Monday, July 26, 2010

Tuesday's Telling



A time for concern for The OP Pack.



Why so serious, little one?


And you too, TD?

Tell them, Phantom. You can do it better than we can.


Well, TD and Ciara, yesterday I found myself taking a ride in the car with Mom. At first I thought this was a good thing, but look where we ended up.
You all know how I feel about the V.E.T.



Mom, why am I here again? You know I don't like to visit the V.E.T.


Do you think I need to wash my paws before my checkup?
How do you turn this water on?


Mom, I think you need to tell our readers why I am here - I really don't understand it at all.

Momster here. We don't know a lot yet, but there is definitely cause for concern. Saturday night I found a new lump on the side of Phantom's face. He gets regular full body massages from me as I want to be sure I can find any issues with him as soon as possible. This lump made my heart skip a beat as it felt very hard and firm. It is about the size of a grape. For those of you who are new to our blog, Phantom had a very bad tumor removed from his chest last summer, just about one year ago. There has been ongoing concern about a recurrence because the surgeon was unable to get clean margins large enough to give us confidence that all the cancer had been removed. The type of tumor is one that sends out little spindles to other parts of the body where new insidious tumors can grow and will do so "with a vengeance".

The vet did an aspiration of the growth after agreeing with me that this lump did not feel at all like a fatty tumor. An in-house cytology showed very suspicious cells. At this point we have opted to send the slides to the lab for further analysis. Based on history and vet opinion, we are not expecting good news. As for what happens next, we aren't there yet. We would need to consult with an oncologist to determine the best route. The vet has suggested the need to try to "stage" the tumor. This would involve bloodwork, xrays, and ultrasounds. The concern is that the cancer has spread to other major organs, in particular, the lungs. Right now, we are in limbo with a lot of uncertainty. We don't expect to hear anything until later in the week.

For now, Phantom himself is doing OK. He has his usual bouts of not wanting to eat for a couple of days and then a return to normal. It is hard to understand why this happens. Sometimes we think it is thunderstorms, sometimes we think he just doesn't feel good. But he looks good, his eyes are bright, his tail is perky, and he still loves his walks. So once again, we are back to taking things as they come. We sure could use some good thoughts from all our furiends and friends out there.



Don't worry, Mom. I will be OK. And TD and Ciara - watch out, this guy still has a lot more "fun police" work to accomplish.




All we can add is that we are going to invoke all the power our paws can muster to help our brother.




After all, we love being The OP Pack.



Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

91 comments:

  1. Guys,
    Please know we are doing A LOT of praying that Phantom will be A- OK through all of this. We just know he will be fine. Thank dog you found it early!
    We love you guys,
    Mack & Mom

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  2. We are sending tons of "Super Scottie Vibes" you way!! And our Mom is sending up prayers for your family.

    XOXO
    Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Ruairi

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  3. Poor Phantom! We will be crossing paws and waiting for good news on his test results!

    He is such a beautiful guy with bright eyes and a pawsitive attitude...I just know he will do well!

    Healing hugs coming your way,
    MinnaK

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  4. Phantom,
    We are saying lots of Aire-prayers for you pal. We are going to fetch out all the horseshoes and face em up, to catch some good luck for you too!!

    Love,
    Wyatt and Stanzie

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  5. Sending good thoughts and positive energy your way.

    Hugs

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  6. Lotza prayerz and healin'thoughtz r yourz - the power of the paw comin'tu all of u.

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  7. Dear OP pack,
    I am sending my heeler heeling vibes pronto. I remember last year and PD made it thru. Oh gosh our hearts and thoughts are with you.. we know those other two need a boss- and I do too.
    norwood

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  8. Woo already know we've been thinking of woo -

    Please know there are Sibe, Golden, and Human Vibes heading to OP KS -

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

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  9. Da Heartbeats are sending lots a luv your way. We know how you feel about being a pack.

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  10. poor Phantom! sending love to your family!

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  11. Wooooos! We are keeping all of our paws crossed fur woo my dear Phantom.
    Sending loving Sibes Vibes and Husky kisses!

