Riley Girl

Riley Girl, also known as Riley Ann, Riley Gonzalez, Big Boned Girl, Sausage, & CHORIZO is our eight year old Bleu Tick Coonhound. She is an amazing "little" family member that we rescued from the Pound when she was 5 weeks old.

Unfortunately, she contacted Parvo. Fortunately, she had this family that was madly in love with her and forked out a thousand dollars plus to save her life. We then spoiled this big baby for the next several years.

Hounds are an interesting breed. They HOWL. When they smell something, see something, or want something. It is really loud, and funny to most. Embarrassing to us at times.

She is lazy. Her breed tends to nap alot.

She also is extremely strong. She can drag you and when she wants something she can and will do whatever it takes to get.

Riley is also a bit overweight. She should not weigh more than 75 pounds. Currently Riley is "down" to 112. (She likes to snack with Sergio!)

Last week I took her for her yearly check-up, shots, and grooming (she needed a pedicure big time!).

I have the worlds best Vet. I have been going to him since I adopted Inky back in 1974, so uhm, what, like 35 years. (OMGosh). I know this guy and after all these years can read him like a book. When I pointed out a concern about a swollen gland in her neck, I immediately got that feeling that he did not like what he was finding. She has a mass nearly the size of a tennis ball pushing on her voice box. Not a good thing. Samples were drawn and lab work waited on.

Riley will be going into surgery on October 15th to remove this Canine Thyroid Tumor that we are not sure yet if it is cancerous (it appears to be). Regardless to the cancer, it must be removed.

Obviously we are nervous about her upcoming surgery as well as what will be revealed.

It is also a costly surgery and she may require trips to Purdue for Radiation. I have a wonderful husband that loves this old dog as much as I. We will make it happen. My girls also love her dearly. She is actually Annie's dog.

So, Riley, you are our Christmas! And then some. But, it is always something. By now, I have learned, you take what you get, and make the best of it.

So chin up. Riley is happy. She has even been spotted PLAYING with the other dogs and, RUNNING (this is huge!). So, there is that chance that it is removed easily with no major hic-cups and no cancer!

However~ All my Dog Lovers out there~ Pray for our Big Boned Girl!