Spike
Jun 2003 - Dec 2003
Spike came into our lives on June 14, 2003. We went to Heavenor, OK to
pick him up. He made an overwhelming first impression! The minute we met, he
became my friend. Somewhere during the trip home, he also became my protector.
He immediately took me under his wing and taught me what was in his mind and
heart; what being an Anatolian was all about. Three weeks later, he begam to
limp badly and on July 21st his back left leg was x-rayed. Two days later, the
bone was biopsied. The next month we visited a homeopathic veterinarian,
changed his diet to home cooked foods, all natural dog foods, vitamins, minerals
and supplements. A second x-ray was done on September 6th. Twelve days later
the leg was amputated. He had several follow-up appointments but had a
difficult time coping with three legs, mainly because of his size and the fact
that, unbeknowest to us, the cancer had spread to his lungs. On December 13th,
he developed a fever and was put on antibiotics. On December 22nd, he succumbed
to osteosarcoma (bone cancer). In the short six months Spike was with us, he
took over the house, rearranged our schedules, made new rules and became the
center of attention. We took it all in stride. We enjoyed his serious,
no-nonsense personality and his playfulness when he was allowed on the bed and
given his own pillow. He protected us and his home as if he'd been a part of
everything from the day he was born. He uttered "words of warning" to any
stranger that got too close. He devoted himself to my care and safety. He was
the best friend I ever had the privilege of knowing.
