HELP - My best friend has osteosarcoma

[caseygina]

Laurie,
I am soooo sorry. I understand completely where you are coming from-I often say, I never thought I would love a dog so much. I would do anything for Riley-there is just something so special about her. When we found out about the OS, I left work and went home and laid on the floor with her for about 4 hours-it got dark outside, and there I am, not even realizing it. I too often think-how are we ever going to be able to take her when it's time? I am tearing up right now just writing about it, what am I going to be like when it is actually time? Nothing will ever be the same without her. I always knew she would not live forever, but I never thought we would lose her to this. I just hope that I will find an inner strength somewhere to help me through this. I try so hard to be brave for her, but my heart is breaking. I hope you too will find the strength to be able to do what you will need to. They have given us their whole hearts and all the love they have to give, expecting nothing in return, always happy to see us, always there for us, ready to protect and give comfort and love. When it is time, we will need to take our love for them and end their suffering and pain, even though ours will be overwhelming. I will pray for you you and Lucas.

[BeauandShan]

Hi Laurie

I know how you feel. I feel exactly the same with my boy Beau. He too has osteosarcoma. (in his Shoulder). It is huge and I hate just having to look at it. He is on on pain meds at the moment but I know the time is getting near as his mobility is getting worse, he is on fortnightly checks with the vet at the moment and each time I fear the worst, in some ways I think it would be easier the vet saying it was time as it would take the decision out of my hands.
I am staying downstairs with Beau also just because he has always slept by the side of our bed and he cannot make the stairs anymore. Each morning I wake and he is there looking up at me with those eyes that bear right into you almost as if to say "OK Mum I'm here"
I am taking everyday as it comes at the moment and counting each day as a blessing and more memories in the making. He has given me so many happy memories over the past eleven ++ years and that is how I want to remember him. I could not let him lose his dignity by making him suffer just because it gives us an extra day together.
My last gesture to him for his loyalty and love for me will be to let him go peacefully and with his dignity lead on my lap as he love to do.

My thoughts are with you at this very sad time
Deb x

[observer]

Laurie,

You said: "I do not want him to suffer, but I don't think that I can put him down voluntarily. I wish I could just wake up one day and he would be "sleeping" quietly but be gone."

I'm so sorry you are in this spot, but you have to understand what he would go through if you just wait for him to pass away on his own.

MK has it right here:

"It is sure to be the hardest day of my life!!! But that is my responsibility and my duty to this loving animal who has given me the unconditional love, loyalty, and true companionship throughout the last 7-1/2 years. She's made me happy, she's made me proud!! I owe her the dignity she deserves. And she will have it, regardless of how hard it is for me........as this is not about meI "

It is, in fact, the hardest thing you will ever do. If you can't do it alone, take someone with you. If you can't do it at all, find someone who can (I held a friend's dog (who loved me too) in my arms at the vet, as my friend just could not handle it). You owe Lucas that grace.

[Sam's Mom]

Let me begin by saying I understand how hard this all is as I have walked in your shoes with my beloved boy. My heart goes out to each and every one of you.

Be assured if your Rottie is limping...not bearing any weight...or falling they are in excruciating pain. This breed is so brave and stoic...they will try to carry on as usual thru the pain...is that what you want for them?

Observer, MK and Caseygina are telling the hard to hear truth. PLEASE people get your head out of your own pain...this is not about you. It is about them!! It is about returning the selfless love and devotion your Rottie has willingly given you every day of their life...even if it were cost them their own life. Have mercy do not let them suffer with no possibility of positive outcome...for "just one more day with you".

We owe them more than that!

