To dog lovers.....

Sachi · June 2007

My 9 year old corgi has cancer. Its in her small intestine. Last week she had surgery and had it removed. The pathology just came back and there were clean margins and no evidence of spread (they tested a lymph node) but her prognosis is "grave" because of the type of cancer it is. Chemo hasn't been shown to be helpful and I don't think I'd put her through that anyways. So now I'm trying to get my head around the idea that she is going to die. I know she's a dog - and we are all dealing with more important issues here - but she's always been here for me....through my older kids going off to school, through my cancer and treatments,...she doesn't judge or correct or say that everything will be alright. She just looks up at me with those big brown eyes and thinks I'm wonderful.

This stinks!!!

Thanks for listening.
Barb

LuAnnH · June 2007

So sorry to hear that Barb. My two babies decided to get out one day and romp the neighborhood until late evening. I was devastated locking up that night without my babies home. We searched high and low and couldn't find the two. It was amazing, we left the gate open and they showed up about 9 or 10 pm. I was so relieved!!!! Sending you warm thoughts!

LuAnn

tflowers · June 2007

Barb, you don't have to explain about our 4 legged babies.
I'm so sorry about yours. She's only 9 and I hope you get a lot more time with her. xoxo

livesstrong · June 2007

Barb,

I am so sorry to hear about your corgi. I had to put one of my dogs down recently after a long battle wth anal sac cancer. He & I went thru it together. Chemo wasn't an option for him either and without any med's just aspirin and stool softeners he lived a year without pain. The day we let him go I know he was ready but just the day before he was fine. I hope it works that way for you.

Your right - they do "touch" us in an unbelievable way.

Just give him lots of love, hugs & kisses!!

Valerie

Raye99 · June 2007

Barb,

I am so very sorry to hear about your corgi. I know what you are going through and will be thinking of you and your sweet dog and keeping her in my prayers. It is so difficult when a pet is ill, she/he can't tell you how they are feeling.

Two of my friends' dogs were recently diagnosed with cancer as well - one with lymphoma and the other with bone cancer. What the heck?

Raye

jasmine · June 2007

Barb, I'm so sorry to hear this. Pets are family!

djd · June 2007

Barb,

I feel for you. We lost our Bichon in February and Sybil (my avatar) died Memorial Day weekend. The hole in my heart and the void in our home is huge.

Enjoy your remaining time with your baby and keep her as comfortable as possible.

{{hugs}}

sam408 · June 2007

Barb,
I'm sorry to hear about your little buddy. My 2 big ole labs have been a lot of quiet support for me over some rough times.
I pray she doesn't suffer and that you get to spend many more days together.

Hugs,
Sheila

Sachi · June 2007

Thanks, everyone. Your messages mean so much to me. I'm sitting here crying..... but it's nice to know that you all don't think I'm crazy.

Barb

karen1956 · June 2007

Barb - I am so sorry to hear abut your dog. They are our family members and I know we hurt when they hurt.

iodine · June 2007

Barb, so very sorry to hear about your baby. It just breaks my heart, I do so know how much a part of family our furbabies are to us.
Just keep hugging and petting.
Hugs.

Jaybird627 · June 2007

Quote:

My 9 year old corgi has cancer. Its in her small intestine. Last week she had surgery and had it removed. The pathology just came back and there were clean margins and no evidence of spread (they tested a lymph node) but her prognosis is "grave" because of the type of cancer it is. Chemo hasn't been shown to be helpful and I don't think I'd put her through that anyways. So now I'm trying to get my head around the idea that she is going to die. I know she's a dog - and we are all dealing with more important issues here - but she's always been here for me....through my older kids going off to school, through my cancer and treatments,...she doesn't judge or correct or say that everything will be alright. She just looks up at me with those big brown eyes and thinks I'm wonderful.

This stinks!!!

Thanks for listening.
Barb

(((Barb)))

Well, 2 years ago (January '05) my cocker spaniel was dx w/mammary gland cancer (basicaly BC) and was absolutely devastated! She had surgery to remove 2 (or 3?) of her nipples and surrounding breast tissue, and she also had a hysterectomy (she'd not been 'fixed' previous to this).

I immediately changed her diet (despite her already being on an excellent brand of dog food) and cried and cried and cried some more as she was my baby (at 12 years old) and I just knew I was going to lose her and then at her next check-up she was deemed 'cured' and then at her next check-up she was deemed still cured. It's now been almost 2 1/2 years since her dx and she is still here and as spry as ever. Her oncologist didn't initially give me much hope but even he was surprised at how well she recovered.

My point being, there IS hope despite what the doctors say! Good luck you both of you.....

p.s. I considered chemo (this was 2 months before my BC dx) but decided I couldn't do that to her.

