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Fight K9 cancer

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dog cancer support

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After losing our sweet Mouta (pictured here) on August 11, 2008 to cancer, my husband and I are still missing her terribly. She was diagnosed in February 2008 with a sarcoma in her spine. She was a trooper through the pre-diagnosis stage, when we initially thought she had a herniated disc in her spine, to the end. When aggressive steroid treatment only brought her from a stage 4 (almost no hind leg movement to a low stage 2...walking with assistance) we knew it was time for further testing. We drove 90 minutes away for her to have more test...a myelogram, which in turn led to surgery and the diagnosis of cancer. It was no doubt that we would pursue further treatment for her because out of the 4 pup-a-lups (my husband's term) she was our special baby...the calm in the eye of the storm, I always said. With the 4 dogs and cat, Mouta was always laid back and just really loved life. She was the ONLY one who could be off leash in the front yard and not run off 100% of the time! She LOVED being with us too much to venture off.

I did tons of research, talked to anyone who would listen, read everything I could find about cancer in dogs. And there's really not a lot of data out there. One of the deal makers for me when the subject of radiation treatments was discussed was that every question I asked about the success, the risk, the prognosis for Mouta was answered pretty much the same.."We don't know. There's not much data out there because most people opt for euthansia with the cancer diagnosis due to the cost of treatment." I felt that if by treating Mouta there was the slightest chance that we could have her in our lives a little longer and get her healthy again, it would be worth it. We had just bought a new house...I wanted new furniture, but you know, 'things' can wait...life can't. I still don't have the furniture, but we did have Mouta for 6 more months. We celebrated her 10th birthday with a cookout and I even baked a birthday cake for the dogs (you know there are lots of recipes online for homemade dog treats..even cakes!) When she finished her radiation treatments she was acting like a puppy again, not like the 10 year old that she was by then.

So, I started this group as a memorial to our Sharmouta. Anyone who has been through this, or who is facing this is welcome!

Discussion Forum

Do Dogs Know? 9 Replies

Started by Lynn. Last reply by Jill Stout Feb 4.

Where dogs go when they die... 2 Replies

Started by Lynn. Last reply by Lynn Nov. 14, 2009.

Some helpful links

Started by Lynn Oct. 22, 2009.

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Comment by Susan on November 23, 2009 at 12:06pm: Yep I have my own little personal rain cloud following me right now.
I can't believe it has been 3 weeks. Sometimes it seems like she was never here, and sometimes it seems like she will be the one to greet me at the door and it was all just a bad dream.
It is very hard not to compare my young dog Finn to Willow. He is a great dog, but he is not her. He is well behaved, trained well and funny. But he will wander off, he will go with someone if they call him, he looks to me, but not with the intensity that Willow did. I found myself saying .....but he's not Willow, or Willow would never do that. But now I realize how unfair that is. So I don't say it out loud. Sometimes I think it though.
I do however think he is blossoming out of her shadow. I fully intend to get another dog when the time is right, but am going to give myself and Finn some time. He needs time to become the dog he can be, and I need time to not compare every dog with the amazing Willow.
I do look at puppies on pet finder. I wish I had done the DNA test, but figure mutt and mutt wouldn't come out in the test. So I look at Shepherd mixes. And I try to think back to when I found Willow in the middle of the road. What her personality was, submissive but confident enough to jump into a truck full of other dogs. Confident enough to travel everywhere with me and meet lots of new people, but also soft enough to not be overbearing with other dogs.
The thing that was most remarkable about her was that she watched my life and fit herself into it. There was little to no training. Yes, she did lots of tricks, but there was never go to school training. But her coolest "tricks"- waiting outside a store with not leash looking in the window, waiting for me at the horse show stalls not tied up etc non of those can be taught. Those come from love.
In some ways I am just finding out how much I am missing. She was the perfect dog in so many ways.
I called about the ashes and will be picking them up Wed.

Comment by Lynn on November 23, 2009 at 11:17am: Susan,
It's good to here from you! It hasn't been quite 3 weeks since you lost Willow. You will probably feel as if there is a cloud over your life for awhile. My cat, too, purrs me to sleep many nights. Willow is watching over you in her own way. She knows you miss her, but also she knows that you must go on with your life. You will never forget the bond you and Willow shared. She will always hold a special place in yor heart. Just know that it is OK to love the others. Let them bring you some measure of comfort and joy. Your pain will lessen over time and as Judy said that doesn't mean that you forget or that your love for Willow lessens. My husband & I still reflect frequently about Mouta (it's been 15 months). We love our others, but they are not Mouta. We acknowledge that and realize that each one is special in their own way and we love them all. We still look at Tibetan Terrier puppies on line...have seen a few that look very much like Mouta with their markings. Somehow though, we can't seem to wrap our minds around the possibility of having another puppy that looks so much like Mouta. Is that unusual? I don't know. I know that other people love certain breeds that all seem to look alike and don't hesitate to get another. I do know that for us, it just doesn't feel right yet. Maybe one day it will. Tibetan terriers are so adorable and we love the breed.

