as my former canine neighbor’s health problems are, I am confident she is in good hands and know she is surrounded by love and devotion that if all is not well she can beat this, just as George beat his cancer for more than three years.
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