Our beloved three-year-old standard poodle, Pepper, will have surgery on Thursday to amputate her toe. She probably has squamous cell carcinoma in her toe, fairly common in black standard poodles, as well as black giant schnauzers and black labs. It will take some time to get the biopsy back. Hopefully, if it's cancer, it hasn't spread.


Her symptom was a cracked toenail. It wasn't healing properly and she was licking her toe a lot, so I started doing some research on the Internet. BTW this is rare enough in the general dog population that most vets don't suspect it because they've never seen it.


Please pray for Pepper and us. We are really, really upset.

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We'll be thinking about her. Being a father of four legged kids only, I know where you are and would be doing everything I could, too.

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as a fellow 'poodle-pal' my heart goes out to you

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some people think they're generous because they give free advice...

Hugs and prayers for you and Pepper.

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Bless your heart! We went through exactly the same thing with our nine year old golden two years ago. I will be thinking of you.

Sending puppy prayers your way

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Patrick the Pug and Ellie the Weenie send their thoughts and prayers...and so do I.

Mr. Baxter and the original Miss Critter wish Pepper all the best.

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If facts are the seeds that later produce knowledge and wisdom, then the emotions and the impressions of the senses are the fertile soil in which the seeds must grow.-Rachel Carson

Wishing you and Pepper a good outcome!

Wishing a good outcome and speedy recovery!

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"It was far easier for you as civilized men to behave like barbarians than it was for them as barbarians to behave like civilized men." - Spock (Star Trek)

Prayers for both you and Pepper.

I'm praying for Pepper and you and Big D.

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I love Jesus, but I drink a little. ~Gladys




DD, I toad you it was pucking hot.~~Kitty

St Roch is the Patron Saint of dogs-ask for his help!

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Good luck to Pepper. Hope all works out well for y'all.

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This community is full of dog lovers who wish y'all well. Please keep us posted.

BR, we know how much Pepper means to you...you'll be in my prayers.

Lots of animal lovers here, prayers coming your way.

Lotsa of love and prayers to your family and Pepper from our family and our zoo.

Trooper, Harold Darrell, Tunes, Ruby, Stupid Annie, Gracie, Joker,Bubba Kitty and Bob the Frog.

Thank y'all so much for the good vibes. We are so scared, but after talking to the person who runs the standard poodle squamous cell carcinoma registry, amputation is the most conservative thing to do. Because Pepper is show quality, her foot pads are so fat that the doctors don't think she'll have a limp. I just pray to God that the biopsy results are great and that, if it is cancer, that it hasn't spread. Just to go the extra mile, they are amputating at the P1 joint (higher up) instead of P2 -- it will look better aesthetically and won't make any difference in her gait.

I feel so sorry for Pepper. Apparently the recovery is slow and she will be in need of a lot of pain meds.

I just know that until I get the test results next week, I will be jumping out of my skin every time the phone rings.

Anyhow thank you all for all of the . Skunky, I will be praying to St. Roch.

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bogie, whiskey and i will be thinking of you and pepper!

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The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing. - Albert Einstein

Sending prayers to you and your doggie! Hugs!

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You need not think alike to love alike.
Francis David

Beach Runner, sending prayers to you and Pepper.

I'll be thinking about you guys today! Hope it all goes well!

Sending lot's of hugs and positive thoughts to you and Pepper today, BR.

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Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo. ~H.G. Wells

Much love & light from Smoothie & the 2bohemians ... you will be in our prayers

Buddy, Angel and I will be thinking of you all today BR!!!!!

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I know I don't get there often enough, but God knows I surely try, It's a magic kind of medicine that no doctor could prescribe!

The IBD's and Willie, Tony, Francie, Deuce and Aquamarine sending good thoughts and hugs to you today!!

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Prayers for you and your family, BR! Let us know, when you get a chance.

Unfortunately, the vets had a lot of emergency surgeries today. They just completed Pepper's surgery, but are still doing surgeries so the vets don't have time to talk to me. The vet tech said they'd call me after they get finished with all of the emergencies.

Thanks for your concern. I'll post after I find out.

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Thank you for the update.

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"It was far easier for you as civilized men to behave like barbarians than it was for them as barbarians to behave like civilized men." - Spock (Star Trek)

Just got a call from the vet. They had just finished all of their emergency surgeries.

