My dog has cancer... - Boating & Fishing Information and Reports Forum

Prodigal Son · #1 (**permalink**) 12-18-2008, 11:14 PM

I just got home from school and apparently my parents and sister have known that my dog I've had for 11 yrs has cancer but no one wanted to tell me cause they were afraid I'd blow off my exams (and they were right...)

I pulled up and she wouldn't come out to say "hey" like she usually does when I come home so before I called her any more my dad just blurted out "she's dying of cancer" and then started crying...hell of way to find out.

Not going to be a good Christmas this year...

Capt. Fred · #2 (**permalink**) 12-19-2008, 09:11 AM

Man, that sux.

dawiggs · #3 (**permalink**) 12-19-2008, 09:48 AM

Sorry Ryan, Pets are an important piece of the total family!
Merry Christmas!
dw

bobsim · #4 (**permalink**) 12-19-2008, 10:14 AM

Sad news man, every dog lover here feels your pain. If you ask me dogs have more on the ball than a lot of people. Doesn't seem fair they have such short lives. Eleven years is a long time with a good companion, hurts like hell. Here's a picture of my pal Buster, we wish you well. [IMG]

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FairWeather · #5 (**permalink**) 12-19-2008, 10:33 AM

Ryan,

That sucks bad man! I really wish there was something you could give a dog that could keep them around a lot longer.

Best wishes & enjoy the time you have with them!!! They are truly mans best friend!

bluewater · #6 (**permalink**) 12-19-2008, 11:14 AM

Ryan I am sorry about your dog. I know what you are going through. I had a simular situation with my black lab that I had for fourteen years. I know there is nothing anybody can say that will help ease the pain. I feel for you and your family.

cdail28590 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-19-2008, 04:26 PM

I know your pain. I had to put down my Rotti of 10yrs because of cancer. He had gotten to the point he couldn't hardly walk. The worst day I have had in a long time was when we carried him to the vet and he said he hasn't suffered yet but he's going to start soon. We decided to let him go before he suffered. Still get misty eyed thinking about it but, he was a great dog and friend. We lost him in June and we are going to get another one for Christmas. Nothing anyone can say to make you feel better, only time can heal, but sorry to hear that your dog has cancer.

Prodigal Son · #8 (**permalink**) 12-19-2008, 04:38 PM

I appreciate all the kind remarks...part we're wrestling with now is when to put her down. Her breathing is labored and you can tell she is weaker, but my mom doesn't want to do anything yet, I don't want to take her to the vet (period...she hates that place, so the last thing I want her thinking is anything other than "I hate this place") and my dad refuses to make a call without me saying so.

We were going to go to the Dominican Republic after Christmas, but canceled it about a month ago. Now, we're glad we did.

Also, I'm sorry for everyone else's losses. My first dog was Annabelle's (this one) aunt. My parents got her for me when I was 6. We went everywhere together...then she died of cancer when I was 14. Must be a family thing.

w5it · #9 (**permalink**) 12-19-2008, 05:28 PM

Ryan I know your pain. My "Sidekick" for 11 years had cancer. It got to a point where I could not take her SQUALLING just trying to get up even with the pain meds the vet had giving us for her. (Simply from laying down) It HURT LIKE HELL, but she had been too good of a buddy for me to make her suffer. After the decision was made to put her down I spent the last day with her doing the things she loved. Took her on a long ride in the truck and let her "Work on her tan" quite a while out in the yard. (She loved to just lay in the sun) Missy "The Boston Terrorist" now sits in an urn on the shelf in our living room right in front of a picture of her "Working on her tan".

We found another "Rescue" Boston about a month ago. She is NOT Missy, but has her own personality and she is quickly creeping deep into our hearts as well. (My family)

Missy the Boston Terrorist in the camper guarding her squeaky

Capt. Fred · #10 (**permalink**) 12-19-2008, 06:37 PM

Ryan, I had to put my English Setter Marvin down this spring in May. 16 1/2 years old. Once I realized that he was fading and wouldn't pull out of it I asked the vet how long I should wait. She said "You'll know when it is time." She was right. I knew him better than anybody and when it became clear he was really fading fast I brought him in. I've had some pretty bad days in my life but that was the worst. I wish there was a way to erase that last scene from my mind but it just pops back up to the surface from time to time. None-the-less, it was the right thing to do. Knowing that helps.

You'll know when it's time.