20 replies to this topic

[LuvmydobeApollo]

Its with a very heavy heart i must tell you all that my Eva has bone cancer in her front leg....... it started about dec. she had a puffy joint and it was warm, we did xrays and it looked funny, but my vet said not like osteosarcoma, maybe an old infection in the joint. i tried antibiotics and xrays about a month and a half later, no change. my vet said if it were osteo, there would be change. she did well, limping on an off, but not bad, next day she would be better. well on tuesday she didnt want to get out of bed, she limped so badly she didnt want to move much. she ate well and i gave her rimadyl and on wed. she seemed better, but i had Bill bring her in so we could xray again. well, its bigger, definatley a cancer, maybe not osteo, but its there. I dont know what to do, my doc thinks amputation would be way to traumatic for her.... radiation to shrink it, we are going to check on prices, but its in the thousands and i just dont have it. she said she could do a bone biopsy to see what kind it is,,, but all that is, is to tell us if its the really bad kind, or just the bad kind. and its painful and i think kind of a barbaric procedure... im thinking of just managing her pain until she cant go on......... she seems alot better today, she is on rimadyl and tramadol right now. i have a script for some T-3's if this doesnt work. Its killing me knowing that i will have to make "that decision" in the near future, on a dog that seems so happy. I dont like acting as God, taking a life.... I know its for the good of the animal and its humane, but it just kills me........ its like being alive, happy one minute and the next someone is ending it all for you, by their choice, not your own. .... i deal with this stuff every day and it eats at me. most times i just steel myself and know its for the best and do it. but other times i can not do it and break down and some one else has to help. I know im just going on and on here, but i just dont know what to do.

Eva is the kindest animal i have ever known,,, she is beautiful, loving, and is so strong. To think of what her life before us was like and then for her to have a horrible disease that will take her before her time, is so farting unfair i want to scream!!! she lived through all kinds of horrors, she should die a dignified old woman in her sleep.... A few years ago i lost 2 dobes less than a year apart to DCM.. im not ready for this again so soon.... why do they have to go so soon? it really sucks...

I know you will all understand, and thanks for letting me blab on...

Sharen, Eva, Rueger, Chevy and Tango

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[Pam]

I'm so very sorry to read this. There's just never enough time with them & it seems so unfair. I remember seeing Eva's picture, if it's the same Eva, a few years ago on the site & thinking she looked so sweet. You're both in my thoughts.

[Arda]

Oh Sharen, I'm so sorry. But please remember that the only life she ever had was with you. You made all her horrible past go away. And she is no spring chicken. None of which makes it feel right but you will know when they can not go on. We put Gunthur in God's hands Tuesday. He was in such bad shape that it was not fair to make him live this way. You are in our prayers. As is Eva. She is quite a girl.

[Kzoo]

It is never easy. I do understand what you said when you said that it's hard to make that choice. When you feel that way about "playing god" I do get it. But, these poor animals cannot tell us when they are in such great paint, they rely on us to do our best by them. We have to be unselfish and do what is right for them. If we are doing the wrong thing, God will forgive us. As he knows that we thought we were doing the right thing. I don't think any of them should suffer, not ever. I honestly think it takes more strength and love to give our pets back to God then it does to keep them here selfishly. It shows that you put their well being first and foremost. It is always hard to say goodbye. Cherish the days/weeks/months/hopefully years you will have with her. She is a very beautiful doberman. I am sure she knows how much you love her. Listen to your heart. Only YOU can decide.

[doberpagegirl]

I am so sorry to hear that Sharen. We will keep you and Eva in our prayers. It is so unfair that you have to make these decisions, but Eva trusts you to make the right decision. I wish there was something to say to make it better, but there just isn't. Life is so harsh sometimes.

Edited by doberpagegirl, 12 February 2009 - 02:34 PM.

[yahoosmom]

I am so sorry to here about your beautiful Eva. Your both in my prayers and thoughts.
Only you will know when the time comes when it's time to say run free of all the pain
my beautiful Eva. She will let you know too.
My heart hurts for you. None of us ever want to let them go. Sometimes we just have to.

[Bumpette]

I'm so sorry to hear about Eva. You'll know when the time is right, Sharen. For now just keep her comfy and happy, enjoy your time with her. Keep us updated.

[DeeDeeWedd]

I know EXACTLY how you feel. My late Sierra was diagnosed with bone cancer (right rear leg) after another dog ran into her and broke her leg. I was devasted when I received the news, Sierra at that time was five years old. I had to make a decision, amputate was the only solution cause the break was so bad. And my vet was postitive it was osteo. Well, I wasn't going to let her go - I wasn't ready!!! So she had the surgery and was supposed to start chemo but luckily when the biopsy came back it was fibro where the amputation alone cured it!!!! My sweet sierra hopped around for another 5 years!! She died in my arms last May due to cardio. In a way I was glad she went like that cause for five years I just thought to myself that one day I was going to have to make that decision - and god knew I just couldn't. Sierra got around great on 3 legs for five years, and as she got closer to 9/10 she would fall more often - but it sure didn't slow her down. I'm so sorry for you to have to go threw what I had to. It sure makes you treasure each and every moment you have with them. I will pray for you and eva, keep your chin up and give her lots of love Let me know if you would ever like to chat

