Osteosarcoma - Page 4

4pack, I am so sorry for you.

To elaborate, what you are doing is the right thing.  You have given this dog a wonderful life and to prolong his suffering would only be for selfish reasons.  The only thing that dog knows, is that he has a great friend who has been there for his entire life.  through the good and the bad, you have given him everything he knows.  Make the last moments of his life the best you can.  Years ago, I had a dog that could hold his bodily functions for days on end.  I woke one morning, went to turn on the kitchen light, which burnt out at the same exact moment that I stepped in something squishy.  I hopped over to the other switch and sure enough, it was poop.  I went downstairs and saw more piles of poop and a few piles of vomit.  My boy was standing by the doorwall, looking like he had done something wrong.  To this day I am proud of myself for not yelling at him.  I simply asked, " are you sick buddy?", and let him out the doorwall.  I cleaned the mess and got ready for work.  I went outside and let the other dogs out of the kennel.  It was winter and dark in the morning.  When I called for him he didn't come.  I told my wife to let him in before going to work.  I told her he probably didn't want to come in because he thought I was mad at him.  I went to work and forgot my cell phone in all the commotion in the morning.  I told a few co-workers about my poopy morning.  Around lunch, my boss came to me and told me that he didn't know how to say it, but my wife had been trying to get a hold of me for some time.  The dog wouldn't come for her either.  She went out to find my boy and he had laid down in the rasberry bushes.   That was one of the hardest things I had to do.  It is still hard for me to think about.  Like I said, I'm glad I didn't yell at him.  I don't know what I would have done if I knew we only had so much time.  But I do know I would have made it as pleasurable as possible.  As much as I loved that dog, I know I wouldn't let him suffer to keep him around for my sake.  You are doing the right thing. 

Sadly, life sucks sometimes and this is one of those times.

lvr2, that is exactly what my vet said. If I try we can still fail and if we do nothing but pain comfort, we will still have some time. I'm guessing about a month but the vet said up to 3. We know whats coming regardless. I'll just keep him close to me as long as I can. That seems to be his only real mission in life anyway.

When we go out wit the dogs the others follow my daughter or entertain themselves in some way. Trick is always within 20 feet of me at any given time. Whether I am laying out tanning while everyone else is playing in the water or walking a mountain trail. He's never been a real wanderer. He goes off here and there sniffing and chasing squirrels but he comes right back. His "sister" the other rescue, will take off for as long as she sees fit.

The hardest part is thinking back at all we have been through together. The other dogs that have come and gone, boyfriends and watching my daughter grow up with him. I haven't been camping in years, something I used to love ad do every summer. The last time I went, he was there. The ocean, river, pond, car trips, hiking, jogging, sneaking him in on nights I am home alone and need some comfort. Through 3 boyfriends an x husband, different jobs, cars and even a different home. He was my constant. If I ever felt lonesome I could just walk with him or load him up and take a drive and get lost.

I only had Xabina for 14 months before we put her down this June, due to renal failure. I still feel a slight gap there some days. I can't imagine the gaping hole he will leave. I fear the first day I take that morning potty walk, with one less dog.

Thanks Don. Part of me wants to do more for him but I know deep down, this is the best thing for us.

I think the two hardest things for me were coming home without a greeting and not having him drooling at my side while I ate.

4pack, I just wanted to come in again and say how sorry I am about your dog.

Barb

I am so sorry to hear of your boy's illness. I am sure you will do what's best for your dog. You know him, you know what's right. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your boy. Enjoy every minute you have with him. God bless you both. jackie osborne

My vet called me back when I asked for a quote for the amputation. $1100-$1400 and an expected 3-6 months extended life expectancy. I think by the time he recovered from the surgery, the cancer would start eating him up elsewhere. This sounds very not worth it to me. Unfair to him also.

Today he seems very happy. I try yo keep him in my room or out back for breaks while all my daycare kids are here, but he keeps trying to sneak out and say hi to everybody.

Also I was thinking about this last night...Since dogs can smell or sense the cancer in people, do you think they know what is happening to them when they have it? I ask because my dog acts a bit different, he is more cuddly and giving kisses to everyone, vet, groomers and friends stopping by. He's always been friendly but he is really insistent now.