I first learned of this forum when Hans was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in Sept.2007 and received great advice when faced with the dilemma of amputating his leg. In Oct. 2007 we amputated his rear right leg and Hans did great for about 2 months. He ran around, he still played, he enjoyed going for his walks (w/the help of a sling), and he still loved acting like the macho dog when encountering another dog. He was as beautiful as always, with or without 4 legs.
Mid-December we noticed something was wrong w/his remaining back leg. It had weakened tremendously and the muscle was deteriorating. We took him to the surgeon for x-rays and stayed on top of Hans like no other. A few weeks later his front leg started to do the same thing, and by this point, the back leg was no longer strong enough to use. Little by little, my Hans was fading and it was killing me to watch.
His vet and surgeon told us the cancer had spread (even though before performing the amputation there were no visible signs that it had spread b/c we knew it was important to check this) and was the cause of the weakening of his body. His last 2 weeks he cried for attention a lot, hated being alone, could only drag his rear if he wanted to move around, but still had the desire to catch his tennis ball, eat his food and devour his treats. We were beginning to accept that we would soon have to face the hardest decision b/c he was no longer living the life of a dog as his body didn't allow him that freedom anymore.
Last weekend we noticed a huge decline in his mobility and desire. He moaned and cried non stop, he didn't want his treats or toys, he didn't even want to catch his tennis ball, and he didn't care to be outside, all he wanted to do was lay in bed and have us scratch his belly; we knew it was time b/c he was telling us so. On Monday, Jan.28 we took him to the vet one last time, where I swear Hans knew why he was going. He gave us kisses and looked into our eyes as if saying "thank you" and he layed to rest peacefully. It was important to us that Hans no longer suffered and that he left this world w/his dignity. We felt it was our duty as his owners to give him that. But I have to admit, this has been the hardest thing I've ever had to do.
I miss Hans more than anyone can imagine. He was my friend to the very end, and I will always love him.
Rest in peace, Hansy.
July 1999- Jan 2008
Mid-December we noticed something was wrong w/his remaining back leg. It had weakened tremendously and the muscle was deteriorating. We took him to the surgeon for x-rays and stayed on top of Hans like no other. A few weeks later his front leg started to do the same thing, and by this point, the back leg was no longer strong enough to use. Little by little, my Hans was fading and it was killing me to watch.
His vet and surgeon told us the cancer had spread (even though before performing the amputation there were no visible signs that it had spread b/c we knew it was important to check this) and was the cause of the weakening of his body. His last 2 weeks he cried for attention a lot, hated being alone, could only drag his rear if he wanted to move around, but still had the desire to catch his tennis ball, eat his food and devour his treats. We were beginning to accept that we would soon have to face the hardest decision b/c he was no longer living the life of a dog as his body didn't allow him that freedom anymore.
Last weekend we noticed a huge decline in his mobility and desire. He moaned and cried non stop, he didn't want his treats or toys, he didn't even want to catch his tennis ball, and he didn't care to be outside, all he wanted to do was lay in bed and have us scratch his belly; we knew it was time b/c he was telling us so. On Monday, Jan.28 we took him to the vet one last time, where I swear Hans knew why he was going. He gave us kisses and looked into our eyes as if saying "thank you" and he layed to rest peacefully. It was important to us that Hans no longer suffered and that he left this world w/his dignity. We felt it was our duty as his owners to give him that. But I have to admit, this has been the hardest thing I've ever had to do.
I miss Hans more than anyone can imagine. He was my friend to the very end, and I will always love him.
Rest in peace, Hansy.
July 1999- Jan 2008
