Some prayers for my dog would be appreciated.

S

Sword and Shield

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Apr 3, 2004
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My wife and I adopted Pasha from a shelter 3 years ago. He's an Aussie Cattle Dog mix, sweet, loyal, smart, everything you'd want. He's been on mild painkillers for some arthritis in his knee, and a couple weeks ago we noticed he seemed bloated and not feeling well.

We took him to the vet, and an ultrasound was done.

Cancer. Don't know where it started. He's getting a biopsy Friday, but the problem is, we can't afford to get chemo. It's $200 a crack weekly, for 6 months. We can't afford it- I'm out of work but looking, my wife is looking for a second part-time job, and we can't squeeze $800 a month out of our finances.

I've put up a crowdfunding site and haven't even had a nibble. My wife's a wreck over this, and I feel like hell. :(
 
How old is he? Trying to prolong an older dog's life with expensive treatments, often is more for the owner than for the animal itself. I've seen people spend a small fortune to try to do so. Things move much faster for dogs in life than humans. That includes dying, you have nothing to feel guilty about, make him as comfortable as possible and when he is suffering more than enjoying life, do him.the ultimate favor by taking him to the vet to release him from the pain. You gave him three loving years, he probably wouldn't have had otherwise. I've said goodbye to many fine canines and it's never easy, but the way I look at it they all needed homes, when they found one with me. They would have been born and no doubt died much sooner, if I never allowed them into my life. Thanks for adopting an unwanted dog and showing him the best years of his life.
 
I can offer no easing of the pain and distress you and your wife are living over the failing health of your loved Pasha. But I do share an understanding with you both, because I have been where you are. More times than I want to re-visit in my heart.

Please consider Jill Jackson's post above. Myself ... I have lost a lot of my loved people, slowly with cancer. My pets, well ... the pile of tears can't keep pace ... but ... in the end ... I would not prolong a pet's endurance with cancer ... I would want to say, "you are a good dog, a good dog" as the sweetness of sleep fell upon my beloved pet. And I would be proud of my strength and my gift of loving when it counted most in the ears of my dog as sleep fell.

I know this is hard to hear. I cannot say that I would have heard what I have to say when I was less exposed to the pain and experience of loss.

Strength to you.
 
jill jackson said:
How old is he? Trying to prolong an older dog's life with expensive treatments, often is more for the owner than for the animal itself. I've seen people spend a small fortune to try to do so. Things move much faster for dogs in life than humans. That includes dying, you have nothing to feel guilty about, make him as comfortable as possible and when he is suffering more than enjoying life, do him.the ultimate favor by taking him to the vet to release him from the pain. You gave him three loving years, he probably wouldn't have had otherwise. I've said goodbye to many fine canines and it's never easy, but the way I look at it they all needed homes, when they found one with me. They would have been born and no doubt died much sooner, if I never allowed them into my life. Thanks for adopting an unwanted dog and showing him the best years of his life.
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I know these things, sadly. Been there many times. The discussion with the vet post-biopsy is going to be palliative care versus treatment, but both are tough and costly. I just can't handle the idea of not being able to give what he needs, whatever it may be. Hell, we just dropped $80 today for a blood test, and $50 on food to find something he wants. He's not in pain, but we'll treat it when we can.

I will ask the mods if I can post the site address, since scoutchris asked me to do so.
 
OK ... if there is hope ... I will help as I am able ...
 
Tough decision. Pets are a big part of the family for many (myself included). Smoke and prayers sent.
 
Sorry your going through this. Pets are family period. Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.
 
scoutchris said:
Please post a link to your crowd funding site.
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Nope, that falls under solicitation and as such needs approval from the site owner. Sorry, but to many bad things can happen with stuff like this. You need to ask Spark, the site owner for permission to link any sort of funding site. Only after he approves can you link it. Sorry, but positive thought for you and the situation you are in.
 
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I would NOT prolong a dog's life whether it had cancer or some other horrific disease that ravages it's body.

I would NOT do that for any other animal-pet in my life just FOR ME because I could not DEAL with the issue at hand and ACCEPT what was staring at me in the face when it was doing squat for the animal.

I would NOT want to be treated like that 'medically' so why would I want to do it for a beloved dog in my life?

Why make an animal SUFFER and LINGER ON when specific facts are in front of you just to make you feel good emotionally and/or if you can't accept that DEATH is just as much a part of LIFE as life is?!

I do not believe in that and I would say more there but it would come across as too BLUNT!

