...but I really want to update on all the other things that we've been up to, but felt I couldn't without doing this update first as you've al been so lovely.
It was bad news: Gizzy has cancer. We were absolutely devastated and I'm just about coming to terms with it now. It is stage one and it wasn't all removed but, after talking to numerous specialists, we've decided it would be wrong to put a three legged, elderly dog through a serious operation on his other leg (a large amount of muscle would have to be removed, leaving him incapable of walking for weeks)- and there would be no guarantee it won't reappear elsewhere.
Instead, we've decided to leave him be and spoil him rotten- even more than we normally do! We may just have months but the vet said there's also a good chance we could have him longer and he may even leave us through old age.
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Strangely, the thing that helped me come to terms with this was when somebody (trying to comfort me) said: "Losing a dog is like losing and child." and, though I didn't say anything, I just thought no, it's not! I know people very close to me who have lost a child and it tears your world apart. Losing a pet is devastating, but simply not comparable. We've had the pleasure of having the wonderful Gizzy for over ten years and he's around twelve now, which is great going for a dog. So, we've tried to make the selfless choice and rather than put him through the trauma of an operation that may not work, just so we can have him longer, we've opted to allow him to be happy and enjoy as long as he's here and pain free.
Oh no, I'm sorry.
ReplyDeletePoor Gizzy, whatever decision you made would have been difficult, I'm sure you made the best one for you all.
I am so sorry. There is no question your decision is the right one. To be perfectly honest, and I've hesitated saying anything since it seems such a major coincidence, we are going through the same exact thing with one of our dogs. Alice is an older dog, Thing 3 adopted her from our local shelter. She also had a lump {actually there were 2 but we only found one, the vet found the other}, and had surgery a week and a half ago to remove it. We got the call last week saying they were not able to remove all of it etc. We go to the vet Tuesday to find out the prognosis. We've already discussed it as a family and came to the exact same conclusion as you have, it would be cruel to put her through more surgeries {she is still wearing "the cone of shame" from the last surgery, and is miserable}.
ReplyDeleteThere is no question in my mind it is the right thing to do for Alice-- to allow her to live out whatever time she has left happy and pain free, instead of selfishly prolonging her life by making her unhappy or allowing her to suffer needlessly.
Hugs from across the pond--
So sorry to hear that Rachael. He is so beautiful. I know what it's like to lose a beloved pet. I think you are right to just spoil him and enjoy the time you have left together.
ReplyDeleteTerrible news, I'm so sorry about your beloved dog and support what you are doing. 12 years is a good life span for a dog, and though we know how short pets lives can be, the time inevitably comes around much too quickly for us. Hopefully he'll have a little while longer with your lovely family.
ReplyDeleteso sorry to hear about your sweet pup. prayers and good thoughts to you and your family. he is lucky to have a family like yours!
ReplyDeleteI'm so so sorry, but you have made the best decision and can enjoy the time that you have left together. My cousin lost her beloved dog this week to cancer (she actually did have an operation and the dog died during surgery because it was just too much- there was nothing they could do). It's been awful watching her so hearbroken and I do keep reminding her of how lucky they both were to share so many good years. It sounds like you guys already have that perspective.
ReplyDeletexo Lilly
Oh so sorry to hear about what your pets status right now. I loss a my 7 year old dog two years ago and we are really devastated about it. From then to now we still don't have any pet. In each time we thought about her we still could not help to have tears in our eyes. But I hope next year will be more ready to have and enjoy a new one. She is really like a member of the family and the least to call one of my kid.
ReplyDeleteYou have the best time for his age. Regards!
<3,
Angie
audrinajulia.blogspot.com
Very sorry to hear about Gizzy Rachael, the exact same thing happened with my lurcher last year and we were all very sad but drew the exact same conclusion as you. She passed on very peacefully and pain free which was absolutely the best thing for her.
ReplyDeleteHope you've been able to do other nice things lately to take your mind off this sad event.
Hugs,
Lisa x
Thank you all so much for your thoughts and kind words; now we've made our decision, we're trying our best just to get on with things as normally (though I'd be lying if I said he wasn't getting a little more spoilt than normal!x
ReplyDelete