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"Airey Home" Amy Has the C Word
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Posted by: LongTime---------------------

Many of you who've been here for a while remember the "Free to Good, Airey Home" thread -- that became a DRN classic. Well the sweet little puppy that started it all, Amy, a mutt (black lab / newfie mix, probably) has lymphosarcoma.

Poor thing's only two and a half. Sweetest dog in the world. Not sure if she's dumb or just sneaky, the way she does things she's not supposed to, sometimes. Only sure that she's a big ol' lover dog. Made last year, one of my roughest, bearable the way she'd go crazy every morning when I got up and every evening when I came home. Even on that night when she was just a babe, and almost blew the windows out of our new home, prompting the start of that thread, I was only kiddin' about letting anyone else ever have her.

Well yesterday morning I went to pet her and felt a mass the size of a baseball in her neck. Hadn't been a trace of anything even one day before. Took her in yesterday, got results today.

Now I don't know what to do. Take her to a cancer specialist, probably. But I always swore that I'd not spend thousands of dollars on a pet that was going to be terminal, or miserable, anyway. When it stares you in the face, though, no matter how tight money may be you've got to have a heart of stone not to at least consider doing major steps.

Right?

Anybody?

Posted by: MXDad---------------------

Man, LT, sorry to hear about this. Pets definitely become a part of the family. I've been through it, and I all can offer is to get all the information about options and follow your instincts. I"m sure your vet can offer some valuable insight to help you with the decisions.

Posted by: dhoward---------------------

Been there a couple of times, LT. I've cried over some animals more than I have humans. It's easy to say you won't spend a bunch of money on a pet, but when the time comes, my wallet's out. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Posted by: bwalker---------------------

Sorry LT, I couldnt imagine what would it would be like if my dog had something like that happen to him.

Posted by: BSWIFT---------------------

LT, follow your heart. Your wallet can be refilled. Good luck. The "Free to Good, Airey Home" thread had me in stitches.

Posted by: JuliusPleaser---------------------

LT, I have a friend who had triple-bypass surgery while he was going through a tough divorce. His cat was the only thing that kept him going. While he was recovering from his surgery, his cat disappeared. He searched his house, and found the cat under a bed. The cat had ruptured himself while trying to pass a kidney stone. When Ray found him, his intestines were literally strewn about on the floor. He said that he fought back tears and revulsion and gathered the cat up and put him in a box. He made some phone calls and loaded the cat into his car and set out for Auburn University, which is 150 miles froim his house. The vets at AU managed to save the cat's life, and Ray took him home a month later. The cat is now his constant companion, and seems to have fully recovered. Ray keeps a close eye on him, and jokes that he can't afford to lose him. He spent approximately $9000, and says he would do it again without hesitation.

I sincerely hope that things go as well with Amy. If you want to talk to Ray, let me know. I'll PM his # to you.

Posted by: Maru16---------------------

go with what BSWIFT said.
I have a shih-tzu that i have grown up with, and i'd hate to lose her (she's nearin' that age). For some reason i don't cry when loved ones (human) die, but i know very well, i'll cry when she dies. Or at least i won't talk to anyone for a week. :worried:
But yes, follow your heart, ...while your wallet can be refilled... you heart cannot.

Posted by: KiwiBird---------------------

Sorry to hear LT.

Posted by: Okiewan---------------------

If it was my dog? I'd probably spend the dollars knowing every day he's still here would be worth it as long as he was pain free.

It really is amazing how much pets can mean to us. They are just animals. Right?

Posted by: Senior KX Rider---------------------

Very sorry to hear that LT. They become part of the family don;t they?

Posted by: LoriKTM---------------------

Follow your heart, LT. At 2 1/2, she's still got a lot of time left. Explore the options. See what the vet says.

My newfie is going to be 9 in February. We'll send our thoughts your way.

Posted by: slo' mo---------------------

LT,
can't make up your mind for you, but I have spent literally thousands of dollars between two of my dogs. One had heartworms to the point we had to have her treated w/Arsenic, then has undergone three blood transfusions and now she's nearly 16 yrs. old. The other had swallowed a pine bark chip and caused her stomach to tear open. Surgery didn't save her but I still payed the bill and was comforted in knowing that I tried.
All my pets have been strays or throw-aways, but they are family to me. I have to bury them by myself so nobody will see me cry.

If you love the dog, do everything you can to save her. No money could ever buy the memories you might miss if you don't.

Posted by: Ol'89r---------------------

LT.

Very sorry to hear about Amy. As you know, my wife and I own horses. Several years ago, one of our older horses laid down and would'nt eat.

The vet said she had a stone blocking her intestines. We could spend about $3,500.00 on a operation to remove the stone or let her die. Due to her age, chances were she would not survive the operation. People told us we were nuts for wanting to spend that kind of money on an old horse.

