Some of you may remember Dixie from another forum a few years ago.
When she was 3 1/2 years old, she had a rare type of cancer in her jaw which led to the removal of her jaw bone and chin in order to save her precious life.
The good thing about the type cancer she had, it was locally invasive and usually did not metastasize to other parts of the body. If the affected area was removed along with good margins...she would be cancer free. But left untreated it would continue to grow and eventually take her life.
She had the life saving surgery on Dec. 17, 2002.

Due to the removal of the jaw bone and chin, her little tongue hangs out of her mouth all the time.
She had to learn to eat all over again. Drinking water is a little difficult for her, because her tongue no longer laps the water up like a normal dog's tongue. It works somewhat backwards...it laps downward instead of upward.
She had obstacles to overcome.
She had to learn to pick things up in her mouth again...so she could play her favorite game...keep away.
She had to give up her beloved chew bones, but she soon began to look foward to an occassional snausage instead.
She was a trooper and she made her way back to be happy, fun loving and full of life.

Dixie continued to do well for just over three years. Then, ironically.....My world and hers changed on Jan. 6, 2006. One day after I joined Boxersrule.
My girl has been diagnosed with aggressive Lymphoma. She has only been given a few weeks, maybe a little longer if the Predisone helps.
On Jan. 3, she didn't look like she felt really well and she failed to eat all her food that day. (You would have to know Dixie to know that not eating her food isn't at all like Dixie...she loves to eat)
On Jan. 4, during one of our daily hugs and kisses sessions...I felt some swelling in her lymph nodes in her neck that wasn't there the day before. I checked the lymph nodes in other areas of her body and they were fine..so I thought, maybe it isn't anything to worry about.
On Jan. 5, the lymph nodes in her neck were three times larger than the day before. Also, there was now swelling in the lymph nodes in other areas of her body. I called my Vet and was given an appointment for the next morning because the Vet wasnt' in when I called. She began drinking tons of water later that day.
On Jan. 6....my world was forever changed. The lymph nodes were huge throughout her body. I knew before we went to the Vet that morning what it was but I was in denial. I wanted to be wrong.
My fears were confirmed....my girl had Lymphoma.

She was put on Predisone to try to reduce the swelling and hopefully give her a little more time.
She is doing fairly well at this time. Huge appetite....yet she looks thinner every day.
She doesn't seem to be in any pain at all and acts pretty normal at the moment.
She has to go potty a lot due to the fact she drinks so much water...which in common with Lymphoma as well as a side effect of Predisone.

This is the hardest thing I have ever had to go through. I love her so much. We have been best friends for 7 years and now I am going to lose her.

I have cried and cried over the last few day. Even though I try hard to be strong in front of her. I don't want to upset her.
I want her to enjoy every moment she can for as long as she can.

Needless to say...she is getting spoiled even more than usual and I can't seem to hug and kiss her enough. I must tell her I love her a thousand times a day.

I just wanted to share her story with all the other Boxer Mom's and Dad's...

Jeanne and Dixie

Oh, Jeanne.

I'm so very sorry you & Dixie are having to go through this. Dixie is very lucky to have you for a mom. I'm sure many people would have given up on her when she had cancer the first time.

The two of you have been through a lot together and she knows you love her. Treasure every day you have together. Too many of us have been where you are now and understand how you feel.

I'll keep you & Dixie in my thoughts & prayers.

Just give her extra cuddles and kisses and spoil her rotten. She knows how much you love her. Make the most of the time you have left. Letting go will be so hard but there will come a day when you will remember all the happy times and the goofy things without the tears.

Jeanne,

I'm so sorry to hear about Dixie's diagnosis. I lost my Roxy to lymphoma. Dixie knows how much you love her. As hard as it is, enjoy whatever time you have left with her. All rules seem to fly out the window right now. Extra cuddles, extra treats, extra time together is what it's all about now.

We are here for you whenever you need to talk. 's to you and Dixie.
I will be keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.

Hi Jeanne, and welcome. I remember your story from the other forum and I always admired how strong both you and sweet Dixie were through the whole thing with her jaw. I am very sorry that now, after all of that, you are both going through this. Like everyone has said, just make the most of time you have left with that amazing girl. You could not have found a better place to get support now. I am sending you both : and and thoughts and prayers.

Hi Jeanne,

I remember you and Dixie from the "other" and her first battle. I went as KTN67 there. I'm so sorry to hear about all you are facing with your precious girl. No amount of time is ever long enough and no matter how we lose them it's painful. Dixie is indeed blessed to have found herself such a special mom. Just enjoy each day and don't think about the tomorrows. Dixie knows how much you love her and is happy. She will be with you always.

