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MetaChat is an informal place for MeFites to touch base and post, discuss and chatter about topics that may not belong on MetaFilter. Questions? Check the FAQ. Please note: This is important.

07 February 2006

This fucking sucks. →[More:]My dog was diagnosed osteosarcoma, metasticized to the lungs. It looks really bad.

I don't know if it would just be selfish and mean to put her through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

I hate cancer almost as much as I love my dog.
post by: mosch at: 20:39 | 39 comments
I'm so sorry to hear that. My heart goes out to you.
posted by kmellis 07 February | 20:40
Shit. I'm sorry.
posted by selfnoise 07 February | 20:40
*Hugs Mosch*
I hate cancer, too. FUCK YOU CANCER!!
posted by jrossi4r 07 February | 20:42
My condolences, mosch.
posted by Smart Dalek 07 February | 20:46
Aw man. This cancer shit has gotta stop. I'm really sorry, mosch.
posted by bmarkey 07 February | 20:56
Aw Jeez. Sorry.

If you go for treatment, the dog's not going to know it's treatment -- she'll just see it as strange scary and painful.
posted by orthogonality 07 February | 21:03
Jesus, mosch.

I think ortho has a point, but... Do you know how much treatment she'd actually have to have, and whether it would prolong her life to warrant the discomfort to her?

Such a horrible fucking decision, mosch. Am very, very sorry.
posted by mudpuppie 07 February | 21:10
My heart goes out to you and also to your poor friend.
posted by iconomy 07 February | 21:15
That's awful, I'm so sorry. That's the same thing my friend luneray's dog had. She's not here on Metachat but I bet she wouldn't mind if you email her at the address on her MeFi profile.
posted by matildaben 07 February | 21:18
I'm so sorry Mosch, for you and your dog.
posted by ooga_booga 07 February | 21:29
That really sucks, Mosch. Cancer sucks. Dogs are awesome.
posted by muddgirl 07 February | 21:43
I'm so sorry, mosch. *hugs*
posted by gaspode 07 February | 21:46
That does suck. My sympathies mosch. My feeling is I would not put one of my pets through heavy medical treatment unless it offers a strong likelyhood of full cure. Give doggie a big hug.
posted by arse_hat 07 February | 21:50
Awww mosch I'm awful sorry :-(
posted by ThePinkSuperhero 07 February | 22:05
Thanks everyone. seriously.

I don't know what we're going to do yet, but our priority is to make sure that she has as many happy days as possible.

For today, we gave her an extra walk, steak for dinner, vanilla ice cream for dessert (she *LOVES* vanilla ice cream), and a new bone.

The poor thing can't figure out why I'm sad, and she keeps trying to cheer me up.

Stupid fucking cancer.
posted by mosch 07 February | 22:20
I'm so very sorry to hear this, mosch. What a stupendously difficult position to be in and on so many levels. However, if there is one person whose sense of compassion I would trust, it's yours.

Deepest and warmest thoughts, big guy; holding you, mrs. m and your pup close at heart.
posted by Frisbee Girl 07 February | 22:26
Wow, mosch, you posted while my wifi was bouncing to and fro undecidely across the stratosphere and I refresh to find yours only choke up reading it.

As a kid, I held a puppy while she died. Years later, I came across "Dog's Death" by John Updike. Yeah. Hang in there.
posted by Frisbee Girl 07 February | 22:34
We had to put our dog down a year ago, after ten years of boon companionship and unquestioning trust and love, so I think I know how you feel - "Fucking sucks" pretty much covers my experience to a tee. I still miss her - a lot.

Give that dog a big hug for me.
posted by trondant 07 February | 23:02
From a young age, I've had to see lots of my dogs put down (counts...3), or die naturaly (1). A couple of them with cancer. And I am so sorry to hear this. Dogs are wonderful, and every now and again, I feel a twinge of regret that my two boys are desexed, knowing there'll never be other dogs like them. Having said that, I also know a lot of people who haven't been able to let go, and have let their dog live on, with painful disorders, because they were unable to make the decision to have the dog put to sleep. I guess you have to ask yourself - assuming treatment is successful, what will the dog's quality of life be like afterwards? Will they still be in pain? I trust you'll make the decision that's right for you - all the best.
posted by Jimbob 07 February | 23:41
That is truely heartwrenching. My fullest sympathies to all members of the Mosch family - two-legged and four.

