animal rescuers - resources - support

[FeminineAllure]

Originally Posted by Tommi

Seeking support, answers, info...

My friend just received path report on 13 yr. old Dusty Best Boy cat. Diagnosis is oral squamous cell cancer of the lower left mandible, with incidental staph infection. Vet has recommended surgical removal ASAP. Swollen area just seemed to pop up over night. Vet says the surgeries are very successful as tumor appears to be localized and metastatic potential is low, and wants to refer to Veterinary Sugeon specialist.. I researched radiation therpay which is a 4 to 6 week process, and surgery may still be needed. As you can imagine, the cost will be great, but , this is her baby.

My girl tells me she knows of animal surgical cases that were successful. I know it is sucessful in people's... and Vet did not suggest putting him to sleep as he is an otherwise healthy guy, except for this lumpy bumpy mess..

Thoughts, suggestions, comments....

Hi Tommi.

You and your friend certainly have my support. From what I am understanding from your post the vet seems positive about the outcome.
I would keep my cat alive as long as he was still eating and drinking and would not suffer much... and I could afford the care.
My friend has lost two of her cats in the past two years. One very recently. It seems to me the animals as well as their caregivers seem to know when it is time for them to let go.
The cat is 13 so he has lived a long happy life should he have to be put to sleep.
I have seen with sick people as well as with animals, sometimes they need to be encouraged to leave this world knowing that is okay if need be.
Keep us up to date please.
Thanks.

[AtLast]

A good friend of mine (Harry) has a 13 year old boxer (George) and he is going through what we all do when we need to make that quality of life versus our not wanting to let go decision. I love this dog, too and have known him for several years. He was my boxer’s best pal and Harry used to bring George over to visit my Valentino when he was too sick last year to go to the dog park anymore. They would just hang out quietly together on my front lawn like two old men playing chess and reminiscing. It was so kind of Harry to do this.

George has severe arthritis and is having stroke events as well as is incontinent. He is still eating, but really can’t stand for long. Harry was talking to me yesterday about calling his vet and asking him if it was time.He is struggling internally so much it just breaks my heart.

Harry has taken incredible care of George since his wife died 8 years ago. George was actually her dog. I know the loss of George is very much connected to the loss of his wife. This guy has made George a hand made cape and a bed in which George can slip into it and the covers gently cover him by just getting in the bed! Harry was an inventor (he is about 75 years old). He also made George special goggles to protect his eyes from getting poked as he aged and couldn’t see well. Harry adores this dog.

I can see that Harry is exhausted as taking care of George has been a 24/7 job for the last 5-6 weeks since he has had the stroke events and gets confused. Harry has to get up and bring George out several times at night.

I realized yesterday that the real problem is that George needs to tell Harry in some way that it is OK for him to let go. But even with all of what is going on with him, he still picked up a tennis ball in his mouth and gave it a very slight nudge toward me yesterday. I guess he just isn’t ready to give Harry the OK, yet. Still has a couple of tosses in him. But, I could tell harry was trying to make the decision and just agonizing.

I feel awful concerning both of them. I’m worried about Harry and his getting rest and taking care of himself but as long as George does anything as himself (or, old self), I don’t think Harry can let go of him.

I know Harry wants George to just die at home, peacefully. I remember wanting that for Valentino too. I guess I should just let them work it out. This is so damn hard! Both of them matter to me.

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

A good friend of mine (Harry) has a 13 year old boxer (George) and he is going through what we all do when we need to make that quality of life versus our not wanting to let go decision. I love this dog, too and have known him for several years. He was my boxer’s best pal and Harry used to bring George over to visit my Valentino when he was too sick last year to go to the dog park anymore. They would just hang out quietly together on my front lawn like two old men playing chess and reminiscing. It was so kind of Harry to do this.

George has severe arthritis and is having stroke events as well as is incontinent. He is still eating, but really can’t stand for long. Harry was talking to me yesterday about calling his vet and asking him if it was time.He is struggling internally so much it just breaks my heart.

Harry has taken incredible care of George since his wife died 8 years ago. George was actually her dog. I know the loss of George is very much connected to the loss of his wife. This guy has made George a hand made cape and a bed in which George can slip into it and the covers gently cover him by just getting in the bed! Harry was an inventor (he is about 75 years old). He also made George special goggles to protect his eyes from getting poked as he aged and couldn’t see well. Harry adores this dog.

I can see that Harry is exhausted as taking care of George has been a 24/7 job for the last 5-6 weeks since he has had the stroke events and gets confused. Harry has to get up and bring George out several times at night.

