my dog is dying

[Dis]

I may not be posting for a while. You all know I'm overly emotional. And I'm pretty broken up. Pretty sad I cry more over my dog than my father. Is it possible I love my dog more than I loved my father? maybe. This is the first dog I "truelly" had. I'll miss her so much. Non pet owners will probably never understand. Perhaps I shouldn't have used her as an emotional crutch, but she's really all I have.

The diagnosis is acute lymphocytic leukemia. Curable in children, not in dogs. They recommended chemotherapy which may put it in remission for a short while. But even with the chemotherapy, they give her months. Without, will be weeks.

I kind of knew something was wrong with my dog, I made a thread earlier on it. I was reluctant to take her to the vet as I don't have any income right now. I shouldn't have waited, but I don't think it would have made much difference.

I'm still not sure how they determined it was acute vs chronic. Chronic cases could live on for a couple of years, but acute does not look good.

Which leaves the decision of whether to do chemo. It'll be around 2 to 300 a session I was told. He didn't say how many sessions, but from what I can gather on the internet, maybe weekly? I'm having trouble finding out info on this, I don't have a fax he could have faxed to, so I'll have to wait to get more info on this.

She's my whole world right now, and I just want to spend some quality time with the dog. So long for now.

[Sir Og]

[Berzerker]

how old is she? Its hard putting 'em to sleep, but if they're in alot of pain its better that way. And then go to the pound and get yourself an abandoned dog (or cat). Not a pup, they get adopted easier. Let her have that legacy, not a legacy of sorrow.

[Berzerker]

Btw, I hate to say it but we're kinda hoping our cat keels over

She's a nearly 20 year old calico that is really hard of hearing so she just yowls and yowls for food and she eats like every 2-3 hours. And she goes thru cat litter like we got a beach in the backyard.

Nah, I'll feel bad when she goes.

[Bkeela]

It is hard to measure how much you love someone, but losing your dog will surely have a far greater impact upon you because she is a part of your daily existence.

I lost my dog to cancer about ten years ago, and thinking about it still makes me wince. I don't think anyone gets as close to another creature as they do with their pet.

As an undertaker I witness grief constantly and feel nothing. But this news of your dog makes me feel sad for you Dis. All the best.

[Wezil]

Take care Dis.

[SlowwHand]

Dis, I'm so sorry.
Do as you say, spend some quality time with her.
Take a photo or two if it's one you would like to have in the years ahead.

[DinoDoc]

I know what you're going through. I still get sad thinking of what happened to my Angel.

[Pekka]

Sorry to hear this, Dis. It's not weird. I cried when my dog died more than I ever cried for a living person. There's few things that are important even when this time is difficult for you. You need to be with your dog friend and if the time comes that you need to put her into sleep, it is your duty to help her and make it happen. And you need to be there. It might feel difficult, but be in the room, it's your friend, she deserves your company and trust then. It's not about putting a dog to sleep, it's about you taking care what needs to be done, and you showing your friendship by sticking up for her when it counts the most and you will depart as friends and not as strangers, so then you will be friends forever.

I know it's difficult talk, I get a lump in my throat thinking about it, but in these emotional times, feel free to feel sad. It is OK. It is not weird. It just shows how much you have appreciated the friendship and the loyalty, now you can show it in action by being with her until it's time to say goodbye. It's worth it.

Besides, your dog is not your emotional cruch in a bad sense. It is your friend. It's been years and I still miss my dog a lot and think about her often. However, just like with humans, it gets easier with time. And yes, I still think about my dog more often than other dead people I knew. So it's not weird, don't worry. Appreciate it and remember the good times, and you can still have good times. Good times as in sticking up for each other, showing strength when the situation tries to weaken you. That's the power of friendship.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Berzerker
how old is she? Its hard putting 'em to sleep, but if they're in alot of pain its better that way.

I watched an office mate of mine go through chemo. It wasn't pretty. It's basically poison, but just more poisoness to the cancer than to the patient. You might try it once, but probably putting your dog to sleep is the more humane course.

[ZEE]

i had a cat, or i guess it was my parents cat, we got as a kitten (a california blue.) That cat survived, and was my friend, all the way before and through my highschool years, my early druggie years, to when i moved to california, then came back to florida again, all a span of about 15 years. That cat was by best friend in the world and i can still claim that to this day. i have never loved another creature or human being more than that cat. when i dealt with everybodys hate and the insanity of the world, i could always come home to my friend. I would cherish the moments i spent with him and i wish now that i could hold him, just one more time. His death is still a mystery, we found him dead in the neighbors bushes, but that is not the point. I loved that animal.

[Imran Siddiqui]

[OneFootInTheGrave]

not sure if this is any consolation, but get another puppy before your dog leaves, so at least you will have someone for the future to enjoy yout time with

[Arrian]

I'm so sorry, Dis.

-Arrian

[LordShiva]

Dogs

Dogs dying