"How is Gunner?"

 We've had so much support from all Gunner's pals around the world on Twitter.
One of his followers suggests that there is a power in the combined spirit which supports us through hard times and I am beginning to believe that.
He's certainly amazed me.
It's almost a month since the Big C diagnosis. That day in Grimsby I really thought that, with so much rubbish going on inside him, he wouldn't be with us for more than a few days - a week at most.

 Yet here he is- pulling at my heartstrings more as each day goes by.
Anyway.... we went back to our vet this morning. I'm very lucky in not having had anything to do with cancer before now. I needed some reassurance about how to best look after my old pal.
As we walked through the door into his consulting room the vet said:
"I was only thinking about Gunner yesterday: to be honest I'm surprised to see him at all, never mind looking so 'well'"
It seemed that the report from the Grimsby specialist had made him believe (as it did me) that Gunner was not long for this world!

 David (our very sympatico vet) checked him all over: I mentioned a 'gunky ear' which had suddenly developed but which I'd cleaned up - much to Gunner's annoyance - on Sunday. He has a bit of infection - the steroids weaken the immune system so anything nasty that's going will take hold quicker. Note to myself to keep a closer eye on him - which will annoy him too cos he's not a dog that likes any sort of fuss!
Too bad Hey? He'll really love the Eardrops twice a day!!
The other thing I was not liking is the 'dandruff'

which he has developed. This too is down to the steroids.
I asked about bathing with baby shampoo. Gunner's face fell.
Luckily David also poo-pooed that idea.
"Give him fish oil and Evening Prrimrose oil; they have a dynamic interaction which will help  his immune system and his skin..."
The things we learn from our dogs.......
On the plus side, despite his bony appearance, Gunner's weight has remained much the same and 2 or 3 meals a day will 'do no harm'. He liked that bit!
His heart is beating strongly and his lungs are working better than expected. Having always been a fit and healthy dog is definitely working in his favour.......
David has taken some blood; "It's thin but still has a good colour" - we should get results back later tomorrow or Thursday morning....
We'll have a better idea then how he is getting on.....

Meanwhile, we carry on as 'normal' as we can. Gunner still enjoys his Struns (think strollxrun), his hunting instinct is not diminished if his energy and speed are! Main change is that, now if he finds some manky bit of rabbit or bird in the undergrowth, he is inclined to eat it rather than bring it straight to me as he's always done in the past.
That's the steroids again though - making him constantly hungry.
Ah well, we can't have everything......