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Forum: Off Topic
Thread (Discussion): My beautiful Rottie - rabbit
Message 167197
Osteocarcinoma
Posted by myoung
on Nov 12, 2005 07:31 AM | Also by myoung
| Gender: N/A,
Age Bracket: N/A,
State: Pennsylvania,
Country: United States |
Hi Everyone
I have had two rotties for nearly 10 years now. My eldest rottie, Thai, will be 10 on January 4th and his life mate would have been 9 on Sept. 2006. Unfortunately, cancer has invaded my peaceful home and my beautiful rottie, Sasha, will die of osteocarcinoma in the next few weeks. We only found out, by surprise, this week and she is deteoriorating very fast. The docs gave her 2-4 months and I can only hope, for my male's sake (Thai), that she hangs on. If it were only myself and the family, the decision would have been quick and painless euthenasia.....HOWEVER,...she is not a singular dog that lives in my house. Her life mate is a very large male named Thai. He also happens to be her suboordinate. I fear that when she passes, he will pass soon after. He is going to be 10 in January....she weighs in at 85lbs and he weighs in at 145lbs. ....so, they aren't small dogs by any stretch. By me pointing that out, I am saying that, osteo type cancers are not uncommon and I know that. The dilemma I face is this......the type she has is aggressive and very very painful.....do I keep her comfy and let her die at home with her life mate or do I take away in the car only to return without her and disregard how he feels. i kind of feel like I should alllow him to come with when we end her life. This is just so hard for me.. I love animals more than I lvoe humans besides my children and spouse so....i feel like a piece of my humanity dies with her... Am I totally alone here????
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Message 167350 (In Reply to Message 167197)
update
Posted by myoung
on Nov 15, 2005 04:57 PM | Also by myoung
| Gender: N/A,
Age Bracket: N/A,
State: Pennsylvania,
Country: United States |
wow...my post was rambling...can you tell I was crying? Geez! Anyway...I decided to get her pain meds and anti inflammatories since she is still actively participating and functioning with the rest of us. She's also still able to go outside and do her business without assitance. She's still wagging that tail and licking our faces so until she can no longer express her joy, I'll take care of her and spoil her silly! and, of course keep her as pain free as possible (she's taking ultram..good stuff).
Funny....she lays around like she can barely move sometimes but when she hears that refrigerator door open she hops on three legs and waits for a treat! I guess how you feel depends on what motivates you...hehe
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Message 167365 (In Reply to Message 167197)
Posted by Renunciation
on Nov 15, 2005 07:08 PM | Also by Renunciation
| Gender: N/A,
Age Bracket: N/A,
State: N/A,
Country: Bahrain |
Not alone at all.
I had to put my Akita down from penphigus a few years back. I cried more over that than I did when my friend died two weeks ago.
Dogs.. to those of us who love them........
All the sorrow of their passing is worth all the joy they bring into our lives. They epitomize unconditional love.
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Message 167370 (In Reply to Message 167365)
Thanks renunciation
Posted by myoung
on Nov 15, 2005 09:25 PM | Also by myoung
| Gender: N/A,
Age Bracket: N/A,
State: Pennsylvania,
Country: United States |
and by the way...it's osteosarcoma. I kept saying carcinoma but I guess cancer is cancer. She jumped into my truck today to come shopping and she seems like her spirits are really up with the meds. I don' t fool myself though. I know what's coming but she's a whole lot happier going out this way!
I'm sorry to hear about your Akita. I love them...they are such a beautiful animal. An animal to be respected with those powerful jaws (they top the list for strongest jaw). I was bit by a rottie but an Akita may have been a whole different thing with regard to my wound. I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets me when I say that I deal with human death so much better than animals.
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Message 167382 (In Reply to Message 167197)
Posted by Valerie
on Nov 16, 2005 12:41 AM | Also by Valerie
| Gender: Female,
Age Bracket: N/A,
State: Florida,
Country: United States |
No, your not alone...I have a pointer that the thought of something happening to that dog brings tears to my eyes...he's the baby, he's the alpha. he is my pride and joy..those of us who adore their pets know what you mean.
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Message 167396 (In Reply to Message 167382)
Posted by PVulcan
on Nov 16, 2005 03:12 AM | Also by PVulcan
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Country: United States |
It's definitely a heart wrencher myoung. We went through that about 1 1/2 yrs ago with ole Jake. We had him 15 years, mastiff/shep, such an awesome tempered dog. But he was just old and everything was failing. Sight, hearing and the arthritis was causing him pain. We had to put him down, hubby can barely talk about it still. Pets truly become part of our family, and they love you ALL the time, nothing like seeing your dog wiggle, squirm and get silly when they see you, even if it's only be a couple of hours :)
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Message 167401 (In Reply to Message 167382)
Val
Posted by myoung
on Nov 16, 2005 04:40 AM | Also by myoung
| Gender: N/A,
Age Bracket: N/A,
State: Pennsylvania,
Country: United States |
funny you should say that. My female is smaller and younger but she is the alpha and my VERY large male concedes to her every whim every single time she demands it. He will be lost without her. Good news though....I gave her the two meds they prescribed for the past 24 hours + and she is romping around like a puppy for a couple hours during the day. Although she IS going to die soon, she'll be out of pain and enjoying herself while she goes. I know I will have to put her down when the time comes but until then, I'm gonna keep praying she dies suddenly in her sleep after a full day of hanging with the family. I just love her so much it hurts. My male is isolating a bit...at least he's been staying away from her. He's snuggling with me but he is hurting too. I fell even worse for him.
