8 weeks vs a chance

Eight weeks ago Tank was diagnosed with Lymphoma, at 7 years and 2 months old. It caught us completely off guard, as Cancer often does. Our youngest dog to get some type of big C. 

The average survival rate for dogs without treatment is eight weeks. Which means, as of this post Tank would no longer be with us.

After a lot of discussion about what is best for Tank, along with sleepless nights, sadness and tears, we decided to take a chance and have Tank's Lymphoma treated. 

With time, Tanks cancer has gotten easier to talk about. I can't tell you how many times I've tried to post about what our big 92 lb boy is going through.

We are selective about who we tell. These days I care less about the people who instantly give us a "it is just a dog" look in their eyes. Most do. Their hearts just don't hold the same depth of love as ours. Other times, I get the cynical "how much does THAT cost?" comment. Cue my canned response.

I am open and happy to share all things I didn't want to learn about Canine Lymphoma and chemotherapy treatment, with animal lovers.

The most frequent question I get asked is:

Q: How did you find it?

A: I found a lump on Tanks neck while petting him. At first, I thought it was a fatty tumor. It was moveable. It grew in a short week and half and I knew something wasn't right.

We took Tank to see his vet. His blood cells revealed Lymphoma. Ironically, Tank had a wellness visit the month before and his bloodwork came back great. We learned Lymphoma doesn't show up in routine blood draws. We were told we found his cancer early, and given a glimmer of hope. Most dogs are diagnosed with baseball sized lumps. Tank's had grown a bit smaller than a quarter.

We were referred to an Oncologist at a small clinic to find out the type of Lymphoma, and discuss options. T-cell does not respond well to treatment. B-cell has a 90-95% proven remission rate with a Chemotherapy protocol (CHOP) developed by our WI University.

Chemotherapy is not a cure. With B-cell, the potential average quality of life with treatment is not that long, but a lot longer than eight weeks. I asked SO so many questions. Before and after we found out Tank has B-cell Lymphoma. His Oncologist is wonderful and patient. She answered all of my questions and addressed our concerns. Validating, there is no wrong decision. All the staff at the oncology clinic are kind, caring animal people.

Our decision to treat Tank was not made lightly. 

His lump/s disappeared shortly after we started, and lymph nodes are currently back to normal. We have a long way to go to complete the recommended treatment series.

We are cautiously agreeing to the CHOP protocol week by week. Much depends on how Tank handles it. So far, Tank is doing really well. You would never know he is being treated. 

Many photos were shared of our chemo baby during my February land of wonders post.

3.29.26

Each day with Tank is a treasured gift.

new addition

Introducing a new addition to our family, my daughters puppy: 

Asher (8 months old)
3.16.26

Jameson's mom has been waiting a long time to own a house, and get a second dog. Dogs teach each other doggie things. She wants Jameson to lead by example. Time was of the essence. J turned 13 earlier this month.

Asher & Jameson playing tug

He looks tall in the photo ^ he is not. 
3.20.26

Her original plan was to get a pure bred Blue Heeler pup. Instead, she found a dog to love at a rescue. No clue how our daughter adopted so easily. Before Tank, Brad & I tried several well known organizations. We didn't fit the ones with fenced in yard rules. The reputable rescue I wasted the most amount of time with has a ridiculously long application process. Including an in-person home approval visit. For real! We went through all the steps and were finally approved. Sadly, the German Shepard Labrador mix (my two favorite breeds) we hoped would join our family was adopted by the time we got approved. Frustrated, then insulted by another group that apparently didn't think we were good owners. I just about gave up on owning another dog. We ended up not adopting a rescue. Instead, we found one through an in-person conversation.

Our Tank was waiting just for us! He was surprisingly the last of his litter. The breeder thought the same. Perhaps he wasn't picked because Tank was a big puppy, with sleepy eyes. Two of his siblings that were waiting to be picked up, were more rambunctious.

I've had mixed breed dogs since I was 12. Long before they were called rescues and the "adopt don't shop" movement started. Yes, I am still salty about our last dog rescue experience. 

Things work out for a reason and we ended up with the best barn and hiking companion ever!

Tank matches us!!

......................

At first I wasn't thrilled about the new grand puppy. Especially with all we currently have going on with our animals. I don't need more animals to take care of! If our daughter gets another dog, that means we also get another dog. J still stays with us part of every week, while his mom works a second job. 

It turns out, Asher is a sweetie pie. He loves to snuggle, a little too much. The pup can be a wild child and has major separation anxiety. No fault of his own. Rescues come with a history. Our daughter has a project on her hands. Asher (he came with this name) is glued to her and instantly became her dog. I told her she is his safe place now.

We are slowly introducing Asher to Tank. Jury is out if they will ever get along. For now, I am helping with Asher when needed at her house. She is fortunate and can have dogs with her during her day job.

getting introduced to arena/barn/horses
(6 secs)

From what we know, the pup was found running the streets of Louisiana. Rescued, then brought up by a local collaborative organization from Oklahoma. He lived with a foster family to learn about being an indoor dog, for about a month. Before being posted for adoption. He came potty and kennel trained, and does sit on command. Most of the time. Jumping up needs a ton of work. He is a short little guy! Recall is a work in progress. 

I've never understood why so many animals are brought up from the south. We have SO many dogs (and even more cats) that need good homes from our own State. I know, the south has many more homeless animals.

