TJ Update

Thank you for all of your prayers and well wishes for TJ and his parents. 

TJ had surgery to amputate his leg on Saturday afternoon.  He spent two days in the hospital, returning home on Monday afternoon.  It has been a rough adjustment so far, but Kim says that things are getting a bit better each day. 

A very touching thing that happened on Tuesday afternoon.  Kim and TJ and Howe were outside on the front sidewalk.  TJ had been using Kim as a crutch whenever he had to go out, but this time she was standing in front of him.  Howe walked next to him, and he and TJ were standing side by side.  TJ leaned on Howe for balance for a few moments and Howe braced for him.  (You have to know that Howe is quite frail right now, and he usually has enough to do keeping his own balance.)  It seems like everyone in the household is doing what they can to help TJ adjust and recover.

I'll update more later in the week.  I just wanted to put a quick note here, so I don't leave everyone hanging.

Why We Do What We Do

Greyhounds Rock is a non-profit charity (501 (c) (3) applied for) that friends and I run.  Our mission is to raise funds for Canine Cancer Research, especially Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) which is common in greyhounds and other long-boned dogs (like Dobermans, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, etc.)  I had intended that my first real post on this blog would be to give you the story of how we started and what we do ... but I have something else to tell you about today.

I was out running errands yesterday afternoon.  My phone chirped as I pulled into the parking lot at Lowes, alerting me that I had a new text message.  The message from my friend Kim said, "TJ broke his ankle in 3 places - cancer not ruled out."  This morning, the news from the vet confirmed our worst fears .... Cancer. 

Four years ago, at the age of four, TJ was Kim and Andy's foster dog.  He came from Wheeling, West Virginia, and he needed a place to stay until a permanent home could be found.  He quickly made it known that he WAS home. 

TJ was a Therapy Dog from the moment he arrived.  He loves people, and he works his shifts at the hospital with Kim like a professional ... it's just how he is.

TJ dressed in 'scrubs' for Halloween one year.

He's friendly, and goofy, and curious.  Everything that makes a perfect Therapy Dog.

His 'brother' Howe looks on as TJ checks thing out.

Kim is one of my dearest friends, and I love TJ as if he were my own.  My heart breaks for them.  I don't know yet what will happen next ... whether they will treat his cancer, or whether they will kiss him goodbye. 

Please include Kim and Andy and TJ in your prayers ... they need all the comfort they can get right now.