It's that time of year again...Bird's birthday on the 8th, Phylo's on the 10th, and then Jared's and my anniversary on the 11th.
Today Phylo is 8! Technically this may not be his real birthday. I may have mentioned this before but Phylo came to us through a rescue agency that received him along with a brother and sister all the way from Cyprus. They were just tiny puppies when they were found by an American couple who lovingly cared for them till about 4 or 5 months of age then sent on a plane to California. Phylo was placed with a foster mommy till we adopted him at 8 months old. It's funny that we've brought him all the way back to Europe.
I also realized today it is important to mark this birthday of Phylo's on my blog not only because he's been my faithful buddy of over 7 years but also because it may be his last birthday with us. Phylo started sneezing and showing cold symptoms back in the Fall and we went through antibiotics and different meds until finally our wonderful German vet put him under sedation and looked in his nose. He saw a tumor growing in his sinus cavity - nasal cancer. It made perfect sense based on the symptoms. Dr. Bey said it was inoperable and after doing plenty of research about the aggressive nature of nasal cancer and how little time radiation/chemo would likely add to Phylo's life (not to mention the negative impact of these things) we've decided to treat Phylo with a steroid, antibiotics, and pain medicine when necessary. It is terribly sad and so cruel that our Phylo has this illness and that he is so young. The only consolation to me is that this time in his life has been so rich. Germany is a dog's paradise...endless fields and forest to explore off leash. Phylo's first year here has been the best gift we could give him. I can literally walk out the door with him and be on a trail in less than a minute, with Phylo running freely to each tree, weed patch, mole hill, and puddle.
So here are some of my favorite moments with Phylo over the years. There are some holes in the years with missing photos but these capture him and all of us together pretty well.
Not long after purchasing our house in San Jose. Right before he did that crazy dog thing rolling all over the rug. May 2006
In the kitchen in our California house. Pre-kids, post kitchen remodel. With my parents visiting from Okinawa. July 2007
With Bird who has just learning to crawl and was getting herself stuck under the laundry box. November 2008
2+ years later with a new little one to harass him ;o) Phylo and Griffin have a nice little relationship these days. December 2011
No shame about curling up on the sofa. None at all. February 2012
Looking out at his brand new view - Germany! March 2012
Sniffing out the wood pile creatures. March 2012
Sofa lover, Fall 2012
Patiently waiting for the evening walk, Fall 2012
Hunter of small furry creatures, Summer 2012
Not so patiently waiting for the evening walk, Fall 2012
Travel companion, Summer 2012
Studio buddy, Fall 2012
Loving life as a German dog :o) Fall 2012
Sitting on my lap to keep his feet off the snow. Winter 2013
More sofa love, February 2013
Happy dog, post walk :o) Summer 2012
A pro at finding the coziest spots, Fall 2012
One of many forest walks, Fall 2012
Happy to help model the accessories ;o) Winter 2013
Pouting for a walk, and maybe about wearing the sweater. Winter 2013
Such a good boy. Fall 2012
Sun seeker. Spring 2013
After seeing the vet and a weekend of terrible health. A happy, beautiful respite in a blossom filled field. Spring 2013
Fresh weed patches to explore in depth. Spring 2013
In the new wheat grass plantings by my parent's house. Spring 2013
"I hear you talking about me..." Spring 2013
Constant sniffer. Spring 2013
Sidekick, always. Spring 2013
Little love. You can see the pressure on his lower left eyelid from the tumor. Spring 2013
Warm days popping up here and there. Phylo is happy to soak up all the sun he can. 3 weeks ago he tore the ligaments in his rear right leg and had TTA surgery to repair them. He's gone from walking on 3 legs to starting to walk normally again, bit by bit. We are walking with the leash for another 3 weeks and then will watch him carefully that he doesn't get too crazy and hurt his other hind leg! Unfortunately the 2 or so months of a pretty dried up nose (following the rupture of a blood vessel and sneezing out a lot of the tumor tissue) has come to an end and Phylo is back to sneezing, much of it bloody. Please keep him in your thoughts & prayers.
Much love & hugs,
Devon
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