Dear Old Bitch

[dogsnkiddos]

I haven't been around in a long while so excuse me for finding my way back for such a sad occasion. My daughter (who has a genetic disorder) was *very* sick before Christmas and took nearly two months to really get somewhere close to ok/normal. That was just in time for my laptop to succomb to a bad hard drive sector...not too bad since I replaced with a new laptop in days...but I lost all my saved usernames and passwords. This forum is not easy to get back to if you lost the password (and forget which of a million emails you used to register eons ago).

My husband and I went to Aruba about three weeks ago. My mom stayed with our beasties and kids. When we got home she said Old Bitch seemed to be having trouble getting up. She is an old lady, with arthritis and lots of other issues so it was not out of the ordinary for her to have some bad spells. ABout a week ago I noticed her front elbow seemed swollen and thought her arthritis was getting bad. I gave the drugs and scheduled for the first available with our specialist.

Osteosarcoma. The tumor is HUGE. She is really weak and we doubt she would survive amputation/chemotherapy- it would just make the suffering more intense. We came home with pain pills so the kids could say goodbye. I scheduled for next Saturday but I am not sure that is fair.

When I brought her home, my husband took her in the yard. She played with her toy and seemed happy- but not very mobile. We gave her the pills and she has been laying under the table since- doing all her usual barking, eating etc- just not mobile. She is mentally still so with it...

She came before the kids, just a baby. The rest of her litter had been sent to their homes in anticipation of the Christmas holiday so I picked her up at 7 weeks of age. She suffered through all sorts of awful health problems and surgeries/treatments. She beat cancer on her spine a few years ago. She has been our robo dog..our Frankendog....and now finally cancer will take her. I thought she would just live until she was so old she died peacefully in her sleep. I am not ready to live without her, but know I can't ask her to stay even one more day in pain.

Crazy White keeps cuddling her and cleaning her. She sniffs her tumor constantly. Beast is his oblivious self centered self. The kids are a MESS. They were young when our other dogs died. This is much worse for them. The boy keeps telling me he can't remember our other dogs and he never wants to forget Old Bitch. He keeps sobbing it's not fair...asking why we didn't get her help sooner. It is hard to explain cancer.

We have a sad house tonight.

[Stevenzachsmom]

I am so sorry. That is really, really tough. I know we all wish our old dogs would go peacefully in their sleep. I've only had that happen once. My old girl is 13. I really do feel your pain. You have given your dog a wonderful life. Letting her go will be the hardest and most selfless thing you can do.

Hugs to you and your family.
Jan

[KZoppa]

i'm so sorry to hear you and your family are having a tough time. Its never easy. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Jax08]

I was just thinking of you this morning. Odd how something comes into your mind so randomly. I'm so sorry you are going through this. I know you will make the right decision and help your family through this. I hope Beast can help your boy through this time and that your daughter is well

[irongrl]

I'm so sorry about all that you are going through. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers..

[selzer]

I am sorry. Osteosarcoma is awful.

[vat]

I am so sorry, letting go is never easy. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

[Stosh]

Funny, I also have been wondering why you've been so quiet. First of all I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's difficulties and now OB. You've been through so much in your family but you've handled it with such grace and dignity. I know you'll do your best for for her when she needs you more than ever.

[Elaine]

Even though we all hope our dogs will just die peacefully in their sleep, the reality is that rarely happens. The responsible owner will put their dog down to ease their suffering long before they would die on their own - however painful that may be.

I have put down 7 dogs now and I have another one with maybe a few weeks left and I can tell you it never gets any easier. Let's face it, this sucks.

I'm so sorry your dog has osteo; it's a terrible disease.

[JakodaCD OA]

I am so very sorry as well..I agree with Elaine

When a couple of mine got old and I knew the time was coming soon, I would think, do I want them to just pass away peacefully in their sleep, or should I put them down? I couldn't come up with an answer because I didn't want either