In his book 'fish whistle', Daniel Pinkwater writes very touchingly about the loss of his dog Juno. I don't know if reading such a thing would be helpful to you, but I mention it on the chance that it might.
posted by Triode 07 February | 23:48
Damn, mosch. We lost a dog last year. I still miss her terribly (especially when the house is quiet).

I can't advise you, other than to say only go through with it if you think there's a chance of regaining a significant quality of life. I had a friend who couldn't let go of her cat, until it was way past really even living -- she was lame, blind, and only eating baby food. At the time she was under so much stress she couldn't make the decision that seemed obvious in retrospect.
posted by stilicho 08 February | 00:12
Poor thing. Sorry to hear it.
posted by klangklangston 08 February | 00:21
mosch, deepest condolences for your sick hound and for the position you've been set in.

She sounds like a sweet and wonderful dog. I feel like crying.
posted by fenriq 08 February | 00:56
I'm really sorry.
posted by essexjan 08 February | 02:02
What a difficult decision to have to make. I'm sure you'll weigh the options carefully. How good are her chances for recovery? If not good, you know what path to take. Her last days should be her best.

I am so sorry.
posted by codeofconduct 08 February | 03:00
Thank you all so much. I'm sure she'd give you all warm snuggles and a loving gnaw, if she knew how to use the internet.

As much as I despise being put in this position, particularly by cancer, it's also a blessing. She still has good days left in her, and we cancelled some trips, to make sure her last days aren't spent in a kennel.

Unfortunately, assuming the initial diagnosis is correct (which we have every reason, except random optimism, to believe), then the most humane option will be to refrain from treatment.

Thank you all, a whole lot, for caring about us, for caring about Shima, and for sharing your own experiences. It means a lot.
posted by mosch 08 February | 04:55
Oh mosch I'm sorry to hear it. It's wonderful you can make her final days so comfortable and full of love. We have a 14 y.o. lab we plan on cremating and keeping in an urn so she will at least be with us in spirit always. We love her that much! We thought about burying her at a friend's place up in the mountains, but after some thought decided we didn't want every subsequent visit to be brought down by that. So we're picking out a cool urn that she can meet before she leaves us. She has been having fainting spells - possible enlarged heart & blood pressure issues. So we are keeping her comfy and happy as well. Could be months, could be weeks.

My heart is with you guys, mosch. Dogs add so much to our lives! Especially when people suck. (((((mosch & pooch))))
posted by chewatadistance 08 February | 08:05
You're making the right decision to make Shima as happy as possible. My cat of 18 years was recently euthanized, and my mom made sure he lived it up during his last days.
posted by sciurus 08 February | 09:25
*hugs* I am so sorry to hear it. : (
posted by sisterhavana 08 February | 09:48
Ditto everyone, you made the right choice, talk to the vet seriously about how much pain the poor thing might be in and give her as much love as possible. I'm very sorry.
posted by Divine_Wino 08 February | 10:08
(((mosch & Shima)))
posted by deborah 08 February | 10:49
mosch: you're making the right decision. I lost my 14.5 year old Toby last April and I was so afraid that I wouldn't know when the time was right. I knew. I totally knew, and while I mourned and cried and still miss him, I'm glad that I was able to make his last days happy ones and that I had the strength to make the decision when it was necessary. Lots of love to you both.
posted by mygothlaundry 08 February | 11:04
That's horrible, Mosch. I'd say be as loving and kind to your pup as possible, but don't prolong anything painful. We're here for ya, man.
posted by Lipstick Thespian 08 February | 12:07
*whuffles mosch and Shima*

Good descision, mosch. I know you'll make the rest of her time on the planet joyous.
posted by Specklet 08 February | 12:48
I'm so sorry, Mosch. Take good care of yourself and your dog, whatever that takes.
posted by tangerine 08 February | 13:07
I'm really sorry to hear it. I hope you've got good support.
posted by omiewise 08 February | 13:24
I'm sorry to hear Mosch. It really sucks the most. I'm glad you are going to give her some fun for the next little while.
posted by joelf 08 February | 17:49
Just a note for the record: you guys rock.

current score:
metachat: 4739
osteosarcoma: 0
posted by mosch 11 February | 02:36
Goooo Metachat!!!
posted by mudpuppie 11 February | 02:40
← RIP Rothko || In IRC now, the best BBQ-sauce recipe of all time. →

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