Can You Hear Me Now - with updates

Barkley channels "RCA Dog".

We're home from the Doggie Hospital. Barkley still pretty out of it from the meds. (Look, a squirrel . . . . zzzzzzz). The Vet had told me during the exam last week that the tumor was likely a meibomian gland adenoma, benign, or other type of benign neoplash. Those are common in older dogs (he is almost 8). If it's not, the vet could tell that when she cut into it. She is sending it out to a pathologist. We should have the histopathology report to indicate the type of tumor and mitotic rate on Tuesday.

I'm sorry I don't have cheerier news. I've tried to keep the postings upbeat through the last month or so, there's parts of my life that aren't the world's business, but they do affect much of what goes on in my head and heart on a daily basis. As with other heartbreak, perhaps I should just shut up and post a recipe, but Barkley is family to many of you, on and away from the blog, so here it is.

I'm still hopeful that a clean removal surgically, which they did today under full anaesthesia, will give him a good prognosis if it's not benign. In anything, all we can do is hope.

"But in the end, it’s only a passing thing… this shadow. Even darkness must pass." ---Sam, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Evening Update: Barkley drank some water (finally), ate a Milkbone with gusto and jumped up and commandeered my bed. I've got the lights down so not to bother his eye but he's sitting up and is alert though I'm getting the "Aunt Tam wouldn't make me wear this thing, she brings me pigs ears."

Guilt and attention. Good signs.

Thanks for the many kind and caring comments and the phone calls.

Morning Update: Thank you again all for the outpouring of care and the emails and phone calls yesterday from those of you that are close friends. Barkley seemed to do OK coming off the anesthesia though I worried that he might have spilled the code to the gun safe and the secret family Toutiere recipe while under.

But he then had an upset tummy from the anesthesia (normal) last night. About three times in the middle of the night I got the frantic, panting "I have to go to the bathroom NOW", and the next thing you know I'm out in the yard at 2 am in yellow Victoria's Secret jammies with a dog that wants to go potty the furthest away from the door as possible. Sigh.

His regular doggie bed was hard for him to maneuver in and out of with the cone so I made him a nest of travel beds and pillows that smelled like me and put it in my bedroom. (He normally sleeps out in the living room where he can watch the door). He did get a little sleep finally, as did I. He then ate his breakfast with some enthusiasm and it seemed to sit well with him.