We went seed shopping at a garden store yesterday. My daughter brought Asher inside for exposure. Wow, I was so impressed with the little guys behavior. He was stellar on his gentle leader leash. Everyone asked to pet Asher, including kids. He soaked up the extra attention!

snow zoomies on 3.16.26
(not my video, 45 secs)

welcome color

Every single year I am surprised by early Spring color. I knew various bulbs were poking out of the ground everywhere. However it was Brad who spotted groups of these colorful lovelies first, from a distance.

3.23.26

These are my hands down favorite Crocus!! I've been tucking these misnamed bulbs into the ground for decades. These crocus are neither ruby, nor giant. The blooms did grow larger in clay soil at our previous home. They are the first blooms, reliable and provide welcome color. 

Ruby Giant

Welcome Spring!!

land of wonders ~ february 2026

Here we go again. Taking a look back mid-month much later the following month. I should really give up on my Land of Wonders series, but at least for now I won't.

I want my memory photos to live someplace besides my phone. Losing years of irreplaceable phone photos does this to a person. Feel free to scroll past monthly dog/horse/cat/land & sky photos. Believe me when I say I am sharing a small fraction of my keepers. 

Tanks aerial performances continue
2.1.26

2.2.26

2.3.26

time to bring horses inside
2.4.26

2.6.26

morning moon, facing southwest (6:58am)
2.9.26

same day sunset
2.9.26

two of my fav things, horses & low hanging powder puff clouds
2.10.26

playing in one of the last piles of snow
2.13.26

Koda is slooowly improving
2.13.26

celebrating all kinds of love

our woods, Tank & Leo
2.14.26

We had to cancel our annual Valentines snowmobiling trip to "our" Nicolet Forest cabin up north. Pie makes everything better.

Brad's favorite, homemade Apple Pie
2.14.26


we are a little closer to heaven on our land
2.16.26



making treasured memories with Tank/Remi/Jameson
2.16.26


they do everything together

Tank offering to share his tiny stick with Harmony
2.17.26



quiet days

Leo asking to get picked up during our dog 'er cat walk
2.19.26

frosty milkweed seed

big sticks, little sticks, slivers of sticks

Tank loves all sticks equally
2.21.26

Cooper's Hawk outside our bedroom window
2.21.26

moody sky
2.23.26

close up

Jameson & Tank
2.24.26



surprised to find Witches Butter in Winter
2.24.26

grand dog Jameson
2.27.26

February ended like it started, with Winter



2.28.26

unusual weekend, with visitors

We had visitors on Pi day. A whole herd of Holsteins! One of the two year old Holsteins got into the lower horse pasture. Our horses were not amused. Brad said Nemo turned into a dragon. I missed the earlier excitement, but knew there was trouble in paradise when I saw Harmony running frantically. 

Our son noticed heifers coming through our woods. They crossed the lower hay field and eventually rambled onto a nearby neighbor's pasture with Hylanders. You may recall when they visited us. The Hylanders, not the neighbors lol.

3.14.26

There is only one Dairy Farm near-ish. We played telephone tag with a farmer friend that knows them.

Hylander imposters
waiting for their owner to arrive

We did not let the herd out of our sight. It would be a nightmare if they backtracked and broke our fences. Loose cows AND horses, no thanks! Do you think the Hylander owner/s came out to help? Nope. Not even when the herd was in their pasture, very close to their house.

The Holsteins belong across a large farm behind our property, and down a dead end road. A fair distance from us. 

The farmer and Brad mostly redirected and drove them with four wheelers. Our son however was on foot most of the time. He did the hard running/redirecting work. I was transportation and (not much) herd reinforcement.

back home where the escapees belong

That evening we celebrated Pi (aka Pie) Day!! Brad grilled Jerk Chicken. We served it with salads and seasoned tots. I made my son's fav dessert. After all that running, he deserved it.

Turtle Pumpkin Pie

Like many of us, we woke up to the start of a Winter Storm on Sunday. I tried to attend my grandsons State gymnastics tournament. Shortly after leaving home, I turned around and headed back. Thanks to technology, I was able to watch his events via video and Face-timed during awards. 

thunder, sleet and roads were pure ice

Our horses did not get turned out on Sunday, but enjoyed stall service. No less than three times. Koda was happy to have company.

Heading to the barn for round two of chores
3.15.26

6 seconds

As you can see, our barn is well lived in!

Koda, Purr and Tank

Leo & Hope

If you are in need of a smile after unwanted cold-n-snowy Winter weather, watch this: 

a work in progress

(11 secs of Hope)

More cold, wind and snow graced us on the following days. Dog walks ceased. It was not safe in the woods and deep snow freezes their legs.

We had snow and drifts in unusual places.

inside looking out
3.16.26

Brad spotted another unusual visitor. A Mink!! Odd. We are a distance from water. The black weasel looking thing ran out of an unattached PVC pipe. It was laying next to the barn. Not far from the human barn door. Yikes! Minks are nasty. Needless to say the PVC pipe got relocated. Hopefully the mink did also.

Horses went outside later that morning for snow much fun. They were full of it. I was busy and had to settle for phone photos taken through windows. 

nemo & harmony

cierra wearing snow war paint (after a good roll)

serious conversation about who Hope belongs with

hope is a tease

don't mess with mama bear



what hope thinks about Winter

the painted trees were absolutely stunning

Good news, we are already heading back to Spring like weather!