    -Kira The BeaWootiful

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  12. Phantom Buddy you can be SURE that I have my paws crossed for you, I am sending all of my Pawsitive Dachshund Vibes to you. They are really strong and powerful. Feel 'em??? I'm with you bud.

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  13. Sending healing woos to you Phantom! Hope you get better lickity split!

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  14. OP Pack, we are all sending pawsitive vibes and healing thoughts to you. Your mom is so vigilant to have caught this early. Sending prayers!!

    POWER OF THE PAW!

    Wags,
    Zona

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  15. We are sending over tons of purrs and prayers for you Phantom, and keeping all our paws and fingers crossed too! Our mom has a human friend with something very similar and she is waiting on results too - so we know that it is very stressful for your mom to wait - we are sending her lots of comforting purrs and prayers and hugs too!

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  16. We're sending healing thoughts and golden vibes to you Phantom.

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  17. Aw, Phantom, you know we're going to send you LOTS of purrs and tail wags. For your family too. Be well!

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  18. Phantom, We have all our paws crossed & are sending mucho good thoughts your way & also to your whole pack. Hope the tests come back better than is thought.
    xoxoxox
    Ernie,Sasha,Chica, also Roo & John

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  19. Will definitely keep you in our thoughts! Hope everything is a-ok soon!

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  20. We've decided it's best to just keep our paws crossed all the time because there's always sumpin' that needs the Power of the Paw!!!

    We're so sorry to learn of this new csuse for concern -- and hope the tumor can be staged effectively to keep Phantom's eyes bright and tail perky for a long long time.

    Lots and lots of wirey love!!!

    Jake and Just Harry and Mom

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  21. Our friends over at House of Cats told me about you sweet Phantom, we're sending many purrs your way.

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  22. We are sending lots of healing happy Lhasa thoughts from Texas.

    Healing Hugs!
    Beth, Dory, Jacob and Bilbo

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  23. You have sure given us alot of POTP in the past so here are 16 paws and 4 hands giving you all the POTP we can!


    Wags and Licks,
    Mollie Jo & Bobo
    & Uncle Puppy & Lolly Pop
    Momma and Grandma!

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  24. Aaaaaaaaaaah hail, say it ain't so!!!!!!
    Okays, OP Pack tells you mom dat My mum will worry enoughs fur your mom so hers can take it easy with Her worries...my mum has hers covered.
    I know you mom is on pins and needles again but if they is ANYTHING at all you need or we can do PLEASE let us know and in da meantime I will gives my mum a pill and I has me a beer. And we bes sending oouut our mot awesome doxie vibes and thoughts and prayers.
    My mum sooooo has to chill now!

    Puddles

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  25. Trixie, Minnie and myself are sending prayers your way!!

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  26. No. I have decided you mustn't be sickies, okay? There are too many sickies going around right now and you can't be one of them. Is that clear? And cuz of that, I am invoking my most awesomest brindle powers for your benefit. (Brudder Ranger has also got his Terrific Terrier vibes going and the kittehs - well, even they are sending out big purrs for you.)

    Please gives your mom extra smoochies and luvings from all of us. We know how very much worried she must be and we luvs her and we wish we could just take all that bad worry away.

    Um, Puddles - could you please pass me a beer? K-thx!

    Powerful wiggles & wags,
    Mayzie

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  27. Sending our golden + golden/husky vibes your way Phantom! We will keep our paws crossed.

    Sam & June

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  28. cool pictures.
    The dogs looks perfectly mischevious.
    lol

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  29. We are all keeping our paws crossed for you. We are sending your mom all kinds of wags too. Mom said she understands how stressful that is. Sister Jada pup and I have both had mast cell tumors removed. So she understands!

    Stay strong!

    Wags!

    Mr. Nubbin'

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  30. Gosh we are sorry to hear this news. We have our paws and fingers crossed and will keep Phantom and every buddy in our thoughts.

    Waggles,
    Bijou

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  31. We send our prayers and good thoughts for wellness out to Phantom!

