Bravo’s Cancer Journey, a Joyous Update

by Amy Shojai | Nov 10, 2020 | Dog Training & Care | 19 comments

During these turbulent times, having a beloved dog suffering from cancer ain’t fun. Bravo’s cancer cure journey caught us by surprise and has prompted multiple meltdowns (mine, not the dawg’s).

You see, Bravo doesn’t know or care what the word means. Only how he feels THIS MOMENT. And Bravo-Dawg feels fine, thankyouverymuch!

After he completed five rounds of chemotherapy, we counted the days until his follow-up chest X-ray. That checks for any cancer spread to the lungs, the most likely place for osteosarcoma to metastasize. On November 2, we took Bravo to our local veterinarian.

And then we waited. Dr. Clay told me the pictures looked good to him–other than some tiny white dots that “probably” were end-on blood vessels (but they MIGHT be early signs of cancer spread). We waited for a definitive evaluation from Bravo’s oncologist after the X-rays were transmitted to him.

Is His Cancer Gone?

With no news by last Thursday, I called November 5, telling myself that “no news is good news.” After all, if caught in time, his amputation and chemo could have been a cancer cure. So we waited some more.

Yesterday, I called again, discovering an issue with the phone meant I missed the oncologist’s call back to me last Friday. *cue shivers* But when we finally connected, he told me the news:

“The X-rays look great, no sign of cancer.”

YEE-HAW!!!

As of this moment, Bravo-Dawg is cancer-free…I’ll take that as a cancer cure, for now. Paws crossed he stays that way. For the next year, he will have follow-up chest X-rays quarterly to monitor his status. We are to watch for “gagging or coughing” which could point to problems.

But right now–Bravo and his buddy Shadow (along with Karma-Kat) are all happy, healthy, and a handful of pet-centric bliss.

May it always be so. And may your own pet family (and the two-leggers in your life) stay well and safe. THANK YOU to all for your support and prayers during these challenging times.

Oh, and Bravo-Dawg says, “Do I get bacon?”

By the way, there’s a PAWSOME resource for pet parents going through this journey. Check out the Tripawds.com resources page here.

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book giveaways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!

19 Comments

Terry Zarsky on November 26, 2020 at 11:26 am

Great News! I’ve had dogs who fought cancer as well including amputations and they lived till 14. Best wishes to all.

Terry
Reply
- Amy Shojai on November 26, 2020 at 12:01 pm
  
  Thanks Terry.
  Reply
Andrea on November 14, 2020 at 3:25 pm

Great news for Bravo and you. It’s good to hear something good coming out of this unmentionable year.
Reply
- Amy Shojai on November 14, 2020 at 3:32 pm
  
  Yes, I’m ready for positive news.
  Reply
Franklin Steele on November 14, 2020 at 8:39 am

A lot to be thankful for. Great news for Bravo and your family. Happy Thanksgiving!!
Reply
- Amy Shojai on November 14, 2020 at 10:23 am
  
  Thanks!
  Reply
Steve N Lee on November 13, 2020 at 6:08 am

Looks like someone got an early Christmas present!
I’m so pleased for you and Bravo. It’s nice to have come good news for a change.
Reply
- Amy Shojai on November 13, 2020 at 8:14 am
  
  Thanks Steve, I agree!
  Reply
Carol Kraft on November 10, 2020 at 7:03 pm

I am so happy for Bravo. That is such great news. Please give Bravo an extra piece of bacon from me.
Reply
Kim Laird on November 10, 2020 at 4:46 pm

So glad! And Rosy’s cancer journey is going well also. No further symptoms, she is her normal self and very frisky. I’ll take that news any day… I’ll never know if the ketogenic diet is responsible or not, but she sure likes the food on it. 🙂

So happy both our pups are doing well!
Reply
Judi Moyers on November 10, 2020 at 12:11 pm

Oh Amy I am sooooo hap;py for y’all especially Bravo-Dawg. He has been thru a =great deal but looks as tho it was what it was and that is over!!! He looks happy as do his pals and I know you and hubby are super happy. Oh, and now can you get going on book 6 as I’m WAITING! LOL. I know you have been thru the mill with Bravo as having many dogs in my breeding/showing years….it is hard to live thru these episodes in your dog’s lives. I still think if his hear narrowed out a bit he has a beautiful Dane look to his face. Course 27 years with breeding them I see the Dane look. He is beautiful. Shadow is a cutie too. Take care, breathe deep and enjoy. Judi
Reply
- Judi Moyers on November 10, 2020 at 12:15 pm
  
  OOPPS missed some spelling —that’s if his head narrows out a bit. AND I do know that a semicolon (;) is not in the word happy. LOL. Fat fingers today.
  Reply
  - Amy Shojai on November 10, 2020 at 12:28 pm
    
    LOL Judi, my typo-gremlins haunt my keyboard! And I’ve always thought he might have Dane in the woodpile (we don’t know about his daddy…). Thanks so much for the good thoughts and support. And yep, the ideas for thriller #6 are percolating. *s*
    Reply
Edie Chase on November 10, 2020 at 10:53 am

Bravo can have ALL the bacon! What great news!
Reply
- Amy Shojai on November 10, 2020 at 12:27 pm
  
  Yep, shopping later today–and BACON is on the list.
  Reply
Jackie Kripas on November 10, 2020 at 10:36 am

This is such fabulous news and congratulations to all!!! Celebrate with treats for everyone and snuggles.❤️
Reply
- Amy Shojai on November 10, 2020 at 10:42 am
  
  Thanks! we celebrated yesterday with ice-cream-bones (stuffed frozen kongs) but the celebration continues.
  Reply
Catwoods on November 10, 2020 at 10:35 am

Wonderful news!
Reply
- Amy Shojai on November 10, 2020 at 10:36 am
  
  Thank you!
  Reply

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