[my kids]

It seems all decisions are hard these days with the state of our world. However MK, Observer and Sam's Mom are right Laure. It is not an easy thing to do at all. I did not really want to put my boy Drake down. His needs had to come before mine as hard as it was for me. I had my partner with me and even though Drake was my boy before my partner came along some day we will be faced with making the same decision with his boy a black lab named Pedro. They are all our kids in my household. It not a yours or mine it's ours.meaning all the animals in this house are ours not just one persons. I believe that you may want to take a good friend if you are alone and in return you will have such good memories. You see you have already started the process just by taking recent pictures of your beautiful Lucas. I don't want to be one of the many that told me "don't let Drake suffer". I never did let him suffer. You have to make that decision but, just remember no matter what, Lucas loves you and he will understand. I fell apart for two weeks after Drakes passing. I still think about him every day and look at his pictures. I miss him with all my heart but, I would only want him back if he could be healthy and free of pain. The vet told me that day that they could at best only give Drake a week maybe two. I knew that was not what Drake wanted. He loved me too much and as the bread goes he was loyal to the end. I will tell you this he was at peace when he went with the first shot. I just told him to go to the light and wait for Daddy there to come and be with him one day. He understood and took his last comand from me. Laurie I know you are very sad and it is not an easy decision but, it's one only we owners have to make and done with all our love. I am praying for you and Lucas. I know you will fall to pieces. I am not ashamed that I did and I had to take xanex a few days to just cope.
God bells you and Lucas to make the right decision.
Randy

[BonnieBlue]

We had to make the decison 4 years ago for our girl Bonnie, she was 13 and suffering from liver cancer. The morning we realized it was time to say goodbye was dreadful but (and I know this seems like a contradiction) also very peaceful. Thank god our vet came to the house . . . I miss her each and everyday. Looking back I know we did what was best for her, eventhough it was so hard.

Laurie, you and Lucas are in my thoughts.

[lucasmom]

My Rottie Friends-
Thank you for all of your advice...even if it is hard to accept. I know that you are all correct and I WILL do the right thing for my boy, Lucas, when the time comes. Right now, I am feeling so sad about Xena dying that I really don't have the strength to write very much. I just want to go to bed as I am too tired from crying. This is all TOO REAL to me. I feel so bad for Mike and I know that I will be in his shoes very, very soon. My love to you all and your beloved rotties. Laurie

[Xena's Daddy]

Laurie,
First of all, thank you for the kind words. And secondly, I hear ya'........I'm also too exhausted to write. Maybe tomorrow..........

Goodnight to all,
MK

[Xena's Daddy]

Hey Laurie,

Just checking in on you. How's everything holding up in the north??
I saw you posted elsewhere last night that Lucas is having some changes in his breathing?? I don't like the sound of that!! That's what happened to Xena in her last 2-days..................

Hang in there.........
MK

[lucasmom]

Hi Mike-
Yes, I am very worried about Lucas. His breathing is rapid and he sounds asthmatic. I tried to listen to his lungs with my stethescope and I am afraid that the cancer is in his lungs. I have been giving him tramadol to help with pain, just in case his rapid breathing is due to pain intolerance. I WISH they could just talk to us!! You know that we would do ANYTHING they wanted. It is just sooooo hard to decipher what is going on.

Lucas is eating like a "chow hound" most likely due to the prednisone he is taking. The prednisone really helps with his pain control and increases his appetite. But, it does not prolong life and the tumor is the size of an orange now. I do not make him wear "the sock" any longer because it is just too big and I do not want to put undue pressue on the tumor. I just do not understand how this "demon tumor" could still be growing!! This disease is so cruel.

Are you doing okay, Mike? I think about you all the time and I am praying that God gives you strength. God bless. Laurie

[jlaack]

Yes, I am very worried about Lucas. His breathing is rapid and he sounds asthmatic. I tried to listen to his lungs with my stethescope and I am afraid that the cancer is in his lungs. I have been giving him tramadol to help with pain, just in case his rapid breathing is due to pain intolerance. I WISH they could just talk to us!! You know that we would do ANYTHING they wanted. It is just sooooo hard to decipher what is going on.

Is there a vet that you can take him to for chest xrays? That would let you know if the cancer has spread to the lungs. I know that you haven't had good experiences with vets and that you aren't planning on treating, but once the disease is present in the lungs it is typically spread throughout the body and is affecting other organs. While he is eating well, the condition of his lungs can provide a lot of information. The drugs he is on aren't going to help his breathing. I am sorry to hear things aren't going better.

[Xena's Daddy]

Hey Laurie,

I agree with Jlaak.........once the lungs are affected, that's a pretty clear signal. At least he is still eating though!! I know with Xena, the breathing & the food refusal came simultaneously. It was like all at once, she was through. Just keep a very close eye on him......he's relying on you to pick up on his body language. I think you will know when it's time...........

