We are just back from the vet again. He's really nauseated. He's calmed down a bit now. I'm doing as well as can be expected.

Turtle, your situation is much worse than mine, at least I have some time...are you OK? GF

So sorry your dog is nauseated. Hope you can make him comfortable. Dogs are so faithful.

That they are, they dont take sides, they are faithful companions. They truly are out best friends, I know mine were. Everything seems ok when are close by, have their head on your lap, or just snoozing next to you.

Im sorry you both have to go through this, i feel for you both.

We spent a lot of time the latter part of last week on the phone to the vet and a specialist out of state.

Canine Oral Melanoma (what our dog has, the lab results came back) is not very responsive to chemo or radiation. There are a couple of experimental vaccinations we can get if we go to a neighboring state. They are an adjunct treatment, not an only treatment. That is, we would need to do surgery or radiation to get rid of the tumor and then followup with the vaccination.

Because the tumor is in the bone, surgery would be radical - removal of the lower jaw, which we won't do - that's just cruel for a dog who can't understand what's going on. Radiation would kill all the normal tissue as well as the tumor, which means his teeth (in that area) would fall out. Radiation and vaccination would give him a median life expectancy of less than a year (five months?). Plus he'd have to travel several times for treatments, and that would be a major stressor for him.

So we've decided not to pursue treatment, as it wouldn't prolong his life very much and what life he would have would be filled with illness and stress. It was a hard decision to make. Our main goal in this is that his days be happy and that he feel well.

We thought he'd be unable to eat by the weekend, the tumor is growing so quickly, but so far he's still eating well and feeling well (gets 1/2 aspirin each morning and evening). The vet says just enjoy him and when it's time, we'll know. So that's what we're doing.

I find great comfort somehow in enjoying each day with him. It's easy to look at him eating well or feeling well (though not as well as usual) and say "Well, today is not the day." Once I've said that, I feel comforted. And I do believe that when it *is* the day, the vet is right - we'll know, and our desire to ease his suffering will mitigate our selfish desire to have him with us.

((((((((((Turtle)))))))))))


I am so sorry the news about your dog wasn't more favorable.

I think you are doing the right thing. He's been through enough. Let him enjoy his last days in peace.

He is VERY lucky to have you with him.

Thinking of you both...

Cat

"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even
more temporary than our own, live within a fragile
circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its
awful gaps, we still would live no other way, We cherish
memory as the only certain immortality,
never fully understanding the necesary plan.

Irving Townsend, Separate Lifetimes, "The once again
Prince"

A sad ending for our little Muttley. he ended up having a bleeding spleen cancer and had to be euthanized 13 days ago.
There is such a void after almost 12 yrs of his always being there. I can just now "talk " about it. He was so loved, and was so loving. One of these days i may get another puppy, but even though those paws of his were tiny, the next pup has really big paws to fill. Turtle, are you and the pup still hangin' in?

So sorry to hear about Muttley. I know what you mean by not being able to talk about it. I can tell that he was well loved and that at least is a blessing.

Thanks, B, he was a tiny dog who left a huge impact on his "Mom & Dad". I have never had a pet who affected me so much. Probably because I left so many tear drops on his little head as I struggled thru my H's EA. Always looking at me with those soulful brown eyes, crawling up on my shoulder to give me the "hug" that schnauzers are known for. He was very special indeed. At his death, I once again left teardeops on his head as he left pawprints on my heart GF

I think going through infidelity brings one closer to a pet.

My ex and I have always had rescue animals. And of course he had HIS dog, who he also abandoned during the affair.

One thing about a pet is that they will never let you down.

That is so true, the little big guy was ALWAYS my best friend, even when FWH wasn't!! That probably makes his passing even harder. The 2 remaining pets I have are also rescue, and while they are special, Muttley had seniority, if you know what I mean. One is a "yard" dog and won't have it any other way, the other a "barn" cat, who I did domesticated and have been able to bring her in. She is actually 13 yrs old and was very attached to Muttley and has suffered some separation anxiety...as in, if she doesn't adjust to things, she and her destructive ways may have to repair to the garage. Til Muttley passed she was perfect, they slept together, were pals...I guess she is grieving and needs time. GF

It's funny how some cats get along with dogs. Maybe because they have been rescued and are not so picky.

My cat was dumped out where I work - way away from everything, with coyotes running around. He ate out of the dumpster for about 4 months until I caught him. He has been with me now for 12 years and gets along fine with all of my animals. In fact, he likes to walk with the dogs, and sleeps with them.

You sound like an good hearted animal person. I've found that the animals always find me.

GF, I am so sorry to hear that you have lost Muttley. I know you loved him. There will never be another dog like him but there may someday be another dog who will capture your heart like he did.

My black cat came into our home to provide companionship to our calico cat after our we lost our white one. It was dicey for a couple of weeks but they were soon friends. I let the calico grieve for a few weeks then had to do something because she was so depressed.