BUD

Bud has been the main character of a story I wrote when I joined my writing club. The story covers 15 chapters, and it is all true. I'm thinking of posting it here, chapter by chapter, just so readers will know how much history there is between me and this pit-bull named Bud. This post, however, is what is happening now.


My Bud has cancer.

I have been to see more than one vet. The first one guessed it was an abscess, then poked and probed in it with a needle to the point where I stepped back – Bud’s lip was curling and he was growling. It’s extremely rare, but when Bud does that, one pays attention. That dog can pick up bigger rocks than I can, and does it on a regular basis. I’ve heard there is up to 2000 pounds of pressure in a pit-bull’s bite. I wasn’t about to find out if it was true or not. When I warned the vet, she decided to put a muzzle on him, and this he did NOT like. It took three of the assistants to hold him…for about 15 seconds…and they went flying back when Bud decided enough was enough – he was getting up and out. All that (at a cost of $280.00!) for nothing anyway, because 5 days later they called back to tell me they could not determine what caused the huge bump on his backside.

My daughter had recommended another vet – one in St-Benoit. It was a longer ride, but Bud enjoyed the excursions in the truck, so I made an appointment. This man knew his business. He didn’t probe. “Cancer tumour”, he said, on seeing the lump. Because he does not do that type of surgery, he gave me the telephone number for a specialist in Lachine.

The specialist was excellent. Instead of upsetting the dog by putting him up on a table, the vet got down on his knees beside Bud. Instant rapport. He was able to support the diagnosis, and took a biopsy to get more information. Within 48 hours he called me to suggest a surgeon outside the hospital. She was good, he knew her personally, and she would do it for half the going rate charged by the hospital. He gave me his cellular number so that she could contact him for more information.

Last Thursday night, Bud and I went to meet her. She, too, did not attempt to put the dog on a table, but knelt beside him to verify the info she had received. She warned me that she may not be able to remove all the cancer. The lump is right beside his anus, so cutting away all the disease may be impossible. But she would do the best she could.. She told me the fee, which was 1/3 of what the hospital would charge, so I agreed. Bud will be operated on next Thursday.

He’s only a dog, I know, but as much as I hated him when I first met him, that much I love him now. He is hard-headed, independent, and as macho as they come, and he’s his own dog. He’s a pure pit-bull, with stress on the ‘BULL’, but he’s also a big-hearted, loyal, cuddly mutt; a dog with a sense of self who has won my heart. Whatever extra time I can give him, I will do so without hesitation. It’s as much for me as for him – I don’t even want to think of losing him.

Besides – I’ll get to see him waddle around in a diaper for a couple of days. That is going to hurt his dignity big-time. And he owes me this one.

But damn – I almost forgot. I’m going to have to wipe his butt twice a day to prevent infection. Bud wins again.


Luv from the Bush in Quebec.