Been a trying couple of weeks!

Allie-

I want to thank everyone for their 'well-wishes' of Allie! The past couple of weeks has been really tough but she's going to be okay!!! :) It all started with the surgery to remove the tumor, then she ate out her staples. That was a nice move by the golden child! We brought her into the vet, and they had to scrub out her wound because of the potential contamination, and this time they put in tension sutures in two different layers along the incision. They gave us a cone to put on her head and while in the car we took it off, because she kept getting her head stuck.....we FORGOT TO PUT IT BACK ON!!!! The cone-less head of Allie ate out her brand new stitches and opened the wound back up! This time it was a little more serious because it didn't have time to heal from before. So back to the hospital she went, for emergency surgery. When we picked her up, she had tension sutures, staples, drain tube, and the cone--which was staying on this time, no matter what!

The tumor didn't look good, but the surrounding areas were clean! YAY!! We had a sonogram done on her lymph nodes and a chest Xray to evaluate further. All clean....huge sigh of relief. The stitches, drain tube, and staples are all out, and the cone is gone. Allie is back to rolling in stinky stuff and playing again.Buster on the beach in Panama City, FL

Buster-

In past posts, checkout the Florida race recap- you may remember Buster. He's the chocolate lab, litter-mate to my son Murphey, best friend to my Father-in-law, and ruler of the compound. He has always struggled with hip issues, and the doctors originally thought he wouldn't make it past a year or so, but Buster has a pool-a large swimming pooling with a deep end where he could work on his back-leg strength! Over the years, Buster has been in many parades, Olympic Trials for Cycling, hundreds of other running, cycling, and triathlon events. He would steal the candy from the kids while walking in Labor Day parades, and is rumored to even have lifted his leg and peed on one!!! (Way to go Mr. B!!)

Last Summer he turned 11, and time and arthritis had really taken a toll on the little fella. He slowly began to lose the use of his back legs, and his upper body just couldn't take the weight. Early in the Fall, Buster was quadriplegic and could no longer walk. But that didn't keep his spirits down! He would still bark orders from his wagon, and during Christmas night went sledding with his dad. That's right! Mike sat on the sled, we put 80lb Buster in his lap, and away they went down the snow covered hills in Deming Park. Buster loved it! His tail still worked and it would wag like crazy!!!!

On Saturday, February 5, Emily and I got the call......Murphey's brother had passed away. "Little B" as he was affectionately called just grew more and more tired. The months of not being able to move had finally taken its toll. While I personally felt sad, I kept thinking to myself, "How am I going to tell my son that his brother has died?" They had been peas in a pod for the last 11yrs. They got into trouble together as puppies, swam in the pool together, and Murphey being the cuddler he is-would snuggle with his bigger brother. On Sunday, February 6th, while most of America was watching the Superbowl, we buried Buster. We love ya Buster and miss you so much! Thank you for cheering me on at races. Thank you for looking out for your brother, Murphey. Have fun swimming and chasing balls again in the dark park in the sky. Goodnight sweet boy....Mike (Buster's dad) and "Little B" cheering on Iron distance athletes til midnight!

Buster sleeping in his memory foam filled wagon!

Buster (left) and Murphey (right) ready for their 11th b'day party!

Buster and Emily on the pool deck...Buster is a great supervisor

Buster (facing the camera) is ready for b'day celebration!