I think Toto had hemangiosarcoma and had 10 months.   Spirt Jake and I have experienced the hemangiosarcoma of the vital organs.

I can only imagine how horrible it would be wondering.

Many hugs Beth!

Why do you say that there likely will be no warning? Did the vet say something like that? Certainly Toto and Mac gave quite a bit of warning (as much as any of our osteosarcoma pups). The dogs that have given the least warning are probably the ones with spinal mets, because they are fine one day and then in pain the next.

The great thing about this webgroup is that we quickly learn to focus on the great things our pups are doing now, rather than see another face of someone who only sees 'disease and death sentence' when they meet our 3-legged dogs. For me, the last four months were terrific, even though we were facing vet issues on a regular basis since Tazzie's mets showed up pretty early post-amp. He still had good quality of life until the end. That is one thing that is a relief to most of us. Our dogs are happy until the time comes when we rather quickly know they are now in pain or lost the zest to live. Without this group, I might have viewed it as a miserable time.

I guess the moral of the story is, talk or vent as much as you need to the group members, who totally understand. Then leave it behind and take Tshuvah to the park or someplace fun where she can brighten up your spirits because is focused on having a good time in the present as much as she ever was.

JackiandMac's situation was very very very different than yours. Mac was elderly and had a variety of blood tests that bid poorly before his amp. He never really got his moxie back after the surgery. What a sweet boy. And we do miss hearing from Jackie.

As for someone who has an amazing attitude even since her dog has developed mets in the liver, check out Laura and Cap'n Jack's 14 month ampuversary post. This is from a person who coined the phrase "anticipatory grief", which sounds like what you are suffering, in their early days (at least I think she was the one who first used those words - or maybe it was from the Boomer book).

Beth,

I did have warning signs in the last 2 months of Rugby but they were so subtle I never picked up on them until later when I read abou it.  Rugby started throwing up – he maybe threw up 4 times in those last two months.  I thought it was something about eating carrots so I stopped giving carrots.

Next, was sheer exhaustion after going to the park.  It was July in Vegas so I thought he couldn't handle the heat at 8 years old with a black coat.

The day he died, he was perfectly fine and was happy and silly that morning.  And he was active.  We have a routine in which I got on the treadmill and tossed cheerios to Comet and him.  After I was done I always gave them a small treat.  I handed it to him without looking and he didn't take it.  I tried and he reluctantly took it.  I thought his tummy was upset!  So, I gave him a pepic.  Within a minute or two, he looked his back legs were giving out.  So, I walked around the house to see if he'd follow and he slowly did. But it was getting worse.

I felt him and no visible signs of pain.  But then he tried to go behind the dinette table which he has never done.  I stopped him and made him lay on the floor.  I decided to get dressed and if he didn't follow me up the stairs, we would go to the vets.  He didn't.  (which was rare, he was always by my side)

He basically went almost comatose.  He could still hear me because I got him in the car but he was uncomfortable to sit.  We got to the vet and his stomach got big. His gums were grey.  He threw up while waiting and I was relieved!   I thought he'd feel better.  So, that's why I left him for them to run tests. 

He died about 1130am and he collapsed initally at about 915 am.  If it does go on the heart, the tumor will burst and will fill up the heart sac so it can't beat.

I hope that helps.