Tanka: Sarcoma

profile of a senior black whippet in a grassy field
a black whippet in a black jacket running through a field beside flowering gorse and spring buds

new life
birds nesting
in the dew
your diagnosis
hits us all sideways

© Xenia Tran

a black whippet in a black jacket sprinting through a field beside flowering gorse and spring buds

It is with great sadness that we learned last Friday that the growth in Eivor’s mouth we had biopsied two weeks ago is a malignant tumour.

Eivor had lumps in his mouth last October and a band of tissue wrapping around some of his back teeth. The teeth and part of one of the lumps were removed early November. The biopsy result indicated he was suffering from Gingival Hyperplasia, an overgrowth of the gums that can threaten the teeth. Although these growths are benign, they can cause great discomfort and the main treatment is surgery.

Because of Eivor’s age, the option to operate would not always be the safest and we were advised to monitor his gums for any future growths and only use surgery as a last resort.

He recovered well from his operation and felt a lot more comfortable. We had a blissful two months where he was full of joy and ready for any adventure. In January, he had a new lump on his gums that was causing him discomfort. The vet suggested it was still relatively small and that we could manage the pain with painkillers to keep him comfortable. His condition deteriorated in mid-April and after another visit to the vet who had been treating him so far, we decided to seek a second opinion from a different vet within the same practice.

This vet was very concerned by what she saw and she took x-rays, biopsies from different parts of the mouth and removed two more teeth that had been loosened by new growths. The biopsy results came in on Friday. The sarcoma cannot easily be isolated for removal and, considering his advanced years and the impact further intrusive surgery would have on him, the best option at present is palliative care.

We want to keep him as comfortable as possible, let him continue to do the things that make him happy, such as small zoomies in a field, and enjoy every moment we have.

After the initial shock we are now grateful that we know and give him the best possible care and support. After all the questions we can now rest in what has always been there, the deep love between us.

If you are blessed with furry companions in your life please give them a big hug and enjoy the precious time you are given together.

Wishing you all a blessed Monday and a peaceful new week,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Your Daily Word Prompt: Dew

Word of the Day Challenge: Isolation

Author: whippetwisdom

The stories, poems and photographs on this blog are the original creative work of Xenia Tran. Inspired by life in the Scottish Highlands and in awe of nature she gives voice to the wisdom of her adopted and fostered whippets.

71 thoughts on “Tanka: Sarcoma”

  2. It seems all wrong ‘liking’ this post. I’m so sorry about this diagnosis but grateful that Eivor’s final days will be spent in your loving care. Thinking of you and sending ‘pawsitive’ energy your way. Hugs and tail wags.

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  3. I’m reading this with tears in my eyes, but I know he is with the best parents a sweet boy good ask for. With all the great care that you can give him and make his life as joyful and loved as possible. Sending giant HUGS to you and your sweet pups Eivor and Pearl. They sure have our hearts! 💞💞💞💞💞

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and the hugs dear Diana, we know you understand and Eivor and Pearl say thank you too. Sending big hugs back and please give sweet Chloe and Murphy a big pat from us all 💞💖💞 xxx

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  4. Oh my heart goes out to you and Eivor. I know how much your adore and love him as well as Pearl. I can imagine what you are feeling right now. Love him, pamper yourself and Eivor as much as possible. It’s okay to feel all the feelings. Sending much love and energy your way.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Sheree. Pets are truly family and we are so grateful for the time and journeys we get to share with them. Much love to you too from all of us here 🐾💛🐾 xxx

