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Fight K9 cancer

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dog cancer support

Members: 15
Latest Activity: Dec 21

After losing our sweet Mouta (pictured here) on August 11, 2008 to cancer, my husband and I are still missing her terribly. She was diagnosed in February 2008 with a sarcoma in her spine. She was a trooper through the pre-diagnosis stage, when we initially thought she had a herniated disc in her spine, to the end. When aggressive steroid treatment only brought her from a stage 4 (almost no hind leg movement to a low stage 2...walking with assistance) we knew it was time for further testing. We drove 90 minutes away for her to have more test...a myelogram, which in turn led to surgery and the diagnosis of cancer. It was no doubt that we would pursue further treatment for her because out of the 4 pup-a-lups (my husband's term) she was our special baby...the calm in the eye of the storm, I always said. With the 4 dogs and cat, Mouta was always laid back and just really loved life. She was the ONLY one who could be off leash in the front yard and not run off 100% of the time! She LOVED being with us too much to venture off.

I did tons of research, talked to anyone who would listen, read everything I could find about cancer in dogs. And there's really not a lot of data out there. One of the deal makers for me when the subject of radiation treatments was discussed was that every question I asked about the success, the risk, the prognosis for Mouta was answered pretty much the same.."We don't know. There's not much data out there because most people opt for euthansia with the cancer diagnosis due to the cost of treatment." I felt that if by treating Mouta there was the slightest chance that we could have her in our lives a little longer and get her healthy again, it would be worth it. We had just bought a new house...I wanted new furniture, but you know, 'things' can wait...life can't. I still don't have the furniture, but we did have Mouta for 6 more months. We celebrated her 10th birthday with a cookout and I even baked a birthday cake for the dogs (you know there are lots of recipes online for homemade dog treats..even cakes!) When she finished her radiation treatments she was acting like a puppy again, not like the 10 year old that she was by then.

So, I started this group as a memorial to our Sharmouta. Anyone who has been through this, or who is facing this is welcome!

Discussion Forum

Where dogs go when they die... 2 Replies

Started by Lynn. Last reply by Lynn Nov 14.

Do Dogs Know? 5 Replies

Started by Lynn. Last reply by Caryn Wilson Oct 26.

Some helpful links

Started by Lynn Oct 22.

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Comment by Judy Gaetje on December 21, 2009 at 2:59am: Merry Christmas everyone and may 2010 be happy and healthy for all! The older dog I was going to adopt did not work out. My puppy didn't like him in her face all the time....... but he has a great foser family and they probably will keep him. He was very sweet but VERY needy. Will look in the spirng again. For now... my 3 are happy to be the BIG dogs in their own way..... Have a great Holiday!

Comment by Judy Gaetje on December 14, 2009 at 1:07pm: that is such great news Lynn....... God answers prayers

Comment by Susan on December 11, 2009 at 3:38pm: Oh Lynn that is so good to hear!

Comment by Lynn on December 11, 2009 at 1:02pm: GOOD NEWS EVERYONE. We got word yesterday that Grisa's lump was a non-cancerous basal tumor and they got it all out!!! Thanks you, God! And thanks for all your prayers.

Comment by Lynn on December 11, 2009 at 1:02pm: Judy, I have read that before and I love it. It's one of my favorite tales. It is such a simple truth if you think about it.

Comment by Judy Gaetje on December 9, 2009 at 2:14am: don't know if you have read this but it is very profound and comforting and wise for one so young..... don't we wish that same understanding and peace thru death of our best friends!

A Dog's Purpose? (from a 6-year-old).

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.
He said,''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?''
The Six-year-old continued, ''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY, LIFE IS SHORT - DON'T WASTE A MINUTE

Comment by Lynn on December 7, 2009 at 2:37pm: Susan and Judy,
It's great to hear that you both seem to be doing well. Judy, I think it's wonderful that you have found a place in your heart and home for an "old dog". No one seems to want to adopt the senior citizens of the canine world. And Susan, I think you are also doing right by Finn. You are at a crossroad it seems,with your husband's dog and consideration/concern for Finn being an only dog. How old is Finn? You have some time to make a decision on getting another dog. I think you will know when the time is right to welcome a new dog or puppy into your family. My Nikita will be 12 in January, our other 2 are 6 & 7. While we both want another Tibetan Terrier, now is not the time and it's been over a year. I think it has taken this long for the other dogs to find their place in the pack and we aren't ready to upset the apple cart by adding another fur-baby just yet.