    So happy that Momster found the lump early!

    woo woos, Tessa

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  32. Oh no, poor Phantom. I am so worried ... I know we haven't been friends long, but I feel a bond with Phantom because we are senior (slightly shy) fellows.

    I am sending all my prayers and good wishes that my buddy is OK. Please keep us posted. Tell Phantom that Mr. Pip is thinking about him and wishing him well!

    Your pal, Pip

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  33. It seems like there's recently been a rash of health problems out in the dog blog world. We're all sending you positive thoughts for good news and a speedy recovery.

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  34. This is scary news indeed, but we will be sending our most powerful Sibe Vibes out to Phantom. We are happy to see that he looks very happy in all of the pictures and that is a very important thing.

    Steve and Kat

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  35. Oh my dawg, you will have 2 sets of crossed paws over this way for one of our favoritest sibes in the midwest! Phantom melts my heart with those blue eyes and we sure hope he feels better. so glad he has a brofur and sisfur to watch over him. he's a such a good boy. Juno sends him a soft sibe kiss. (she's good at those) and Loki, well, he sends him a little love bite.

    wags-n-wiggles,
    wild dingo

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  36. Oh noes! We're sending lots of purrs and crossing our paws that everything is okay with Phantom! Our mommy is sending your mommy hugs too! We'll keep you all in our thoughts and hope the results show everything is fine.

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  37. w00fs, dang it, i knew it was bad when me saw then post title...Phantom me got me paws crossed and mama got u in her prayers...the "power of the paw"..

    b safe,
    rocky and mama..

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  38. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

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  39. We are sending MAJOR AireZen and our paws are crossed!

    Love ya lots,
    Maggie and Mitch

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  40. Phantom, we are joining our basset paws with all your fureinds around the world.
    The Power of the Paw is very powerful as we have seen before in blogland.
    We love you.
    Hugs and kisses to your humans too.
    All our best wishes
    Martha and Bailey xxx

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  41. Phantom I have my paws crossed right now for you, and sending you healing vibes.
    Love and Hugs George and Jan xxx

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  42. oh guys this is so not fair but we will remain optimistic and send lotsa healing powers especially for phantom loves & licks

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  43. Oh my. Sending lots of paw power your way and a few kisses for the hoomans too.

    We will focus all our terrier energies on this - please keep us posted.

    gussie n teka

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  44. My fingers and the Duo's paws are all crossed for you. We are sending you all our good thoughts and strength. You are such a good dog mom, checking Phantom so carefully, and finding such a small lump. Maybe you found it early enough? That's what I'm hoping and betting on.

    In any case, I know what it feels like to be waiting, waiting, waiting for results and news about something so scary. I hope that you can find a way to relax and enjoy the OP Pack.

    I just realized that I don't know why you're called the OP Pack...

    KB

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  45. We definitely have all our paws and fingers crossed for you as well as sending our prayers out! Cancer is such a scary thing.

    Lilac has always just decided when she will and won't eat, so we try to go with her flow, but it's hard not to worry!

    Bunny and her mom

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  46. Phantom we have so many prayers, good vibes and thoughts being sent your way.
    Benny & Lily

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  47. Hello OP Pack!

    Me and my cat Charlie have come from Amy and the House of Cats because she told us Phantom wasn't too well! We are very sad to discover the reason why and so we would like to add our purrs and hugs for him. He is adorable.

    Take care
    x

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  48. Oh no! I am SO sorry to hear this and our thoughts are with Phantom and hope we can get that nasty lump removed and it not be cancer. All of our paws are crossed.

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  49. We are sending you our Sibe Vibes and keeping you in our thoughts Phantom. you are one of our favorite Dudes.

    Be well.

    Remy and Flash

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  50. Sweet Dawling OP Pack,

    I am pwaying wif all my might and howling to the dogstaw and cwossing all paws fow Phantom..Pleez get well my deew fwiend I am vewy concewned and sad that you have such wowwying news
    smoochie healing kisses
    ASTA

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  51. Phantom, we know you are a strong leader and tough fighter and that there is not a need to panic. We are joining our paws and hands with the rest of our community in the Circle of Paws to send you positive energy and good health vibes. No matter what, my friend, we will walk this journey with you and be there with our support and love.