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Message 167441 (In Reply to Message 167370)
Posted by Renunciation
on Nov 16, 2005 06:54 PM | Also by Renunciation
| Gender: N/A,
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State: N/A,
Country: Bahrain |
I just let my Queensland in the house.
I "feel" you more than you can imagine. Reading your posts make me decide to get off this site and throw a ball.
I will get much more from spending my time with her, than I ever could reading most of the posts here.
I am positive you are doing the same, enjoying every last minute, saving good memories to your soul.
Renner
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Message 167443 (In Reply to Message 167401)
myoung
Posted by PVulcan
on Nov 16, 2005 07:12 PM | Also by PVulcan
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State: N/A,
Country: United States |
Interesting that you said your male is isolating. Last night I watched that woman, Joan whatever from the columbus zoo and that's exactly what she talked about. She said that when animals are sick, other animals distance themselves from the sick one, it's an intuitive thing.
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Message 167457 (In Reply to Message 167443)
Hi PV
Posted by myoung
on Nov 17, 2005 05:40 AM | Also by myoung
| Gender: N/A,
Age Bracket: N/A,
State: Pennsylvania,
Country: United States |
He's apparently smarter than I....I can't distance myself from her so I know it will hurt more! It jsut pain sucks...there's nothing more ai can say really
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Message 167533 (In Reply to Message 167197)
myoung - Sasha??
Posted by Renunciation
on Nov 18, 2005 04:25 AM | Also by Renunciation
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Country: Bahrain |
Its been about a week, do you have any updates on Sasha?
Please keep us posted if you can. It might help to type out your pain here.
Renny
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Message 167661 (In Reply to Message 167533)
update on sasha
Posted by myoung
on Nov 20, 2005 03:14 PM | Also by myoung
| Gender: N/A,
Age Bracket: N/A,
State: Pennsylvania,
Country: United States |
Hi Everyone
Sasha is growing increasingly weak but has moments of adrenaline. The meds only last a few hours unfortunately. It's been a tough week but the decision has been made by the entire family. We will contact her doc tomorrow and likely take her in on Tuesday and have her put to sleep. Saturday morning I woke up at 5am because she was crying (not loudly but enough that I heard it). She was licking her leg so hard I thought she wanted to literally lick it off. I bet she wishes she could. I can tell the time is getting close because my male rottie is acting very odd and has been protective of her....lying close (unlike the isolating he was doing several days ago), pacing, crying etc. It's just time. I asked her to give me a clear sign that I wouldn't mistake and I think she has....sadly.....she's ready.
Thanks for all of your support. This was really hard for my whole family. While I'm at it....I'll give an update on my mom too. She's been out of the hospital for a week. She just had her thallium stress test and all is well with her heart. So...they are ruling that out at this point. Now....we have to deal with the calcifiations in her lungs! I never thought it was her heart to begin with....the lungs were my main concern. Pretty drastic stuff for a woman who has never needed to go to the doc and rarely, if ever, got even a sniffle! We used to tease her that when you turn 60, all your stuff starts to fall apart. Well....she'll be 60 in February! So....onto my next stressor....ahhhhhhhh
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Message 167784 (In Reply to Message 167197)
Here is the final update
Posted by myoung
on Nov 22, 2005 05:59 AM | Also by myoung
| Gender: N/A,
Age Bracket: N/A,
State: Pennsylvania,
Country: United States |
I tried the pain meds so that everyone in my family could get used to the idea that she'd be leaving us. Well....it got so bad and she hadn't gotten up in two days to pee so I called the vet. She was so excited when I got her leash and collar out. I hadn't had her collar on because it was noisy clanking on the floor and I wanted her to get her rest.
Long story short, she went so peacefully in her sleep, resting her head on my lap. My male rottie is not himself right now so I'm giving him some space. He cried all day and cried at the door the whole time we were at the vet (according to my older kids who simply could not handle being present). I'm glad I was there. It was so peaceful. I only wish we were that humane with our own kind! I'd love to go that way....quietly, quickly with no pain. She just looked at me and I closed her eyes.
I've been present for more than 4 human deaths and I felt the same each time....absolute euphoria. But, I was never as emotional for a human death as i was for Sasha's. She was just such a loving pet. She doted on the kids and loved us no matter how messed up we ever were. God love her!
