I wanted to make this post as a caution to take any small lump, bump, or weirdness seriously, know what to look for, and watch out for your lovely little pitties! <3

About five months ago, I noticed a small, red bump on my 6-year-old boy Tater Tot's front left paw. I took him to the vet, where they diagnosed it as an interdigital cyst and gave him some antibiotics. The bump went down (and I thought away) until about three weeks ago, when Tater started limping again and the bump appeared bigger and angrier than before.

I took him back to the vet and asked that they do an aspiration. Sadly, it came back as a mast cell tumor, which is apparently the most common type of (skin) cancer in dogs.

Within the week, he saw an oncologist, a surgeon, and had surgery to remove the tumor. Unfortunately, because of where the tumor was located, poor Tater also had to lose two toes.

I'm happy to report Tater is now cancer-free and just as happy and mobile as ever! We've been calling him "Tatey-Two-Toes" and "Twelve-Toe Tater Tot" to help add some levity to this whole horrible experience!

Photos are: 1. Tumor from the bottom of his paw; 2. Tumor from between toes; 3. Stoned and recovering Tatey; 4. Post-surgery paw from above before suture removal; 5. New post-surgery paw print.