Don't read this post. There's no jokes and nothing here is going to brighten your day, so just skip it all together.
About a year ago we noticed a small lump at the base of my dogs jaw bone, underneath his ear. The lump was gradually getting bigger. Finally we took Buddy in to see out family vet, Gordon[1]. Gordon ran some test, sent some stuff off to the lab and confirmed that it was in fact cancer. We scheduled a surgery to try and have the lump removed. We knew going in that there was no guarantee he could get all of the cancer, and likewise he wasn't sure how far it had spread into the rest of his body. Despite the racquetball sized lump on the side of his head, Buddy never showed any ill-effects. He seemed completely normal and healthy. This fact gave us hope that the cancer hadn't really spared and the surgery would be a success.
The surgery went fine but for a couple of weeks Buddy was a mess. He had stitches and this tube running through the womb to drain blood and puss and he had to wear one of those collars, not to mention he was in quite a bit of pain. He was completely miserable, where as before the surgery he felt fine. But once he healed up, everything was fine.
But then a couple of months ago we found the lump again. It was starting to grow back. About 1 month ago we noticed Buddy was starting to slow down some. He was getting tired easier and had trouble jumping on the furniture. A couple of weeks ago he began to emit a soft whimper as if he was really uncomfortable all the time. About 1 week ago we started Buddy on some pain pills and just like that we had our dog back. He was running and jumping and chasing squires. But about Friday we noticed the pain pills having a lessened effect and his back legs were starting to become difficult to use. By Sunday his rear legs were completely useless. He would scuttle around using his front paws only and his back hips would shift rapidly from side to side. He looked like a screwed up penguin[2]. We also haven't been able to get him to eat anything aside from some bacon[3] yesterday morning.
We talked and decided that we need to go ahead and have him put down today. When I woke up this morning he tried to scuttle to me but only made it a few feet before he gave up and waited for me to come to him. I sat down on the floor and petted him for a few minutes. I looked into his eyes and wondered if he knows anything is up. I wonder what he has thought was happening to him through all of this. I wonder how Mike the Cat is going to get lonely now. I'm sure my mom will be more lonely with only the cat around to cuddle with[4].
We tried to feed him but we haven't been able to get him to eat anything the last couple of days but some bacon[4]. We've also gradually tripled his dosage on pain pills but a whimper still persist. We are getting ready to leave in a few minutes to take Buddy in. We're all a little sad; Buddy was a really good dog... but now he just smells.
1. We have a family vet but not a family doctor. Shows you where are priorities are.
2. This would have been hilarious to watch if it wasn't so sad.
3. Mike may be my favorite pet ever, but he can really be a butthole sometimes. I think he does stuff just to see if he can get a reaction.
About a year ago we noticed a small lump at the base of my dogs jaw bone, underneath his ear. The lump was gradually getting bigger. Finally we took Buddy in to see out family vet, Gordon[1]. Gordon ran some test, sent some stuff off to the lab and confirmed that it was in fact cancer. We scheduled a surgery to try and have the lump removed. We knew going in that there was no guarantee he could get all of the cancer, and likewise he wasn't sure how far it had spread into the rest of his body. Despite the racquetball sized lump on the side of his head, Buddy never showed any ill-effects. He seemed completely normal and healthy. This fact gave us hope that the cancer hadn't really spared and the surgery would be a success.
The surgery went fine but for a couple of weeks Buddy was a mess. He had stitches and this tube running through the womb to drain blood and puss and he had to wear one of those collars, not to mention he was in quite a bit of pain. He was completely miserable, where as before the surgery he felt fine. But once he healed up, everything was fine.
But then a couple of months ago we found the lump again. It was starting to grow back. About 1 month ago we noticed Buddy was starting to slow down some. He was getting tired easier and had trouble jumping on the furniture. A couple of weeks ago he began to emit a soft whimper as if he was really uncomfortable all the time. About 1 week ago we started Buddy on some pain pills and just like that we had our dog back. He was running and jumping and chasing squires. But about Friday we noticed the pain pills having a lessened effect and his back legs were starting to become difficult to use. By Sunday his rear legs were completely useless. He would scuttle around using his front paws only and his back hips would shift rapidly from side to side. He looked like a screwed up penguin[2]. We also haven't been able to get him to eat anything aside from some bacon[3] yesterday morning.
We talked and decided that we need to go ahead and have him put down today. When I woke up this morning he tried to scuttle to me but only made it a few feet before he gave up and waited for me to come to him. I sat down on the floor and petted him for a few minutes. I looked into his eyes and wondered if he knows anything is up. I wonder what he has thought was happening to him through all of this. I wonder how Mike the Cat is going to get lonely now. I'm sure my mom will be more lonely with only the cat around to cuddle with[4].
We tried to feed him but we haven't been able to get him to eat anything the last couple of days but some bacon[4]. We've also gradually tripled his dosage on pain pills but a whimper still persist. We are getting ready to leave in a few minutes to take Buddy in. We're all a little sad; Buddy was a really good dog... but now he just smells.
1. We have a family vet but not a family doctor. Shows you where are priorities are.
2. This would have been hilarious to watch if it wasn't so sad.
3. Mike may be my favorite pet ever, but he can really be a butthole sometimes. I think he does stuff just to see if he can get a reaction.
4. He's dying, he's not stupid.
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