My poor Roxie girl. Yes, I know it’s common for goldens to get cancer, and I knew when I rescued her we might get here one day. Today is the day.
My older golden retriever girl Roxie has been diagnosed with fibrosarcoma in her right hind leg, and I’m trying to get her comfortable and spend as much time with her as I can while she is still doing well. She was limping, but is now walking fine with her painkillers for now. She is a rescue we’ve had about three years, and a very old girl, so there will be no drastic measures that would cause her suffering, but we’re gonna make it fun for her while she’s with us.
If you are interested in helping dogs with cancer, you can donate here:
http://store.landofpuregold.com/#Give
Rochell, who runs the foundation, also keeps a wonderful blog, mostly about goldens but also other working dogs, here:
http://landofpuregold.wordpress.com/
9 Responses
Is she going to lose the leg? Are you thinking of chemo? Cancer certainly sucks.
Randy
cancer survivor
No, we’re not doing any surgery, or chemo, just keeping her comfortable.
She may eventually lose the use of the leg but for now we’re just using pain medication and she is walking on it just fine.
Oh, that’s so sadl. I lost my 15-year old Yorkie to cancer last year, so I have some idea of how you’re feeling. As long as she is comfortable, I think you’re being very wise in your attitude.
Thanks, Imelda — sorry for you loss.
I recently lost my dog of 19 years. She was like a daughter… Roxie’s quality of life (and quality of death) is the priority above everything else.
“We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way.” ~ Irving Townsend
Wow, 19 years is really old for a dog. Roxie is at least 10, probably more like 12 or 13, we don’t really know. She is still very active, though the leg is obviously bothering her now. She’s enjoying the extra attention and treats this week!
I am so sorry to read this. I have a Brittany who turns fourteen later this year and has kidney damage. She is on medication and the doctor said down the road she will need transfusions then a kidney replacement. We will not be doing either as we think that will only extend the length of her life some and not improve the quality. I understand the sadness you are feeling and the strength you are showing by not doing anything that will cause your dog to suffer. Thinking of you and Roxie.
Oh, I’m sorry for your dog, too.
Yeah, I think a lot of people decide not to put their animals through the extra suffering, not to mention the expense of the treatment. I don’t think there is much point to it.
Sometimes I think even our own desperate measures just to stay alive are too much. While losing a loved one, human or animal, is painful, watching them suffer through a long decline and so much pain is not an easy choice. Out pets don’t get to choose, we have to make that choice for them. While I don’t think of my pets as “just a dog”, there’s not much point in putting an animal through a lot of suffering and surgical procedures and pain they can’t understand.
Life is precious, but that doesn’t mean we must cling to it forever. Letting go is a part of life as well.
“Life is precious, but that doesn’t mean we must cling to it forever. Letting go is a part of life as well.”
So true.