Alex is doing really well. His chemo treatment of ten days ago did not affect him hardly at all and he had a very good week! Finally! His appetite has picked up and he is now eating real dog kibble with chicken as opposed to only dog biscuits and treats and chicken and rice. His activity level is back to normal and he's like his old self. I hate to even say these things out loud (or should I say write them down for all to read) because I might be jinxing him. There is always that chance that he could backslide again, and it's in the back of my mind. I keep pushing it away, but it's still there. I don't dwell on it; I just take each day as it comes and every day is a gift. Especially when he's feeling so good.

This morning he had another appointment and another treatment. The doc proclaimed his lymph nodes "perfect." This week he was given the same drug that he had so much trouble with the last time he had it, so they gave him a smaller dose and hopefully he will tolerate it well. Fingers crossed. It was so nice to have the week "off" last week and have it be such a good and positive week for him. It makes my heart glad to see him feeling so good.

Last week's weight: 91.2

This week's weight: 95.6 — Yeah for Alex!

He has five more weekly treatments, then we move to every other week.

We're moving forward with our plans to go to the cabin. I've talked to the doctor about it and he sees no reason why Alex can't go. He might need a treatment while we're gone but we can do that at CSU Veterinary Hospital in Ft. Collins. Rick's business trip to Amsterdam in the beginning of September is not happening, allowing us to leave for the cabin sooner than we had originally planned and right now we are looking at September 14th through the 27th, arriving home on the 29th. That leaves one whole month before we go to Mexico--if all goes according to plan until then. I am hoping that either my sister or friend Carolyn can housesit for us during that time because we refuse to put Alex in the kennel. If neither one can come than I don't think our little Mexican getaway is going to happen. 

Thank you all for caring!

Photo: Water lily at Skylands (where else??)

Hugs and kisses to my Alex-Boo. Yeah to gaining weight (who else says that????)

Still hoping to make your trip to Mexico happen…am working on it…

Bigsis, only Alex would be happy about weight gain! ;P

Great news!!!!

Is that 95 POUNDS? Good Lord, that’s a big dog.

Glad he’s doing so well!

Steve, his normal weight is around 103-105, yes pounds. Bella weighs about 113 pounds of solid dog.

Sounds like it’s time for a celebration…. maybe the Bernese Mt. Dog Parade in Ridgefield CT.  Have you heard of it????  I just did and HAD to pass the info along…..

Maggie, oh we’re celebrating in the moment, but as I’ve learned the hard way in the past not to get too excited when a dog seems to be improving we are still guarded as to keeping the monster at bay. No, I had not heard of the parade in Ridgefield, CT. I’ll have to look it up! How did you hear?

Good news! Glad to hear it.