As for Willow's ashes, we had Mouta's in 3 days, but there is a pet creamatoriun in our town. Judy seemed to be a little longer in getting Hamilton's back. You may want to check with whoever is handling that for you. We felt better bring Mouta home finally...maybe you will too!

Comment by Judy Gaetje on November 21, 2009 at 11:42am: If you light a candle that too becomes a wonderful picture in your mind of your devotion to Willow and to Mouta .

Comment by Judy Gaetje on November 21, 2009 at 11:40am: Susan... as time goes by.. you will cry less but that doesn't mean you have forgotten WIllow or you miss her or love less.... maybe Willow is letting you know in this way that it is ok to move on even though you miss her so much. . I too sometimes wake in the early morning and that is my time to cry...but I also smile at the face i see next to my pillow , Truman who has moved into Hamilton's place. What would we do without our other beloved pets.... to ease the loss.... be prepared to cry alot when you get her ashes..... i talk to Hamilton's everyday . It is very hard to think of them in that small box.. but i really don't focus on that as much as I do seeing Ham runnig free with all the others at the bridge. . that is my minds eye ... take care. Willow loves you !

Comment by Susan on November 20, 2009 at 7:18pm: I'm doing ok I guess. I get up, take care of horses and dogs, I go to work, I function like a normal human. I even laugh sometimes. I do feel depressed I guess. Life doesn't seem so bright somehow. I am so very grateful for my other dogs and horses and cats.
My little cat Owen sleeps with me every night. Right now I can't go to sleep without him.
The boy dogs are goofy. Funny and keep things light. I am lavishing much love and attention on them. Making an effort to make sure they know they are loved too.
I feel like I should be crying more. Does that make any sense? I don't fall apart in public, but cried for hours in the early morning (damn 3 am wide awake time). I was sad because my boy dogs don't kiss. Willow was a big kisser. She would turn her head away and then when you didn't expect it kiss you on the lips. She liked to jump up on the hay pile so she was face to face with you and kiss you. We called it her kissing booth.
So I am sad. I miss her so much. I know this is part of it. I know time will heal my broken heart.
Do you think it is weird that I don't have her ashes yet? I guess I should call the vet on Monday.

Comment by Judy Gaetje on November 20, 2009 at 12:19pm: hi Lynn thanks for your prayers many good smiles and lots of tears continue to flow.... at odd times.... I hope susan is ok.... i miss her talks..... continue to say prayers for all of us who have lost our wonderful fur pets......

Comment by Lynn on November 16, 2009 at 2:42pm: Judy, Glad to hear you seem to be doing better! Remembering Hamilton with smiles now, even though the tears still come...at least now there are some smiles as well!. I, too, am concerned about Susan..no word from her in a while. Each of us handles our grief differently. I'm sure in time we will hear from her again. I continue to pray for her, you and all here.

Comment by Judy Gaetje on November 16, 2009 at 1:37pm: funny day so many people ask me at chuch where is hamilton? cried... laughed and talked about him with much love. not as hard as i thought . Put a flower on the alter for the Christmas service in memory of my boy.
came home sat down for lunch and i always gave my kids a treat before i ate... I now have three dogs but without thinking got out four treats and sat down. my mistake made me smile and i am sure
ham was laughing...... susan how are you doing????

Comment by Judy Gaetje on November 10, 2009 at 3:05am: to light a candle go to Gratefulness.org and on the left it says candles..... my initials are jsg and i am in ohio you can look for Willows candle it will go out today... i also have one for ham...... it brings such peace and a reminder that GOD is watching over all of us
I keep Hamilton's picture on my computer desktop and pet him every time i open it up...... i miss my special friend so much every day but i must say it does get better with time..... the expectations will be there to see her , i always would wake up with ham;s head next to me every morning .... now my Truman 's head is next to me and it takes a few seconds to see it is not ham....but i do say goodmorning to him even thought he is not physically next to me i know his spirit is there and he is smiling on his family. Take care and do remember Willow with joy. My best to your family

Comment by Susan on November 8, 2009 at 2:57pm: oh Judy, thank you so much.
Can you send a link? I would love to see it.

I had a good day today until the end. A good friend of mine came to visit. She knew Willow too, so we talked about her quite a bit. It was really nice to hear someone elses memories of my very special girl.
Tonight when I got home and my husband came out with our Lab Emmitt, I so expected Willow to be with them . It made me so sad not to see her with them .