I never wanted to open this topic.  I knew someday, this time would come.  But I never thought it would happen so soon.  We were still busy enjoying life with Oslo. 

We had planned a one-week vacation at our agricultural land that we used to call Oslo's Kingdom. Oslo loved that place as much as we do.  We were supposed to leave on friday june 26th.  But this day, Oslo seemed uncomfortable while walking.  We tought he had injured himself so before leaving, we decided to ask for a check-up with Dr A.  He discovered Oslo's back was the source of his soreness.  X-Rays showed he had spondylose ( what I understood is that spondylose is age-related and it is a bone protrusion between 2 vertebras …sorry)  but it was not severe and, after a few days of rest, exercise would not do any dammage.  No mets on X-Rays, so we were relieved.  We asked for X-Rays of the lungs since we were there.  No mets.  We decided to delay our departure for the next day and we felt  good after these good news (no mets) but a bit worried because of that spondylose.  Our 5-hour-drive trip went pretty smooth on saturday, and you could tell Oslo and Garfield were happy to see where we were going.  Both anxious to get off of the car to enjoy nature, sunshine and freedom. 

But thing got wrong on Sunday.  Oslo started to loose his rear leg mobility.  Within a few our, he could not walk anymore.  His legs were still moving but he could not walk.  His mood was great and I found peace remembering Jake's videos (Jakesmom's dog)  … we were helping him with Angus' harness (Pababyblue's dog) and he seemed to enjoy himself outside, sniffing the air, sleeping and snoring. So I have pretty good memories of these days. It was peaceful for him.

What I regret deeply is that we could not find any compasionnate veterinarian there.  We felt totally alone. No one would want to help even he we offered to pay.   Fortunately we had Dr A. to help on the phone.  We were able to get cortisone on Monday. Since Oslo had still a great appetite (which was a good sign) and a good mood, he suggested that we tried cortisone just to see if Oslo's rear leg would get their mobility.  If it was to be effective, we would see improvement within 24-48 jours.  That was on Monday. The following hours, we saw no improvement. In fact thing were getting worse.  His legs were not moving anymore. He had no sensation when we pinched them. Tuesday night Oslo started to show us that it was enough.  He stared at me, and I knew.  I prayed for months that when the time would come, I would know and I would be strong enough to let him go.  He deserved to be listened to.

Oslo was my first fur-baby, he was a dear friend, a guide, an inspiration, our soulmate.  He was the most courageous being we ever met.  We miss him tremendously. 

We will never know for sure what happened.  But we suspect that OSA had spread somewhere inside and was putting pressure on his spine.  

One thing we know for sure is that we have NO REGRETS, no regrets about amputation, no regrets about chemo. We very blessed by having these extra 11-months and every extra day with Oslo was worth the pain we are now experiencing.

Also, we were blessed to have found Tripawds community.  I need some days to cope with my loss, but I will be back for sure.  I wish to be there for other tri-pawrents.  I keep a special place in my heart for 3-legged dogs. 

Thank's for always being there for us. 

Truly yours,

Suzanne and Marc-André

I am so, so sorry that you went through that.  Especially after the joy of seeing no mets.  :(  I can offer a possible explanation though, as this is almost exactly what happened with Raven.  You can look at the end of his blog for the last day symptom and necropsy results. http://www.rave…..ipawds.com  His OSA mets to the liver.  That didn't show on any xrays.  We were watching the lungs and the liver just didn't show up very well and it's soft tissue.  What happened on his last day was the same loss of use of his back legs, it showed as weakness, then full on lack of use within an afternoon.  But his attitude was happy and painfree for the most part, maybe just some confusion/frustration.  Turns out what happened is the liver tumor had necrosis inside and a piece of it got caught up in the large vessel (or vein? I get them confused to which one leaves the heart) that supplies it and then the clot/tissue got lodged as the vessel splits to go into the legs and reduces in size.  This restricts the blood supply to the back end and you see the weakness, but it is really pain free.

I found great comfort in the fact that he didn't suffer.  It was as shock, as it wasn't how I envisioned him going, but in retrospect was better than the progressive discomfort that lung or spinal mets would have brought.

I hope this helps ease your pain.  My heart goes out to you.  Oslo is soooo beautiful and was so lucky and blessed to have you!  (and vice versa :))

Dawn

Suzanne and Marc-André,

I was shocked to read your post about Oslo!  I thought that he had been doing so well… Just goes to show you how quickly this horrible cancer can take our sweet furbabies from us!!

There is nothing I can really say to make your pain go away right now… Je suis tres désolé pour votre perte…  Veuillez savoir que vous êtes dans mes pensées et prières. Reposez-vous Oslo à paix.

Angel Jake and Wolfie's Mom

I am so so sorry to hear the news about Oslo – my heart goes out to you.  Please take comfort in knowing that Oslo's still with you, right by your side and will always be forever in your heart. He was so lucky to have you as his parents and he ended up being in the best place of all – his kingdom.  He was a beautiful boy that will sorely be missed.  My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. 

Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)

I'm so sorry about Oslo.  I'm glad to read he was able to visit Oslo's Kingdom one last time.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.