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Message 167819 (In Reply to Message 167784)
Posted by rabbitreborn
on Nov 22, 2005 05:00 PM | Also by rabbitreborn
| Gender: Male,
Age Bracket: N/A,
State: Florida,
Country: United States |
my condolences on her passing, myoung. I just recently had to watch one of my cats pass on and I completely understand the pain you must be feeling. It is so sad that they leave us, but I prefer to think they must be looking down from above watching over us.
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Message 167871 (In Reply to Message 167819)
Posted by Valerie
on Nov 22, 2005 10:43 PM | Also by Valerie
| Gender: Female,
Age Bracket: N/A,
State: Florida,
Country: United States |
I am so, so sorry for your loss...our hearts and thoughts are with you now...Val
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Message 167875 (In Reply to Message 167784)
Posted by Renunciation
on Nov 22, 2005 11:03 PM | Also by Renunciation
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State: N/A,
Country: Bahrain |
She was just such a loving pet. She doted on the kids and loved us no matter how messed up we ever were. God love her!
I am so sorry for your loss. Her suffering is done and you have all the wonderful memories to share.
When you get to your final resting place, she'll be there, waiting with a ball for you to throw!
R
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Message 167905 (In Reply to Message 167819)
rabbit
Posted by myoung
on Nov 23, 2005 04:52 AM | Also by myoung
| Gender: N/A,
Age Bracket: N/A,
State: Pennsylvania,
Country: United States |
I absolutely agree with that. They have a much better vantage point than we now. Lucky!!
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Message 168135 (In Reply to Message 167905)
Posted by rabbitreborn
on Nov 28, 2005 02:39 PM | Also by rabbitreborn
| Gender: Male,
Age Bracket: N/A,
State: Florida,
Country: United States |
I currently have (and always have had) numerous cats. I take in alot of strays and do my best to make them comfortable. Due to very limited resources, other than getting them their shots and getting them "fixed" I usually can't afford to take them to the vets whenever one becomes sick, but I have had numerous years of "doctoring" on animals and my wife had studied for a time to become a vet, so we do the best we can. Whenever one passes on, one or both of us is typically sitting by their side, and we talk to them the entire time naming off all the others that have passed on before them saying things like "say hi to peaches and patches and tell them we still love them". I have faith that one day I will be reunited with all the animals my wife and I have taken in and cared for over the years.
Again, my condolences on your loss, but know that she is in a safe place without pain and is probably looking down on you with a smile even as you read this.
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Message 168181 (In Reply to Message 168135)
rabbit
Posted by myoung
on Nov 29, 2005 05:44 AM | Also by myoung
| Gender: N/A,
Age Bracket: N/A,
State: Pennsylvania,
Country: United States |
thanks for that. I am really missing her right now...I miss her face at the door when i come home and her nudging my arm in the middle of the night to take her out...and her kisses..she was my licky dog...always kissing. My other rottie is currently taking rimadyl for his back legs but he is going to get increasingly lame over time and I am SO NOT ready for that yet. However, we bought two healthy distractions this week. My friend called to tell us that her English Mastiff had pups October 2nd. She heard about our loss and offered up two males. I was so against it at first. I went to see them with the family (OMG...they are just too damned cute!)
The woman who runs the pet corral, where we board the dogs while we are on vacation, said something interesting to me the other day and I took her advice. She said that our big male rottie would likely benefit from having young one's around because they may help increase his activity level. He will also be able to show them the ropes so to speak. He took to them right away but he lets them know, in no uncertain terms, when he's had enough of them. It breaks my heart to think of how he must feel without his lady. I was worried that he'd be angry with us but he seems more clingy than anything.
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Thread
167197, myoung, Nov 12, 2005 07:31 AM [Osteocarcinoma]
167350, myoung, Nov 15, 2005 04:57 PM [update]
167365, Renunciation, Nov 15, 2005 07:08 PM
167370, myoung, Nov 15, 2005 09:25 PM [Thanks renunciation]
167441, Renunciation, Nov 16, 2005 06:54 PM
167382, Valerie, Nov 16, 2005 12:41 AM
167396, PVulcan, Nov 16, 2005 03:12 AM
167401, myoung, Nov 16, 2005 04:40 AM [Val]
167443, PVulcan, Nov 16, 2005 07:12 PM [myoung]
167457, myoung, Nov 17, 2005 05:40 AM [Hi PV]
167533, Renunciation, Nov 18, 2005 04:25 AM [myoung - Sasha??]
167661, myoung, Nov 20, 2005 03:14 PM [update on sasha]
167784, myoung, Nov 22, 2005 05:59 AM [Here is the final update]
167819, rabbitreborn, Nov 22, 2005 05:00 PM
167871, Valerie, Nov 22, 2005 10:43 PM
167905, myoung, Nov 23, 2005 04:52 AM [rabbit]
168135, rabbitreborn, Nov 28, 2005 02:39 PM
168181, myoung, Nov 29, 2005 05:44 AM [rabbit]
167875, Renunciation, Nov 22, 2005 11:03 PM
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