Hi Tripawd Nation!  It's been more than a month since our last post, but I wanted to post after we came back from camping.  Well, a few weeks ago we crossed the 20 month mark.  Holy cow!  Really?!  And shortly after that we went camping.  Last time we camped, in the dog-lovin' state of VT, Jackson had his limp.  His limp, for those not aware, was due to his growing tumor (unknown at the time) that weakened his knee and allowed for a partial "ACL" tear.  We were treating him with rimadyl and rest...but we all know what eventually happened.  So anyway, that was 2 years ago and I frankly didn't think Jackson would live to see another campsite.

He did and he's still awesome!

In fact, he's as good as ever.  He was on full chipmunk patrol and even helped scare off a marauding raccoon.  He chased flies and bees.  Basically, our site was pest free.  He'd bark to be let loose (nice try, pal!), so I'd make sure I had on my running shoes and OFF we'd go!  VROOOOOM!!!!!  We're staring down his 10th birthday (will we make it??) and this senior tripawd cancer-warrior sprints like the dickens!

With his pest-patrol hardwork, he's developed a cute habit: around 7:30pm each night he'd roll off the dirt, hop to the tent, bang his head into the "door", turn around and bark at us.  He wanted to go to bed.  So I'd take him for a pee and put him to bed.  He tucked himself in, on his palatial bed, and wouldn't wake until we came in.  I'd pee him again and then he was out for the night!  I guess when you're used to napping nearly 20 hrs a day and now, when camping, have pests to patrol all day, it's tiring work!  He doesn't nap during the day while camping!  Cute guy.  Very cute!

Other news: last update I was slightly concerned about his weight, b/c he had dropped to his lowest...but we were trying.  Still, cancer makes you worry about all sorts of things.  So nearly 6 weeks after that weight-check, with a week with grandma in there...he's back up to 61.4lbs!  While the weight gain isn't ideal (heck, he's still a lean guy at 61lbs), it confirms his weight loss was on purpose and not b/c of cancer or drug side effects.  Whew.

His latest urine check, last Friday, revealed no crystals and a pH of 8.  We've been dealing with these crystals for a while now and while there have never been any problems b/c of them, nor are they at high values, I take it as a challenge to expunge them.  At least for now, they're gone, but I'm beginning to realize it's a random, minimal, innocuous condition for Jackson.  We'll continue to monitor them, his urine pH, and weight forever.

We've got 2 months left of leukeran and then that's it!  I'm OK with it...I think.

So here's to my fuzzy-buddy, J-Pod!  I love you, sweetie, and we're SO proud of you!  Like all our tripawds here, he inspires me every day and reminds me of what is most important.  Love you, Jackson!

~ Katy & Jackson