Jaybird

JoanofArdmore · June 2007

Dear {{{Barb}}}.
I'm soo sorry.I have been there.It's a horrible place to be.
My dog Rupert, the light of my life, died of liver cancer.Right before I was dx.
He DID live with the tumor, and with very good QOL, for 3 years!The tumor, being on his liver, was inoperable.

I couldnt take it in(denial) and so never treated him as if he was sick.He enjoyed his food, and his walk right up to the end.

My dog before him had Lymphoma.She was about your Corgi's age when she got it.Young, too young for a smaller dog.(Rupert was a Lab/Golden, who left at 14-old for a big dog.)

I,like Janis, am hoping to give you hope.It's not always the way the vet tells it(mine was amazed).

But I think you know--when they do go--it's crying time, and for SO long.

Hugs, and hopes for a long time with your adorable one.We are here for you.j

saluki · June 2007

Quote:
Quote:

My 9 year old corgi has cancer. Its in her small intestine. Last week she had surgery and had it removed. The pathology just came back and there were clean margins and no evidence of spread (they tested a lymph node) but her prognosis is "grave" because of the type of cancer it is. Chemo hasn't been shown to be helpful and I don't think I'd put her through that anyways. So now I'm trying to get my head around the idea that she is going to die. I know she's a dog - and we are all dealing with more important issues here - but she's always been here for me....through my older kids going off to school, through my cancer and treatments,...she doesn't judge or correct or say that everything will be alright. She just looks up at me with those big brown eyes and thinks I'm wonderful.

This stinks!!!

Thanks for listening.
Barb

(((Barb)))

Well, 2 years ago (January '05) my cocker spaniel was dx w/mammary gland cancer (basicaly BC) and was absolutely devastated! She had surgery to remove 2 (or 3?) of her nipples and surrounding breast tissue, and she also had a hysterectomy (she'd not been 'fixed' previous to this).

I immediately changed her diet (despite her already being on an excellent brand of dog food) and cried and cried and cried some more as she was my baby (at 12 years old) and I just knew I was going to lose her and then at her next check-up she was deemed 'cured' and then at her next check-up she was deemed still cured. It's now been almost 2 1/2 years since her dx and she is still here and as spry as ever. Her oncologist didn't initially give me much hope but even he was surprised at how well she recovered.

My point being, there IS hope despite what the doctors say! Good luck you both of you.....

p.s. I considered chemo (this was 2 months before my BC dx) but decided I couldn't do that to her.

Jaybird

Oh Barb, I was so afraid that was the prognosis you were going to receive for your little one.

but I do have to tell you I agree 100% with what Jaybird says.

I helplessly watched my beloved Royal Standard Poodle
languish many years ago, maybe too long; more for me than for him till he could no longer eat or move.

I wound up sitting with him in my arms while they euthanized him-holding back the tears so I wouldn't scare him. And then going to pieces.

I think I've learned a bit over the years.
Little did I know that that those very meds they were giving
him butazalidine alka and prednisolone gave him in essence a hiatal hernia. In the end those very meds that helped his arthritic hips move made him unable to eat.

Well after this latest series of debacles of unrecognized toxic symptoms and Sidney being so ill and Jessie ill as well we switched to a Holistic VET. Not that its the be all
and answer to all but now when they get a med its appropriate for their body and titers are drawn and the minimum effective dose of vaccine is given if needed---
Holistic food as well---no soy,wheat or corn.
Mind you millet, oatmeal, even Quinoa and sweet potatoes-(not sure about barley) are allowed.

Its made a big difference. Sidneys even had acupuncture and loves it. Got him up on his feet.

These Vets have proved to be all to fallible mortals lately
with help fom our petfood industry as well as the veterinary
pharmaceutical industry (the same as ours by the way)

Point is his best prognosis is a guess and not written in stone.

I'm hoping that with TLC and clear margins your little one will live his natural lifespan which for little Corgies is a nice one. Give Hope a chance.

If I'm wrong you'll be the first to know when he lacks that
Joie de vivre, but until that moment enjoy every moment with him as he will will you.

All my love,
Susie

junie · June 2007

[[[[h u g g s s s]]]] Barb...cancer just sucks the big one--2 legged or 4 legged or no legged! We had the most wonderful little whippet. He had cancer in his jawbone. We did one big $$$$ surgery that wasn't effective. It came back, relentlessly. Just at the time I was dx with bc. I had my chemo schedule set up and we were on our way to meet with rads onc--and vet called...only thing was to surgically remove lower jaw and tube feed. We pulled over to side of road and talked about it--what kind of life would that be for our dear dog--he was 14 yrs old and had lived a pretty dang good life for a dog...we told the vet to please put him to sleep. Went on to rads office, and I was cryiing and then had them in tears, too.......it was an awful time!!!!