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  6. I’m so very sorry to hear this, Xenia. Over the months since I discovered your blog and got to “meet” Eivor and Pearl, they’ve become, in a unique way, a part of my life, if only from a distance. Going on walks with them through your photos and poetry has been such a wonderful bright spot in my own life. I know well the love and pain that comes with having companions such as Eivor and Pearl. Memories of dogs I’ve known throughout my life come to mind: Bilbo and Buffer, Schroeder, Harley, Dexter…all wonderful friends and still sorely missed even today. I feel such sadness right now. I know Eivor will be cared for with love and kindness just as he always has been by you. He’s so fortunate in that regard. And I know you’re fortunate to have him and Pearl. Please give Eivor and Pearl extra-special hugs for me today, will you? And know you’re all in my thoughts and prayers. Sending much love from Colorado to all of you.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Mike. This part of the journey is never the easiest and yet we are so grateful we can be here for Eivor near the end of his life too. It has been such a joy and privilege to walk through the past nine years with him and are so glad you were able to join us here and walk the trails with us too. We are happy to know you have met such wonderful dogs as Bilbo, Buffer, Schroeder, Harley and Dexter in your life too and I believe our lives are so much better for these experiences. Eivor and Pearl say thank you for the extra-special hugs and thank you for keeping us in your prayers. Much love back from all of us here and wishing you a blessed rest of the day 🐾💛🐾

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  7. This is awful news; I have had a lump in my throat while reading it. I work with many dogs in palliative care; it is a bittersweet time. Every day that you are together is a good day, take nothing for granted. Give Eivor a loving tummy scratch from me and know that we are thinking of you.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Kathleen and Eivor says thank you for the tummy scratch too 💛 It is a bittersweet time and we are grateful we can be there for him. It is so true that every day we are together is a good day. Much love back to you and sweet Sox from all of us here 🐾💛🐾

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  8. I’m so so sorry to read this, Xenia 💔 I know how much you love him, and Pearl too, and you’ll make his life the best it can be with love and care. Sending much love and gentle pats for a beautiful boy, not forgetting gentle hugs for pretty Pearl 💕🐕💕xxx

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Cathy and Eivor and Pearl say thank you for the gentle pats and hugs too 💖 We will treasure every day we are together and are so grateful for the many years we have already been given. Much love back from all of us here and please give sweet Flynn a gentle pat from us too 💕🐕💕 xxx

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  9. I am so sorry to hear this Xenia. Our dogs are our family and although we understand their time with us is short, it’s hard to face losing them. Hugs and caring to you, Elvor and the rest of your loved ones.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Anne and Eivor says thank you too for the hugs too 💖 Our dogs are truly family and we are so grateful for the happy years we have already been given. Much love back to you from all of us here 💞💖💞 xxx

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  10. Xenia–I am so sorry to read this. Eivor, you will always be my favorite handsome boy. Our pets are supposed to be with us forever. Much love to all of you.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Lois and Eivor says thank you for all the love too 💕🐕 It’s so true that our pets are with us forever and we treasure every moment we have together. Sending you love and please give your sweet kitties a gentle pat from us all 💕🐈💕 xxx

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, hugs and prayers dear friends 💞💜💞 Much love back from our house to yours and please give sweet Miss Lilly and Oliver Lee a gentle pat from us all 💕🐕💕 xxx

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Martha, it’s been truly magical and we are so grateful to have had so many wonderful years together. Much love from our house to yours and please give sweet Bear and Teddy a big pat from us all 💕💜💕 xxx

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  15. Oh, dear, I am so sorry to read this news, Xenia. The news no pet owner ever wants to receive. I’m sure you will give him the best of care until his time comes. Sending you lots of love and virtual hugs. 💕

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  17. I’m so sorry to hear this news about Eivor, Xenia. Through your wonderful photographs and poetry I have enjoyed many walks with him and you and Pearl. He is lucky to have you and your family to take this final walk with him. My heart goes out to you all.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and your support dear Joan. We will treasure every moment we still have with him and are so grateful for the magical years we have shared so far. Much love back from our house to yours and please give sweet Knox a gentle pat from us all 💕💜💕🐕 xxx

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  18. Charlee: “We give a big hiss to things that end in -oma.”
    Chaplin: “Yes, that’s one of the things that took Dennis away from us, osteosarcoma.”
    Charlee: “And what took Dennis’s sister Trixie away was an intestinal sarcoma.”
    Chaplin: “We send lots of purrs your way after this difficult news.”
    Lulu: “And Bean and I send lots of tail wags!”

