The moment that I saw the beautiful ruby ETS on the website I just knew that she was the little girl for me.  In August 2005 I was fortunate enough to be selected to adopt Tulip, sometimes known as Miss T. by a few of her special admirers.  The day after she came to live with me, I took her to my wonderful veterinarian, Dr. Mark Foy who, along with Dr. Gilbert Jacobs, had cared for the 2 cavalier girls that I had lost exactly one year apart. 

Dr. Foy was thrilled to see one of my dogs without MVD.  As he examined Tulip from head to toe, we both noticed a small lump on her left ankle.  He took a specimen and then told me to go home and read about mast cell because he had scheduled Tulip for surgery the next day.  I couldn't believe it; my beautiful little girl who was just beginning to experience life outside of the puppy mill now was faced with this serious medical problem.  She was ultimately diagnosed with grade III mast cell disease.  There was no way Tulip and I were going to give up at this point, even though the long term prognosis for grade III was poor.  After further discussion with Dr. Foy, he referred us to Dr. Tristan Weinkle, who is an internist at South Carolina Veterinary Internal Medicine group.

The staff at SCVIM fell in love with Tulip as had just about everyone who comes into contact with her.  It was at this point that Tulip began chemotherapy and was placed on CCNU.   She was treated every 3 week for the next 6 months.  She also began weekly white cell counts after her first treatment.  Tulip, please excuse the expression, "flowered' during her chemotherapy treatments; she did not experience any problems with the drug during the first 4 treatments.  When she presented for the 5th treatment, she was switched to Vinblastine due to inceased liver enzymes which was one of the potential side effects with CCNU.  Tulip received her last treatment on January 19, 2006.  Dr. Weinkle said that if Tulip remained cancer free for 2 years she could be considered cured.  He routinely sees her every 6 months. . .and she has had no recurrence of a tumor in 3 years.

In October 2006, Tulip began to have increased liver enzymes and was started on Denosyl (she is now taking denamarin).  Dr. Weinkle had done a liver biopsy and conferred with a collegue at Cornell University to attempt to clarify the liver issue.  Currently, Tulip's liver values are fine.  In 2007, an ultrasound showed mild kidney changes which are indicative of early chronic kidney disease and she was started on benazepril to help slow progression of the disease.  The good news is that Tulip remains heart clear as she approaches her 11th birthday on March 2.  She does have moderate cataracts but does not appear to have difficulty with her sight.  Tulip visits Dr. Maria Glinski, a rehabilitation veterinarian monthly and enjoys the adulation that she receives, along with some mighty fine treats after her session. 

Now, on to Tulip's transformation from being frightened by a lot of new sounds and objects to an extremely well adjusted and confident little girl.   Initially, Tulip would freeze in her tracks when a car or other vehicle drove by.  She has always been interested in, and I suspect that in her early years she may have been or dreamed of being a hunter.  Squirrels, birds, and cats really caught her attention.  If she saw any of the above, she would freeze in her tracks, little tail wagging so hard that if she were a helicopter, she would go straight up into the air.  And that voice. . .to realize that it was coming out of this little red-haired girl!

Tulip was very much a comfort to me when I lost my 2 cavalier boys, one in January 2006 and the other, in December 2006.  She truly mourned each one.  When Tulip joined my little family in 2005, it was like she had always been there.  She accepted the boys and they accepted her.  Tulip is a wonderful traveler and has had no problem staying in a hotel.  Tulip, unlike some ETS, has no problem walking on a lead. . .that is until something catches her eye.  She loves to explore the out of doors; however, during the "cold spell" this month, she is quick to go out and do her business and scurries right back inside.  Ms. T. is a very sound sleeper and has to be gotten up for her morning walk (she prefers to sleep in while I take the Cavaliers out first). 

I could go on and on about Tulip and her wonderful, engaging personality.  I'll just end by saying how grateful that I am for my beautiful little red-haired girl.