You will know what you need to do!

Sachi · June 2007

I can't thank you all enough. I was hesitant about posting about Murphy. I was afraid that it would seem superficial compared to what so many here are going through. Thank you all for assuring me that I'm not crazy....that other people love their pets as much as I love Murphy. And thank you for reminding me to HAVE HOPE!! Statistics are wrong! Doctors are wrong! Murphy is happy and healthy looking now... maybe she'll stay this way for a very long time.

I remember why I came to this board so much when I started my cancer journey. Its amazing to feel all the hugs and acceptance from all of you.

Barb

ADK · June 2007

{{Barb}}

I am so glad you decided to embrace hope. Of course when a family member (2 or 4 legged) is given a dx like your Murphy got, it's devastating for the whole family. Keep loving and hugging your pup and she will know when it is time to go and not before. She will tell you. Hopefully, it will be far down the road.

ADK · June 2007

{{Donna}},

I completely missed that you lost Sybil - I was following her recovery from her accident. I am so sorry to hear this. Please accept my condolences. This has not been a good year for you.

glaveg · June 2007

Oh, Barb...don't feel hesitant about writing of your love for Murphy. My lab, Sadie, is 15 years old and deaf, but she is having a wonderful time - still dances around when it's time to eat. Our 8 year old Mattie (golden retriever and border collie mix) is her service dog and is never far from her side.

They were a big part of my healing during dhemo and I love them dearly. I work at a Catholic hospital with a beautiful chapel and I am going there right now to say a prayer for you and Murphy. Dugs Rule!

ripplesdf · June 2007

Barb, never apologize for loving your sweet baby. They are so much a part of our lives. I don't know what I'd do without my 8 yr old shelter hound Ripples and her new sidekick-a yellow tabby-Peanut. I had a black cat for 20 yrs and had to have her put down 2 yrs ago. Bear was such a sweetie. She was there while my kids were growing up. We got a beautiful black tortie colored cat at a shelter that November and on Father's Day of last year she disappeared. I forgot to let her in that night and I will never forgive myself. I woke up at 3AM and realized when I heard cats fighting outside. When I ran downstairs and opened the door and called Layla's name there was silence. We think coyotes may have gotten her. I was devastated and still am. I cried for weeks. I'd cry myself to sleep not knowing what she went thru. DH even cried. He and DD's brought me home this little Peanut we have now in December. She's not Layla, but I'd be lost without her too.
My heart goes out to you and your sweet Corgi. Loving thoughts and prayers for both of you.
Keepin' the faith...Dawn

ravdeb · June 2007

Sorry to hear your news. How sad! My brother's dog had surgery several years ago for cancer. I'm not sure of the whole story but not too long after that, his dog died from it. He was totally heartbroken. His dog was his buddy all the years he was single and living alone. His dog died just after he got married.

I had a fright this morning. My dog is 17 years old. She tends to sleep in late these days but this morning I couldn't wake her! She was breathing but just wouldn't wake up. I left her door open and eventually she came out. I got so scared. Was sure she was dying. But nope. She got up, stretched and went to drink and eat. She is fine.

But it scared me!

I'm so sorry you are going through this. Our dogs and kitties are our family!

glaveg · June 2007

Oh, Gosh! I had the exact same experience with my lab the other night. Then she sashayed into the living room to watch some tube. She was very well rested!

scarednancy · June 2007

I know exactly how you feel. I lost my first American Eskimo to cancer when she was 7. I adopted a new member 2 months after losing my Flurry. I love my new dog Kody very much but still have great memories of Flurry. Cancer just stinks in all forms. Good luck with Murphy.

Isabella4 · June 2007

Barb...so sorry to hear your news.
It is just heartbreaking, we love our dogs so much, mine mean the world to me.
I hope you will have lots of time left with your little one.
Thinking of you.
Isabella.

jah4377 · June 2007

You and Murphy will be in my prayers.

Dogs are pack animals and I am privleged to be part of a pack!

Sachi · June 2007

Thank you , everyone. I just want you to know that I really appreciate your support! Murphy seems to be fine at the moment. Her biggest upset is that I still can't throw the tennis ball for her because she had the internal stitches. The vet says no ball for another week!

She looks good and is feeling good - maybe they're wrong!!

Barb

NaughtybyNature · September 2008

Hi Barb: I did not read anything prior to page 53 of all Moving Beyond Posts (doing a trip to the past)... so if anything happened to your dog passed this post of yours, I am so sorry.

Meanwhile, hoping that all is well, how's your dog doing?

To dog lovers.....

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