Last Sunday evening I took all three dogs to the off-leash park….which is conveniently situated right across the street from me. There was an uncommonly large amount of dogs there, one of which was a Rottweiler puppy who had virtually no manners.
He stole Mollie’s Wubba. Now, usually Mollie doesn’t let strange dogs get close enough to steal her Wubba and if I let them have it, she will snatch it at the first opportunity (meaning, when said thieving dog has dropped the toy and she can dive in and snatch it). But she wasn’t really even making an attempt to get it away from him. Instead of wondering what was wrong, I was marveling with pride at how nice she was being.
And then we came home, and she went out in the backyard to do her typical post-running poop. Except when she came in the house her tail was tucked so far between her legs that it was up against her belly. And she sat on my feet. Literally. So I sat her on the couch with me and started petting her, wondering if I’d find a hidden bite (from the manner-less puppy) or scratch….
I found a lump. A huge lump. If you were to boil an egg, cut the smaller end off at the point where it starts to narrow, and stick it on Moo’s ass, you’d feel what I found. It was palpable but Hard. And you know what? Lumps are my own personal demon.
On Tuesday she was in surgery. I was at home, sick as a Dog (no pun intended) and it was the most hellish six hours of my life. Mollie was left with a big, hairless patch on her right hind leg, and a dozen stitches in an 8 inch incision. And no lump. Thank gooDness.
Ouch!
The biopsy results aren’t back yet. Logically I am sure that it’s nothing serious – even the Vet suspects an inflammation. But…..it’s a lump. And, but…..
I’m trying desperately to think good thoughts. She’s fine. She’ll be fine. I can hardly hold her back for crying out loud. In a few weeks she’ll be able to work sheep again (ummm, I think? Can anyone give me an idea of how long I should keep her off of stock for?) and chase her Flying Squirrel and go for nightly runs.
In the meantime, Mollie would like you all to know that she’s warned me to sleep with one eye open. Because Hell hath no fury like a woman(dog) coned.
Be afraid, faceless lady...be very afraid.
