There's not much to say about Milo that hasn't been documented in these pages already, from new friends, new toys, birthdays, his love of water, and a new brother it's been a crazy ride with this lovable Westie. But today I have some sad news, but I'm going to fill it with happy memories.
We found out earlier this year that Milo had cancer. He had a large tumor growing in his mouth attached to his lower jaw.
You can really see how massive it is here in his left side.
After multiple vet visits, consultations, and referrals we made our way to the Vet hospital in Columbia, Missouri. This place is amazing, I really can't say enough good things about it. The facilities and staff are one of the best vet hospitals in the country, and it was only two hours away from us. They took X-Ray's and CT scans of his tumor and told us it was too big and too far into the bone to just remove the tumor, so we elected to have half of his lower jaw removed. So we did the hardest thing we've ever had to do and left Milo in Columbia for a surgery that would leave him debilitated at best, unsure if we would see him again. But he pulled through, and after about ten days in the hospital we were able to bring him home; jaw and tumor free.
They resected all the way past his eye and even had to sew up part of his mouth on the left side to help with the fact that he is missing half of his mouth.
Milo was back to his old self in no time and he healed up great. He was eating solid foods, playing fetch, and chasing squirrels without missing a step.
He does seem to have quiet the issue keeping his tongue in his mouth though, which is pretty adorable.
We had a great 6-7 months after that. Clean X-Rays and blood work at the vets and he was acting like his old self. But a week ago, we noticed some erie issues again. Milo was rubbing his face on the ground, we noticed large wet spots on blankets and clothes he would lay on that seemed to have a tint of blood in them. Being a paramedic I took to examining him as best as he would let me, and I couldn't find anything. But we made a vet appointment anyways. Yesterday we took him in so they could sedate him and take a closer look inside his mouth.
Our worst fears came true with they found a tumor similar in structure to the one we had removed just six months ago. This time it's in his upper jaw back by his last two teeth, just below his eye. Surgery isn't an option due to location, and we feel chemo/radiation would put him through lots of extra suffering for a minimal gain in time.
Our number one concern is his quality of life. Right now it doesn't seem to be affecting him much if at all. But the time will come when it does and we don't want him to suffer. So for now we are enjoying every minute we still get to spend with him, loving him and spoiling him.
While this is truly a sad post, I'd like to close it out with some great pictures from the past seven years, celebrating the amazing life of my best friend.
We were so eager to get him we went to visit him two weeks before he could be released from his parents.
On the car ride home and he already had found a toy.
His left ear stayed floppy for the first few months and it was adorable.
At only three months old he was attacked by a lab that Milo jumped on while it was sound asleep. He made out ok with a large cut under his left eye. What is it about the left side of his head!
Here he is, "adjusting", to life as a cone-head after his stitches.
But it's certainly not the only time he seemed at odds with his bed.
He made friends with the rest of our families dogs, as you can see my parents dogs Eddie (left) and Tanner (right) here posing so well together.
Almost making himself too at home sometimes...
Milo is no stranger to the water and would always take dip.
No matter what form that water may be in.
But his favorite activity is most certainly laying in the sun. Even in 100ยบ+ weather, he would lay out in the grass, and good luck getting him inside once he found a spot.
I certainly can't leave out one of the hallmarks of his tenure here, Milo's Table. Everyone knows that is Milo's table. Which he loves even more now that it's a post for him to look out the window of the cul-de-sac and check on the neighborhood.
His second passion has always been riding in the car, and what could be more perfect than a Jeep for a dog wanting to stick his nose out the window. It was warm enough today that we went for a "Jeep Ride" on such a great fall day.
Milo's world was certainly rocked the day we brought home little Dexter. No longer was Milo the barer of all our attention. But he adapted and now they don't like to be too far apart from each other.
They will never pass up and chance to cuddle with their mommy.
The greatest change to his lifestyle was the day we brought our daughter home. We weren't sure how the dogs would react. But Milo took very quickly to Harper and being her own personal guard dog. Never shying away from her crying or fur pulling.
As I write this, Milo sleeps next to me, completely unaware of his fate. Ignorance is truly bliss as he doesn't have the mental anguish to go through like us humans do. When the time comes I hope he understands as he moves on from this world to whatever is waiting for him.
To my wife: Your affection and love for Milo is unmatched. You have always taken care of him, from potty time on your lunch breaks, to hand feeding a dog with half a jaw you have always been there for him. I know he loves you very much and will be remembered forever by you.
To my family: Thank you so much for your support. Really, it's been amazing. From my in-laws help with dog sitting (especially last minute) and financial help with Milo's surgery from my parents. We have been in several binds that you all have gotten us out of.
To my friends: This has been a tough year for us and via Facebook I've been able to keep everyone up to date on Milo's condition and the well wishes and concern for Milo has been fantastic. It is so great have such awesome friends to call on when/if we need help.
In closing, this will most likely be the last post on this blog. We don't know how much time we have left with our furry friend, it could be a few weeks to a few months. But we plan on making the most of it. So grab your furry friend tonight and give them a big hug and a kiss, because we never know how much time any of us have.
