Tatum Came Back!

Tatum (Simon) with Pink Pig

Tatum is back!  Except now he is called Simon.  His new owner had to go out of town on business and I was asked to care for him while she was gone.  I had a secret wish to see him again and to spend more time with him, but I didn't expect to have him back at my door in just a couple of days!  I was granted an extra bonus week and it has been absolutely awesome!  He cracks me up!  Simon is quite the dog!  He obviously feels terrific and loves life.  You would never know that his toe was recently amputated due to cancer the way he jumps, runs and plays!

In a few minutes,  Simon's new owner will be coming back to pick him up.  Life works in mysterious ways.  I am a lucky gal.......

Goodbye

Today is Goodbye Day

Well, the day has come.  It always does.

Tatum is one fine Golden.  He is a GREAT dog!  This morning he made me laugh so hard.  He was laying outside by the pool and I was still waking up in bed.  Our door going outside was wide open for Tatum to go in and out.  Suddenly, we heard a rustling noise on the other side of our fence.  He jumped up startled and next thing I knew he was galloping full speed and with one amazing jump, landed in bed next to me.  (My bed is one of those extra high off the ground beds)  We were eye to eye and nose to nose.  Tatum is so big ...... and he is a scaredy cat.  Oh, my!  What fun!  Then he jumped off the bed with sheer joy and started running wildly fast all through the house.  He jumped so high into the air - virtually impossible for a dog his size.  I was in awe.  This was my golden rescue with a newly amputated toe from cancer.  Wow!  Next, Tatum grabbed his pink toy pig and flew out the door like lightning! (yes, pigs can fly!)  I ran out after him afraid he might hurt himself.  He then began to run around the yard in circles, only pausing long enough to see if I was watching.  Abruptly, he stopped, cocked his head and focused intensely on me. Uh, oh!   My mouth dropped wide open and then I froze. Tatum reared up on his hind legs and with reckless abandon he took one giant lunge and sped towards me with pure love in his eyes.  He was running as fast as he could leaping and bounding with excitement and happiness and in full force.  I held my breath terrified, but smiling at the same time.  It was an electrifying moment like none other.  It was his gift to me.  Tatum dodged me at the very last minute, as if he was Tom Cruise in Top Gun, and I laughed and laughed and laughed so hard, deep from within my soul.......until I started to cry.  Here are the tears I told myself I wouldn't shed this time.  He is magic.  He is special and he is saying goodbye.

Tatum

Meet Tatum (aka Rex)

Tatum!

Meet Tatum!  He is a lovable, handsome, sweet, muscular, and well-behaved fellow!  No kidding, he has the biggest paws I have ever seen on a Golden.  A gentle giant that only wants to please.  He was found as a stray in a small town in Northern Arizona and turned in to the Humane Society up there.  Someone called Rescue A Golden and next thing he was transported to Phoenix.....soon to start a new life.  Of course, he had a few bumps along the way as many rescue dogs do.

First off, Tatum was shaved.  I don't know all the details, but they told me he had skin problems.  This shave left him looking like a lion.  The fur around his head was left and since his head is big it only accentuated the lion look.  Someone even left the very end of his tail furry.  Roar!

Yesterday, I picked up Tatum from the hospital after he had his first bandage change.  Unfortunately, while he was in the care of his first foster family, he started limping.  Turns out.....it was the big "C".  Yep, he developed toe cancer.  Poor guy!  The vets amputated his toe and a few days later he came home with me.  No wonder Tatum feels a bit insecure!  He follows me everywhere I go and I don't blame him.  It is time for a little happiness for this fine boy.

The good news is, I found out today that Tatum's cancer has not spread and that he only has about a 15% chance of a recurrence.  No further treatment!!!  Because of the good news, a nice lady wants him to spend the rest of his life with her.  Cool, huh?

I have Tatum until Tuesday of this week and I plan to love him and rub his tummy and scratch behind his ears as much as he wants!!!!  And......give him a real good shampoo!!!!