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    1. Thank you so much for your love, purrs and tail wags dear friends and we are so sorry for the loss of sweet Dennis and Trixie. Sending much love back from our house to yours 💕💞💜💞💕

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Suzanne. This is a bittersweet time where we can treasure every moment we still have together and I am grateful that we can be here to care for him at this stage of his journey into spirit. Sending much love back to you too 💕💜💕 xxx

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Annabelle and Eivor says thank you for the big hug too 😘💕 Much love back from our house to yours and please give sweet Lyra a gentle pat from us all 💕💜💕🐕 xxx

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  21. I read in tears, I am so sad too dear Xenia, how I wished our little friends were free of any kind of illness… It is really a difficult time, I can almost feel and imagine, Please give my hugs and kiss to her. Love you all so much, nia

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Nia and Eivor says thank you for the hugs and kiss too 💕🐕 This is a bittersweet time and we are grateful we can be here for this part of the journey too. Much love back from our house to yours and please give your sweet kitties a gentle pat from us all 💕💜💕🐈 xxx

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  22. I am sorry to hear of Eivor’s sarcoma, and my heart goes out to you. Last year we lost a dear kitty to an adenocarcinoma. We also chose palliative care as the tumor had spread too far and we wanted her life to be as peaceful and pain free as possible at he end. Much love to you and the pups.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and your love dear Lavinia and I am so sorry to hear about your kitty. Giving her the most peaceful and pain free life possible at the end is the kindest way to help her and she would have felt surrounded by so much love. Sending much love back from our house to yours 💕💜💕 xxx

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and your prayers dear Kamal and we are so sorry to hear about your Amber. Sending love and light to you at this difficult time and please give sweet Amber a gentle pat from us all 💕💜💕🐕 xxx

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear friends and Eivor says thank you for the love too 💕🐕 Much love back from all of us here and thank you too for all the wonderful work that you do 💕💜💕 xxx

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  26. Dear Xenia, I read this with much sadness. I send you all a big virtual hug. It is such a bittersweet time. I hope Eivor is comfortable and still enjoying his sniffs. Pearl will of course be aware of Eivor’s illness. Dogs have such good noses for when things are not quite right with their loved ones.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and hugs dear Tracy 💖 Eivor is comfortable for now and still enjoys his sniffs and little bursts of zoomies. We’re hand-feeding the softest foods and have to syringe with a bit of water after each feed so nothing gets left in the gaps where the missing teeth were. The pain killers are working and he seems to be taking everything in his stride. Pearl knows and keeps checking on him. It is a bittersweet time and we treasure every moment we have together. Much love back from our house to yours and please give your sweet dogs a gentle pat from us all too 💕💜💕🐕 xxx

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  27. So sorry to hear this, hugs to you and Eivor. I know he is in good hands and will be well looked after. I had a similar problem with my dog Anya, a rescue, whom I fostered and then adopted. After the operation and removal of few teeth she is fine. She is 10 now. I know what it is to part with a pet companion. Love and hugs.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and the hugs dear Madhuri and Eivor says thank you too 💜 I’m so sorry to hear Anya had a similar problem and so happy she is doing fine now and being so well looked after. Much love back from our house to yours and please give sweet Anya a gentle pat from us all 💕🐕💕

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  28. This is a first…I do not like your poem or post. So much love and nose kisses we send to Eivor and each of you. This is the unpleasant part of relationships with our furry family members. How to get everything in before we cannot? For you and yours, I believe you ‘got it all in’ every day of Eivor’s life and he thus will move on heavy with your love and devotion. Thank you for sharing your animal adventures with us Xenia!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Denise 💜 This is a bittersweet time and we create the space to let Eivor do all the things he enjoys and treasure every moment still given. Much love back from our house to yours and please give your sweet pups a gentle pat from us all 💕🐕💕 xxx

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Sarah. It never gets any easier and yet we are so grateful to be able to be there for him at this part of the journey too 🐾💛🐾

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