As we announced earlier this week, today is the day that both Mel and Lulu are having surgery to remove mast cell tumors; Mel from his tail, and Lulu from the side of her abdomen. We're worried sick, to say the least. 

True to their personalities, as we prepared to leave, Lulu had a big goofy grin on her face. Mel, on the other hand, in a Mission Impossible move, tried everything in his arsenal of tricks to escape his pet carrier. 

We dropped them off before eight this morning as instructed. 

We also had a chance to talk to our vet who will be performing the surgeries, ran through a list of additional questions we had, and yes, I might have melted down into an incoherent blob of snot and tears. And much to Alex's embarrassment, when I head down this road, he's not usually far behind.

So now we wait. We expect to receive a call mid afternoon with an update on how the surgeries went, and we'll be able to take them home early evening. The real wait will then begin, as it will take roughly a week until the pathology reports come back, and we know just how serious and advanced the tumors are. 

We want to extend a huge heartfelt thank you for all of the advice, kind words, prayers, positive affirmations, and well wishes we received earlier this week. We can't tell you all just how much it means to us to know you're thinking about us. We're so grateful for all of the wonderful people we have in our lives, who understand just how much these two little characters mean to us, and what an integral role they play in our family. 

Thank you too to our friends, for the emails, messages, phone calls, and thoughtful gestures. We don't know what we would do without you. 

We'll be sure to post plenty of photos and updates on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram over the weekend for anyone interested in how the patients are doing. 

Any bets on just how pissed Mel will be when he realizes he missing part of his handsome raccoon tail? Only time will tell.