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  52. Woof!Woof! Sending you my Golden Healing Thoughts. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  53. Oh no. We have all paws and fingers and toes crossed here.

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  54. Phantom and family. We are sending tonnes of doxie rayz your way.
    Know that we are here takings things one day at a time with you.
    Love Ruby, Penny & mom

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  55. gosh darnit. we are sending you all of our poodle power and the power of the Bs and crossing 16 paws for Phantom. we are glad you aren't worrying too far in advance. one day at a time is the best strategy. keep strong and we will think our best strongest thoughts for you. let us know if we can do anything to help. we really mean it.

    woofs.

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  56. ps. we meant to leave a comment about your header. we really like it. it's beautiful. perfect.

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  57. Such sad news! I'm so sorry and will keep Phantom in my prayers. I lost a dog to cancer a few years ago and would've done anything to save her. I know you feel the same way about Phantom

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  58. Phantom, you know we have every paw at Chez Herd crossed for you and are sending some massively powerful Sibe Vibes to knock the sickies out of you quickly. We will be thinking of you and your family. You know we are here - let us know how we can help.

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  59. we are sending good vibes that this is nothing serious!

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  60. We've eight powerful paws up and the mommy is sending powerful prayers up and WE WILL NOT STOP!

    Bobo and Meja and Mommy

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  61. I have my paws crossed and my mom is praying for Phantom!
    I have faith that everything is going to be ok!
    Take care
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  62. Oh dear,

    Not the happiest of times to finally gets over here to say hi and introduce myself to all of you. I am Maggie Mae, nice to meet you.
    My mom and me are sending puppy prayers and luv for Phantom and the rest of you too. The Power of the Paw is awesome!

    Woofs and Licks.
    Maggie Mae

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  63. Your Mom and My Mom talked about this yesterday and we decided you just had to be OK, thats all there is to it!

    We are sending prayings and hopings and joining the Power of the Paw to help you to stay well, Phantom. Just keep that in mind, that we are all rooting for you to be well and keep up your walks and also keep and eye on TD and Ciara!

    We love you like a brother.

    Kisses,
    Stella, Mom and Ali Z

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  64. Phantom,
    I'm sending my most powerful poodle wishes and prayers to you that everything is just fine. (Sometimes I don't want to eat my dinners either, and Mom gets nervous, but it's nothing to worry about, right?) CC-man sends his cockatiel best wishes to you and your family too.

    Love,
    Teddy, CC-man and their mom (and T-man Angel)

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  65. Phantom, we are crossing all our paws for you==that's the power of FORTY PAWS. We will be praying that there is some good news for you.

    love & wags,
    River, mom & crew

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  66. Oh goodness you have the entire dog blog world stressed. If you post an update and I'm not around that day please let me know what's up. You know I'll be thinking of you all...

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  67. We just read the news and mom is in tears. We will be praying and have our paws crossed too. Sending lots of love and healing vibes to The Op Pack. Lots and lots of love to all of you, Holly and Debbie

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  68. You know you have all our prayers from here! Mom knows what it's like to deal with one of those spindle cell tumors since that is what Samuel had removed a few month's ago. We will sure keep all paws crossed for good news.

    Holly and Khady

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  69. Oh my goodness - I only saw this now - how awful!! I'm so sorry to hear about Phantom's new lump - I can just imagine the way you felt when you found it. We're keeping everything crossed for you and keep hoping for better news from the vet. I do think it's good to investigate fully so you know what you're dealing with - and take each day at a time (that's what dogs do, isn't it?) - it's good to hear that Phantom seems pretty much his old self and still enjoys his walks...

    Thinking of you from far away...
    Hsin-Yi (& Honey the Great Dane)

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  70. Phantom, we have all our paws crossed for you and we're sending lots of Aire-zen good vibes!

