We Moved!

We moved!  Come visit us at mapleandherfriends.com

Go Team!

     September's Bark Box is here and just in time for football season!  This month's box came with everything you need to include your dog in your next tailgating event.  September's Bark Box comes with a Pawxford University Pennant by Safemade, so pups can show off their team spirit, along with some Pom Poms by Fabdog so your pup can cheer on their favorite sports team.  If your pup gets hungry during the excitement of the festivities, they can munch on some delicious Indigo Smokehouse Strips by Pet Safe,  paired with some Sweet Potato Steak Fries by Barkworthies.  If all that wasn't enough and your pup gets a little bored during halftime, give them an Etta Says Duck Chew to keep them occupied.  As you can see, this football themed Bark Box was a bit hit in our house.  Even Monster wanted in on the action. 

Baby Maple

     In honor of #throwbackthursday I wanted to share these photos of Maple at 8 weeks old.  These were taken at the shelter just before we adopted her.  The bottom picture is Maple with her sister to the right.  I wish we knew who had adopted her sister so we could get them together to play. We couldn't imagine life without this little cuddle bug.  She is so wonderful, smart and sweet.  We couldn't have asked for a better dog.  We love you so much little Maple Syrup.  

Kin Ship Goods

     Our good friends Dan and Hillary over at Kin Ship Goods make the coziest apparel and home goods around.  Like us, they are animal lovers, and fittingly we met them at the dog park.  They have a sweet as pie beagle named Hazel who Maple just adores, a beautiful white cat named Percy who has one green and one blue eye, and a beautiful black cat named Buttercup (sometimes affectionately referred to as B-Cup).  You can catch the occasional pic of their adorable fur babies here.  Dan and Hillary are some of the hardest working and most inspiring people we know.  Maple and I are honored to call them our friends and so happy to have met them.
     Kin Ship Goods recently opened a brick and mortar shop in Charleston, WV.  You can read more about the store, as well as Dan and Hillary's story here.  Stop by their shop sometime and say hello!  You may even get to meet Hazel, who is often found lounging around the store.  Or if you don't live in the area but want to be the envy of your local dog park with an "Ask me about my dog" (or cat) tee, you can order your own and check out their other designs at www.kinshipgoods.com.

Good News!

     I am happy and relieved to report that Monster received a clean bill of health!!  The biopsy results came back and he does not have vaccine associated sarcoma.  He is healthy and healing nicely!  I am so grateful to Valley West Veterinary Hospital and to Dr. Thomas Isaac Jr and Dr. Rebecca Metz for taking such good care of Monster and for taking the time to explain everything so thoroughly.  I am so happy with the treatment and care we have received at Valley West Veterinary Hospital.

     I also really loved the Calmer Collar Monster received and although he doesn't love to wear it, he is able to rest comfortably with it on.  Here he is relaxing comfortably and catching up on some much needed cat naps.

Maple & Camphor

     Maple's friend Camphor slept over this past weekend and they had so much fun together!  Here are some adorable pictures of two friends catching up.

Our Friend Monster

     Just over a week ago, I found a small lump on Monster's shoulder blade.  I began researching animal hospitals in the area and asking around for recommendations.  I had been considering switching to a different vet for quite some time and since I had a strong suspicion that Monster was going to need to have this lump surgically removed, I got to work to find him the best I could in the area.

     I also did what every pet parent should avoid.  I googled.  I googled "lump on cat's shoulder blade" and found something called VAS, otherwise known as Vaccine Associated Sarcoma.  It's an injection site cancer caused by vaccines and can occur in very young cats.  The prognosis for VAS is very poor.  Even with radical surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, the tumor is almost always recurring and often fatal.
     As soon as our vet felt Monster's shoulder, he immediately mentioned the possibility of VAS, and although it made me really sad, I wasn't surprised.  I also wasn't surprised when he said he wanted to schedule Monster for surgery right away.  VAS is a rapid growing cancer and we are hoping that we are wrong about our suspicions.  Monster's lump is being sent to a lab for a biopsy and we are waiting for the results.  Monster is recovering well and we are hoping for positive news.