Pepper came through the amputation fine. However, it will be 3-4 weeks before we get the histology results because they have to do deossification of the bones, whatever that means. They amputated three bones, P3 (the end of the toe), P2, and P1. I asked them to do a chest X-ray prior to surgery because that's where SCC seems to metastasize first. I told them if that wasn't normal, there would be no point in putting her through the pain of amputation. Thankfully the chest X-ray was normal, and on visual perusal of the bones, the vet didn't see anything odd-looking. Of course, he acknowledged that this is something that can't be seen with the naked eye unless it is extreme.

So now it's just bouncing off the walls for 3-4 weeks until we get the results.

We can bring Pepper home tomorrow. Even though I know she will be very uncomfortable and it will be hard to see her suffer, of course we can't wait to see her.

Thanks again for all of the well wishes.

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Great Beach Runner, I am glad things went ok. Just think positive. Maybe they will have her on some pain medication. She will be glad to see you also.

How is Pepper today?

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Pepper came home this AM. She was so happy to see us -- hubby, daughter, and I all went to pick her up. We were really scared that she would be in bad shape when we picked her up. She's of course not her usual "Peppery" self, but I am relieved that she's getting around as well as she is on three paws.

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Great news BR! I am sure she will have a great recovery and lots of pampering!

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Thanks for the update and wishing her a speedy and full recovery.

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I love Jesus, but I drink a little. ~Gladys




DD, I toad you it was pucking hot.~~Kitty

i hope pepper feels "peppery" soon !

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Ditto!

Glad Pepper is home and getting lots of love.

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People will forget what you said.
People will forget what you did.
But people will never forget how you made them feel.

Pepper is all about unconditional love, as all dogs are. I now send mine to Pepper.

Goodness. Sorry to hear about this. Glad Pepper is home and out of surgery. Your three week wait will be hard on all of you. Take care and best of luck on a speedy recovery.

Warm fuzzies and well wishes to you, BR. I hope Pepper has good news...

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Ditto - hoping Pepper will feel better each day, and that there will be good news when all the tests come back!

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How's Pepper today??

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Pepper got her appetite back on Sunday, yesterday starting putting some weight on the paw on which the surgery was done (instead of hopping around on three legs), and this morning was able to go up and down the stairs to the bedroom without being carried. She gets her bandage off on Thursday.

Thanks again for all of the well wishes.

BTW I've been MIA on the board because I unexpectedly had to teach a class at the request of the scheduled professor because he got promoted to dean. Can't exactly turn down the boss! It requires two hours of class time plus two hours of prep time Monday through Friday.

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...yay! What are you teaching?

Boring -- it's a core class -- Excel with financial applications. Yesterday we were doing the formulas to compute how much one would need to save for retirement at age 65 to maintain a decent lifestyle. I came to the conclusion that I don't have enough in my retirement account yet. I was trying to lighten things up by saying, "Well, guess I'll be a bag lady living under one of the overpasses on the 75/85 connector in downtown Atlanta. (People actually live there). One of the kids jokingly said, "Yeah, you'd probably be on crack, too." I said, "I don't need crack -- I already act like I'm on it, although I wouldn't know what it looks like if I saw it." They thought it was hilarious. Kinda broke the boredom from looking at the formula
PV=R(1-(1+i)^-n)/i
where PV is the amount you need to have saved by retirement
R is how much your periodic retirement check will be
i is the periodic interest rate
and n is how many checks you think you'll need before you die!
(This can also be done using the Excel PV formula).

TMI.

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I heart you, BR. I will pass this on to my financial advisor, Mr. K, because it makes me break out in hives. But, it does remind me it's time for a kept wife update.

I'm happy to hear Pepper is on the mend


Yes, but you will be the most stylish bag lady with bags from NeimanMarcus

Yes, one must always do what is necessary to be "kept."

Thanks (re Pepper).

And I have enough shoes that I could share them with the other bag ladies! On second thought, maybe I'll just try to remain a kept woman so I don't have to depend on my own retirement fund.

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Glad to hear Pepper is up and about, before you know it she will be back to boxing and dancing.

Any updated news to share on Pepper's recovery? I'm hoping for the best and sending prayers your way.