-Wendy

[shromada]

Sharen, I know exactly how you feel also. My late Buster was unfortunately diagnosed with Osteo in his right front leg. He was only six and I couldn't bear to part with him. We ended up amputating (he was amazing as tripod) and going through chemo. He did really well after surgery and handled the chemo well. We had him for another year to love and hold. I don't know if I would do it again for monetary reasons (we had even less money back then). I am, however, grateful that we had that last year with him until he passed over the bridge. That was over 12 years ago and he is still in my heart. Any decision is a hard one to make. You will know the right one to make, just look into her beautiful eyes and your heart. My thoughts are with you and Eva. Please keep us updated.
Sharon

[debl]

I agree with everyone else..they've said it so eloquently. There's nothing more I can add other than I am so sorry & feel your pain with you. Dober hugs to you & Eva.

[Cheri]

Sharen, I am so sorry to hear about Eva's diagnosis. She is such a beautiful Doberwoman. She looks so kindly and wise with her gray hairs on the muzzle and eyebrows. She really resembles my Savanna. I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to have to make the decisions that will face you. I hope this won't sound terrible, but when Savanna started getting up there in years, I secretly hoped that, when her time came, she would die peacefully in her sleep. Of course I did not want to lose her, but I just so dreaded the day coming when I would have to take her to the vet and say put her to sleep. It's such an agonizing thing to go through, and I know I can't say anything to make it better for you. Just know there are many of us on the board who care and who understand what you are going through. I pray that Eva will still have lots of time with you, though I know it's never enough.

Edited by Cheri, 13 February 2009 - 12:14 PM.

[ella]

Sharen
I am so sorry to hear about Eva. It is always such a hard decision to make. God Bless you. you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Ella

[MarlysMom]

Sharen, I'm so very sorry to hear about Eva. It has all been really well said, not much I can add. It is immensely difficult to go through this; manage her pain, she will let you know when it is too great. You have given her a wonderful life, always remember that. Thoughts & Prayers for you all.
Kim, Marley & Bella

[Diana]

I am so sorry to hear the news about your special Eva. Life seems unfair sometimes and we never understand why bad things happen to such wonderful creatures. You have given tons of love to her and only you will know when it is time.

[IcesMommy]

I am VERY sorry to hear about Eva. Osteo scares me very much since we are also greyhound people and osteo is prevelant (because of the darn evil racing we are so against)
Jaxen had osteo and amputation. He had carboplatin chemo and lived 47 months post amp. They said he was a miracle at the
University of Guelph, they thought he would live about 12 months only. He was on a anti cancer home cooked diet and artemisin.
It takes so much adjusting and care for a tripod. My dad built all ramps off of their steps and decks and they had to be diligently maintained
as for Jaxen not to fall. He hopped along like a kangaroo wonderfully, and happily. He was the only boy living with 6 girls and he did great.
Sadly, he died a few months ago, but lived those 47 months extra, pain free and happy. We have lost other babies dx too late-even though
symptoms were not exhibited until that time. I pray for your Eva and I pray for you, this is so painful. Sometimes
making choices is just so hard, why can't God make them all for us! So many of us understand though what you are dealing with and facing.
Eva is beautiful. I just wanted to give you a little glimpse into our experience with osteo.

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[IcesMommy]

Oh Sharen, I'm so sorry. But please remember that the only life she ever had was with you. You made all her horrible past go away. And she is no spring chicken. None of which makes it feel right but you will know when they can not go on. We put Gunthur in God's hands Tuesday. He was in such bad shape that it was not fair to make him live this way. You are in our prayers. As is Eva. She is quite a girl.

Awww Bless you Arda and Gunther...

[KellyB]

Sharen,

You and Eva are in our thoughts. I know its such a hard decision, I to was there not to long ago. But as one wise lady told me Leave it in gods hands, Eva will tell you when its time. I pray that you can find out some answers.


Kelly

[CAB]

Oh Sharon, I'm so sorry to hear this. Eva looks like a very sweet girl, I could just smooch her adorable face.

[oreo5129]

Sharen, as i sit here and cry for you and your baby, it reminds me how fragile life is with these dogs and how so many people go through the lost of their loved ones too early. I am sorry it is too hard to say any more right now, but may God love you and Eva. Eva will let you know when it is time. Playing God does not need to be a bad thing, you are helping to do his work and put a beautiful soul out of her pain. She trusts you to do that for her
Praying for you, Mary

[Sparkles]

Sharon I am so sorry for what you are going thru. It will be 2 yrs. next month since we had to put Greta down due to bone cancer and it was a hard decision. She was 6 and had it in her front right leg, lived out her last months with so much love and care but when it was time we knew.

I know this doesn't make it any easier but prayers are with you and Eva.


Sarah