Well, we had her since she was born. I held her in my arms when she was a one hour old foal. Not much question as to what to do. We had her operated on and they removed a stone the size of a cantaloupe. I still have it.

After the operation, she acted like a filly again. She lived another 10-12 years to a ripe old age. We didn't miss the money as much as we would have missed her.

Cancer is not uncommon in dogs and they have many ways of treating it now.

I know you and I know you will make the right decision. Hope this helps you make that decision.

Terry.

Posted by: Bill Purcell---------------------

Good luck LT. I know what a tough decision this is. I've been lucky with my pets and have never had to spend more than $1000 at one time, but after an incident with one of my dogs (she is doing great now), my wife and I had to have a discussion of how much we would be willing/able to pay and under what circumstances.

All you can do is listen to the vet and do what you feel is best for the dog and your family.

Bill

Posted by: a454elk---------------------

I had the choice of putting out $2500 for a surgery for my dog that they thought had a torn diaphram or put her to sleep. I opted for the surgery and they performed it. Unfortunately, my dog had gotten into some rat poison that my association put out for gophers. Her whole insides were torn up like a bomb went off. They couldn't stop all the bleeding and they couldn't fix the torn arteries to the heart. She didn't make it through the surgery and I was out the money. Didn't matter to me though, at the time, she was all I had so it wasn't even an option to put her down. I don't regret it and would do the same again today. I believe pets make you who you are. They are so dependant upon you and it kills me when you hear about someone torchering them. It's not their fault that they were born nor that you took them home. No matter how mean people are to them, they still wag their tail and come back for the next petting. Do what's in your heart, not what's in your pocket. Good luck LT
Elk

Posted by: MikeT---------------------

Quote:

Originally posted by slo' mo
If you love the dog, do everything you can to save her. No money could ever buy the memories you might miss if you don't.

Oh man. I am feeling pretty sad over here. I would like to get a dog but I have asthma. slo' mo what you said really hit home.

Posted by: bbbom---------------------

Sorry to hear about it too LT.

Here's some information I found - down towards the bottom there is a comment that the company that owns the website may have some sources for financial help through funded clinical trials. Maybe your vet can find something similar?

http://www.veterinarymall.com/info/lympho.html

I spent about $3000 for surgeries over the past 12 years of my black Chow's life - starting when she was a puppy. She had inverted eyelids (twice), female problems, skin problems...........none of it was apparent until I had already fallen in love with her so we just paid the bills. I'm glad we did it though. Even at 12, she still jumps and playbarks when I get home or come outside.

But then, I've spent a lot of money getting porcupine quills removed from the goofy Bluetick Hound too. At $125 - $250 per time and at least 2 - 6 times a year for the last 5 years we've been up here - he's more expensive than she is! I wouldn't trade him for the world either but I don't tell him that. He does keep the bears, cougs and other undesireable visitors away from the house though and he keeps an eye on my kids when they are outside playing.

Posted by: BunduBasher---------------------

LongTime this is a really tough call, if the dog is going to suffer in anyway, extended treatment etc, then having her put down is the best option. I think the choice one always has to make is for the pets best interest and not yours. God definitely made the pets of the world special, the dogs, the cats, the fishes and other varmits, which is why you never really get a bad dog or kitty. There is always another little one out there looking for a good home, love and affection.

Posted by: WoodsRider---------------------

LongTime - I'm very sorry to hear about your puppy. Our nine year-old Scottish Terrier, Jake, was diagnosed with prostate cancer last June. He lost the use of his rear legs and we put him to sleep. I know exactly what you are going through and you have my deepest sympathy.

Woods

Posted by: Coop---------------------

Man my eyes are watering up over here. I had to give my dogs a hug. LT I really feel for you. We don't have kids so the wife and I love our dogs as much as some people love their kids. I think you already know what you want to do, so listen to what your insides tell you.

Two years ago we had a male cat named Ralph. He had Urinary problems. Sami came home one day and found him unable to move on the floor covered in his urine. She rushed him to the vet. It was either surgery or put him down. We paid the bills and medications, etc. A year later he ran away, but I don't regret it at all. The cat we have now is his son and I would do the same for him. You can always make more money.

Keep us posted.

Mike

Posted by: Jaybird---------------------

My tears and prayers go out to you, Longtime.

Posted by: DahlElama---------------------

I can attest to the power of our best friends. Last year my wife had some serious medical issues. When she came back from the hospital, she was really down for quite awhile. I tried, but really couldn't do anything to help. The only thing that could put a smile on her face was our dog Bud. He really helped us both through a really tough time in our lives. He's a good pup.

www.all-dahl.com/bud.htm

Best to you LT

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"Airey Home" Amy Has the C Word

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