Sunday share / Rufus update

© Johnny Ortez-Tibbels | www.Rufusontheweb.com

Hello friends. As you may (or may not) remember from some of our social media postings, Rufus finally got his anesthetic teeth cleaning on Wednesday, March 13. Yay!!!

He was denied on February 12th, a month earlier, due to concerns with his kidney. Last year (February 2018 during his last annual aesthetic teeth cleaning), he was diagnosed with Stage I kidney disease. It naturally has progressed (as one might expect) in the year since we last officially checked it.

We were thrilled to get Rufus’ teeth cleaning done by our good and gifted friend and canine dental specialist Robert Furman in Santa Barbara. We originally were going to have to wait til April, but thankfully due to a cancellation we got in sooner. #Grateful

Unfortunately when we examined Rufus’ mouth we found a growth on his lip line. Dr. Furman happily removed it, but being safe we sent it in for a biopsy. And one week later, like he promised, Dr. Furman called us with the results. Unfortunately, the results weren’t good. The growth was melanoma. Dr. Furman believes he got it all out, but one can never be sure.

According to the PetMD…

Oral melanomas also have a high chance of metastasizing (spreading) to other parts of the body. The most common locations for melanoma to spread are lymph nodes within the head and neck, and the lungs. Certain breeds are more likely to develop melanoma tumors than others, including poodles, dachshunds, Scottish terriers, and golden retrievers.

There’s a vaccine we can give Rufus, but it’s pretty expensive. At this time we remain undecided how we’ll proceed. What measure(s) we will or won’t take.

So here’s our dilemma. Rufus has had a great life. He’s nearly 15 (August 21, 2019); some dogs don’t ever get that many years so we’re grateful for each one. Rufus is a very well-travelled hound. Some humans would be lucky to have lived the life of this happy hound dog. ❤ We want to ensure Rufus’ last days, months or years are comfortable and posh, but I want him to have the freedom to leave this plane and transition to the next when he’s ready, whenever that day comes.

We’re not pessimists (by any means). But I do consider us to be realists. We hope Rufus will prove us wrong and be around for many more years to come – nothing would make be happier, but realistically his time (and our time together) is limited. I think Rufus’ time here is coming to an end. We’re in the final stretch of road certainly, we just don’t know how much road is left (yet). I personally believe we have between 6 and 24 months left. That’s my intuition. We personally have to acknowledge this possibility so we can prepare emotionally, so I can prepare emotionally. ❤

Now my question to YOU reading this Sunday share / Rufus update is… IF you knew the end was near(ish), how would you spend the final days / months / years with your best canine companion!??! #InquiringMindsWantToKnow

I’ve been asking myself that question a lot lately. And our family has decided that I won’t travel without Rufus, which means my overall travel this year will be significantly less. I’m going to stay home and stay close to our boy, because my singular clear commitment to Rufus during this uncertain time is that I want to be here with him. I want to be here when he takes his last breath; I know if I wasn’t that would be huge regret for me.

I also want to take a lot more pictures. I want to go on more adventures together. I want visit more (if not all) SoCal beaches, dog parks, resume our regular neighbor walks, take hikes, etc. I want to spoil Rufus. I want ensure Rufus’ last days / months / year are pretty spectacular. And I’m happy to bring you all along for the ride, if you want come.

I also welcome your suggestions and thoughts. Rufus is my first dog as an adult and this all is a first for me. I’ve have helped to raise four precious puppies, but this will be my first time to lose one of those puppies I raised. So although I consider myself a very well read person on all things dachshund, I will be experiencing this first hand for the first time. ❤ And for me, it helps to talk about it candidly with our community.

Okay friends. Although this share may seem a little gloom and doom, in truth we’re all doing pretty good under the circumstances. We remain of good cheer and continue to enjoy our daily cuddles, naps and sunbathing poolside. Proof is in the pictures. We’re celebrating each day as a gift, and encourage you to do the same. If you got them, hug them and spoil them, because why else have them if you’re not. 🙂

Thanks for the continued support and love friends. Have a wonderful week. ❤ We’ll share again soon.

