Hope takes a break from her toy.

Hope is improving.

Last week’s change of chemotherapy has reduced the masses in Hope’s anal area to “nearly normal,” the oncology vet said. Her tonsil and throat look normal also.

However, Hope’s white cell count is dangerously low—the lowest it ever has been. The risk of infection is great. Just like a human, a dog’s body has germs on the outside. If we have a normal white cell count and encounter one of our own germs, we can fight it off. In Hope’ case, she might not be able to fight it off.

So we look for signs of infection. We watch to see if she is lethargic. If she doesn’t want to eat that could indicate a problem. If we see a problem, we must get her to the emergency vet immediately.

Hope, though, is energetic and eating. She will go back to her oncologist next week for another exam and blood test.

Windy and Jake continue to care for their sister. Windy likes to snuggle, especially at bedtime, and Jake still gives her a good slurping massage down her back each night.

Jake and Windy enjoy the afternoon sun.