That gnarly dark purple mass on Scooby’s stomach was the primary focus of our attention yesterday. And it needed to come off ASAP because it had doubled in size in just a short time. Thankfully it came off as cleanly as we could have hoped. Now we’ll wait for results to learn more about what it was and what it means.

But I ask you to please not speculate or critique or judge that tumor. And most of all please don’t post those comments here. Because this is neither the time nor the place for that.

Yes, you may have seen a tumor like that before. Or you may know someone that has. But for now we’re continuing to focus good energy for The Scoobs and not get mired down in the speculation of maybes and what ifs.

You and I both know that putting any of our animals through surgery is always stressful. Because the truth is, it’s scary. For Scooby, even a bit more so due to his age and a heart murmur.

But I fully intend on Scooby living forever. And that’s why he spent the day that he spent yesterday. Despite the fear and the risks.

Thankfully his veterinarian knows how I feel and invited me to join her in the surgery suite for the full procedure. That way I’m also close by to quickly discuss anything else that comes up. For example, because he was already sedated we elected to do a few more things too, including some dental work.

And the best news is that Scooby should be good to go for another 100,000 miles!

We’ll know more when the results come back and we’ll plan our next move then. And I’ll keep you posted. Because I know that Scooby is your dog too. And that you join me in only wanting the very best for him. And I thank you for that. He does too.

Because it’s good to be loved by people like you. It really is!

I’m pleased to report that Scooby slept well and woke up happy and smiling and was the same Scooby he always is. Happy to greet the morning and happy to greet the day.

As he does every morning he went outside and stood completely still and smelled the air. And then he turned his body in a circle, like a radar, sniffing this way and that, making sure to capture every message passing in the breeze.

Because who needs the New York Times or cable news when you’ve got Scooby’s nose?

Back inside he enjoyed his typical multi-course breakfast. Today it included a scrambled egg on soft toast. And he licked his bowl sparkling clean,

And then he did exactly the sort of unpredictable thing that Scooby does.

After I put his bowl in the dishwasher I turned away for just a moment but left the dishwasher open. And there he went, up on his hind-legs and climbing forward like at ATV right into the dishwasher to get in a few more licks.

Yes. The dog that was in surgery less than 24 hours earlier was now powering his way inside the dishwasher. Just because he could. Just because he’s Scooby.

When I turned back around and saw him I said “SCOOBY” and he froze. He does that when I catch him doing something he’s not supposed to be doing. And in those moments I know that he thinks he makes himself invisible. Just like we all did as kids when we got caught doing something.

And at moments like that one of my greatest joys is letting Scooby win. But having 50 pound Scooby inside my dishwasher is not good for either him or the dishwasher.

So I picked him up and put him back on the floor. And I got his bowl out and let him have a few more licks so he could be sure it was truly empty.

As he dejectedly walked away after licking it again I called his name and got him to turn around. And he saw his bowl on the ground, right where he left it.

But when he looked again he saw that a secret friend had put some more scrambled egg and goat yogurt inside. And it was ready for another round of licking.

Which he happily did.

This sweet boy is now taking his post breakfast siesta and we’ll be out for a short walk in a bit. Not too much because we don’t want to pop those stictches. But just enough to let him greet the birds and the bees and the trees and tell them about his Scooby Tuesday adventure.

Because I know they love Scooby too. How could they not?

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live. Scooby On! thepongofund.org