My dog has cancer :(

Alex Moon · Post by **Alex Moon** » 2003-08-17 01:07am

The veterinarian removed a tumor from my dog last thursday and sent it into the lab, and today they got the results back: Malignant. Apparently they believe that my dog has 2-3 months left. Mom is distraught, and now has the insane notion that somehow giving the news to my sister will cause some sort of reconcilliation between them. Fat chance of that happening, as everyone else in the family but mom can see.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-08-17 01:09am

Terribly sorry to hear that. My condolences.

Post by **Gandalf** » 2003-08-17 01:10am

Whoa, I'm sorry to hear that.

Post by **Ghost Rider** » 2003-08-17 01:12am

My condolences...always hard to hear about a pet dying.

Post by **RogueIce** » 2003-08-17 01:15am

Damn...I remember when my dog died...I cried like Hell about it.

Very, very sorry to hear that.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-08-17 01:16am

Shit, I'm really sorry to hear that. A pet becomes a member of your family in a way that some people can't understand.

Bug-Eyed Earl · Post by **Bug-Eyed Earl** » 2003-08-17 01:28am

A Tribute To The Dog
By George Graham Vest

Gentlemen of the jury:
The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.

The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only be may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings, and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.

If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.

About The Author
George Graham Vest (1830-1904)

George Graham Vest was a United States Senator from Missouri from 1879 to 1903. He was one of the leading orators and debaters of the U.S. Senate. While he was practicing law in a small Missouri town, Vest represented a man who sued another for the killing of his dog. Vest's handling of the case was unique. He showed no interest in the testimony offered. However, when his turn came to address the jury, he made the speech above and easily won the case.

TrailerParkJawa · Post by **TrailerParkJawa** » 2003-08-17 03:42am

Sorry to hear that. Losing a pet is a terrible thing.

ArmorPierce · Post by **ArmorPierce** » 2003-08-17 03:43am

Sorry bout that, it's a bitch. Looking at my dog now I know that he only gots a couple more years on him at most. To bad I can't be with him everyday like back in the day.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2003-08-17 04:15am

*snif*

I lost a great golden retriever to cancer too when I was little....

*Snif*

Straha · Post by **Straha** » 2003-08-17 01:43pm

Sorry to hear that, losing a pet can be a horrible thing. Just take it in stride,it's the best you can do.

Also sorry to hear about your internal family politics, I hope that gets better too.

Oberleutnant · Post by **Oberleutnant** » 2003-08-17 01:55pm

I really don't know what to say. No words of comfort can probably help you right now. Spend all the remaining time you can with your loyal friend.

My old dog died about three years ago and it really felt horrible, almost as bad as the death of my grandfather who died in the same week. We have a three year old Labrador Retriver now and he's really wonderful, but sometimes I miss my childhood friend. He always accomppanied me wherever I went.

Darth Yoshi · Post by **Darth Yoshi** » 2003-08-17 04:34pm

Shit. That's horrible news. My condolences to you, man.

Slowhand · Post by **Slowhand** » 2003-08-17 07:49pm

That's dreadful news. I anthropomorphize like a sonofabitch, and I can honestly that I never greived harder than when my little dog, Gord passed away at 30 months from congestive heart failure.

My thought are with you.

Frank Hipper · Post by **Frank Hipper** » 2003-08-17 08:38pm

Very, very sad. Losing a pet is fucking harsh, my heart goes out to you.

Post by **Zaia** » 2003-08-17 08:41pm

Damn, Alex, I'm really sorry to hear that. Are you taking it ok so far?

And, if you don't mind my asking, why does your mom think that news will make things better with your sister? If do you mind my asking, just don't bother answering my question; I promise I'll completely understand.

Alex Moon · Post by **Alex Moon** » 2003-08-17 10:36pm

Zaia wrote:Damn, Alex, I'm really sorry to hear that. Are you taking it ok so far?

Thank you, and thanks to everyone who offered their condolences. I'm taking it pretty well. I usually do well when it comes to these kinds of things. I've been expecting it for a while, as Riley has been having somme health trouble as of late. At least it wasn't like when my dog Schroder died. I had come home from a weekend with my Dad, and found out that Schoder had fallen down the stairs on the friday that I left. (He had hips that were almost completely gone by this point. and he had tried to run down the stairs to the door.)

According to what the vet told mom, the longest that he's seen a dog live is a year, and that was on Chemotherapy. However, if Riley was put on Chemo he'd have to give up the medicine for his hips, so it'd be a year in pain.

And, if you don't mind my asking, why does your mom think that news will make things better with your sister? If do you mind my asking, just don't bother answering my question; I promise I'll completely understand.

Well, I talked to mom today, and it turns out the situation is a little more complicated. A friend of Mom's at work was in a similar situation as mom(constant fighting with daughter and such). She took her daughter down to Boulder early this year, to help the girl get settled into her apartment. After the parents left, the girl committed suicide. Mom got really shook up when she heard this, because the last thing she wants is for something to happen to either of them while K and her are on non-speaking terms.

