Affaire's Par For The Course, "Dusty"

Dusty, like his brother Indy, was lost to bone cancer.

The most serious health issue Dusty had was diagnosis of a Conjunctival Spindle Cell Sarcoma on his right eye in 2009. He had surgery to remove it in April of 2011. His owner took him in for rechecks periodically and so far there was no recurrence of the tumor on the eye.

Then on September 26, 2011, I received an anquished voicemail from his owners. They had him into the vet because he started to limp on his left rear leg. After the exam and xray, the vet told them that it was very likely bone cancer. Then when they brought him out of the kennel at the vet to see his owners, his leg broke. At 10 1/2, they were not going to put him through an amputation, so they let him go peacefully.

I wish I could have been there for them. I know too well the shock and gut wrenching pain they felt that day. I also know they cherish the 10 plus years he filled their lives with joy.