queenwinniesmom

Oh, no, two dogs in 6 months! Yes, you do need to vent, and too many of us know how you're feeling. It's just not fair. I'm so sorry you've gotten this devastating news. Hold your boy (and each other) close, and don't let the sadness steal your precious time away.

Who would have thought that Such love could be carried by The smallest of paws. A haiku for you and Cujo. I'm so sorry you lost your sweet little guy.

Maybe seeing his Mom will make him eat. I hope so. This is such a stressful time for both of you. Neither knows quite what to expect. But it's probably better that he is at the vets now. The anesthesia and pain meds can cause them to react differently--panting, that anxiety, etc. These things will ease off as his system clears. Thinking about you and Dempsey, and hoping that all goes well with his recovery.

I talked to the vet and vet techs today (I work at a shelter), and they all thought she should pass the candles okay. Of course, everyone said to be on the alert for signs of a blockage---which as paranoid as I am, I'll be doing like a hawk! But she's seemed just fine last night and today. Eating great, stomach normal, no vomiting. She's had several normal stools, but we couldn't really see much since the candles were brown too. Hazelnut. Maybe we should buy purple or red, just in case she gets the urge for some yummy wax again. Well, no candles on shelves anymore. They will be locked away!

Oh, that is scary and sad. We'll be praying that it is not bad news for Laddie tomorrow. One of my former fosters was just put to sleep for osteo too. She was only 6, and was a feisty, self-assured girl who seemed as if she'd be able to fight. But it was too bad, too fast. Such a shame. I'll be thinking of Laddie tomorrow.

Feel better, sweet girl!

DH and I just noticed some things on the floor, and realized they are 3 wicks from candles. The metal part is still attached to the bottoms. I'd gotten some hazelnut votives for Christmas, and was burning one (out of reach), and put the 3 others on a bookcase in the dining room. I didn't think they were in Grey reach, but apparently they were. These are small votive candles. I guess she must have chewed them up. Though we didn't see who did it, I'm sure it was Tess, my power chewer. I'm really concerned right now. This can't be good. Though I guess they would be in pieces, and not one big lump of wax in her stomach, would this be easy to pass? They all just ate, and I'm not sure if she did this before dinner or after. Should I be doing anything, or watching for anything? Should I call the vet?

I'm so sorry for your sudden and devastating loss. It will be doubly hard because you were in no way prepared. Osteo rears it's ugly head so unexpectedly, usually with the limp, and then the diagnosis of the tumor. Even though it was much quicker with Turbo, I hope in time that you will take comfort in knowing that he was doing what he loved, with the people he loved, till the very end.

I just read this. I wonder how she's doing. Sending prayers.

While you're understandably nervous about the surgery (I know how you feel), please know that you've made the right decision. Sending prayers and white light that everything goes perfectly on Wed.

Glad it went well today. Darcy is such an exceptional girl.

Winslow and Glynis, we love you! Wish I lived closer---I'd love to meet you both. I always check this thread to see how you're doing, and this good news is wonderful. Sweet boy, Queen Winnie would be proud.

How wonderful to see him, happy and enjoying life. You've done such a good job---and so has he. He's an inspiration!

I hope you and your precious boy have many more quality days together.

An osteo diagnosis is heartbreaking, so please never feel that you are being over dramatic. I'd say that crying is the first stage---well, maybe after the shock. We know what you're going through. Too many of us have gotten that devastating news, and made the decision that was best for our precious Greys, and for ourselves. It is the same fight, just different ways of doing what we can. With Pebbles age, and the fact that it has spread to her lungs, you are right to do palliative treatment. If she likes steak, I'd let her eat steak---the low carb, high protein is good. Fish oil is a good immune system booster too. I would second the suggestion of artemisinin---it's natural, and for osteo, couldn't hurt. I'm not sure if at this stage, you would get the same results as if it were started before the osteo progressed, but it's worth a try because it does help fight cancer cells. My Winnie was on it for 3 years! And she was put to sleep because of kidney failure, not the osteo. Like I always say (perhaps too much)---cancer is a crapshoot. You just never know how fast or how far it is going to progress. You just need to do what you believe in your heart is right for you and Pebbles. And that includes knowing when to say good-bye. She will likely let you know. Listen to your precious girl, and make the decision based on whether or not she is suffering. You know that your time will be finite, and knowing this, you are able to devote yourself to making that time together as meaningful as possible. Remember that they live in the moment---they don't worry about the future sadness, but simply know that they are loved and safe NOW because we have assured them of that. Don't let the sadness steal away the precious time that you are sharing each day. Sending prayers and white light. ETA Lisa, that was a simply beautiful post!

I should have added my Winnie while it was still 2007. Our first Christmas without her found me missing her greatly, but feeling her presence everywhere. Queen Winnifred Grace III, OBH (Order of the Brave Heart, on the GRTB message board), 11-23-95---10-2-07. She was proud, stubborn, quirky, independent, brave, and devoted to me, her Dad, and her Angel brother, Nick. Winnie was the inspiration for so many who's Greys were fighting the monster osteo. That she survived (and truly lived) for 3 1/2 years after her diagnosis, and amputation, was something of a record, I think. And I think that's the way she wanted it---Winnie was never one to do anything halfway! She taught me a lot during those years---about courage, patience, joyfulness, and just plain doing what you have to do. She left us with the dignity that was so important to her, and on her own terms. The old kidneys failed, but she beat the monster! Win, I know you're still a Queen, ruling in the Kingdom at the Bridge, with your family and friends around you. Watch out for us down here when you can, okay?

