LAB REPORT!!!

We just got the lab report back from Mom's surgery - and it's GOOD NEWS! None of the lymph nodes that were removed showed any signs of cancer, and they couldn't find anything in the breast tissue itself (other than some abnormal cells). So that TOTALLY rules out the possibility of radiation, and apparently, there's a question as to whether chemo will even be required.

This is, of course, fabulous news. We here at Bad Dogs (North) are wagging and howling with happiness. Sarge is mostly just happy because Mom's surgeon called and gave her the news over the phone - he'd been getting worried because we kept referring to "going up to get the labs." He's an only dog and kept pointing out that he didn't WANT a lab.

Incidentally, we don't know the lab in the above picture. We shamelessly stole this image from www.dogbreedinfo.com

If it ain't one thing...

...it's another. And sometimes, if you're really really lucky, it's BOTH things at the same time.

So there I was on Sunday, hanging out up here before Mom's surgery. It was late afternoon but not dark yet, and I got a call on my cellphone. It was Mr. Abby, calling from his regular Sunday motorcycle ride.

"Hey, Honey."
"Hey, sweetie, what's up?"
"Well, I had a litte problem..."

This is never a good way to kick off a conversation. Long story short- he was riding on a big sweeping curve up somewhere in Marry Your Cousin Country (that is, north florida) and some cat-sized animal ran out in front of him. He went about 30 yards down the road, the bike ended up in a TREE.



I have in the past harassed him about the whole body motorcycle outfit, but I was very happy he was wearing it on Sunday. And of course he was sporting his full-face helmet. When he checked out of the ER, he had a small laceration from his sunglasses, a wrenched back and a sprained knee. The helmet was cracked and the bike, well, you can see how that turned out.

Moral of the story: If you insist upon riding a motorcycle, wear your safety gear.

Scandalous Post

I know, I promised the Bad Dog Nation a JUICY, never-seen-before picture here tonight. Now, I know this may frighten some of you. It scares the beejesus out of me. But, it's part of life as I know it, and so I'm going to share it with you.



That would be Hobbes. Hobbes is my parents' housecat, and he is entirely MY FAULT. We lost my childhood housecat (Max) while I was at Parris Island. At some point when I was home on leave early in my Marine Corps career, I volunteered to go to the shelter and pick up a NEW cat for Mom and Dad, since Mom has a hard time with shelters (ends up bringing ALL the critters home).

So I went to the shelter, and I found Hobbes, who SEEMED normal enough. Of course, in the nine years or so they've had him, I think Mom has had more veterinary visits to deal with Hobbes' EMOTIONAL issues than his physical ones. He's pushy, needy, and he bites.

Really, seeing as he's just pretty much your typical CAT, I try not talk about him here at Bad Dogs. However, he's been giving me the evil eyes and since I'm honestly a little afraid of him (who isn't a little afraid of cats?), I promised him I'd put up his picture.

So there you have it, folks, Hobbes - the dirty feline secret of the Bad Dog Family.

Ok! Ok! Sorry!

Yes, I know, I've been remiss! The Bad Dog Nation yaps, howls and demands UPDATES! Ok - maybe not, but I like to think I have a cult following.

Abby's Mom had surgery on Monday - she came HOME today (Wednesday). In the interests of those who prefer not to hear details about the medical issues of others, we will let it suffice to say she is doing WELL, with good mobility and surprisingly little pain.

We await news on the next steps in whipping this bastard breast cancer, and we will know more when the pathology comes in from the surgery in the next few days.

Tomorrow will be a catchup day, when I will bombard you with NEWS and SCANDALOUS IMAGERY! There have been Significant Developments at Bad Dogs (Rear), and I can promise you that tomorrow will bring a UNPRECEDENTED IMAGE!

Stay tuned!

So here's the deal

We've opted not to be overly specific about the Bad Dog Family health issue thus far since, well, this is the internet, for chrissakes.

However, Abby's Mom (the primary reader we have here, that I am aware of) approved the release of more detailed information.



Abby's Mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. This is something the women of my family have some history with, so she was on the lookout and, fortunately, things were caught early. She will be having surgery tomorrow - the first active step in what we are certain will be a long but ultimately successful process.

Updates will be provided as warranted. Sarge is sporting HIS pink "neckwear" in support, and urges any/all of our Bad Dog Faithful to think good thoughts for Mom in the coming days and weeks.

Social Matters

A social day at Bad Dogs (North), as we did dinner with one of the Bad Dog grandmothers. Cousin Sarge almost lost his honorary Bad Dog status, however, as the entire meal was prepared and consumed without once having to chase him out of the kitchen.

After dinner, we met a new Bad Dog. Tucker is the junior member of one of Mom's coworker's pack. In this picture, of course, he looks Good. Very Good. Almost nauseatingly Good. But it's all a lie.



Tucker's People once cared for Sparky while I was Downrange and Mr. Abby was also Out of Town (in the military sense). So they're used to Bad Dogs.