The good days continue...

K continues to amaze me. I felt a bit sad this morning but K wanted to play. She brought me a stick and pranced excitedly waiting for me to throw it. She was so close to my face that she's not even in focus!

We played a happy game of fetch with the most incredible backdrop that I can imagine. As always, K knew what I needed and made me smile!

During our morning rides with just the two of us, K has been playing a game that she created as a puppy. She adores doing recalls because I emphasize them so much in our training. They are nothing but fun, fun, fun! So, as a youngster, K started "hiding" to entice me to call "K Come!". She was training me.

After I figured out that this "game" actually could become annoying by the 14th repeat within one walk, I stopped calling her when she "disappeared". Instead, I'd point at her and say "I see you!". Then, I'd go get her... After a while, she stopped "hiding" quite so often.

Well, since she's become sick, I've started letting her play her game again. So, she hid in plain sight this morning in the photo above, and I complied with her wishes by calling her. I love how happy a recall makes her!

I've learned that her good energy level is typical for a dog in her stage of osteosarcoma. Apparently, the "decline" is usually very short and fast when the lungs become too filled with cancer to deliver enough oxygen. In a way, a fast decline is a blessing... K can keep having fun until almost the end of the journey.

After her morning run with me, K usually snoozes on the deck, resting up for our sunset hike.

Then, K bursts into action again, playing with her brother during our evening hike. R is definitely a faster runner than K at this point.

But, K hasn't given up trying to outrun him. She even employs her ears to try to fly!

I've found a great forum (tripawds.com) where people with dogs going through cancers, and particularly osteosarcoma, can share experiences and support each other. When I posted about K's grim prognosis, one of the wonderful people there included this quote in her reply: "When you start missing what isn't gone, you lose what's left."

I couldn't agree more. I shall remember those words in the coming days, weeks, and hopefully months.