rusty&biscuit

Hi, thanks for reading. I am in desperate need of advice/opinions as our dear girl Cherry has yet another mast cell, this time on her face, plus one on her leg. The one on her face is located on her lip, just under the nose. She has had it since 2011 because we thought at 10 she was nearing the end (she's our first family dog) and thought it would be cruel to put her through such a deforming surgery, instead opting for quality if life over quantity as due to the local of the tumour half her lip would need to be removed, leaving her with the possibility of a permanent dry mouth, as the vet told us. However she is still in amazing condition at 12, very lean and muscular and coming on hikes with me and still keeping up with the boys. However the lump has been concerning us lately, so we brought her to the vet for a second opinion and were told that both lumps could easily be removed, and despite her not looking too sightly, she'd still be able to eat properly and not have a dry mouth, and because she is so fit and healthy she would be fine to undergo surgery. So there are 3 of us in the family, and because she belongs to all of us it needs to be a joint decision. Mum is opting to go against the surgery, as she has major concerns over her quality of life afterwards if she was to get a dry mouth and have other complications. Dad is opting to go for the surgery. So it's up to me now, but I just don't know what to do. As much as I don't want it done as I have the same concerns as mum, there is strong feeling in my gut that I haven't felt before, saying to do it. It just feels as though she should get the surgery now, while she's fit and healthy enough to have it done, before she becomes too old/ill and the way cancer can take over the body so quick, it may be too late and then I'll regret not having It done earlier. The vet is confident that's it's a slow growing tumour so she thinks she'll be able to get it all out. I am just devasted, I love her to bits, she's my first ever dog and I really want to be sure I make the right decision. Please please share any opinions, advice, or experience, I really appreciate it and thank you in advance! Sorry this is long, but thank you for taking the time to read.

Lhok I am so sorry, what a terrible tragedy, I can't even begin to imagine how you must be feeling Run free Raiden :heart:

Awesome, love Roscoe's enthusiasm! You two obviously have a strong bond :)

Aww that is too cute! :laugh:

Good luck to those going on Saturday and congrats to those who passed Am very disapointed as it doesn't look like the Tablelands one will go ahead, and Rusty and I have been training for months, and Biscuit has just started training also They need a minimum of 10 entries, and my dogs are the only 2 entered so far with the closing date being June 21 :laugh: I don't think there are any more up here this year either so looks like I have a whole year to train now

That's awesome, looks like so much fun!

I like the dogs better than any if my other pets, because I am a dog person I guess! I do love the, all equally, as they each have their own unique personalities, they are special. However biscuit has really stolen my heart...I don't know what it is, but from day 1 we've had a special bond. He's not the cuddly dog I'd like him to be...but he's just perfect. And as much as I hate to admit it I think he'd have to be the best of the 4 I've owned but of course I still treat them all the same, because the others don't know that

Hahaha omg! I've never even seen an episode of Doctor Who in my life but still found this hilarious :laugh:

I started agility with cherry when I was 8, it was a challenge especially as she had no respect for me haha! But after lots of training and hard work we started competing when I was 10. She did really well and we kept going up until this year. When I was 14 we got rusty, and boy has he been a challenge! But he has taught me so so much! Like you I would love a performance border collie or highly strung rescue dog, but I will wait until I finish uni before I think of it, I imagine it'd be a lot of work! Definitely keep working with your mums dog, you're doing do well and it really is so much fun! Who knows, in a few years time we might see you out there with a super speedy border collie and great handling skills :D

My Aussie is about GR size or just under, and loves rough and tumble playing especially body slamming! Schipperkes are a fairly sturdy breed and the 2 boys get along great despite the size difference. They do play very rough and because rusty is so vocal a lot of people think biscuit is being attacked...but no, that's how they play :laugh: but rusty does know not to step over the line and biscuit will tell him off if he does. Biscuit also does his share of ear tugging and pestering rusty. But they really are the best of friends and get along so well! Just sharing my experience, but hopefully a frenchie owner can step in and share theirs :D

+1!! :laugh:

Oh he is just gorgeous'!!

what a beautiful dog! But some car adverts confuse the hell outta me...I really don't see what that does to make me want that car :laugh:

schipperke! they are shedders though, and not the most cuddly...but still awesome little dogs, especially if you're a big dog person

I'll be doing the Atherton Tablelands one in July :D

I wasn't sure what to expect, but that was just lovely and so close to home...thanks for sharing :)

Yay first comp of the year and 2 goals achieved! :D Just gotta nail those weaves for an agility quallie :laugh: Good job to everyone else achieveing their goals

Cherry will sit, then beg, then lick. Then beg again, then if you're still not petting her she'll stay in a beg but start violently scratching your leg :laugh: Rusty will nudge my arm with his nose...which is really annoying actually! And biscuit runs up and down panting and runs around like a loony

All these puppies are so cute!! I am so puppy clucky Lhok, he is super adorable! Would love an Akita one day

I'm so excited to go! only over 400 days to go :laugh:

Wow such an amazing dog! And very wel put together video. I am so amazed by the rebounding off the owners trick

Hi, there is a club at the beaches called DogzCairns or if she is in town there is the Cairns City Kennel Club. I train and both and find them very good, all positive based training methods, friendly trainers and some of the trainers also trial. Both clubs have facebook pages, if you would like more info please PM me I am more than happy to help :)

aww they're all so cute! And there's so many! Gosh, my 3 could never eat that close together in harmony. What a wonderful pack

All very interesting to read...but freaked out about hearing how brutal road running is because 3 times a week I take rusty for a 9km road run, which I actually really enjoy, and there's a few steep hills too which really works my legs and is giving him more muscle in his hind legs. We are training for an ET and I also competitively compete in agility with both him and biscuit. I don't really have a program as such, we go to agility training classes 3 times a week and they get training here and there at home. Lots of free running and ball chasing mainly for biscuit, haven't been game enough to try him on the longer runs

I don't live remotely near you, so no helpful advise, but Caesar is just so adorable