BoredShirtless · Post by **BoredShirtless** » 2003-08-18 02:46am

What the fuck is wrong with you people? His dog isn't DEAD! DON'T offer your condolences!

Alex, my dog was diagnosed with malignant stage 3 mast cell cancer at the start of this year. Vet removed tumors on her back and stomach. She was given 2 months to live. 9 months later and she is 100% healthy and as happy as can be. DON'T give up on her!

Dooey Jo · Post by **Dooey Jo** » 2003-08-18 04:40am

How do you know if your dog has cancer? *worried*

BoredShirtless · Post by **BoredShirtless** » 2003-08-18 05:20am

Dooey Jo wrote:How do you know if your dog has cancer? *worried*

You won't know, but your vet will. You should take your dog to a vet every 6 months for a checkup. But here are some visible signs which MAY indicate cancer:

1. Hacking cough
2. Lethargy
3. Blood in stool and or urine
4. Lumps under surface of skin [this is what my dog had]

Frank Hipper · Post by **Frank Hipper** » 2003-08-18 05:55am

BoredShirtless wrote:

What the fuck is wrong with you people? His dog isn't DEAD! DON'T offer your condolences!

Alex, my dog was diagnosed with malignant stage 3 mast cell cancer at the start of this year. Vet removed tumors on her back and stomach. She was given 2 months to live. 9 months later and she is 100% healthy and as happy as can be. DON'T give up on her!

Well, of COURSE don't give up on her, but a sad prognosis isn't going to bring any rays of sunshine out of me if I haven't got an encouraging anecdote to share!

Dooey Jo · Post by **Dooey Jo** » 2003-08-19 05:44am

BoredShirtless wrote:
Dooey Jo wrote:How do you know if your dog has cancer? *worried*
You won't know, but your vet will. You should take your dog to a vet every 6 months for a checkup. But here are some visible signs which MAY indicate cancer:

1. Hacking cough
2. Lethargy
3. Blood in stool and or urine
4. Lumps under surface of skin [this is what my dog had]

Every 6 months? At most, we've been taking her there every 6 years

. And that one time was only because she was really sick. But she got 8 shots of something in her neck which made her look like a camel and then she got better. Guess I'd better take her to the vet just to be sure that she's allright.

BoredShirtless · Post by **BoredShirtless** » 2003-08-19 06:43am

Dooey Jo wrote:
BoredShirtless wrote:
Dooey Jo wrote:How do you know if your dog has cancer? *worried*
You won't know, but your vet will. You should take your dog to a vet every 6 months for a checkup. But here are some visible signs which MAY indicate cancer:

1. Hacking cough
2. Lethargy
3. Blood in stool and or urine
4. Lumps under surface of skin [this is what my dog had]
Every 6 months? At most, we've been taking her there every 6 years . And that one time was only because she was really sick. But she got 8 shots of something in her neck which made her look like a camel and then she got better. Guess I'd better take her to the vet just to be sure that she's allright.

Yeah that would be a good idea

You and I can always walk over to the doctors if we feel sick or concerned about something. Dogs can't.

Post by **LadyTevar** » 2003-08-19 01:26pm

Frank Hipper wrote:
BoredShirtless wrote:

What the fuck is wrong with you people? His dog isn't DEAD! DON'T offer your condolences!

Alex, my dog was diagnosed with malignant stage 3 mast cell cancer at the start of this year. Vet removed tumors on her back and stomach. She was given 2 months to live. 9 months later and she is 100% healthy and as happy as can be. DON'T give up on her!
Well, of COURSE don't give up on her, but a sad prognosis isn't going to bring any rays of sunshine out of me if I haven't got an encouraging anecdote to share!

Sometimes, as hard as it is, it's less painful for your pet to let them go. My puppy was nearing 15, had arthritis in all four legs, and was just miserable, unable to even limp up the low stairs to her favorite resting spot. We decided, amid much pain, that the vet was correct to suggest putting Spotty to sleep.

Now, if your family can afford the treatments, then by all means try the chemo. If not, then I can honestly say it's better to say goodbye while your puppy is still able to lick your face.

CmdrSweevo · Post by **CmdrSweevo** » 2003-08-20 10:13am

BoredShirtless wrote:
You won't know, but your vet will. You should take your dog to a vet every 6 months for a checkup. But here are some visible signs which MAY indicate cancer:

1. Hacking cough
2. Lethargy
3. Blood in stool and or urine
4. Lumps under surface of skin [this is what my dog had]

Our dog didn't have any of that. He was happy-bouncy-happy-bouncy and then just keeled over in front of us one day. Turns out he was riddled through with cancer.

Looking back I think it was sort of a disguised blessing. His twin suffered three years of crippling arthritis and a stroke.