Knowing when?

[NolaAngelRocky]

My 5 year old baby has cancer. After watching the effects of chemo/radiation on my Mom and Grandma I wouldn't do that to myself let alone someone I love. I am devastated at losing her! How will I know when I should let her go? She is my 3rd Rott baby and the 3rd to develop cancer. What do I watch for that will let me know she can go no farther? OH God. MY babies.

[tilly]

oh how sad i am so sorry that you have to go through this again.
this decision is not really something an outsider can help you with, you will have to be guided by your dog, and how well you know your dog.
i will only say one thing: don't wait too long, your dog might be in much more pain than you know, and not really show it.

[BostonRott]

A wise person once told me:

Write down the 3 things that mean the most to your dog. It may be going for a walk, following you around the house, going for rides, chasing frisbees, swimming, lying like a lump. Whatever......your dog's 3 most absolute favorite things to do.

When 2 of those are gone, your dog's quality of life is not what they enjoyed and it is time to let go.

I'm sorry to hear you've had so much trouble and heartache!

[amontague]

I'm so sorry to hear what you're going through. I think tilly and BostonRott have given excellent advice, watch your baby carefully for signs that she is no longer happy, and remember she may be very stoic about her pain. Everyone who has loved a dog knows that this is the hardest decision you will have to make. Enjoy every moment you have left with you lovely girl.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by NolaAngelRocky

My 5 year old baby has cancer. After watching the effects of chemo/radiation on my Mom and Grandma I wouldn't do that to myself let alone someone I love. I am devastated at losing her! How will I know when I should let her go? She is my 3rd Rott baby and the 3rd to develop cancer. What do I watch for that will let me know she can go no farther? OH God. MY babies.

I Recently lost My Rottie(Argos) To the BIg C. They will absolutly will let you know when they wish to pass on to Vahalla( I don't belive in Rainbow bridge, to many pomeranians thier) when people told me, "They will let you know" It did not make much sense. Your Dog will let you know, and it will make sense.

My thoughts prayers and all my love

Barry

[NolaAngelRocky]

Thank you all so much for your kind and caring replies! I know I haven't much longer with her. For the first time ever she hasn't responded to my call and only rarely shows her old joyful self. One last trip to the ocean and lots of love and then her final trip to where she can be healthy again.

[spoiledbabies3]

Originally Posted by NolaAngelRocky

My 5 year old baby has cancer. After watching the effects of chemo/radiation on my Mom and Grandma I wouldn't do that to myself let alone someone I love. I am devastated at losing her! How will I know when I should let her go? She is my 3rd Rott baby and the 3rd to develop cancer. What do I watch for that will let me know she can go no farther? OH God. MY babies.

I am so very sorry that you are going through this with your girl. I lost my 7 1/2 yo Sasha to lymphoma in Feb and the pain is still there. She was my 2nd to have the disease. 2 months after her passing in April, my 10 yo Samson was also diagnosed with the dreaded cancer. It is a horrific disease, and it takes way too many of our rotties at very early ages. Sasha was given 1 month upon diagnosis and with the help of prednisone we all enjoyed her limited days with us as a family. We did ALL of her favorite things and just loved being with her. When she woke unable to enjoy life, her eyes told us that it was time. And we gently helped her cross over to the bridge. When your baby no longer has the soul in her eyes, it is time. You will know when that time comes. You will need to be strong because she depends on you to make that most difficult decision. She will watch over you always as your "rottie angel". 5 years is not enough time...I wish that you could have more. We feel your pain and understand your hurt. Please know that you can talk with us whenever you need an ear to listen.

Hugs and slobbery kisses from our rottie house to yours. Take Care.
Arlene

[harleys mom]

When our girl Kahlua was diganosed with cancer, I had the same question. While it is our responsibility to make the right decision for our pets, I had a really hard time making it. BostonRott's advice worked the best for us. We listed the 3 things she loved most and when she could no longer do 2 of them, we knew however badly we didn't want it to be, it was time. My heart goes out to you during this time.
Christine

[Dugganmom]

My parents had to put there rott down due to cancer...he was 7 years old.. It was the hardest thing they ever had to do but his quality of life just was not there anymore...he could not even stand up anymore...I feel for you and will be thinking of you and you pup...I am soooo sorry

[rusty'smom]

I had my rotti Rocky for 7 1/2 years before I found out he had Lymposarcoma...I did know that other siblings and the mother had died of cancer, years before....It was by word of mouth by the breeder, who told me this a few years after I got "Rock-Head", of this info...Rocky was healthy and happy, but BIG and strong!..He played with bowling balls, and pushed around logs weighing close to 100 lbs, with his head, hence the name "Rock-Head"/"Rock-Brain"...he got stressed when I moved from NY to NC, and that did him in..within weeks after relocating, he became lethargic, anorexic and I found swollen lymph nodes, throughout his body...took him to the vet, and he gave me the bad news...1 week after his diagnosis, he could not breathe and was bleeding through his nose and mouth...chemo was an option, but VERY expensive, and would just buy time... and no cure..I put him down, and buried him where I used to live..It will be hard, but you should consider your baby's condition, wholeheartedly...research, pray and work with your vet and your heart, to find the best solution, for you and your baby..reply, Rusty's mom...

[onthedl74]

Originally Posted by BostonRott

A wise person once told me:

Write down the 3 things that mean the most to your dog. It may be going for a walk, following you around the house, going for rides, chasing frisbees, swimming, lying like a lump. Whatever......your dog's 3 most absolute favorite things to do.

When 2 of those are gone, your dog's quality of life is not what they enjoyed and it is time to let go.

I couldn't agree with Gretchen more! I have lost 2 to cancer. They are in pain even if they don't show it. I will be thinking of you.

[mmilard]

I just lost my sweet girl to bone cancer on May 1st. It was the toughest decision I've had to make, but it was the right ones. Even though I beat myself up about the decision, I know in my heart it was done with love.

She had cancer in her face (her muzzle) and it was eating away at her bones. They are right when they say "your dog will tell you". She didn't come to me when I called her in my special way, she just looked at me with a blank stare, she was not my dog, but a shell. I knew, and I let her go with so much love.

When it is time, you will know. She will tell you. Just listen to her and your heart. (((((HUGS)))))


Melissa

[bigdogweilerx2]

Hi I'm Harley's mom husband.It was so hard for us too.We had at the time enougher Rottie name Sambuca and we thought we'd let Kahlua go and still have Sambuca.But that didn't happened,Sambuca got bloat and died.I hope we didn't hold on to Kahlua to long like tilly said."They hide pain so well" .Like my wife and BostonRott said when she wouldn't do the things she like to do that was answer.I'm crying for you and I cry every day(it's been over a year) about them.But I'm happy that they have no more pain.At least we can do that for them and you can't do that for humands.We have a 1 yr old now (Harley) and their spirits are in him,as he does things both did,which I know their here with us all the time!You will also see it in their eyes when it's time!I know how you feel and I hope you don't suffer or your dog to long!

[reno2040]

I read this post earlier today ,and put myself in your position!!!and writting back just too wish you comfort,I'll pray for you, i wish you gods strenght.