I realized yesterday that the real problem is that George needs to tell Harry in some way that it is OK for him to let go. But even with all of what is going on with him, he still picked up a tennis ball in his mouth and gave it a very slight nudge toward me yesterday. I guess he just isn’t ready to give Harry the OK, yet. Still has a couple of tosses in him. But, I could tell harry was trying to make the decision and just agonizing.

I feel awful concerning both of them. I’m worried about Harry and his getting rest and taking care of himself but as long as George does anything as himself (or, old self), I don’t think Harry can let go of him.

I know Harry wants George to just die at home, peacefully. I remember wanting that for Valentino too. I guess I should just let them work it out. This is so damn hard! Both of them matter to me.

Yep...sniff....

[Andrew, Jr.]

I think we are kinder to animals than we are to human beings.

Andrew

[Diavolo]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

A good friend of mine (Harry) has a 13 year old boxer (George) and he is going through what we all do when we need to make that quality of life versus our not wanting to let go decision. I love this dog, too and have known him for several years. He was my boxer’s best pal and Harry used to bring George over to visit my Valentino when he was too sick last year to go to the dog park anymore. They would just hang out quietly together on my front lawn like two old men playing chess and reminiscing. It was so kind of Harry to do this.

George has severe arthritis and is having stroke events as well as is incontinent. He is still eating, but really can’t stand for long. Harry was talking to me yesterday about calling his vet and asking him if it was time.He is struggling internally so much it just breaks my heart.

Harry has taken incredible care of George since his wife died 8 years ago. George was actually her dog. I know the loss of George is very much connected to the loss of his wife. This guy has made George a hand made cape and a bed in which George can slip into it and the covers gently cover him by just getting in the bed! Harry was an inventor (he is about 75 years old). He also made George special goggles to protect his eyes from getting poked as he aged and couldn’t see well. Harry adores this dog.

I can see that Harry is exhausted as taking care of George has been a 24/7 job for the last 5-6 weeks since he has had the stroke events and gets confused. Harry has to get up and bring George out several times at night.

I realized yesterday that the real problem is that George needs to tell Harry in some way that it is OK for him to let go. But even with all of what is going on with him, he still picked up a tennis ball in his mouth and gave it a very slight nudge toward me yesterday. I guess he just isn’t ready to give Harry the OK, yet. Still has a couple of tosses in him. But, I could tell harry was trying to make the decision and just agonizing.

I feel awful concerning both of them. I’m worried about Harry and his getting rest and taking care of himself but as long as George does anything as himself (or, old self), I don’t think Harry can let go of him.

I know Harry wants George to just die at home, peacefully. I remember wanting that for Valentino too. I guess I should just let them work it out. This is so damn hard! Both of them matter to me.

Harry needs to tell George that it's ok for him to go. And George will go. When Beauregard had cancer I knew he was in pretty bad shape when it was diagnosed. I had to work Monday and Tuesday but had the rest of the week off. I told him to wait for me Monday and Tuesday. When I got home Tuesday I told him it was ok to go when he needed to, I was going to stay with him. He woke me up at 3am in deep distress. He was drowning in the fluid the tumors in his lungs. We went to emergency and I had to put him down that night. It was either hospitalize him until he died or let him go. There was no recovery. The decision was easy or as easy as it could have been under the circumstances. My Xica knew I couldn't do it. She knew that Beau would take care of me so she took herself out of the game. I had a conversation on the phone with my Aunt earlier that day telling her every day was a blessing with that dog, she was a 15yo pit mix. She was gone when I got home that night. George needs to know that Harry will be ok with out him or he's just going to hang around fighting until he can't any more. And Harry might not be ok without George. And that might be why it's going the way it's going.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

A good friend of mine (Harry) has a 13 year old boxer (George) and he is going through what we all do when we need to make that quality of life versus our not wanting to let go decision. I love this dog, too and have known him for several years. He was my boxer’s best pal and Harry used to bring George over to visit my Valentino when he was too sick last year to go to the dog park anymore. They would just hang out quietly together on my front lawn like two old men playing chess and reminiscing. It was so kind of Harry to do this.

George has severe arthritis and is having stroke events as well as is incontinent. He is still eating, but really can’t stand for long. Harry was talking to me yesterday about calling his vet and asking him if it was time.He is struggling internally so much it just breaks my heart.

Harry has taken incredible care of George since his wife died 8 years ago. George was actually her dog. I know the loss of George is very much connected to the loss of his wife. This guy has made George a hand made cape and a bed in which George can slip into it and the covers gently cover him by just getting in the bed! Harry was an inventor (he is about 75 years old). He also made George special goggles to protect his eyes from getting poked as he aged and couldn’t see well. Harry adores this dog.

