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Please pray for my medical alert service dog that has kept me alive 7 years, now he has cancer

Hi,

I am new. I am disabled and have a service dog that helps me. Dr.'s are amazed I am still alive, it is due to my dog. I have a very life threatning allergy to latex from working in a hospital as an RN. I became fully disabled and would go into shock, with throat closure. My little Aussie mix from the shelter decided to step in. He brought me my Epi-Pen before I had symptoms of an attack, he was right on target. He can smell when I have a metabolic change in my body and alert me to an attack before I know it is coming, and I need to move fast, I can have as little as 30 seconds. This happens almost daily. I am housebound, I need 02, and I am only 39, been sick almost 8 years. If I am having trouble breathing at night he will jump on top of me to wake me up, and then my husband gets up and hits me with Epi.

Rusty was just diagnosed with a tumor, about the size of an orange in his right lung. The cancer has spread so there is nothing I can do. My life highly depends on his alerts, and I fear for my life without him. He deserves to be pampered and spoiled so much in his last days, going to the beach daily.

I will have him pass as soon as he shows any signs of pain. He has less than a month maybe. Please pray for my dog. He is a working animal, but his job that he does with saving my life has made us inseperatable. I have never had such a strong bond like it before.

Please just pray he has some pain free days left, and can stay a little longer. Even sick he still alerts me.

Thank you so much
Kara

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sandra on July 29, 2008 at 2:24pm: Kara, my prayers are with you and Rusty. My heart goes out to you and I hope that you can find another dog like Rusty. Every day you have left with him should truly be treasured. God bless you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kara on July 31, 2008 at 8:06pm: Thank you so much. I just want prayers for his happiness and comfort as there is nothing else the vets can do. I am taking him to the beach, laughing with him, and will hold him so dear and spoiled until that time comes, it will be soon. I am hoping for another week. He gets people food now. We always boiled chicken and gave him some homemade food, but he will not eat dog food right now. He lost over ten pounds. He was up to 50 lbs at one point. He got tri-tip stew tonight and gobbled that down. Over treating him is not a concern right now.
Thank you for the prayers,Kara; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Karin on August 4, 2008 at 1:59am: Kara, Many thoughts I can not imangine how hard this is...My Rusty is 15 and Iam so sick when I think of the day when his time comes...I know your heart is aching..He is so close to you he was a true gift and will never be replaced..Many thoughts are with you as you help Rusty on his journey to the Rainbow Bridge..

Hugs oo Karin; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Beth on August 5, 2008 at 4:18am: I just found your request and tears came to my eyes. I know how important my doggies are to me and my husband, but to you, your dog is your angel. I will be praying for Rusty and for you - for you that you will find another dog who will be your protector, and for Rusty for peace and fun and love, and no pain. There comes a time, sadly, when we as pet parents can no longer offer our babies a wonderful life, but we can give them a good death. May God give you the strength to love and honor Rusty. Tell him my Maggie and Precious and my sister, Misty (a white poodle), will meet him at the Rainbow Bridge. They will all feel well and they will wait for us. God bless you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Maggi on August 5, 2008 at 7:28am: Kara,

Of course I'll add you and your pup to my prayers. May you and Rusty have peace while you are together. Enjoy the time you have together. I also pray that you will find another special dog to help with your needs when he has passed. Blessings to you and Shanti.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Karin on August 5, 2008 at 7:36am: Hi Kara, Iam thinking of Rusty and you, I hope you are ok. as you guide your beautiful dog to his new journey and cross the rainbow bridge.. Your on my mind.

Hugs, Karin; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kara on August 5, 2008 at 8:01pm: I want to thank all of your for your wonderful prayers. My husband and I are noticing he is getting happier and no longer coughing up blood, or finding small specks of blood in the water bowl. I thought the time was coming, I was wrong. Maybe it is all your wonderful prayers, I thank you all so much! No more blood. Please keep praying, I have a dog that will be trained to replace him but she is only 5 1/2 months old. She will go off to doggie boot camp soon for her service training but the most amazing thing is how much Rusty is teaching her. That if I cough, get congested all of a sudden to come running. She is attatched to me now, learning to heel from Rusty. I will not send her away for training until Rusty can do all he can. I am so blessed I got her when I did. I will have several periods of time she will be in training out of town. But Spirit is so smart, and we are really bonding, I think it will comfort Rusty knowing I will not be alone. He was anoyed with her at first, but now she has brought the puppy back out in him. He really loves her. I got her spayed and he really missed her for a few hours.

I know prayers are true miracles, I have seen it in the hospital, kids beating odds that they never should had survived due to prayers. Please keep them coming. He has so much desire to stay and he has so much to teach Spirit.

Thank you.

Kara; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Karin on August 6, 2008 at 12:48am: Oh boy Kara...I guess god is not ready for him just yet, and giving you more time with him is a gift..He did a wonderful job assisting you and I can see how much you love him..Enjoy is last days with him you two are a team. God blee him.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sarah on August 6, 2008 at 2:25am: Kara,
I love your photos…Rusty is such a cutie!
Enjoy your time with him. Unfortunately dogs just do not live long enough but we are so lucky for the little time we have with them.
It's beautiful how he takes care of you! :)
I had my girl, Chia for almost 16 years…I"ve been writing my thoughts as I go through my grieving…When you get a chance, go to "True Stories of Inspiring Dogs" - "When to let go…", "4 weeks of Grieving" & under "Animal Communication" - "Communicating with Your Dog in the Afterlife" …it's helped me so much to write down my thoughts when going through such a hard time & hopefully it helps others too.
You are in my thoughts.
-Sarah; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by kathy specht on August 18, 2008 at 5:36am: Hello Kara, Please know you have many, many friends that know the kind of love you and Rusty have. My little Snuggles let me know it was time to go by just looking into my eyes. Halfway to our destination to the Emergency, knowing she would leave my arms there, she looked up at me and I pulled over in my car. I cradled her, and she passed in my arms. She will be with me, as your Rusty will be with you Forever..... Such Love was a true gift from God and I know in my heart you will never be without the help you need. All my Love to you and your special love. Kathy; ▶ Reply to This