On Friday we have to take our Flat Coat Retriever to vet for a very suspicious looking lump on his rear paw. I noticed it before our vacation last week and have been worried ever since. He's 7 1/2 so sure hope it's not cancer.

It's never easy when you have to worry about those fur kids !!

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"Whatever tomorrow brings I'll be there with open arms and open eyes."

I see that he's black. Black dogs are more at risk for some reason -- they don't know why. Black standard poodles, black labs, and black giant schauzers are most at risk for toe cancer. I don't know about other retrievers. Hopefully it's just one of those benign fatty tumors that dogs get.

We won't get the test results back for a few weeks. Pepper gets her bandage off tomorrow. She's getting back to her old self, except that her front left paw (the one she likes to box with the most) is the one that had the toe amputated.

EDIT: I just pm'ed you with some links regarding flat-coat retrievers.

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Thinking of you and Pepper. Keep us posted.

So sorry to hear. My sixteen year old puppy passed away this last September do to cancer, Pepper will be in my thoughts and prayers.

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As a young girl a wise old woman once told me life is far too short, now eat something sweet!

boxing and burping seem to be poodle traits...Brantley does both well!! (mean right jab) lol
Glad to hear Pepmeister is doing well, it must be a relief for now
if they would just hurry up with those test results...

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some people think they're generous because they give free advice...

"Zelda" and "Princess" send their best wishes to Pepper and hope everything is well. keep all of us updated.

Princess is a two year old black Lab mix. Thanks to you and Pepper we will be watching Princess and her toes.

Most dogs with SCC of the digit are examined because of a sore toe. Limping, swelling, bleeding/discharge, ulceration, and breaking or splitting of nails are also common complaints. SCC tumors in many dogs can also be preceded by chronic nail-bed infections.

Thanks!

Pepper doesn't burp , but she sure likes to box us, especially when we're on the sofa or in bed. She has quite a punch.

Have dealt with other doggie issues (parvo, kidney disease, and Cushing's) but not that. Sister lost two retrievers to cancer -- she spent a fortune on surgery and chemo at Auburn. She says she wouldn't put a dog through that again because it didn't extend their lives significantly and put them through a lot of pain.

Pepper got her bandage off yesterday, and her stitches will be taken out on Monday. Her foot looks strange, but we'll gladly take a funky foot over no Pepper.

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Today Pepper’s results came back negative for squamous cell carcinoma and positive for early melanoma. The vet plans to call the oncologist at Auburn University Veterinary College to see what we should do next.

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I know this is sad news for you, but hang in there! Your vet is on the case! Please explain the difference in the two cancers. I would think the first one is worse.

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The mind is like a parachute, it works best when it is open.

The vet said that canine melanoma isn't as bad melanoma in humans. Coincidentally we just got back from our family's yearly dermatologist skin checkup (everything okay), so I have just gotten online.

However, everything I've seen so far indicates that melanoma is pretty much a death sentence for a dog. I haven't found a link that compares the two cancers. Before I agreed to them cutting off her toe, I did insist on a chest X-ray to see if it had metastisized. That was normal.

An email just came in from the person who runs standard poodle health registry. She was afraid that would be the diagnosis because Pepper is very, very young to have SCC, but didn't want to scare me. I could .

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Oh, I hope it's not as bad as it could be. I had a friend whose cat had melanoma (from years of sunbathing on the screened-in porch). After months of intense treatments and some minor surgeries, she kicked it and lived to a healthy old age.
- - hugs for you - -

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Is this at all common? I've not heard of this before and I've always had dogs in my life (that's how I learned so much).
I guess I'd look for a second opinion and that Auburn oncologist would be a good one. I don't have the words...I won't tell you I know what you're going through...I don't. But our prayers are with you and besides, any dog that's a good boxer is already a fighter.

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some people think they're generous because they give free advice...

BR, I'm sorry you didn't get more positive news. Prayers and hugs for both you and Pepper.

Black standard poodles have toe cancers as well as other health maladies, especially those like Pepper who are Westminster-quality show dogs because they have been so inbred. We have a gorgeous, loving, and loveable pet whom we adore. But we never thought the low probability of black standard poodle maladies would hit home.

Toe cancer is fairly common in black dogs, especially standard poodles, retrievers, and giant schaunzers.

Thanks. Hope we get good news from Auburn, too.

