Long Read, but worth it...
We have two boys... both registered GSD's... Koda and Mako. They are both deep in their 8th year of life...and both FULL of life. They are SUPER well trained... and very socialized. We live on a nice 20 acres of natural hardwoods, and they love it.
Mako is the typical black/sable GSD marking, short(ish) hair, not the long hair breed. We got Mako when he was 8 weeks old. Koda is a Czech import, blonde fur, black facemask... he was brought in to be a Sheriff's Office K9, but lacked ball drive. He's very food driven, so he was not allowed to finish and become a working K9. The lead K9 trainer that was training Koda, is a Ranger Buddy of mine... he called me up and told me about Koda... he was doing the initial training for our boy Mako, and the two doggos got along like littermates. They are exactly 27 days apart, Koda being the older of the two. So, we got Koda at 6 months old.
We went through the floppy ear phase with Mako, but Koda was like full grown doggo when we got him. Both of our boys went on to have multiple intensive training sessions with my Ranger Buddy.
Koda imprinted on me... and adopted me as his HOOMAN. He is the COOLEST boy too.. amazing personality, not needy at all. He's very social, but not affectionate with anyone but me. He is my velcro doggo. Mako, has bonded with my wife... and is beta to Koda. Koda is ALL Alpha. Out of the two, I trust Koda with anything... he is so even tempered... but Mako is very strange with little kids, and little dogs.
About 9 months ago, we noticed Koda licking a spot on his tail... it was an open cyst, so we took him to our vet. The cyst was removed, and unfortunately, showed "malignant markers" and we were referred to a K9 Oncologist, since it was a super "rare" type of tumor.
They did x-rays and a full abdomen CT scan, and Koda showed no signs of the tumor spreading. The doc wanted to remove his tail, and start him on a new drug called "Palladia" (Toceranib).
Your vet just recommended Palladia® to treat your pet’s cancer. What is Palladia®? What are the pros & cons? How frequent are the visits? What are the side effects? Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions about Palladia® in dogs & cats.
www.thepetoncologist.com
We of course, got several other opinions, and decided to start him on Palladia, but keep his tail. So far, he's in his third week of taking Palladia (Mon, Weds and Fri mornings) and has zero side effects. He still eats well, plays like he is still a puppy, and very alert. We will go back for a re-evaluation after he's completed a full 30 days on the medication.
I want to make sure we give him the best we can, and keep him active as long as his quality of life is good. Koda does not even know he's got some health issues... I know that I will have to face that day, one day... and it will GUT me to lose him. I've had dogs my whole life, but this boy... Koda... is my soul dog. I do my best to show him that he's my boy, every single day... and it tears me up knowing that one day, he will not be here for me to tell him he's a good boy...
Both boys are amazing, and I can't imagine having one without the other. Mako is so dependant on Koda... I know it will affect him as well, once that day comes.
We as humans do not deserve doggos... but, I am SO thankful that we have them.
The boys love Jeep rides... (Koda on left, Mako on right)
Koda always keeps me in his sight...
