Tucker

Here is an update on Tucker’s visit to the oncologist:

I promised you that I would let you know about Tucker’s visit to the oncologist. He and I went yesterday to meet her. She explained more about this rare tumor in his mouth. In addition, she laid out 4 different treatment choices. One was radiation. There is the old form of radiation that would be everyday (except Sat. and Sun.) of the week for 4 weeks straight. Tucker would be put to sleep each time. The second form of radiation is called SRS which is a new form using a new machine that is far more intensive and can be completed in 1-5 days. Both forms of radiation cannot ensure that the cancer will be completely eliminated and they both shorten his life span to just over 2 years. The second form of treatment is chemotherapy which is brutal and has not been improved on much over the last several years. The oncologist did not see this as an option for him. The third choice was surgery which would allow the surgeon to completely remove the tumor and Tucker would then be cancer free and able to move on to live a long, healthy life. The last option was to do nothing except that the tumor grows back fast and in another couple of months we would be back to where we started from.

I chose the surgery option for Tucker. It seemed to be the least invasive, the quickest to deliver and the one with the highest chance for him to be cancer free and live a long life.

Tucker’s surgery will be on Thurs. I can’t wait for it to be done so he can be on the road to recovery.

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Tucker is a son of Korral and Einstein, born May 15th. 2008. I am worried about this beautiful Doodle, this cancer is a scary business in animals and people. It is really hard to believe with all the money that has been raised we can’t seem to stop it. Good luck to Tucker on his surgery tomorrow and a speedy recovery. I would like to have this posted on my web site and I would love an update on Tess, Abby and Duke as well. Tucker’s family wrote:

I am so sorry to hear that you have had a tough winter health wise. In times like that thank goodness for animals and their unconditional love and comfort. I am sure they have helped you through some of the tougher times. I wrote earlier that Tucker has been my “rock.” I am on long term disability from teaching. As a result, Tucker and I have been glued to each other 24/7. He is my therapy both emotionally and physically. His long walks and runs every day have helped to keep me in shape and keep a handle on some of the chronic pain issues I struggle with following a horseback riding accident in 1999. I couldn’t have done it without him.

Tucker has such an incredibly loving, gentle and happy personality. He is very popular in the community, from the very young to the very old, because he always wags not only his tail but wiggles his entire body from side to side when anything with a heartbeat comes near him. He also loves to raise his top lip and give everyone big smiles. He often draws small crowds when I walk him into town. Complete strangers seem to sense his loving nature and come and pet him. I have also taken him to the local seniors home where he works his magic with the staff and patients. He loves to participate in agility classes, swim in the Bow River, hike in the mountains and run beside my bike. He is truly a jack of all trades. How lucky we are that Einstein and Korral gave us such a special guy.

I want you to know that I didn’t email you about Tucker’s cancer to blame you or question your breeding. I wrote you to let you know the joy you have given myself and my family by providing us with Tucker. Tucker, his sister Tess, Abby (born 2006 from your farm) and Duke (Abby’s brother) are 4 golden doodles I know well from your breeding program. They are all incredibly gentle, loving and giving dogs. I have recommended you to many people and would buy another puppy from you without a second thought. Tess and Abby live next door and Duke lives across town.

Casey (Regina)

Casey is one of Korral and Einstein‘s pups, born July 28, 2010. This is the first time I have heard about her, I am thrilled to see how beautiful she is and how happy they are with her! Casey lives in Regina with her family, she is in the exact right place! Thanks Roseanne! She wrote:

Someone asked me where we got our dog from and I passed on your contact info. I thought I would pass on to you how great we think she is. She is very sweet and smart. She has a crazy sense of humour. We love her to bits. We got her from you July 2010. Anyhow, here are some pics and thanks again.

Korral

Some news and fresh pictures from Korral and Kamryn‘s “retirement villa”! Their owners tell us:

Couple of pics I thought you might like. The kids came down today with Korral & Kamryn. Last time I saw them was in gasoline alley when you were out and Korral was a bit tubby. Korral has always been good for the kids, but seeing her today is like seeing a different dog. She is at her proper weight and fights for attention with the others. She seems happy and out going and is a wonderful dog. I think having Kamryn around has done her the world of good. The three had a good time roaming around. It was awesome seeing them all together.

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Korral was born October 8th, 2005 from Kayden and Klifford “the big red dog” amongst a litter of 14 puppies. She stood out right from the start as an outstanding pup and had all the qualities I was looking for to carry on this bloodline. She was a sweetheart of a pup that grew into a sweetheart of a dog, a very easy dog to have around. She had her first litter in May of 2008 when she was 2 1/2 years old, 13 F1 Golden Doodle puppies fathered by Einstein. She was a very dedicated mother that didn’t even want to leave the pups long enough to eat, drink and go out to the bathroom.

Korral got a long rest between litters – she had her second litter July 2010 by c-section followed by an immediate spay, also from Einstein.   She whelped an awesome 15 puppies.  Her and I were both overwhelmed with feeding all these hungry little munchkins.  We split the litter in two playpens and rotated every two hours. In all fairness to Korral she retired after this litter.  Producing 28 pups in two litters is more than most dogs do in four litters. Korral now lives on an acreage in Alberta with kids… her dream home. It is hard to part with a dog like Korral but she certainly earned her own home and family.  Little does she know that her half sister, Kamryn, will join her when she retires this fall…what a bonus for me to put two sisters together for the rest of their life.  The icing on the cake is that their mother, Kayden, retired to the same parents of this family, so all three will get the occasional romp on the farm together. I love having happy endings for my girls when they retire!