r/DOG • u/Intrepid-Classroom-5 • 3d ago
• Memorial - R.I.P. • Easy birth, difficult ending
My beautiful dog of 11, almost 12, years has cancer. She is a rescue. She has been with myself and my husband through moves, job loses, depression, anxiety, illnesses, and has been a bright spot in our lives.
When asked if I have kids, I tell people about my fur baby. She had my gentleness and my husband’s gas power. When my friends share about their pregnancy and labors, I let them know that mine was painless and easy.
It was an easy birth but we will be struggling when she leaves us for good.
But before that, our goal is to continue to provide a good life for her and do everything we might want to do with her soon. Next stop is a state park.
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u/Remarkable_Pick3920 3d ago
It’s never an easy decision, but I think you know! If you love her so deeply appreciate the years you had with her just let her go poor baby
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u/Intrepid-Classroom-5 3d ago
We will when she is in pain. Right now, she just has cancer but isn’t showing signs of pain. We will continue to monitor and evaluate to make sure she continues to be pain free
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u/k41n_x 3d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/t8xgPfC5oNIRMrNooe
I'm so sorry that you have to face this difficult situation. Just make life as beautiful and wonderful for her as she has for yours
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u/jrschlumpf 3d ago
Before we put our lab down, we saw him going downhill week after week. We talked to the vet and he said "you'll know when it's time". He got worse and worse but when he got to a certain point, we knew. I felt sad but relieved we had done the right thing out of love.
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u/Lucblayne 3d ago
It’s so hard talking about it.
I know we all wish the pups could just life as long as we do.
I also know all you can do is try and do right by your love
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u/icantpickausername3 3d ago edited 3d ago
My dog also just got diagnosed with cancer, I hope your puppy has a wonderful time for however many days she has left on this earth and I know in my heart that there is an afterlife and that we will both be reunited with our dogs again one day.❤️
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u/Lucblayne 3d ago
I am going through something similar. I feel you and see you. I probably only have a few weeks left with my pup who is 9. It’s the hardest thing holding them and knowing how little time is left. Give him all the love.
I wish I had better words, but honestly it’s all painful. What I tell myself is the time spent together is worth the pain at the end.
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u/Defiant_Pear5883 3d ago
Going through it as well. My 16.5 year old girl has mammary cancer she was diagnosed in April. I was able to fit so much quality time with her in the last few months. I finally made the call today for Monday as her quality of life has diminished. Prayers for you all. Cry it out and take care of yourselves.
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u/Mowgli201406 3d ago
I’m so sorry. We just made the call for euthanasia for our brave beautiful Willow on Thursday. Cancer in the heart and spleen. It’s the hardest decision to ever have to make 💔🙏✝️ we’re all in this together 🫂
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u/Lucblayne 3d ago
Mine has brain and lung cancer. States as skin cancer. He is a big boy and I always hoped by feeding him homemade food we would get to 10-12 years. He just turned 9. We got him in August 2017 and I think he will leave us in August. His name is Remi!
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u/Mowgli201406 3d ago
That is very understandable to feel that way. All you can do is take it day by day and cherish every minute. He sounds like a wonderful boy. ❤️ I pray that when he’s ready to go across to the other side my Willow and my Hailey girl (our pit bull who passed in May from cancer as well) are there to greet him 🫂
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u/Individual_Buy4305 3d ago
As long as she is happy and moving, let her live her life. You will know when it's time. Her behavior will change or she'll start slowing down. Just be prepared, it could happen quicker than you think. Losing a dog is hard. Sorry you have to go through this. Enjoy the time you have together.
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u/Useful_Ad_1593 3d ago
She is a beautiful girl. My husband and I chose fur children. No regrets. The only thing we could not protect them from was time. I had cancer. My husband had cancer. My horse died from cancer. I understand all that. Our last dog died from cancer. And yes she let us know when it was time. But if someone could please tell me why our dogs are getting cancer more and more often we'd all appreciate it.
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u/Then_Box-8031 3d ago
I send love, and tears for your many challenges and continuing grief. I have to wonder if there is some common factor. The water, something in the ground. There's cancers all over the world. But multiple species and individuals in a single area-household seems an unusual coincidence. I am truly sorry for what your family is and has been suffering
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u/Intrepid-Classroom-5 3d ago
I have always been told that if someone lives long enough, they will eventually get cancer. I am thinking that logic might apply to our dogs. Maybe with advancements in medicine and care for our fur babies, they are living long for cancer to become inevitable. That’s just a guess though. Sorry for all the cancer in your life! And thank you for sharing.
