Pepper

Right after Steven left, Pepper had surgery. A few weeks after that she developed a cough and then was having trouble on our runs and walks. She collapsed once, and another time just had to lay down and rest. Then she started to throw up her food. After a while she just wasn't able to keep anything down. We took her to the base vet, who did an X-ray but recommended we go off base for more conclusive information. So we did. We found a very nice veterinary facility off base, the biggest one I've ever seen. They did some blood work and had a radiologist look at her X-rays. On Wednesday they called to say that Pepper has 3 masses, one by her heart, one in her lower left abdomen and one in the upper abdomen, something about lymph nodes, and possibly even another problem with her stomach that they would need an ultrasound for, if we wanted. Right now she has been able to go for very short walks, and is keeping down small meals. She is happy, she is hungry, but does have trouble breathing and coughing at times. For now I think we will continue to do small walks and small meals and see how she does. At this point there is not much else we can do for her. I would be lying if I said I wasn't heartbroken over this, as I have shed lots of tears this week...and I may have given her bacon and eggs for breakfast yesterday. I plan on spoiling her as long as we can. 

Waiting under the table for crumbs.

Found this today on Facebook. Steven and Pepper were having a moment after he returned from a 6week TDY while we lived in Texas.