I do not think that is a NICE WAY in dealing with your beloved pets and, in fact, I don't like to see it when some people do that with some people in their lives. Give them all of those treatments, surgeries and a whole bunch more or when they keep someone alive using MACHINES and tubes just so they are 'alive'. :mad:

NO way!

In fact, without bringing in ethics and religion - I do not think that is how God intended animals AND people to LIVE.

Quality of life means more than anything to ME.

Your mileage may vary.

Here is MY view on my late, beloved dogs in my life.

The DOG has LIVED A GOOD LIFE no matter how old it was when SHE (Or he.) died.

The dog got to SHARE it's life with you and your loved ones which is more than some animals and people can say in this world.

It was LOVED and cared for by me. (Insert YOU here!)

I was thinking of rambling on about beloved people and dogs in my life to explain this some more but I think a few other people already said what I was thinking.

I will say a prayer for your dog and for your family.

Think of the dog and the QUALITY of LIFE.

Death is a part of life and vice versa no matter how hard that is for some people to accept and deal with.

Been there - done that.

Cate
 
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Strong words, Catherine ... but true. Very true.
 
I know. I am the same, yet a very much more experienced (in loss and quality of life) person now, than I was when I went through the cancer situation with the most beloved dog of my lifetime. My heard bleeds for this situation ... and when you are caught up in prolonging a life dear to you, and sharing that with another loved one, and all the feelings overwhelm ... it is no place I ever want to be in again in my lifetime. Simply that.

Strength and compassion ...
 
I am very sorry. It is a decision that you have to make, but for your dog, not for yourself. Its so hard, because you give the dog a little of your time, a little food and maybe a corner with a dog bed, and in return they give you--everything they have.

We had the same situation with Buddy many years ago when we were in a much different financial place. We spent many thousands of dollars that we really couldn't afford on all sorts of chemotherapy, vet bills, medicines and special diets. He lasted about 6 months from the first diagnosis, which was certainly longer than he would have had without treatment, but I don't think his quality of life was great.
 
I feel your pain man. I have a 10 year old pug who we are in the exact same boat. Two weeks ago we found out he has lymphoma. Its far along enough that there is nothing we can do. We were quoted roughly $15,000 for chemo and steroid treatments and our vet said it might give him an extra two months. Horrible months. So we have him on just the steroids and are just trying to enjoy the time we have left. Im not the praying type but I do feel for you and really sorry for what is going on with your dog. For what its worth I have been feeding my dog boiled chicken or hamburger with rice. It seems to be helping his bloating issue.
 
I'm sorry for what you are going through and my prayers will be with you all. I've lost two of my furry family members to cancer and it was rough.
 
Very sad time, as others have said or inferred to, it's hard to step back and make the right decision for your family member and keep your own feelings out of the equation. They can't talk and it is hard to make the decision for them as they are not able to give you any input...verbally anyway. I guess try to think about it as if it was happening to you personally and what you would want to see happen and take it from there. It's a hard decision to make, been there myself and my heart goes out to you and your family. Whatever your decision live with it and move forward in as positive a way as you can.
 
Precious, 72 pound female greyhound, 24 March 2010: last trip to Matthiessen State Park, Utica, Illinois.

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Precious had leukemia. We found out early, a standard blood panel before minor dental surgery (most greyhounds have gingivitis). She was seven, greyhounds typically live to twelve. The vet said 12–18 months with chemo and recommended a specialist. She had a good year and then she went down fast.

The drug was Chlorambucil, also known as Leukeran (GlaxoSmithKline), which is used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia in humans. It is a nitrogen mustard alkylating agent and can be given orally. It is extremely toxic. I gloved up to mix her food, scrubbed before un-gloving, and checked myself for hair loss (still hairy).

Sword and Shield said:
the problem is, we can't afford to get chemo. It's $200 a crack weekly, for 6 months.
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Yes, I could have paid that. Fortunately the dog was sick and not me, so I shopped around. The cheapest place for chemotherapy drugs was Sam's Club. Yes, they fill veterinary prescriptions. Chlorambucil was $106 a week. Sam's Club is the place to go for Chlorambucil. If the Waltons ran the rest of their disgusting stores like the pharmacies, I would still be a member.

What really got to me was that the same Chlorambucil prescription would have cost $23 a week in Canada. Unfortunately, Chlorambucil has to be refrigerated. Refrigerated shipments to the USA go by private courier, so you if you can't drive there you may as well buy at Sam's Club.

I hope this gives you some ideas. If your dog isn't too old, if the cancer isn't too advanced, if the drug is something you could administer, think about Canada.

Precious.jpgPrecious2.jpg
 
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