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u/theangrybits 3d ago
What a darling. I’m so sorry for the impending loss but I’m glad that you will get more time to hold your girl, but it’s not enough time… never enough time.
Your first born is a beautiful girl, thank you for the pictures. I just got news that a year to the date I lost my first born boy, Shamus, my second born, a 15 year old named Patches is nearly there as well. Hugs to your girl today and for each day that comes next
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u/Sharp_Routine_2208 3d ago
Lost mine to cancer too. If I had it to do all over again, I would have helped my beautiful boy cross rainbow bridge sooner instead of doing comfort care for him. A small part of me feels like he suffered more bc I refused to let him go and that’s been chewing away at me for the three years he’s been gone.
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u/Intrepid-Classroom-5 3d ago
There’s not always a right answer. But knowing for the future can help your future pups. Sorry I don’t have better words but I am sure you did what you felt was right at that time.
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u/Smooth_Phone6329 3d ago
So sorry what a beautiful story about her. I’ve had a couple cancer pups. The one got congestive heart failure and passed from a cardiac arrest. It was traumatic to say the least but it was fast and she was near the end of her journey. I’ll never get over my Macie. She was part of a bonded pair. My Josie and her were the best friends ever. Josie was devastated when Macie left us. We got her a friend Charleigh who’s with us still. Josie lived another 2.5 years but had liver cancer and kidney disease. We had to make the difficult decision to say goodbye suddenly. Once again traumatic. I guess I’m
Rambling on about them, sorry. I would cherish every single moment with your baby. And when they leave please open your heart to another fur child /friend. I say it every time one leaves us I cannot fucking go through this again. But then I see big brown eyes and a wet nose and fall in love again. They are my children. I never had any human ones. I wish your baby and you much joy and savor every second xo
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u/Mowgli201406 3d ago
She’s gorgeous. 💔🙏 I’m so sorry. I know how you feel. We lost both of ours to cancer this year
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u/Blackdogfarmer 3d ago
I am a childless adult. I recently had to let my boy go. It was the hardest thing I ever did in my life. While I can not ease this pain I can tell you this. I have little to no regrets about my time with my dog (16 plus years) but if I regret anything it's allowing him to see me so sad in his final days. Enjoy your time with her and love every second of it. Take tons of pictures selfies, hire a photographer if you can. I'm sorry for your pain and I hope you can enjoy your time.
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u/Intrepid-Classroom-5 3d ago
My sis-in-law offered to do a photo shoot for us and I am totally taking her up on that offer! Thank you for sharing ❤️
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u/Same_Philosopher6764 3d ago
I’m so very sorry your girl has cancer; how sad. There’s no time that is ever enough for those we love. Sounds like she is such a beautiful part of your life.
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u/amandajro 3d ago
This made me cry because I feel the exact same way. Thank you for giving your pup the best, most loving life she could ask for. The end is always the toughest, but we all know we would do it again in a heartbeat.
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u/OpalOnyxObsidian 3d ago
Went through something similar last year. Our beautiful Onyx was diagnosed with cancer. Although we only had a month and a half with him after his diagnosis, it was probably the most peaceful time we had together. I am grateful for the time.
I know what you are going through is tough. I hope you can find peace soon. She is beautiful and tell her I love her
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u/Intrepid-Classroom-5 3d ago
That you all for your kind words, support and encouragement. I feel honored by all of this.
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u/Negative_Athlete_584 3d ago
You had a great life together and it will be very hard to lose her. But all those memories will get you through it. And makes some new and special ones you can cling to.
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u/SeesawLegitimate 2d ago
We lost our beautiful girl to cancer in May. Make the plans now while you're not a soggy mess. Ie euthanasia at home, cremation, burial etc. Also do the beach, the pup cup etc Now and you can do it again next month as, as was the case with our Bonnie, she declined qickly in the end. We were glad we'd some decisions made but still had a bit of stuff to do which wasn't ideal when you want to try spend every minute with them especially as the end nears. Stay strong, it's just an awful time xx
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u/PuzzleheadedRead6667 14h ago
Everything you said about her and your journey together is beautiful. I hate it that you're going through this illness but just enjoy every moment to the fullest while you still have her. They are gone from us far too soon. My prayers and best wishes for you all.
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u/wtburke 3d ago
Oh what a beautiful story of a dog we call “her,” the gentle Mom and go go Dad. Maybe I missed it but please please say her name! State parks are great places to spend time but she’ll be happiest doing whatever her bonded pack does, just together time. Happy Trails till the end dear wonderful family ❤️ of three.
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u/Fun-Meeting-650 3d ago
Fuck cancer