[AmyB]

I posted a little over a week ago that the vet found a mass on Sadie's spleen while doing an ultrasound to try to diagnose her liver problems. As it turns out, the liver problems are not so bad, but the mass on her spleen is cancer. This type of cancer is extrmemly aggressive, & not curable. Surgery & chemo are options, but the vet admitted it would only buy a couple months at most. Considering that & her age, I have chosen not to treat the cancer. In just the last few days, I have noticed a big change in her behavior - eating very little, very lethargic & the spark in her is gone. I am just heartbroken. Sadie is the first dog that was mine. I ask for your good thoughts as we go through this difficult time. Also, any advice on making her last days as comfortable as possible from any who have gone through similar things would be appreciated.
Thanks, Amy

 

[ByronLuv]

My heart goes out to you. It is never easy. My family and I lost our beloved sheltie a year ago. It happened very quickly. I think your presence and love at this time would be a great comfort for her. Our prayers are with you and Sadie. Hope her trip to the rainbow bridge is a peaceful one.

 

[Flash Ellwood5]

Where to begin? First off, my condolences to you, your family, and of course Sadie. We are from Dayton so we aren't too far away from you! I wish I knew how to "attempt" to comfort you in this time. There comes a time when we all have to leave this planet. We may never know why or how this circumstance came about, but I feel it is for the better. Not even 6 years ago, we (my Mother and I) had a golden retreiver who was diagnosed with lymphoma. Abby was 7 years old and we had no clue what to do or where to begin! My Mother treated her cancer with chemo and needless to say, over time nothing got better. A few things I recommend for food are "Frosty Paws" which are made by Purina, and "Infant" baby food. These things should be realatively smooth on her stomach and shouldn't be as hard to digest. Give her all the love that you can and make every moment as precious as possible. If there is anything we can do until her time to cross the bridge, please let us know! Much love and you are in our thoughts and prayers!

Love,

Karri, Jimi & Flash

 

[biscuit]

Oh, I am so, so sorry. I remember reading your post in the Health forum and hoping it was just a little indigestion.

Enjoy every moment with her in the days to come. Sleep on the floor with her if you have to.

I wish there were something I could do. I'm so sorry to hear this.

Edited to add: I second the baby food. And, if you have a crockpot, make chicken or meat broth for her. Sometimes when they're really sick, all they can (or will) eat are liquid type things, like broths. When Lady was sick earlier this month, all she would eat were Gerbers Chicken, homemade broths and some packaged food by Iams --- small pouches of individual servings which have lots of gravy type stuff in them. Very easy for a sick dog to eat.

 

[Sandy and Bo]

I'm so, so sorry

Please use this board to help you cope during this time. When I lost Duke, everyone was so wonderful, it helps to have people who understand.

I hope this doesn't sound bad, but I'm glad you chose not to put her thru any treatment that would make her uncomfortable. All she needs now is lots of TLC from you. NOTHING would make her happier.

Please keep us posted. And give Sadie a gentle kiss on her wet nose from me. Thinking of you.

Sandy, Bo and Moose

 

[dogcrazy]

I am soooo sorry how very hard, having gone through something like this about a year ago when our lab lost his battle with diabeties. All i can say is just spend as much time together as possible, , maybe have a really nice picture taken of her before she gets worse. give her what ever she wants and spoil spoil spoil her. I gave amakita a big knuckle bone the night before we put him down, because of his allergies he wasn't allowed to have before, and didn't give him his shot the day of becasue what was the point of putting him through that, and at the vet (his 2nd favorite place) they showered him with lots of treats once again he wasn't allowed to have so his memory of his last moments was oh boy am i a happy boy. I know sadie is looseing her appitite so i know things are differnent but all she really wants is you. she has had a great life with you and you just have to remember that.
our thoughts are with you , I am soo sorry, that you have to go through this.

 

[bcc11]

Amy,

I'm so sorry to hear this diagnosis! It is heartbreaking when our special buddies are sick.

I lost a dog to cancer a few years ago and one of things I remember was that getting Domino to eat became increasingly difficult. You may need to switch foods every couple of days to get some nutrition into her and I'm not referring to dog food. I tried cottage cheese, boiled hamburger, frosty paws, cheese...You name it, we tried it. I also had better luck with feeding her out of my hand then allowing her to free feed.

The only other thing I can really say is try to enjoy your time with her. Take lots of pictures, take her outside...whatever she enjoys. Domino got too tired to go for walks so we started to take her in a wagon around the neighborhood. She still got to enjoy the sights and smells without all the difficulty.