❤ ❤ ❤
#FamilyFun #Dachshunds #Doxies #DoxiesDads #DachshundDudes
#DistinctivelyDachshund #HappyHounds #TailWaggin #WienerDogs #HotDogs
#BarkingDogs #CuteCanines #AdventuresWithDachshunds #PoshPups #PamperedPooches #IHeartHounds #SmallDogBigPersonality
❤ ❤ ❤

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11 Responses to Sunday share / Rufus update

Becky McLeod says:

March 25, 2019 at 8:08 am

Rufus was the reason I started following your Facebook and IG account. We have a senior boy, his name is Nick Poppa and he is 16.8 months. On February 1, he had a stroke and we were certain we would have to let him go that day. Our vet who is beyond awesome, asked me to text her a video. She told us to go ahead and take him to the clinic and have him put down. My husband insisted that we would wait until she saw him in person. She could not stop by for several hours, in the mean time, Nick experienced several seizures. We decided not to have the expensive testing because it would not change the outcome. Dr. W put him on some meds that she had used on previous dogs in hopes it would make a difference. (nick has had kidney issues for 3 years) as of today he is our miracle puppy, he is running, eating and being catered to on all levels. He is a gift and we fill honored for each day. I just wanted to give you some encouragement, these doxies of ours are true fighters, and they will let you know when it’s time to walk the bridge. I’ve lost 3 fur babies in the last 9 years and they all left us at a very senior age. Rufus looks to be a great senior man and I have loved watching him via your page. Hugs to you all, and here’s to more adventures, cheers from Austin, Texas and the McLeod Herd.

- rufusontheweb says:
  
  March 26, 2019 at 11:22 am
  
  Yes Becky. We agree more adventures. Thanks for the cheers from Texas. Appreciate them. ❤
  
Lynn Prehn says:

March 25, 2019 at 12:22 pm

Hi Johnny, sending you & yours all my love. You remember Davy Jones? He left me August last year. If you would like to hear how I managed his long and complex and difficult decline and still managed to have a happy tail wagging dog right up to end, and how I chose to transition him out of this life, please call or write. I learned so much about this part of guardianship and how to know when, and how to act. It can be done with grace and joy and ways that can help the rest of the dogs understand. I am happy to share what I learned with you.
Also thank you for the past photos of Davy. They mean more to me than I can say. I have them displayed and I use them to stay connected to him every single day.
I hope to share with you how to make the best of the worst, as I experienced it.
Big Love. 💖🐾🐾
Lynn & Bentley & the spirit of Davy Jones

- rufusontheweb says:
  
  March 26, 2019 at 11:21 am
  
  Thank you Lynn. Appreciate you. I’ll reach out when I can. I’m curious about your experience, but sometimes, I need to focus on the living part and not the transition (just yet). I find it’s fine line these days. Glad you I could photograph Davy, and his photos are treasured by you. That why I do it. ❤ Thank you! Will be in touch. JOT
  
Mayree Lowman says:

March 25, 2019 at 2:06 pm

I think your plan is humane,loving and realistic. Chemo can be worse than the disease. Lots of love,cuddles and closeness = Rx. Great Garbo and Gary Cooper send warm and wet pup kisses.

- rufusontheweb says:
  
  March 26, 2019 at 11:16 am
  
  Thank you. ❤
  
Mary Bellamy says:

March 25, 2019 at 8:44 pm

I Believe U have an Excellent plan !!!
Most Important, is 2 Love Him Unconditionally & Spend as Much Time as Possible w/him !!!
He’s a Very Loved & Well Taken Care of Fur Baby,
& It Shows!!!
U have done Well w/him !!!
Keep up the Great job/work !!!
Just make him as Happy & Loved as U can !!!
Thank U 4 posting & keeping us All updated.
It’s Great 2 see/read stories that are Truely Happy ones, about Our Loved, Fur Babies !!!
Keep the Updates coming, as We All have come 2 Love ur Fur Baby, Rufus, as well !!!
May God Bless U Both !!!
All My Love 2 Rufus,
MaryB. (from St. Peters, Mo.)

- rufusontheweb says:
  
  March 26, 2019 at 11:15 am
  
  Thanks Mary. Agree completely. ❤
  
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robincricket says:

March 26, 2019 at 7:26 am

Such a beautiful post. Rufus is so lucky to be loved by you. Quite the rockstar life hes lived. 🙂
Sending extra hugs your way.

- rufusontheweb says:
  
  March 26, 2019 at 11:15 am
  
  Thanks Robin. Appreciate the hugs. Best to Roscoe. ❤