Huge and for you and Dixie. I'll keep you both in my prayers.

Carla

Oh Jeanne...I just posted at your introduction thread asking how Dixie was doing and now have found this and my heart is breaking. Dixie went through so much with her jaw surgery and was so brave and strong through it all..it is just not fair!! I am so very sorry. You know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your sweet girl. I know she means the world to you and she was an true inspiration to so many of us, as were you. Again, I am sorry. Debbie K

So very sorry to hear about Dixie,
Its sure not an easy deal to have a sick furkid as most of us know firsthand.
Hang in there and keep your chin up for miss Dixie she wouldnt want it any other way. And we all are here with an ear if ya need to talk.

to you and Dixie we will keep you all in our thoughts.

I too am very sorry to hear about Dixie's diagnosis. I have lost in the past but never to such a thing. I cannot begin to imagine how hard it must be. But I do know that you have given Dixie a wonderful life and she knows that you love her very much. I know this won't make it any easier but please take relief in the fact that one day you will be reunited with Dixie again. And when you are she will no longer be in any pain. She can have her chewbones and you both can play keep away all day long. BR wil always be here for you...

I too remember Dixie from the other forum, and admired her for her strenght. I am very sorry to hear about her new condition. I will keep you and Dixie in my thoughts. for the sweet girl

Thanks everyone for all your kindness. Your thoughts and prayers are most appreciated.

Dixie is sitting by my chair as I type this. She seems to be doing well today. She ate a huge breakfast! Her lymph nodes feel almost normal...so hopefully the Predisone is starting to work. The Vet said if the Predisone reduced the size of the lymph nodes....it could give her some additional time. (Got my fingers crossed that it will!!)

Jeanne, I remember you and Dixie!! I'm so sorry you got this devastating news about Dixie. You both will be in my thoughts and prayers.

This is soooo heartbreaking. I am bawling my eyes out at work. I'm so sorry for your sweet baby and for the pain you have to indure. Just do what you are doing for as long as you have: spoil her, hug her, kiss her, and tell her you love her a thousand times a day!

I'm glad the medication is helping her!

Prayers and thoughts through this most difficult time.

Just wanted you to know we are thinking of you here!! I hope you are able to find some comfort in knowing what a wonderful life you gave Dixie, despite her challenges.

Hi Jeanne,

I am so sorry about Dixie's diagnosis, but that is good news that she is responding to the pred. I, too, have lost a beloved dog to lymphoma and I agree...throw the rules out the window and just enjoy every precious moment and every extra snuggle. Spoil her rotten right now. The loss of appetite is a hard one to deal with, but the pred should help.

Nothing but good thoughts and encouragement coming your way, for both of you.

So sorry about Dixie. You have absolutely given her the best life she could have ever hoped for. She knows how much you love her and she loves you as well. Boxers are so smart, they are just completely grateful for all the love they can get.
I'm glad that she is feeling a little better with the prednisone.
Sending good thoughts your way.

I am sooo sorry. My thoughts are with you. I can't even imagine what you're going through. I try not to think about anything happening to T-Bone. He's my compadre.

I am so sorry to hear about Dixie... we are so blessed to have them in our lives. Enjoy every last moment you have with her.

Im so sorry to hear about Dixie. I remember her too, its great how she overcame her jaw loss but so very heart breaking about her lymphoma Break all the rules and give her as many sausages as she can eat! Take a million pictures and enjoy her

Jeanne,

You know how this breaks my heart. I love Dixie. You know that we are praying for your girl.

Cindy

Thanks so much everyone for the continuing support, thoughts and prayers.
Dixie's nodes feel a little more enlarged today (not what I wanted to find).
We have had a good time this weekend together.
Dixie, Brittany (hubby's boxer), and I had a pajama party on Friday and Saturday night. We had snacks, hugs, kisses, romped and played. Then I piled blankets and pillows on the floor and we all slept of the floor together. Dixie hugged up tight with me...I know she was trying to tell me how much she loved me.
Dixie loves to go for car rides. I took her on a long ride in the countryside today. She really enjoyed it. When we got back, we layed on the floor together and took a little nap.
She is so special!
I am sure she knows she won't be with me for long and she is trying her best to enjoy her time and to show me how much she loves me while she can. That's just like Dixie....to be the one to do the comforting. She is amazing.

I love you Dixie!!

Hello Jeanne! I remember you and I am upset to hear the sad news about Dixie. I am at a loss for words - just treasure each & every day your Dixie has left. Hugs to both of you. :bighug:

Jeanne...so sorry to hear about Dixie. to you both. I am sure she knows how much you love her...enjoy the time you have with your precious girl.