    Aire-hugs,
    Penny & Patches

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  71. I hope you'll be ok Phantom.
    I'm keeping my paws crossed for you

    ~ Bae

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  72. Phantom mate, my sissies and I have our paws crossed that you'll be ok. We know how worried your mum must be. You're in our thoughts buddy.

    Noah Willow Tess Lucy

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  73. Phantom! Oh this is so worrisome. The Mango does not like to hear such scary news. Your pack needs you! Paws crossed for news that whatever badness is happening can be treated. It sounds like sometimes you just feel yucky, huh, but mom is right there for you.

    Slobbers,
    Mango

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  74. Hi Phantom and the whole pack!
    We will send pawsitive vibes, good well wishes and prayers your way, all the way!!
    Mommy and her hooman friends will keep their fingers crossed too!! We're very happy that you're still bright, positive and happy as ever! Stay strong!!

    Cheers,
    Maxx and Family

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  75. We hope you're feeling better soon, Phantom, and that everything turns out okay! We're sending lots of prayers and positive vibes your way.

    Myndi, Snick, and Ava

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  76. Oh, we are so sorry. We are sending tons of positive vibes, our paws are crossed for good news and the cats are purring nonstop for Phantom.

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  77. We are sending all kinds of Furry Kid vibes your way. And Mom and Dad send lots and lots of hugs.

    Your pal,
    Titus

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  78. We are so sorry to hear this. Know that we are sending lots of love and prayers. (((hugs)))

    Luv,
    Cloud and his mom

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  79. Woo know woo can count on us fur Sibe vibes! Prayers from our mom too.

    jack a-roo & mis moo

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  80. Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, Kathie and family

    We have only just read this terrible news, we have all our paws, fingers and toes crossed for a good outcome. We know exactly what you are going through right now and we all have tears flowing for you.

    Stay strong Phantom, we are sending you all ther Sibe Vibes we can muster up all the way from NZ. We are thinking of you heaps and are waiting anxiously to hear more news.

    Summer, Sesuk, Kodiak, BJ and Aleeya
    Team Husky
    xxxx

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  81. K and family, my heart is with you and we are sending all of our positive thoughts, love, and hugs your way. If there is any possible thing I can do to help, please let me know.

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  82. We will be crossing our paws, purring and praying for Phantom.

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  83. Hi Phantom,

    We have our paws crossed in prayers for you, dearest friend. Hang in there and be ok at the Dr. V-E-T place.

    We have you in our thoughts and we send our hugs to you and your pack and Mama too.

    Love,
    Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai & Wai-Max

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  84. I am sending the power of the paws, of course positive thoughts to all of you.
    Paws are crossed, and thinking of you.
    love
    tweedles

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  85. We have paws crossed and we are sending all the healing and hopeful vibes we have. We love you as the pack that you are and don't want that to change!

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  86. i'm sorry i'm so late in reading this, but me and asa and mama are thinking super good thoughts and putting our paws together for phantom. i'm glad that you do regular checks, miss op pack mama, cuz that hopefully means you found phantom's lump early.
    *huggles*
    the booker man

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  87. We are behind, as usual, sorry. I have tears in my eyes knowing how hard this is for you. It breaks my heart to know you will be going through all of this. Please know we are praying for you and Twix is crossing her paws....both front and back! Email me if there is anything I can do to help you in any way.
    Hugs,
    Twix and Mom

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  88. oh no phantom! here, i'll send my supah monstah vibes to ya! stat! hoping for good news...


    luv ya,
    tula

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  89. I did not have the accesses to the net and could not read this post.

    now I am so worried about him, hopefully you will get good results.

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  90. We were discussing this not too long ago it seems. Hang in there!!! I realize it's easier to be prepared, but let's just ... What can I tell you. It sucks!!! I just got back from the emergency clinic where I spend a hellacious night with my beloved Bob. We thought we were saying goodbye. A few minutes ago we were saying Hello. May the same thing happen with your beloved Phantom.
    We will be thinking of you thoughts full of care and optimism!
    Come on Phantom! Stop scaring us all, especially your family.
    xoxoxo
    Twnkie and family

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Thanks for wooing at us. We love your comments!