Ignorance is Bliss? (random thoughts, kind of)

Ok, so we are working our way back into the school routine - homework and earlier bedtimes and earlier wake-times, etc. But this post isn't about that, really (that will be in a different post). Mary has decided she wants to potty-train. Lucky for her, we are in a couple week mode of not needing to do much else, so we are working on it. I am trying to start getting things scheduled for the moms' group at church and work on Christmas presents (gasp!) and the never-ending cleanout of the house and basement ever looms. It seems between all these things, we aren't leaving the house much, except to walk or play, which is good for the bank account :). But I digress (part of that ignorance is bliss thing, I think, I don't even want to type about it)... Samson had surgery in July to remove a growth, basically a very big tag mole that was in danger of getting hooked on something and really hurting him (plus it looked disgusting!). He came through wonderfully. He even adjusted to the silly cone in fine style. He has had a couple other lumps that were checked out and are just cysts, nothing bad. He is 9 years old and a big dog, so I worry a little about him. He is so good with the kids (minus the eating of their food) and so intuitive. He is right at my feet if he feels I'm having a rough day, usually laying on.my.feet. So today, I was petting his back, and I felt yet another lump. I'm used to the two on his sides. This one is right on his spine. The others move easily, a tell-tale sign that they are benign cysts. This one does not move easily. Now, Goliath goes to the groomer (next door to the vet) next Friday. Goliath has an appointment for his yearly shots September 9th. Samson isn't due for his shots until May. Part of me does not want to call and make yet another appointment. It's probably nothing. It's probably just my imagination. Part of me is thinking (a little) about the cost of chemo for a dog. But he's OUR dog. I know he's "just" a dog, but he has been there through so much. Two boughts of bedrest, and he was right there on the couch with me. Bringing home each of the kids, he was so gentle. I don't know what they would do if he didn't rotate beds all night (moving on when one kicks too hard). He sits on the passenger seat for drop off and pick up and just sits there like a person. Goliath curls up around him, ever so cutely. He even got out yesterday, and he didn't bark like a maniac at our next-door neighbor who was in his backyard. He went up to the new little puppy in the yard behind, sniffed at him through the fence and then very obediently ran back home when I called him. It was such a proud moment :). Anyway, I guess the fact that I'm typing all of this suggests that in this case ignorance isn't so blissful because I've been thinking about this lump all afternoon. I supposed trusting in God's plan (does that apply to animals too?) is a much better attitude to take. I guess that leads to a call to the vet in the morning, or even this evening to make the appointment and find out the next step...

P.S. Just to add - it is a fatty deposit (although atypical in presentation), and Sammy is fine! YAY!