My husband and I got our dog Max back in early 2006 when we were in the middle of planning our wedding. I took one look at his sweet little face and just melted. Practice Baby otherwise known as Max came home with me that evening.
Man it was HARD work having a puppy and planning a wedding but we quickly became a threesome instead of a twosome and we adored him even though he pooped on everything, ate the carpet, ran away all the time and generally made us fret he was the sweetest, well mannered little guy I could've ever hoped for.
Fast forward to 2008 when Naomi came along... He wasn't too sure about this noisy little thing we brought to live in his house but he loved her and always has, they are totally buds.
Now Mason on the otherhand... He's a boy and I think poor old Max is a little terrified of him sometimes!
We LOVE Max and cannot imagine our lives without him. He's only 8 and a half but would still play like a puppy and chase shadows all the live long day. Then last week, BAM, all of a sudden we noticed he wasn't eating. Our boy has always been so great about self feeding and we fill his bowl when its empty. Well my husband and I just thought each of us was doing the bowl filling until we noticed that the bag of dog food we'd bought him hardly had a dent in it. We got concerned so we called the vet and took him in yesterday.
My sweet little practice baby has liver cancer. I'm heartbroken over it. Mostly feeling guilty that we didn't catch him getting sick sooner and also that we are facing the end of his life that we weren't quite prepared for yet. Hubs is at the vet with him now getting an ultrasound on his belly so we can fully understand and prepare for what comes next. There's a slim chance that he could have surgery and get past this, but the vet says he's 75% sure that it is more than just a small tumor and that we could be coming to the end. I have been a total wreck the last 2 days and haven't been able to get much done, I knew this time would someday come but I was hoping we'd have him for at least a few more years.
I don't mean to depress anyone by posting this but I just felt like I needed to get it out and this blog is the best outlet for me to do that. I am anxiously awaiting them to get home so we can make a plan and I'm praying that it isn't going to happen in the next few days but maybe we'll have a little time to at least get some family portraits done with him before he leaves us.
I'm working my first shift at the shop on Monday, I'm always wondering how my items are doing and if anything is selling so hopefully I'll see good news there on Monday. I've had a few eBay sales but I don't really have any BOLO's to post most of it has just been stuff we all know does well and has always been good sellers for me like plush, mugs and cross stitch kits. It's rainy here this weekend so I'm not counting on many garage sales, plus I kind of want to be home as much as possible for my pup.
Sorry for the depressing post, I really hope all of you have had a much better week than I. Hug and love your pets and children as much as you can today!
We've had to put several dogs down; it's never easy, but it was always the right move for the dog.
ReplyDeleteBless your heart and Max, too!
Well, I'm crying! I'm so sorry you are going through this. Max is such a beautiful dog and what a sweet little puppy he was. My husband and I are still not over the loss of our Coco and we are now at the stage that we want another dog so badly, we can hardly stand it. We literally sit in the park and wait for dogs to go by so we can pet them. I still cry every day remembering Coco's last visit to the vet. It was the hardest thing we ever had to do, but unfortunately our furry children can't live forever. I swore I would never get a dog just so I wouldn't have to go through that again, but I really miss all that love that a dog gives so unconditionally. I hope you get the time the time you need with Max to spoil him a little extra, get those photos taken and let him know just how much he means to you. My heart goes out to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much; we didn't get good results yesterday at all turns out he has a lot of cancer and pancreatitis on top of it as well so they say it won't be a very long time maybe a couple of weeks. They put him on some steroids which is helping him to eat a bit more and have a little more energy which is good but gives me false hope. :) I think you guys should get a new dog and soon too!
DeleteWell, it just so happens, we went to the shelter and found a new puppy to love. We hope to be able to adopt her later this week. I'm so sorry the news was bad about Max. I don't understand why cancer is so common in dogs. It's just not fair.
DeleteI am so so sorry - I can say I definitely know how you feel. Losing a much loved pet who has been a part of the family is one of the hardest things to go through. They are just like children - totally dependent on us for everything - but unconditionally devoted and full of love. It will be one of the hardest decisions you have to make - but you'll make it with love, I am sure. You will know what the right thing is to do for Max, regardless of how hard it will be for you. And you'll do it because you love him so much. I'm so sorry. Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susie, its definitely going to be a tough decision when it comes time, he still is showing signs of his old self so we are hopeful that we may get a couple of weeks with him still. Only the next few days will tell though...
Delete*Hugs*. I view blogs through favorite bloggers' sidebars and happened upon yours. I am thinking of you and praying for you and Max. I'm really sorry.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tami :)
DeleteI have just recently started following some e-bay blogs and this is my first post on one. I am so sorry this is happening to Max. My full time job is working with herbs and I have heard so many miracle stores about milk thistle seed healing livers, maybe check it out?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, and for commenting! Turns out he has way more than just liver cancer it is also in his lymph nodes and his pancreas as well. Vet says he would not give him more than 90 days so we will just appreciate the time we have left and keep him as happy as possible!
DeleteSo so sorry. I wish you and your family the best. I'll keep my fingers crossed for Max, I know I would be a wreck too if one of my furry kids were ill.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tiana, its been rough for sure but I think we are preparing ourselves for the next step and his energy is back a little so we are going to be appreciative of all the time we have left with him!
DeleteI'm so sorry. It's incredibly difficult. They are our family. It's difficult to watch them suffer, and it's difficult to even think about everyday life without them. We acquired three dogs within a few years of being married. The problem with having three dogs so close in age is that they will probably start having health issues around the same time, which is exactly what happened with ours. We had to say goodbye to all three of our canine babies within a 2-year time frame. I just want you to know that I understand your pain, and I'm praying for your little guy, for you, and for the rest of your family.
ReplyDeleteWow I can't even imagine 3 in 2 years Kimberly; its been hardest on my daughter. She seemed pretty easy going about it when we found out but the last few days have shown that she is going to have a very hard time with this.
DeleteI'm so sorry, what a sweet dog you have! I hope Max will be okay, please keep us updated. :(
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristen. Will do :)
DeleteIs there any update on this? I am still thinking of your Max
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