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Stay positive!! Keeping you all in our prayers

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Much as I hate to admit it as an Alabama grad, Auburn has an awesome vet school. Pepper is in good hands. Best wishes for a full recovery.

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If facts are the seeds that later produce knowledge and wisdom, then the emotions and the impressions of the senses are the fertile soil in which the seeds must grow.-Rachel Carson

Still praying for Pepper.

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I love Jesus, but I drink a little. ~Gladys




DD, I toad you it was pucking hot.~~Kitty

i hate to hear this br - please keep us posted on what you find out from auburn

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BR, I hope that you get good news from Auburn. I will be thinking you and your family and Pepper!

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I know I don't get there often enough, but God knows I surely try, It's a magic kind of medicine that no doctor could prescribe!

Do not give up! My Italian Greyhounds (all three) had hemangiosarcoma (cancer) and were given only months to live. My boy, who had it first, lived over three years. It taught me that no vet can say for sure what will happen, and to live in the moment as much as possible. Dogs are amazingly strong, much tougher than humans, and they DO NOT worry about the future. Try to learn from your Pepper. Much Love from a dog lover who has been there!

Prayers for all.

Well said

Much love and prayers are being sent your way

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BR, we and our two black dogs (plus white dog and siamese cat) are thinking of you and your Pepper. Your vet is very wise to do a consult with Auburn.

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I'm a bit angry that we haven't heard back from the Auburn oncologist yet. If I don't hear anything by noon tomorrow, I'm gonna drive down there and do some whomp a$$.

Auburn took care of our Weimaraner in 2005 when she had bacterial endocarditis from a kidney infection. They did everything they could, but she kept throwing clots from the valve and having seizures. After 3 weeks they said there was no hope. We had to put her down.

Sister had two golden retrievers with cancerous fatty tumors. She drove them from Atlanta to Auburn for surgery and frequent chemotherapy. She says she'd never do that again for a dog because it cost a fortune, put the dogs through misery and pain, and only extended their lives by a few months.

I am just hoping that, thanks to googling the Internet and clueing in the vet, I caught the toe cancer early enough that it hasn't spread. The biopsy said "clean margins," and I've been told that's a good thing. I just pray that the severe amputation (P1-P2-P3 when only P3 was recommended) got it all.

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BR, I'm sending good thoughts and prayers for Pepper. I'm honored to have met Pepper after the SoWal soiree in April. What a happy bouncing teasing poodle!

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Paula

Still thinking of you and your fur-baby...

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Apparently the type of melanoma that Pepper has (nail bed) is malignant and very aggressive. The oncologist at Auburn said that even though I diagnosed it early and the margins are clean, we might want to consider the cancer vaccine for canine melanoma. It costs $2000 for the vaccine itself. The woman who runs the standard poodle cancer registry sent me an email last night and recommended the vaccine. Squamous cell carcinoma would have been good news in comparison to melanoma.

Thanks for all of your prayers and well wishes.

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I know this news is scary even though the path report of the tumor removal itself was encouraging, and her x-rays are clear. The melanoma vaccine sounds very promising - are there any downsides to it? If this vaccine is as successful as it sounds, maybe more dogs can avoid having to endure the awfulchemo and radiation treatments, which has never seemed to be truly successful in the cases I have seen. Go Pepper!

I've googled and saw a 2003 study done at Sloan-Kettering. Nine dogs with advanced melanoma were given four biweekly injections of human tyrosinase DNA vaccine that was constructed at MSKCC's Gene Transfer and Somatic Cell Engineering Facility. The dogs were injected with the vaccine using the Biojector-2000, a needle-less delivery device. They showed no side effects or toxicities with only a mild inflammatory reaction observed at the injection site. Two showed no evidence of disease when they were checked after completion of the vaccine regimen. Four dogs survived for over 400 days with the longest survivor still alive after more than 615 days. The median survival was 389 days.

Note this study is from dogs with advanced melanoma. Pepper's report said early melanoma.

I also saw another website where someone said her dog had just finished the four injections. The only side effect was dry mouth.

One thing I've learned is that the melanocytes of black dogs have to produce more melanin because of the black pigment. So maybe since these cells are more active, these cells are more likely to experience uncontrolled growth which is what melanoma is?

