Hallie

My Forever Friend I know that it is different, now that I am no longer there. I realize how much I was loved and how much you all cared. I know it will be hard at first when you look around for me, expecting to find me in my bed or beside my favorite tree. Someday you will begin to see although it'll take some time, the happy times you shared with me, the memories that are yours and mine. I'll always remember my family, and how much you meant to me. So please don't grieve and don't be sad, it was just my time to leave.

Thanks Anna. It's so nice that we've been in touch all these years; kind of like in-laws, but in a good way. I feel fortunate that I was able to get to know the parents of four of Chance's littermates and hope we can continue to be friends.

So sad...run free sweet girl.

Poor Halle. Back injuries can take a long time. If she seems like she's just experiencing discomfort and is not really in pain, I'd keep her on the meds and give her a few more days. If she doesn't seem to be improving, I'd bring her back for X-rays just to be sure. Hang in there - it's so hard when our babies are hurting and we want to be sure we're doing right by them. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

I just incurred about $2500 in medical bills just having Chance diagnosed (OS), treated for pain, and helped over the Bridge. All this in about a two week span. It just adds to the pain of losing my boy, but of course it was absolutely necessary. I will research insurance in case - OK, when - I get another Grey, but I like the idea of a savings account. I actually have money automatically taken out of my paycheck right now and put into the Credit Union. I don't have an ATM for that account or a checkbook, so I really never touch it. I think I'll just up the amount taken out of my check if I don't find a reasonable and affordable plan.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how much pain you are feeling, but you made the decision of love. There are way too many babies leaving us so early in the year.

I am so very sorry for your loss. Presto was a beautiful boy who had lots of love showered on him. I know you will miss him terribly.

I'm so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

Funny, I was thinking the foster route too....just to hard to think of 'replacing' right now. I think it's tough when you don't have another hound to love on. The house seems so empty.

Chris, here's the picture. For everyone else, this is 4 members of the 10 pup Fortified litter. L-R: Fortified Talent (Tally), Fortified Fancy (Fancy - died from bloat the following December), Fortified Jazz (Seamus - lived with me for 3 years until Chance decided he didn't like him anymore. He now lives with a friend and another grey not too far away), Fortified Heart (my angel Chance).

How are you doing? I hope you're beginning to feel a little better. I just keep telling myself that he's not in pain any longer - only we are. I decided to work from home today - maybe it wasn't the best idea. I see him around every corner. Please know that you are in my thoughts as well. As much as I wouldn't wish this pain on anyone, it's comforting to know we're not alone. Hang in there....

Chance is gone. Our hearts are broken. Even though I know I did the right thing, I just can't believe I won't see him again. He did go easily, which is a comfort. Thank you all so much for your love and support. I've posted his passing in Rememberance.

What do you say about the perfect dog? The dog who could cleanly snatch a single slice of pizza out of the pie on the counter in the blink of an eye; the dog who would greet me at the door just as joyfully if I'd taken the garbage out as he would if I'd been gone a week; the dog who would do his 'Crazy Boy' spinning and jumping after dinner every night. The perfect dog who could destroy a stuffie in record time and had to inspect every shopping bag that came into the house just in case Mommy had brought him a boney. What I can say is that his name was Chance and he was a beloved member of my family for seven wonderful years. A few weeks ago I noticed a limp. To make a long and tragic story short, we ended up getting the dreaded Osteosarcoma diagnosis. Chance knew something was wrong - no more spinning and jumping, no more interest in food, the greeting at the door was done from his bed with a tail-wag. Even on our short walks he whimpered and seemed confused. We really had no choice but to let our boy go last night. He was not in terrible pain, but was uncomfortable and not himself. As I said, he wasn't interested in eating which was his passion, and couldn't move around much without whining or moaning, so there wasn't much quality there. We had to let him know we loved him enough to set him free. The passing was easy for him…not so much for us. We buried him in the backyard, in a place we can see from the windows; a place that will be sunny and warm come Spring. Hopefully by then, our hearts will have begun to heal. Godspeed my sweet Chancey-boy. We love you always.

I've made arrangements for Chance to cross over tonight (Thursday). He had a miserable night last night, is not eating or drinking. He whines and moans constantly. My vet, who had offered to come to the house to help him over the bridge, can't make it until Saturday. I don't want to put any of us through that long wait. Another local vet offered to do it in her office after hours this evening at 7:45. I really didn't want to have to take him, but he will sleep peacefully and pain-free tonight for the first time in weeks. So please think of us tonight. Even though I know we are freeing him, the thought of life without him is heartbreaking.