I'm so sorry you lost your precious Desiree. How you loved her! Her spirit will live on in your beautiful artwork.

Oh, Iris, I'm so sorry. I know how hard it's been dealing with 2 dogs fighting the monster. Run free, sweet Morty.

Ah, Grace.....she looks absolutely beautiful! In more ways than one. It's amazing how resilient they are, even through a long haul like this. I guess lots of prayers help too, and she certainly had those. As well as a Mom who hung in there with her every step of the way. You're both remarkable. I'm so glad she's doing REALLY well.

Lots of good advice here, even though each dog is different. But there is a common thread---don't second guess your decision once you have made it. It's good that you are clear in what you think is best. Your are doing everything right---asking questions, moving quickly, being realistic, consulting with the most knowledgeable vets. For us, the most agonizing time was before we decided to do Winnie's amputation, and in retrospect, I wouldn't have waited that long. But we hadn't dealt with osteo before (only lymphosarcoma), and didn't know what to expect. But we learned a lot, and so will you. I hope you'll check back here often, for support and info, and also to let us know how your boy is doing. We did do the biopsy, but I don't really think, looking back, that I would do it again. It does weaken an already weak area, and the leg needed to come off anyway because it would have shattered (which it did when they did the amp). You mentioned X-raying the back legs. I could be wrong, but I don't think osteo usually moves to the other limbs right away. It would more likely metasticize in the lungs first. You should do the chest X-ray. If there are lung mets, the osteo has already progressed. I think we would have just chosen palliative treatment had Winnie's X-rays shown lung mets. But the X-rays were clear, so we did the amp (right hind leg). She was a textbook case of everthing RIGHT! And we were extremely lucky. Our regular, wonderful vets did the surgery, and I felt totally comfortable with that. An amputation, though the surgical site looks ghastly if you don't know what to expect, is mostly soft tissue trauma. Of course, more may be involved with the front leg amp if it is in the shoulder. I almost feel bad saying this, but our vet charged us $200! Yes, that's $200, not $2,000, which is what I had expected! And that included 5 days hospitalization because they didn't want us taking her home right away, due to the steps she needed to do to get into our house (we have a tenant on the first floor, and live on the second and third floors). Aside from not doing those steps for almost a month (we'd fixed up our tenant's Florida room for her), she had almost no problems. But I've known dogs who had lots of problems. It helps to have knowledgeable, experienced vets---OSU's the best---but cancer is a crapshoot. That's kind of my mantra. We do everything we can, and sometimes it's enough, and sometimes it isn't. Just know, and remember, that your decisions are made out of love, and what you believe is right for your boy. Though we chose not to do the chemo, we were blessed to have Winnie with us for 3 1/2 years after the amp, kind of a record, I think. When we lost her in October, it was due to kidney failure, not the osteo. I'm glad to see that Deuce from Indianapolis is still fighting the good fight. Winnie was kind of an inspiration for his family, and we and Winnie were lucky to meet him and his Mom and Dad in Gettysburg. Now maybe he can be your inspiration. Wishing the best for Dempsey.

Due to the holiday, I hadn't seen the previous thread---thanks for posting the link. I am just stunned, trying to imagine what you've gone through at what is supposed to be such a joyful time. What a terrible shock. It must be doubly hard for you to comprehend her loss---so sudden, so young, and on Christmas Eve! I'm so sorry you lost your precious girl. Getting their ashes back is very emotional as well, but I think many of us find comfort in knowing they are "home" again. The finality of that can be overwhelmingly sad, but it allows us to proceed in our grief, hopefully to a stage beyond that bewilderment caused by such a sudden loss. I'm glad that she got to come into the resturant with you. Knowing that she wouldn't have been allowed, had she been there in "canine", might have made you smile. And I think she would have liked that. I actually carried my Nick's ashes on several vacations with me, once meaning to scatter some of them ( I just can't let them all go), but I didn't find just the right time. So he just came with us, and came home with us. I think I might do that again. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss.

Oh, that is so sad. I'm sorry you had to make that heartbreaking decision when she had been with you such a short time. But, of course, you couldn't have taken the chance of her being in even more pain. But it's true that they live in the moment, and in that month, she knew she was safe and very loved. I'm so sorry you didn't have more time together. She truly deserved the wonderful home she'd finally found.

Wow, that is a big hurdle to be over. I can't imagine how hard it was for you to sit there waiting for word about your boy. But that is encouraging news. Continued prayers for Dear to be home soon and on his way to recovery.

Oh, I'm so sorry. It just seems overwhelming---too many precious Greys and their families dealing with this heartbreaking news. Can you try the artemisinin? Sending prayers and white light.

I'm so sorry that you've lost your precious Lacey. What a brave and beautiful girl she was, and she fought the good fight. I've followed her story and her battles, and was in awe of her indomitable spirit. Of course, having a Mom and Dad who loved her as much as you do, was a huge part of that fight. Your Dr. Greene was right---she was lucky to have her wonderful family. But you are right too---you clearly shared a love strong enough for her to send you a sign that she is safe, and running free from pain. Such a sad and difficult time for you and your family. Sending continued prayers for strength and healing.