I'm all right. Yesterday was'nt too bad, but today feels pretty gloomy again. I picked up some of her stuff tonight & put it away. Not everything yet, but by the end of the weekend I will probably feel ready to do that. I have to put my bed back together, take down the ramp.....stuff like that. Everything's been exactly where she left it........including her last 1/2 eaten bully stick in the middle of the living room floor, and her squirrel under the living room table, which is where I found her Monday night. (That's when I realized things had changed...)

Anyhow, keep us updated...........
You'll get through this!! You just won't know it 'till afterwards............
MK

[Cody'smom]

Hi everyone,

This is my first posting on this forum. I have just finished reading all of your posts re this terrible subject and my heart just breaks for you all who are going through this.

Laurie and Mike, my heart so goes out to you and I totally know how you feel about Lucas and Xena. I lost my boy Zack at the tender age of two to a kidney defect. We nursed him from diagnosis at 8 months untill just after his second birthday and the decision to let him go was the most agonizing I have ever made.

And Laurie, it's true, we love these dogs so very much because they are such special dogs. Mine are like my kids. And only another dog/rottie person will understand that. It took me three years after Zack died to finally get another one and had I known how healing it would be to my heart I would probably have done it sooner. I have not replaced him, I have allowed myself to love another one.

So now I have 11 month old Cody and I have set myself up for this all over again but I cannot stay away from rotties! And yes, again, he is one of my kids.

Let me ask you guys this: What do you think of the studys that show an increased risk of OS in dogs that were spayed/neutered at an early age? (before 8 to 12 months old)

I had no knowledge of this and went along with my vets "puppy plan" and he was neutered at 4 months. Almost immediately after that I came across this info by chance and was horrified to think I have unwittingly increased my dogs chances of getting this terrible disease when this breed is already over represented in this diagnosis.

You guys take care and hang in there. I'm not going to say it gets better with time when you loose one, I think you just find a place inside you to put it away and keep it so you can go on. I'm glad I found this group, you are all very supportive.

Sherri

[lucasmom]

Sherri-
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. This is very difficult and I appreciate your sharing with us your experience with losing your dear rottie. Deep down I know that I will get through this and perhaps someday consider having another dog since I have always had a dog in my life. However, there will NEVER be another Lucas!! He has/is the best dog I have ever had the honor to own. I am not sure if I will get another rottie though, even though I am dearly in love with the breed. My Lucas has seriously cost us nearl 10K with all of his surgeries and now this. He is worth every penny...but I cannot go through this whole OS thing again. One in eight rotties will be diagnosed with OS by age 8. These stats are way too high. I cannot do this again.

To answer your question about neutering...I have never heard of this, nor does it make any sense to me. Lucas was indeed neutered at age 6 months as this was the recommendation from our vet as well. I wonder what the correlation is and if the information you received on this subject is correct.

It is good that you found this site and I invite you to follow along with us on this thread. We need each other to support through our dark days ahead. Thanks again. Laurie

[aprillovesherdogs]

Laurie,
Make every moment count. I know what you mean about not getting another Rottie because of the statistics. Tomorrow (Saturday) will be two weeks that I've been w/o my Matty "Zooky Man" and I am just now getting to where I can discuss it with my 4 year old daughter. I thought the same thing until today in the car just out of the blue she said "Mommy, can we get another Matty because he is the best kind of dog".

If it weren't for people like us on this thread that love our breed and want to find out the why and how of this disease and share what we learn, alot more hearts would be breaking all alone.

As for the breathing, I consulted with my cousin who recently lost her beloved GSD to hemangiosarcoma, and she said that she had an initial x-ray done to find a reason for his labored breathing. It came back with just some fluid in his lungs. She is a former vet tech and was not convinced. They stood Dante up and did another and found the "demon growth". I mention this only as a reference.

Laurie, I am thinking of you and Lucas daily.

Xena's Daddy-I feel for you and the putting away of the personal items. My well intentioned husband immediately removed EVERY item of Matty's from my sight. He is not a good hider and I have slowly been bringing stuff back out. I'm not sure why. I think I am still in a denial stage.