I can see that Harry is exhausted as taking care of George has been a 24/7 job for the last 5-6 weeks since he has had the stroke events and gets confused. Harry has to get up and bring George out several times at night.

I realized yesterday that the real problem is that George needs to tell Harry in some way that it is OK for him to let go. But even with all of what is going on with him, he still picked up a tennis ball in his mouth and gave it a very slight nudge toward me yesterday. I guess he just isn’t ready to give Harry the OK, yet. Still has a couple of tosses in him. But, I could tell harry was trying to make the decision and just agonizing.

I feel awful concerning both of them. I’m worried about Harry and his getting rest and taking care of himself but as long as George does anything as himself (or, old self), I don’t think Harry can let go of him.

I know Harry wants George to just die at home, peacefully. I remember wanting that for Valentino too. I guess I should just let them work it out. This is so damn hard! Both of them matter to me.

Wow, AtLast, this is so sad.

Harry may need to let George know that it is ok for him to go. I think that dogs, just like humans, hang on because they believe that their loved ones want them to.

I am not trying to be negative about your friend as I know he is suffering, but maybe the kindest thing he can do for George is to tell him that he can let go/take him to the vet and "let go"...(especially if George is suffering in any way).


Your mileage may vary,
Dapper.

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Wow, AtLast, this is so sad.

Harry may need to let George know that it is ok for him to go. I think that dogs, just like humans, hang on because they believe that their loved ones want them to.

I am not trying to be negative about your friend as I know he is suffering, but maybe the kindest thing he can do for George is to tell him that he can let go/take him to the vet and "let go"...(especially if George is suffering in any way).


Your mileage may vary,
Dapper.

Thanks for this thread.

Dusty, who has jaw cancer will let Deb-the-Ex, know when it is time. We talked to the Doc. about surgery, recurrence in a year, removal of 1/2 his jaw, stomach tube, etc and are not putting him through that.

Dusty has about another healthy month, the Vet estimated. So, he will let us know, and we are listening and watching, and won't let him suffer.

[Kimbo]

Originally Posted by Tommi

Thanks for this thread.

Dusty, who has jaw cancer will let Deb-the-Ex, know when it is time. We talked to the Doc. about surgery, recurrence in a year, removal of 1/2 his jaw, stomach tube, etc and are not putting him through that.

Dusty has about another healthy month, the Vet estimated. So, he will let us know, and we are listening and watching, and won't let him suffer.

I'm sorry to hear this. I had thought that this type of cancer was not a good one. I hope for the best with Dusty, Deb and you.

A few years back I had a cat named Giz who was competely healthy until one day when he was 6 y/o he started to vomit. A vet visit put him in intensive care for a few days with complete kidney failure. His ultra sound showed scarred kidneys that they thought would recover but after sub-q's and meds for 3 months nothing was working. One day I came home and it was obvious that something had changed and I could tell that he had enough. I had lit a fire that night and he tried to walk into it. I called the vet and sat with Giz and said my good byes. The vet came to my house and we let him go as I held him in front of the warm fire. It was very calm and peaceful. I laid Giz down so the other animals could say their good byes and then the vet took him with her to be cremated.

I believe Giz gave me the opportunity to help him go in a peacefull way--it was much easier on me and I believe it was much easier on him as well.

[FeminineAllure]

Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
for animals that are overworked, underfed and cruelly treated;
for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,
and so to share the blessings of the merciful.

[Andrew, Jr.]

There was a well-known Priest in Baltimore who was an animal lover. As a child, he really didn't have any pets.

After going thru the schooling of being a Priest, he would take walks from the Church to the office building which was thru a parkinglot and next to a very heavily wooded area. Well, he never knew of feral cats...but they knew him and taught him about life.

The cats made such an impact on him, that this Priest bought an igloo shelter for them, and would put blankets in it for warmth. He also would feed them. Slowly, he befriended each one. He had a total of 21 cats. However, the first 4 cats he befriended were the ones who really changed him. He wrote several small books (easy to read) about his cats. They taught him about life. What is was to be abandon, or killed by a car, or to have a terminal illness where the best thing to do was to be put down. It moved him beyond imagination.

When this Priest aged, and got sick himself, he left his beloved cats (only 4 are left today) to a woman who helped him care for the cats (as he got older). Now, the cats are living inside, but have a cat door to let them go inside or outside as they please. Mostly they are inside, and sleeping. The 4 are enjoying life as it was meant to be. They know what it is to be loved. They remember the rejection they once faced.

Feminine Allure,

That poem was just beautiful. I love it! Thank you for sharing that. I am going to write that down to remember.