My heart goes out to you. Colleen

 

[Emma and Doris]

So sad to hear these news,
we're praying and slinging drool.
You and Sadie may still have many
good days in front of you, take one
day at the time and spoil her rotten!

 

[opus]

I'm so sorry to hear this terrible news, Amy. All you can do is be good to her, as you have always been. Let her eat whatever she wants, rub her belly, cry, be kind to yourself. And know that we are all here for you.
Arlene and Opus

 

[AmyB]

Thanks for the kind words and suggestions. I am going to get some baby food and frosty paws on my way home from work today. So far, the only thing I have been able to get her to eat is scrambled eggs. Luckily, I am going to have plenty of time to be with her. I am a teacher, & tomorrow is my last day. I canceled the summer classes I was scheduled to take. They can wait. A couple more questions... When I talked to the vet yesterday, he advised me that when my instincts told me it was time to let her go, to do it, as letting this cancer take her would not be an easy way to go. From what I hear, most people say they "just know" when that time is here, but I'm a bit worried about that. Also, I cannot forget Spencer in all this. I had Sadie first, so he has never been without her. When I had to leave her at the vet's office for the day last week for her biopsy, he was very distraught. I took hime to the park and tried to play with him, but he cried & kept looking for her. Any ideas on making this easier for him? Thanks again, everyone. This forum helps alot.

 

[ra5146]

so sorry to hear your news our thoughts are with you.
many years ago we lost our chow/old english sheepdog with cancer of the nose which was not treatable we had him helped on his way when his temperment changed he seemed to tell us enough was enough.
best wishes

 

[Sabian's mom]

I am so sorry to hear this news. My heart goes out to you and your family. I am not sure where I heard this, it might have been this site, but it is now one of my favorite sayings:

Dogs doen't know how long they live or that it is too soon for them to go.... they only know they were loved.

I hope these words bring you some comfort.

 

[Terry]

I'm so sorry to hear your sad news. Just love her as much as you can, pamper her, make her as comfortable as you can, and enjoy the time left with her.

I dread the day I'll have to go through this but all of us who have well-loved companions will,eventually. I saw my friend lose two Bassets to cancer and a third Basset to complications and conditions of old age, and I can say that it is true that you'll know when the time is right to ease her passing. There comes a point when, to keep them around any longer is not in thier best interests but is our own need for them to stay. You know her best... and you'll make the right decision at the right time for you both.

So sorry and with sympathy, Terry

 

[JenniferT]

I am so sorry to hear about this. My thoughts are with you.
Jennifer

 

[shallhb]

I"m very sorry. Many of us here know what you are going through, and are keeping you in our thoughts. I agree with the suggestions about baby food. You might also try cottage cheese and rice, though baby food will usually trump that.

Take care of yourself and both your doggies. My best wishes for good days ahead for her.

I don't know if there's much you can do for Spencer right now, except try to treat him as you usually do, so his routine is as much the same as possible (not easy to do, I know).
Sharon Hall

 

[CPZ'smom]

I am so sorry to hear about Sadie. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. I agree with what everyone else has said, just love her as much as you can (which obviously you are doing) and you will know when the time is right. It's weird, but have faith and you will know.
Annie

 

[Twinkie's Mum]

Sorry to hear about your sweet Sadie. I echo everyone else's sentiments and would give you the website below to help you evaluate what needs to be done and when. If I were to be faced with the decision you are faced with, I think it would be helpful to me.

http://rainbowsbridge.com/Grief_Support_Ce..._pet_down_2.htm

(Note there's a page 1, too.)

Its hard to approach the ultimate decision with common sense and not emotion. The last paragraph here really made sense for me.

God bless you and Sadie on your journey.

Janet 'n Twinkie

 

[Jake's mum]

We're very sorry to learn this sad news. Agree with what the other posters have said about being there for Sadie and spoiling her rotten...and lots of belly rubs and cuddles for Spencer too, of course. It's a blessing that hounds don't know what cancer is and they have no idea of what's ahead. Sadie will know something's wrong from how upset you are. Hope you can find some strength to keep laughter and fun in all your lives, for her sake. Jake says woof and we're thinking about you at this difficult time.

 

[Basset Momma]

I'm so very sorry. I know how sick at heart you must be feeling. It is so hard when they must journey on ahead of us. Sending you many prayers- Wendy

 

[Wilsonsmom]

I have nothing to add to what others have said. Amy I am so very sorry for you and your family at this time. Take good care and strength for you through this journey.

Hugs and Tears and Healing Drool from Susan and Wilson