Friday, November 28, 2008

Cancer is a bitch

I took this picture of my dog, Puppy, last month...
She was an average dog, lounging around the house, stealing the kids' food, and sleeping for 15 hours per day. Two weeks ago, John noticed that Puppy had a lump growing between her eyes. He immediately scheduled an appointment with the vet. I was largely unconcerned, because Puppy has numerous fatty tumors on her abdomen. I thought this would turn out to be a fatty tumor too.

Unfortunately, the vet thinks Puppy has cancer - a very fast growing type of cancer. And although the test on the tumor came back inconclusive, it appears that he might be right. Here is a picture of Puppy's Tumor as of this morning...Everyday, the tumor grows larger and larger. And now it is impeding her breathing. She snorts and sneezes all day. She also has a bloody, mucousy discharge coming from her nose. The vet wants us to euthanize her, but other than the snorting and sneezing, she seems perfectly healthy. So although our friends and family (and veterinarian) think we are wasting our money, we are going to have the tumor removed. Puppy is 13 years old, but I think she still has a few good years left. There is no way in hell I am going to steal those years away from her.

16 comments:

Kris said...

Aww... I'm so sorry. That's always a hard decision. I hope the surgery goes well and she gets better. Poor thing must be miserable right now.

Laura Marchant said...

Oh you brought tears to my eyes. I will pray the surgery goes well.

dani said...

i will pray for puppy to have at least a few more good years. christy, you have to follow your heart. i'd do the same for my maggie. i'm sorry you are even having to make this decision. you are right, "cancer IS a bitch"!!!
much love and a prayer,
dani

Antropóloga said...

That blows. So sorry.

I had a rabbit that went that way.

Dana said...

I hope everything goes well for you! I hope the tumor removal helps Puppy with breathing and snorting! I would do the same thing.

Tabitha said...

Oh Christie ~ how awful!!
I do agree with you though ~ I would do just the same ~ even a little doggy deserves those extra years of life!!
Hope that things go ok for Puppy!
Sending love and big hugs, Tabitha XXXXX

Melain said...

Good luck to her. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you guys.

Amanda said...

I hope the surgery goes well, she is such a cute pup. I felt my eyes filling up reading about her.
I will keep you all in my thoughts.
Love and big hugs,
l,
Amanda x

Nancy said...

I'm so sorry, our furry friends are so entwined in our families it's so hard to see something bad happen to them.

I also read your other post about the foster mother and how you think you compare.

Have no fear, it's obvious to me (a stranger) that you're a very compassionate person with a heart of gold.

Hugs to you and Puppy.

flickrlovr said...

What a hard decision...so sorry puppy has cancer :(
Hope the tumor removal gives her many more happy years ahead.

(Here from AllMediocre.)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx said...

The dog we had growing up was a great dog, Misty. In fact, she saved my life when I was a baby. As she got older, she got cancer - right behind her eye.

Our family paid to put her through radiation - twice. Though she finally died of an enlarged heart, she had extra time with our family because my mother refused to put her down, and I'm thankful for it.

Alicia W. said...

Oh, that just tears me up! Seriously I have a huge soft spot for animals and I don't blame you one bit! I'm praying that your sweet fur baby lives many many more years with you guys. Please keep us updated.

Unknown said...

I pray your pup can beat it and you can have many more years together. If one didn't have the money then I would say yes put the dog down but if one has the money I would try and fight it. Pets are people too.

Rachel said...

I am so sorry. Our pug is such a part of our life and they are like children to us. I hope the surgery goes well and I hope she can fight the tumor. I am sending you hugs and prayers.

Marni's Organized Mess said...

:( Awwww... I'm totally crying. :( I'll send good thoughts her way. :(

Anonymous said...

OH many prayers to you and Puppy!!! I know this is such a hard decision....and I would probably do the same thing....as long as he isn't suffering...