[Soft*Silver]

Most people think that its time for George to cross the rainbow bridge. I do not. Neither he nor Harry are willing to let go. While it is wearing on Harry and it might seem that George is on last threads of the cord that ties him to this earth, the practical matter is that George still wants Harry...and Harry wants George. I have put down many animals....because I adopt only old ones. No one else wants them and yet they are so loving and deserving of a home again...but, this shortens my time with them. Yes, but I will take any day with my beloved four leggeds than any time without them...

the time is probably close, and they will get their on their own. But what I hear and feel more loudly in your post, is your sorrow over the loss of your boy and how this is touching that part of you that continues to grieve.

I know that when any of my newfs get close to the final surrender, all the beloveds I have ever loved, are felt in my heart. I dont resist that grief...it is just a deep part of the love we shared..I hope I never stop feeling sorrow over those I lost...they made my heart grow bigger...and even as they pass, it opens my heart to continue to love...

blessings to George and Harry...and blessings to you too, ALH....

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

A good friend of mine (Harry) has a 13 year old boxer (George) and he is going through what we all do when we need to make that quality of life versus our not wanting to let go decision. I love this dog, too and have known him for several years. He was my boxer’s best pal and Harry used to bring George over to visit my Valentino when he was too sick last year to go to the dog park anymore. They would just hang out quietly together on my front lawn like two old men playing chess and reminiscing. It was so kind of Harry to do this.

George has severe arthritis and is having stroke events as well as is incontinent. He is still eating, but really can’t stand for long. Harry was talking to me yesterday about calling his vet and asking him if it was time.He is struggling internally so much it just breaks my heart.

Harry has taken incredible care of George since his wife died 8 years ago. George was actually her dog. I know the loss of George is very much connected to the loss of his wife. This guy has made George a hand made cape and a bed in which George can slip into it and the covers gently cover him by just getting in the bed! Harry was an inventor (he is about 75 years old). He also made George special goggles to protect his eyes from getting poked as he aged and couldn’t see well. Harry adores this dog.

I can see that Harry is exhausted as taking care of George has been a 24/7 job for the last 5-6 weeks since he has had the stroke events and gets confused. Harry has to get up and bring George out several times at night.

I realized yesterday that the real problem is that George needs to tell Harry in some way that it is OK for him to let go. But even with all of what is going on with him, he still picked up a tennis ball in his mouth and gave it a very slight nudge toward me yesterday. I guess he just isn’t ready to give Harry the OK, yet. Still has a couple of tosses in him. But, I could tell harry was trying to make the decision and just agonizing.

I feel awful concerning both of them. I’m worried about Harry and his getting rest and taking care of himself but as long as George does anything as himself (or, old self), I don’t think Harry can let go of him.

I know Harry wants George to just die at home, peacefully. I remember wanting that for Valentino too. I guess I should just let them work it out. This is so damn hard! Both of them matter to me.

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by FeminineAllure

Hi Tommi.

You and your friend certainly have my support. From what I am understanding from your post the vet seems positive about the outcome.
I would keep my cat alive as long as he was still eating and drinking and would not suffer much... and I could afford the care.
My friend has lost two of her cats in the past two years. One very recently. It seems to me the animals as well as their caregivers seem to know when it is time for them to let go.
The cat is 13 so he has lived a long happy life should he have to be put to sleep.
I have seen with sick people as well as with animals, sometimes they need to be encouraged to leave this world knowing that is okay if need be.
Keep us up to date please.
Thanks.

Thank you so much. It is hard, as she just had his brother put to sleep over the Holiday's. She knew and Choo Choo knew it was time. Dusty still has that bright sparkly look in his eyes, and wants to play and let me rub his ears while he almost stands on his head. So, tomorrow AM I;m taking the path report to the consult Vet Surgeon, for that 2nd opinion..she is out of town on duty for two months..so, I am his next of kin, the ex-officio kitty sitter and rock ...ugh. She is flying home over the weekend to see Dusty and see what the Vet has to say and --- well, to make some decisions..

[FeminineAllure]

Hi, all you animal lovers!
This is pretty simple... Please ask ten friends to each ask a further ten today!
The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily so they can meet their quota of getting FREE FOOD donated every day to abused and neglected animals. It takes less than a minute (about 15 seconds) to go to their site and click on the purple box 'fund food for animals for free'. This doesn't cost you a thing..
Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising.
Here's the web site! Please pass it along to people you know.
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

Thanks!

[FeminineAllure]

My first poem I have ever written was when I was six.

When animals come close to me I start to wonder why?
People can not be more like them and come closer to eachother.

Your post made me want to share this Andrew.