Hi, I'm Teddy Bear, and I got my awesome name because I am plush and soft just like a teddy bear! My foster mom says that I am "velvety" soft! I am a big, sweet lovable guy who enjoys hugs and rubs. I am very mellow and my foster mom says that I am an easy dog to have in the house. I am experiencing lots of new things at my foster home...like a bed - I was not quite sure what to do with a bed a first, but now I have it figured out - comfy! Playing with toys was new to me too, but these are great fun; and as you can see from my photos, I love playing with toys! I like the other dogs here and am having a good time hanging out and playing with them. I am being introduced to cats slowly; and so far, I think I am being pretty good. Let's see, what else is new...oh...the doggie door...I am getting used to that contraption. I used to just go out, but have figured out that I can come in too - cool! I enjoy being outside and can often be found passed out in the grass or on the patio.
Update 4/27/2010: Teddy Bear has been diagnosed with mast cell tumors. The vet‘s recommendation is to surgically remove them and follow up with treatment.
Teddy Bear is as spry as ever and has no idea anything is going on. His foster mom has switched him to a raw, dehydrated, organic pet food as step one toward this fight. Dogs with mast cell tumors cannot have grains/carbs.
Update 5/21/2010: Teddy Bear‘s surgery went well. Teddy Bear was a hit with the veterinary staff. Everyone commented on what a great dog he is and how sweet he was! Teddy is wearing a tough guy t-shirt to protect his incision from any scratching. When he was picked up, he was up and on his feet behaving as if nothing happened. His pathology results should be back in 3-5 days. We‘re praying this is a stage I grade cancer.
Update 5/29/2010: Great news! We received Teddy Bear‘s Pathology report. The test confirmed Mast Cells, Grade II. Clear margins were obtained through surgery, and there is no evidence of vascular or lymphatic invasion.
The histologic grade is based on a study published in Veterinary Pathology Vol. 21 pp.469-474, 1984 “Canine Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumor: Morphological Grading and Survival Time in 83 Dogs”. Forty-Seven percent of dogs with Grade II mast cell tumor survived longer than 1500 days. A different study said that the median survival time for dogs with Grade II mast cell tumors having a mitotic index of less than or equal to 5 (the vet said Teddy Bear had 0) was 70 months.
Because Teddy Bear had two tumors when he was diagnosed and one disappeared, there is a chance that another tumor or tumors could reappear. Chemotherapy is not a great treatment for mast cell tumors as they don‘t respond well.
Teddy Bear‘s vet did say if there is a tumor to get, apparently this one would be a good one to have as it‘s not dividing or invading any major areas. We think this is as close to a clean bill of health as we‘re going to get.
Update 6/30/2010: A lump on Teddy Bear‘s back has returned. This lump was originally aspirated at the same time as the lump that was removed, but it went into hiding and could not be found during his first surgery.
Update 10/14/2010: Teddy Bear‘s second lump has been playing “hide-and-seek” since June. The lump is currently in hiding, so we are waiting to see what happens. We are told that the “hide-and-seek” is consistent with mast cell tumors.
Teddy Bear is happy and well adjusted in his foster home. He now has a two year old female pit bull living with him who tries to coax him into playing. He tries, but he prefers lying under his sleeping bush in the yard. He continues to be the sweetest dog ever. He rarely barks. He likes to come up and lick his foster mom‘s chin when she gives him rubs and hugs. His foster mom says “He really is the best dog.”
If you are interested in a sweet, lovable (and don't forget soft like a teddy bear) guy, please
fill out an application and ask for Teddy Bear!
I'm being fostered in Virginia.
