Rusty's 18th Month Ampuversary and 3rd Birthday!

[Chuck Holliman]

This week was a double header for Rusty: his 18th month ampuversary was on the 25th and his 3rd birthday was the 30th!  We took him to In N Out burger for his celebration and when I told them that is was his 3rd birthday, they gave him a double patty, which he enjoyed immensely!  We will have a birthday party for him next Friday the 5th, as Dr. Macy, his Oncologist, wanted to be invited and was not in town until then.  Rusty's entire medical team will be present along with 15 parents of his best buddies; I will take pictures and post.

Rusty will see Dr. Macy for his three month follow-up on the 4th and we are hoping for continued good news.  The past two months have been the best health wise that Rusty has enjoyed since starting this ordeal; he still has issues with his stomach, but no diarrhea!  We are keeping the stomach issues under control with his diet (chicken breast, ground beef, chicken noodle soup, brown rice and dry EVO) and medications.  I have not found any suspicious lumps in his daily massages and he is not showing any other symptoms, other than lower than normal energy levels which we hope are from the hot summer temps.  He still enjoys a good 20/25 minutes in the pool which is keeping him very trim.  By the end of the day he shows noticeable fatigue in his leg and very seldom will walk around the lake in the evening; we go over and socialize with all of his buddies and then take a long ride in the golf cart.

Rusty's original prognosis was for 1 to 3 years of quality life after amputation and chemo therapy; we are now half-way through that time frame!  We don't know what this incredible journey has in store for us in the future or when it will end, but we are very grateful that we are able to continue along its path.  We make sure that Rusty enjoys each and every extra day that he has and we are so blessed to have him with us; he has taught us so much on dealing with adversity and is such an inspiration!

I am still working on a new surfin' video for him, which may be more swimming than surfin'.

Chuck, Jan & Rusty

[GBK]

Happy Birhtday Rusty!  Buddy, Kona and I wish you many, many more :)

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Happy Birthday from Webber and Seda in North Carolina.  You go, Rusty, take on the world.

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Wow, such an inspiring story.  Happy 3rd Birthday Rusty! 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Yay Rusty!  Hang in there :)  Thank you for the updates :)

[Sally]

Way to go Rusty!!!! Duncan and I are always supporting you and praying you continue to have quality days, weeks, months, years and more!!!! To infinity and beyond. You are an inspiration and your family too! This just makes my eyes well up but with a smile on my face.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This is truly wonderful news....you and Rusty are such an inspiration.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Awesome news Chuck....Rusty is a trooper at best! Can't wait for the b-day pictures.

[Janel and Sophia]

What a truly moving story... It really is all about the quality of life and it sounds like he is having it with you.....

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

Rusty you rock!  Happy birthday and can't wait to see pictures from your party.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Such an incredible love story of a great dog and his family. Thanks for posting. Hoping you have many years together.