HELP - My best friend has osteosarcoma

[Anne]

Originally Posted by caseygina

Hi everyone,
Just checking in to see how you all are doing. It's a month today since Riley hasn't been here (does anyone else hate the term "put down" or PTS?). It's still pretty rough and we still miss her everyday. Still an empty house, still miss her at the door when I come home. I know in time it will get better and we will open our hearts to another one. Hope everyone is doing well, especially Sophie, Nina, and Ansel. Marley and Laurie, I think of you guys a lot and hope you are hanging in there.
Gina

I don't like the term 'put down' either. I do sometimes say PTS but normally I refer to those who have gone as being put to rest.

It's so very sad to read this thread and see so many of our osteosarcoma dogs have gone to RB. I feel deeply sorry and know you are missing your beloved dogs. I understand your feelings of emptiness and grief and appreciate that you come here and offer those of us with dogs still battling this disease your support and understanding.

[Xena's Daddy]

Originally Posted by Anne

It's so very sad to read this thread and see so many of our osteosarcoma dogs have gone to RB. I feel deeply sorry and know you are missing your beloved dogs. I understand your feelings of emptiness and grief and appreciate that you come here and offer those of us with dogs still battling this disease your support and understanding.

Anne,

Thank you.......I miss Xena very dearly, everyday.......we all need each other during these dark times, and this thread has been one hell of a support group! Unfortunately, it was Xena's OS that led me here to this forum. But still I find myself on here everyday!! And every morning I find myself thinking about how the survivors are doing. You are one of the lucky few from this thread who still have their dogs............

Sadly, there will be more new people on here to replace those of us who have been through the ordeal. I only hope the support continues for them as well.

My best to Sophie,
MK

[aprillovesherdogs]

Here's a quick update on Ansel. I have been doing everything to get his swelling to go down. His leg is not improving so he has a visit tonight for more blood work and a recheck. Cellulites is suspected. Have any of you any experience with it? His last protein count was 2.5, which she said was the minimum normal.

I will let you all know what happens.

April and Ansel

[observer]

Cellulitis is an infection in the skin (I've had it myself). I would expect oral antibiotics to be prescribed.

[caseygina]

Checking in to see how everyone is doing, especially in this heat-too hot!! I watched the Dog Whisperer today and there was a Rottie on there-what a beautiful boy he was...just watching him run and play made me think of our babies that can do that again!! We also got something unexpected today in the mail...a thank you note from the veterinary school that our vets went to-they made a donation in Riley's name to the school's memorial fund. Wow, we were moved to tears. Just knowing that a donation to animal cancer research that could help others who may be in our situation in the future...so no one else has to go through what we are. Riley would have liked that!!

[aprillovesherdogs]

I just got Ansel back from the vet. My worst fear was confirmed. It is OS. I almost sank to the floor. She took another xray and really did some looking. The xrays they did on Tuesday were of his lower leg. This time they went with the upper hip area and it was so remarkably different than the same xray a month ago that there was no doubt. It is really bad. He is soooo alive and just like his good ol' self except he has trouble walking. That makes it so hard to decide when to let him leave. I know all of you know that I am crying so hard that I can't see straight. When I walked into the xray room he was looking at me as if to say "mommy, come hug me". His marble shaped eyes were just pleading for me to take him home and tuck him into bed with his doll and heating pad.

She sent him home with me to be comfortable and loved on. As for his swollen leg, she did not want to do anything with it. She mentioned that because of the cancer the lymph wasn't doing something that it should and there was really nothing that could be done.

I just can't imagine his dog bed being empty and no longer catching a whiff of that nasty doll he plays, sleeps and travels with.

I will let you know what goes on this week.

love, april

[lucasmom]

April.....I am so very sorry to hear about Ansel. I am sure that I speak for everyone who has lost their rottie to OS on this thread when I say that we will all be here for you and give you as much support to help you through this. This monster of a disease has robbed so many of us of our babies. We are all too familiar with the sick feeling you must be experiencing right now.

The best advice I can give you is to spend as much time as possible with Ansel and he will let you know when he is no longer enjoying life. There won't be any doubt in your mind when the time comes. Lucas would look away from me and avoid eye contact. Once he stopped eating and didn't want to get up to go outside...I knew it was his time.

If Ansel is happy and running around...thank God and enjoy him. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Laurie

[caseygina]

April, i am so sorry about Ansel. Laurie is right, we will be and are here for you. keep him happy, comfortable, love and hug him every moment you get, and keep taking pictures, no matter how many you have...you'll cherish every one. I will keep you my thoughts and pray for you both. Gina

[Anne]

I'm so very sorry April. Another of our wonderful breed with this deadly disease.