Oh, and after the 4 injections, if a dog taking the vaccine is lucky enough to live that long, there will be $500 injections every 6 months. These can only be administered by an oncologist because the drug is so experimental, it doesn't have a name yet. Thank goodness Auburn is an easy drive with no Atlanta traffic to deal with. When our Weim was there for three weeks, we visited her every day because the vet said it might help her recover.

Thanks for your, and everyone else's, concern.

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Go Pepper! should be the theme of the month!!

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BR, you are such a wonderful mom! The vaccine does sound promising and my thoughts and prayers are with you. Sending lots of love your way, Cork

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UniquePanhandleProperties.com
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BR, Pepper is lucky to have you. Hope the vaccine, the early detection, and lots of love gives you the best results possible.

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BR I hardly know what to say after reading this whole thread. My heart is sad for you and I feel your pain, uncertainty, anger, and confusion. This is something you just shouldn't have to go through....and especially Pepper. What a beautiful dog! I've gone through similiar situations with pets, and it's never easy.

I've always learned something from each of my pets that has helped me throughout my life. They are definitely God's angels. Thank you for sharing with us..... I will be praying for Auburn too!

Pepper has learned how to open the front door here! This morning she saw someone walking down our street towards Highway 30A. She went to the front door, pushed down the lever handle, and went out the door barking. I resisted the urge to chase her (they say dogs will go the opposite direction if you do that), and I said “Come here, good girl.” When she finally came to me, I grabbed her collar. I was pretty nauseated for a couple of hours just thinking of what could have happened (as in, road kill on Highway 30A).

So now we have to be really careful to make sure we lock her crate when we leave and that we put the pet gate at the front door. She is so smart that she knows when we are about to leave, she gets in her crate, and sometimes we forget to lock it. We have to be make sure we lock it now.

BTW here is our latest advice from the standard poodle cancer registry after her seeing Pepper's pathlogy report. "EXCELLENT report!!!!! You couldn`t ask for a better outcome. I am very confident Pepper will live a long and healthy life. I don't think from that report that the vaccine is warranted."

The vet says that UGA and Auburn recommended once a month melanoma checks.

Thanks for the prayers, y'all. I do believe in the power of prayer.

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Wonderful news! I am so happy for you.

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If facts are the seeds that later produce knowledge and wisdom, then the emotions and the impressions of the senses are the fertile soil in which the seeds must grow.-Rachel Carson

Excellent!

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Pepper got groomed today. They had to shave her down. Apparently the anesthesia from surgery causes the hair to thin, resulting in matted hair. I have been brushing her, but couldn't get the mats out. Not her usual beautiful self.

Here's three-toes' footprints in the sand last weekend.

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Aww, BR, I'm sure she's still beautiful. My little poodle has been mistaken for a Bichon lately so you know she needs groomed!!! LOL

I hear ya.

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Those 3 toe prints look adorable!

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http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/l/l..._the_sand.html

"Footprints in the Sand" by Leona Lewis

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I hope your sweet Pepper is giving you lots of kisses! I just read this thread today. Prayer works wonders! Griff has Cancer as well. She has had two tumors removed and her right eye had a growth covering it for few weeks. The Dr. thought it might be the Cancer spreading but we prayed, and gave her lots of love and a few weeks later the growth was gone! She had her diagnosis about a year ago and she has been doing fine since then, until the scare with the bite last week; it made me wonder if the reaction to the bite was more severe because of her Cancer.

I love the pawprints in the sand! I hope she has many years ahead of her!

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It was kind of like Meat and Potatoes - Simon Cowell

Oh, so sorry about Griff. Prayers --> Griff.
How sweet!

I think so, too.

Thank you all.

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I re-did my style of teaching to accommodate a particular students' needs (the student didn't do well in lecture classes). The class average went up from 74 last fall semester to 94 summer term. I have had similar successes in my classes this fall by changing my teaching style. It is very gratifying.

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You should conduct in-service training to teach teachers you new method. Those numbers are impressive.

I, too, love the three-toed prints, and bet Pepper was very happy to be at the beach.

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If facts are the seeds that later produce knowledge and wisdom, then the emotions and the impressions of the senses are the fertile soil in which the seeds must grow.-Rachel Carson

Maybe so.

Pepper loves the beach. She loves to run around on the long leash. She expects everyone walking by to tell her how pretty she is. If they don't, she gets mad and does her "mad bark" at them.

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