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trucker's
trials & tribulations I want to tell everyone about a very special friend of mine and how Barkley House would have made a difference in his care. His name was Trucker (AKC Redfeathers Country Bumpkin) a 9 1/2 year old Irish Setter who was very smart and had a loving and gentle personality. He was like a son to me, and somehow we always knew what the other was thinking. Trucker loved everyone he saw and made friends everywhere he went. He was a big playful sweetheart and never got into any trouble. Everyday of his life he had only one thing that he really insisted on--a big hug and to hear me tell him he was a good boy. Trucker was a devoted friend and companion. In early June as Trucker walked across the room, I noticed he was limping on his right front leg. Our vet couldn't find anything wrong. We decided it was probably arthritis. About two weeks passed when I noticed his shoulder seemed to feel larger. Back to the vet for X-rays. That's when we found out Trucker had osteosarcoma (bone cancer). I decided to take him to the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri-Columbia to be seen by one of the Oncology specialists. (I had previous experience with the University when Trucker's litter mate, Sadie, was there two years earlier battling hepatitis and pancreatitis. They pulled Sadie through, and she is fine.) Barkley House would have been a big plus! In just two weeks Trucker's tumor grew to the size of an orange. Saving his leg was not possible. A complication of the cancer had caused Trucker to go into DIC, a problem where the blood will not clot. Dr Selting told us they could try to give him blood transfusions. Although providing less than a 50/50 chance, this was the only option. If we did nothing, Trucker would die. To everyone's surprise Trucker pulled through the surgery and over came his DIC. The second day after surgery we were given permission to visit Trucker in ICU for 15 minutes. We made the 1 1/2 hour trip. The staff was amazed at Trucker's reaction to seeing us. He was trying to stand up and had a happy look on his face. Our 15-minute visit turned into more than an hour with Trucker even walking outside. As it turned out, Trucker developed pneumonia and went back into DIC. It was painfully clear he wasn't going to make it. On July 24 we had to make that awful decision. Trucker had made many friends at the University. During his final time Trucker was surrounded by special friends, Dr Selting, Dr Henry, veterinary students Chris Little, Nicky Jesky and Kyle Malter, my wife, Karen, and me. I will be forever grateful to all of the fine people that were involved with Trucker's care. Their compassion and care for the patient and owners goes far and above what you would possibly expect. If Barkley House had been available, Trucker may have had a better chance. We could have stayed with him and still had expert veterinary care available across the street. Dr Carolyn Henry's concept of Barkley House, combined with the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University Of Missouri-Columbia, are a winning combination! Please support Barkley House because it will make a difference. You cannot get back the time you could have spent with your best friend. Don Fawcett Looking back on
the memory of the dance we shared |