My sincerest and heartfelt sympathy. It sounds like Jazzy really etched himself into your hearts - what wonderful memories you will have!!! Godspeed Jazzy.

My heart is with you. Jazzy is free and you gave him the ultimate gift of letting him go.

Oh how sweet. I'll make sure and tell Chance to look for Jazzy. They can travel their way together.....

I've wanted to update sooner, but I just haven't been able to bring myself to. Chance came home from the hospital on Monday. He's able to put weight on the leg and seems somewhat comfortable. Yesterday was a bad day. He whined and moaned all day and didn't sleep a wink. I think he was overmedicated and had one of those paradoxical reactions. Poor guy and how awful to hear him so uncomfortable all day - I didn't know what to do. He definitely was not anywhere near himself. Not interested in food or treats - all he'll eat is some scrambled eggs and yogurt. Not wanting to drink either - not even chicken broth. My sons and I have made the decision to ask the vet to come on Saturday afternoon to help him over the Bridge. Chance is nowhere near the happy-go-lucky boy he always was. He's miserable. I don't think he's in a lot of pain, but he's definitely uncomfortable and out of sorts. He's not happy, so we feel there's no use prolonging his agony or ours. He's not going to get any better. We have his grave dug in the back yard; we've all taken part in digging it, and in the spring it will be sunny and warm there. Our boy will always be close by. My heart is breaking, but I know I'm doing the best thing for Chance. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

I am having to make the same decision for my dear Chance in the next couple of days (he has OS). My vet was very sweet in offering to come to my house to help him make the crossing. Chance hates the vets, and that was my biggest worry about letting him go. We feel there's no use prolonging his agony or ours - he's not going to get better. We have his grave dug in the back yard so he'll always be near. I'm so sorry that you have to go through this.

I'm so very sorry. I know just how you are feeling. I don't think Chance will last long. I looked him in the eyes this morning and told him to let me know. About an hour later he started to whine and stopped eating and drinking. I don't see any reason to prolong the suffering for him or for us. I think I'm going to see if the vet will stop by tonight and help him over the Bridge. Oh, I do know how your heart is breaking....my sincerest sympathy and condolences.

The vet at the Animal Hospital just called and told me they did 2 more Xrays and it wasn't necessary to do the needle aspirate or the bone biopsy. Chance has OS. The only thing that can be considered good news is that he is able to come home. He has a pain patch on and has had it since Saturday, so they will put a new one on since they take 12-24 hours to kick in, and only last 3-5 days. They will give me a prescription for Tramadol and Previcox and see how he does. I can take him to my regular vet if he needs another pain patch. My regular vet called and was so sorry. Even though he did Xrays and radiographs, they were the outside of the leg and the lesion is on the inside. He's really a great guy and told me that when the time comes, he will come to the house to help Chance over the Bridge. Sigh. Thanks again all for your love, support and wisdom.

I'm glad to hear your boy is doing so well. Lots of prayers and well-wishes coming your way.

Loads of prayers and healing thoughts coming your way!

I just spoke with the vet this morning and he said Chance is doing very well on the pain patch. He's putting weight on the leg and seems comfortable. They are going to do a couple more X-rays to help confirm diagnosis. They will not do the bone biopsy, but I gave permission for the fine needle aspirate if absolutely necessary. Best news is that he said he can come home this afternoon!! I'm so happy for him and for us. I did ask about prognosis, and he said probably about a month or so. I will treasure every, single day. Thank you all again for your love, support and wealth of knowledge. You're awesome!

I spoke with the vet last night and told her I did not want the bone biopsy if at all possible. She said they would mostly consider doing it if the radiologist was unsure of diagnosis and/or I was going to treat the cancer aggressively and amputate limb, etc. which I don't intend to do. She also said it was a procedure they would not do without calling me first. It also occurred to me that when I took him to my regular vet on Saturday, I told him I thought his wrist looked swollen. The vet bent it and moved it around and it made a really loud crack. The vet and I both looked at each other in surprise. Chance didn't cry out at that time or show any pain, but after that Chance's pain level went sky-high. So now I'm wondering if there wasn't cancer in the wrist and maybe the vet inadvertently broke the bone. I asked the vet at the ER last night to Xray that today. I'm supposed to call between 10-12 today to get the radiologists diagnosis and see how he's doing on patch. I so hope I can bring him home for awhile!! Couchpotato - I'm so very sorry that you are going through this too. It feels like a bad dream that I can't wake up from - my wishes for peaceful and sweet days remaining.