Our 8.5 year old black lab Mountie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma 2 weeks ago today.  We had been to the vet two weeks before and they thought he'd pulled his ACL in his back leg.  He went from a limp to completely lifting up his bad leg and walking on 3 legs.  When it didn't get better, we took him in for x-rays, and the diagnosis was osteosarcoma.  We struggled the last 2 weeks with what to do… all the time, Mountie experiencing more excruitating pain.  We drove over an hour to meet with a surgeon; then back a few days later to meet with the oncologist.  The decision on what to do was probably as excruitating as his pain, but because of his history with arthritis and dysplasia, we choose not to do amputation/chemo.  We weighed all the factors– the anticipated life span post-op; the cost; and how he would adapt being 115 lbs on 3 legs and having arthritis.  Ultimately, we decided to try and manage the pain.  Within a few days, it was unbearable for him.  My husband and I took turns sleeping with him downstairs since he could no longer make it up the stairs.  We would lay with him on the floor when he cried in pain, and try and comfort him.  We were told to make the decision of when it was time based on his "quality of life."  Was he eating, did he enjoy seeing people, did he still enjoy going outside, etc.  Well he stopped eating dog food, but he would eat the ground beef and sweet potatoes or beef stew we made him.  He would still perk up when people came over.  But other than that, he was not himself.  He would cry and moan… didn't know what to do with himself and would lay and pant heavily looking at us with sad or confused eyes.  We knew after several nights of being up all night with him that it was time.  We called the vet yesterday and they said they would come to the house.  We told our two kids (age 5 & 7) that it was time to say good bye to Mountie; I was honest with them about what was going to happen next.  We told them he would be in heaven and not in pain anymore.  My 7 y.o was sad, but our 5 y.o couldn't figure out how to react/relate.  They gave him a hug and we sent them to a neighbors house.  

Right before the vet arrived, after a horrible morning of pain, Mountie perks up and starts frolicking with his bone outside.  What?!  Then the vet arrives and Mountie hobbles over to greet him.  It would have been so much easier if he was just lying down unable to get up.  But it was like he was going to leave just being Mountie.  We still knew despite a few moments of play, that it was not fair to him to keep him in this pain.  We sobbed and said goodbye as we held him.  

I do feel much more at peace now knowing he is no longer in pain.  We don't regret our decision to say goodbye rather than pursue ampu/chemo in his case.  We miss him terribly and I keep having fleeting instances where I think he will just come around the corner.    He will be forever loved. 

Melissa

Melissa-  I am so sorry for your loss of Mountie.  I know it will be a time of long sadness, I had to make that decision for my cat when she was 16 but it was still so hard to do.  Take care and keep your happy memories of Mountie, they are what matter. 

Mary, Lucy's mom

Hello….I am so very sorry for your loss…You set your boy free of pain, and that is a huge act of love right there!  He is thanking you by romping and playing in heaven free from pain!  You can be sure he wil always be with you!!!!  He was blessed to have such a loving home!

I am so, so sorry to hear about your loss. Though it is certain to cast a pall on your holidays, you gave Mountie the most generous gift you could — freedom from pain.

We, too, panicked with the weight of our decision right before our vet came to euthanize Sammy several weeks ago. We had questioned over the past several months how we would know it was time to set him free. But when that time came, we knew — just as you did. After several days of watching him struggle to stand and listening to him whimper with pain, we called our vet. Shortly before she arrived, his tail started thumping and he lavished us with sweet doggie kisses. I wanted to back out … In hindsight, I think it was Sammy's goodbye gift.

Maybe Mountie's folicking was his way of telling you it was okay, that he was ready to play again — full of joy and free from pain. May you find peace in the many wonderful memories you and your children have of him. He sounds like a brave and wonderful dog.

Hang on. Each day gets a little easier.

Hugs,

Beth, Rick and Spirit Sammy

Our deepest condolences to you and your family, Melissa.  Mountie looks like he was a much-loved member of your "pack", and I, too, can relate to that last-minute rally (altho in our case Sylvie's last day was a surprise; she'd had ups and downs the last few days of her life that we mistakenly thought was some sort of treatable infection).  Anyway, she, like Mountie, gave us love and showed some of her usual self off and on. 

Isn't it interesting that so many relate similar "rallies" at the end of their pooches' lives.  Dogs are incredible!  I think that Smilin' Sammy's family made the best observation:

"Maybe Mountie's folicking was his way of telling you it was okay, that he was ready to play again — full of joy and free from pain."

What wonderful pawrents you were to Mountie as you helped him leave the pain behind.  And what wonderful parents you are to your children, to explain Mountie's passing and give them the chance to say good-bye.  You have amazing strength and love to handle this so well, especially in the midst of the holiday season.

Hugs and soothing wishes to you . . .

- Karen and Sweet Spirit Sylvie

so so sorry about your loss :(