Did the vet prescribe strong pain medication for Ansel? Did she suggest any supplements? I find that the supplements Sophie is taking are helping her quite a lot.

The best we can do for our much loved dogs is to love them and keep them comfortable.

We, whose dogs are still with us and those who have had their loved dogs pass on are here for you to offer you prayers and support. We understand.

[Xena's Daddy]

Hi April,

I'm unhappy to hear that your poor Ansel is joining this dreadful club. That's got to be really hard for you, especially since that last update about his Vet saying it was NOT OS......... What a roller coaster ride for you.....

As Laurie has stated, you will know. The lack of eye contact was a sure sign for me, as was the lack of appetite. She also did not want to go outside anymore. I spent 2-1/2 months wondering what everyone meant about, 'you will know'. Well, on the morning of her last day on earth, I DID most certainly 'know', without a doubt, and I feel confident that you will too...........

Love him for the time you have left, and try to feel happy that he's not 'ready' yet!! You're still together right now, I think you're lucky for that..........

Sending you my best,
MK

[Bear's mommy]

April, I am so sorry to hear about Ansel. This must be especially devastating since you just recently went through this with another beloved rottie. I have personally never had to deal with OS, and I pray I never have to, but I just wanted you to know that you and Ansel are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

I have read this thread since it started and have been so saddened by all of the the losses. I feel like they become sort of personal I guess. To the others that are still here with your little fighters, you are in my thoughts and prayers as well.

Leslie

[Marley55]

Oh April, I am so sorry to hear the news about Ansel.

There is such heartbreak in this thread but yet we solider on for our rottie kids, doing all we can to keep them comfy and happy. Love him, give extra hugs, pats and a steak or 2 ( it worked for Jaxx ) and savor every moment with Ansel.

It gives me confort to know that while it hurt so badly to lose Jaxx, I know he is in great company and running with wings on his feet.

I am keeping Ansel, Sophie and You and Anne in my thoughts and prayers.

Take care

Marley

[Debbie Ervin]

April, I am so sorry to hear this news on Ansel. I too have tears running down my face. My friend from NY had the same thing happen to her Rottie Ben at 2 years old. I met her in the arthritis site where I usto post with Thor and at 1st we all thought Ben had Lyme disease and then after of course further testing he had OS. I never met Ben but our babies were sick at the same time and we were each others support just as this site I now belong too. It is just very comforting to be on a site with people who you really don't know but who care so much for each other and can relate to exactly what each other is going through. This site to me and I know all is a true blessing. Ben did have amputation done, but acouple weeks later developed another tumor right above the amputation spot. I wish you the best and April, Ansel will let you know until then you spend all the time and memories you can crame into your time left with him. They are such special furry babies. My prayers and thoughts are with you and well as the others here. Debbie

[aprillovesherdogs]

Thank you all for your thoughts and love. I am so thankful that I have had so many years with him. He has been a very healthy dog his entire life and I really thought I would have him a few more than this. I am just shocked at how quick and sneaky this disease is.

His vet has given him a very short time to go on because of the swollen leg. I have decided that when he goes he will be privately cremated. I am going to tuck his doll in with him. I had originally planned to have him buried at my in-law's home next to Matty but I need him here with me. We were going to bury him in our backyard but it's not allowed (even though no one would know) but I was afraid that we would be moving soon and worst of all, that I would go crazy from grief and try to dig him up. My husband knows he will have his hands full when this is over. My sister had her Boxer cremated and the two times that she has moved, Anje (her dog) rode right next to her on the front seat...in a very secure urn of course. It really lightens the mood when I tell my husband that soon Ansel will be able to go EVERYWHERE with us. Out to dinner, the grocery store, etc.

I guess the horrific experience with Matty's last day has prepared me for Ansel's. I am having the vet come to the house and everything will be hopefully be peaceful and loving.

It is just so hard to believe that I will have lost both my Rottie boys in 3 months time. I will still have my other two dogs, a beagle mix and a cattle dog mix. Those two seem to share a brain. They are goofy and are two peas in a pod. I lost my 20 year old cockatiel 2 years ago and our 21 year old cat is still hanging on. My pets live a good long time and that makes it so much harder to lose them.

love April

[tla0126]

April, I'm so sorry that your time with Ansel is growing short. I can imagine this is heartwrenching, but as we all know, you are making the right decision. Please keep in mind, we are all here to support you... Ansel was blessed to have a human like you.