In my little corner of the world here in Georgia, Niki and Grisa both had surgery last Monday, Nov. 30. I posted a couple of times in "Prayers for My Pup". Grisa had a knot on her head we thought was a cyst...it wasn't...and had to be cut out. The results on that are not back yet, but I really don't have any concerns about it being cancer. I don't think God would do that to us again so soon! She also had some loose teeth, so those got cleaned again, but this time she lost 14 teeth. She is back to normal pretty much and is eating good with her remaining teeth now that the soreness is gone. And we didn't have to change her diet from hard kibble!

Niki had this toenail thing going on as a result of an injury to it about 5-6 years ago. She split it somehow back then and there was a piece sticking straight up. Her vet snipped it off and it has been fine all these years until late this summer. We noticed her licking it and it appeared infected. So a round of antibiotics and some pain med back in early September took care of it. It started flairing up again, so we took her in when we took Grisa. At first the vet thought another round of antibiotics, but a closer look made him think she had a small non-cancerous growth at the base of the nail. A minor laser surgery to take off the growth would most likely solve the problem...so we left them both that morning. I got a phone call within about 30 minutes (Niki is TERRIFIED of the vet and has to be muzzled, so they bumped her in front of their other cases so the muzzle could come off). The infection was in the bone and they ended up having to amuptate her toe...left rear, equivalent of our big toe. Her bandage had to be removed Tuesday and she had a difficult week due to pain and some digestive issues. I wrote a bolg post about the "bandage removal" and subsequent issues. You can read it if you wish. I had to take a comic approach to mantain my sanity from worrying about her. With the help of an e-collar to keep her from licking her wound and the resoultion of her upset tummy, she is doing much better now. I finally enticed her to eat more than a handfull of kibble Saturday, with the help of a can of "gourmet chicken & rice senior". Since then she has been much better and is adapting to getting around with her "lampshade" on her head!

Both dogs go in next Monday for suture removal. Hopefully we will have Grisa's results from her "knot".

I hope you both have a wonderful Christmas!

Comment by Susan on December 7, 2009 at 1:31pm: oh Judy, Good for you.That is such a wonderful thing to do.

I have been trolling the local rescue sites, but I am not ready. Instead I am concentrating on my young dog Finn. He is blossoming out of Willow's shadow. And is a great dog in his own right. I feel like I can finally see him for the dog he is, not the dog he isn't.
On one hand I feel like I owe it to him to be the #1 dog in my life right now. On the other hand my husbands lab Emmitt is 12, so I don't know how much time he has left. I don't want Finn to be an only dog, so I need to time it right.
Also since am in Colorado where it is cold a puppy is not a good idea right now.
I still miss Willow a lot. I don't cry anymore, and I can remember good times, but there is still this empty place. I am keeping very very busy, so I don't focus on it too much. I am sure with time it will become better.
Death is just so final isn't it. I had an emotional day when I picked up her ashes, but everyone at the clinic was wonderful.

Comment by Judy Gaetje on December 7, 2009 at 12:53pm: haven't heard from you two in awhile... are you doing ok???? as a gift to my sweet Hamilton...I am adopting a 13 year old Golden from a resuce
i am wokring with..... his owner moved to Hawaii and could not take him in the cargo hold so he came to the rescue..... he is so cute..... very sweet and very much like my Hammie....... think this is my new calling i love the old ones who are abandon and needs lots of love. wish me luck!

Comment by Judy Gaetje on November 26, 2009 at 3:30am: Susan and Lynn.... it is good the hear all about your speical dogs We all have been coping with grief and loss in so many different ways yet some much the same way. . I also have the wonderment of what you had in Willow and Mouta. They both were so special to you and even though you eventually may get another dog... they will not be like your wonderful furbuddies. I have two other goldens and they are the love of my life but will never be Hamilton.. I think once in a lifetime we get that special friend and on this Thanksgiving... I reflect on how lucky I have been to have had Hamilton but also my other pups throughout my life. Hamilton like Willow.... was so easy to train and because I was training him to be a Service Dog for someone else ( thank goodness he never made it, he was afraid of the wind!) he went to work with me every day and loved to do his skills. He would find the phone for me, pick up everything I dropped, . turn on and off lights with a touch pad ( very handy with my Christmas Tree) and carry my purse or smal packages in the mall and would carry his leash into the offices at work for treats.He would wander all of the agency even without me and everyone loved him. Hamilton had the BEST fur, so soft and fluffy. He was such fun to take places and he loved to show off for everyone in public. He never knew a stranger and smiled and wagged his tail all the time.... I really miss those special times together! ..I hope this Thanksgiving you look at the joy that Willow and Mouta brought you and your family and know they are also thankful for having you in their life. The sun will shine soon and the rain cloud will be smaller as time goes on... have a great day!