You know they really are family....

[Murph]

Our pets that is. Our rescue dog Peaches has this horrible tumor that has started to bleed, and I thought I was going to have to have her put down. I took her to the vet, and through my tears, I told the intake nurse that I thought I was going to have to have the dog put down, because the vet at the Doggie Hospital ER told us that it was hopeless. She said, ok, then "We can't see you today, we are booked up". I stood there holding my buddy-dog, looking like a fool with tears rolling down my face. Well, we went home, and everything was fine for three weeks, till today, when we looked out and the dog was just covered in blood again.

We went to the vet, they shaved the area, and it looks horrible, then they told us that it would be $1,000 and no promises that our 12 year old dog would survive the surgery. Well, we decided to go to another vet and see what they will do, we just don't have the money, not even close. I don't want my buddy to suffer, but we just cannot afford the removal fee. *sigh* I am so depressed about this. Peaches was rescued from a shelter when she was 8, and now she is deaf, partially blind, but she is still my buddy dog. Sorry, needed to vent.

[L Stegall]

Murph, I'm so sorry. I have tears in my eyes as I type - as the mom of a 13 year old "rescue" dog, this hits oh so close to home. It is like losing a member of the family. You and your family are in my thoughts.

[gmarblestone]

man i feel for you. My dog is 7 and I dread the day i have to make the decision you are about to make. My wife jokes that i put my dog before her... and while that is not really true, it's probably closer than it should be. I can't tell ya which way to go, but I doubt anyone would think less of you for taking the hard way out and putting the dog to sleep. Even that isn't cheap!

Good luck and dog bless,

G

[andyz]

I'm all for pets and I don't know you or yours, but from the description it may be time to let go and let your buddy be relieved of the pain. It can be hard. I know from experience. But sometimes it is best.

That said, I don't know how far you'd travel, but there is a vet in Salado that we have used and treatments for our dogs were a third to a half of what vets in Killeen wanted. That would be like a 90 minute drive. But it may be worth seeking out. I can try and get some info from my wife if you want. It was near I-35, but I don't have the address right now.

Be strong.

[3n-Out]

Murph,

I really love dogs.. I mean I really do.. I have had several Best firends that have gotten sick and or problems that were behond my means financially to handle. The last one which hurt the most was my Great Pyraness that was some how posioned. She was dying and they pretty much told me the same thing.. We can do this and that but it is going to be 1800.00 and then there are these other costs.. How can we afford that? We couldn't. In all cases I have put the dog down. If the dog is suffering and they tell you there is no promises then I have always opted to put the dog down. It is tough to do such a thing to such wonderful companions but a family can't spend that type of money with no promises. At least mine can't.

Man I feel for ya Murph.. Good luck, I know all to well what you are going through.

John....

[alamoshutterbug]

That's very sad Murph, and I am truly sorry. It's hard to watch a friend, no, loved one suffer and I can only wish you courage in making the decisions you have to. Twelve years is a good long life for a dog, and if you made her life better for those last four years, then you did well. She no doubt appreciates the life you gave her, I am sure. Take care.

[Sideline]

Wow... reading your story made me think about my own puppies (4 and 5 year old bichons)...

they are my boys. My wife and I (2nd marriages) decided we did not want kids, so the boys are my boys.

They are my family, and I can't imagine what I would do if I were in your situation... except make the best decision you can for Peaches.

My heart goes out to you...

[PhotosbyHollyWood]

oh my heart aches for you and your family this is a hard desicion for anyone to make, I think you are doing the right thing by getting a second opinion. Just know that you will make the right desicion either way.

I have a few tears welling up because my family just had to do this about 3 months ago and it still hurts but it comforts me to know that my 13 year old lab is not suffering anymore.

Best of luck stay strong and I hope that you get some relief from the burden you are dealing with now.

[Murph]

Well, some exceptionally good news. The new vet took one look, told my wife that he could do the surgery today, he said the dog would 90% survive the surgery, and he would most likely be able to get Peaches back to us today! And he was not going to charge us an arm and a leg. My wife liked the vet very much, and was very comforted by the way he explained things, and took lots of time with her. So, if the Good Lord smiles, my buddy dog, albeit a bit sore will be with me for a while longer. When we lost Missy back last summer to a tumor, it was really hard because Missy had the most personality of any dog I have ever owned. She was just such a wonderful dog, loving, kind, and good to the kids. Having her put down was the hardest thing I have done, I just held her in my arms while the vet gave her the shot, and I talked to her till she was gone, and then took her home and buried her. The kids drew pictures to send with her to heaven, and they put them in her grave to go with her, also some toys to take with her to heaven.

[Jezebel]

Awww, Murph - I'm glad to hear that you received such good news from the new vet. I went from =( to :} while reading this thread. Sort of back to =( though reading about Missy. Pets are so wonderful. It's hard to lose them. I wish Peaches much luck during the surgery!

[PhotosbyHollyWood]

oh that is great news... and glad to hear that there is a vet out there that is willing to help and not charge you an arm and a leg.. speedy recovery to peaches!

[ttusa]

Hi Murph,
I wish Peaches good luck! I have a joyful five year old Boston Terrier, and he's my "little man". I'll send up a prayer for your dog.
Therese

[toverman]

So sorry to hear about Peaches, but glad there is a good chance she will recover after surgery.

Pets are truly members of the family. I'm partial to dogs, just because a good dog has true, unconditional love, loyalty and respect for its owners. Man, I need to take mine for a walk to show him how much I love him!

[janetg]

murph - great news - give peaches a treat from the greys! our krumpy dog had a small tumor on her leg and one on her tummy we just had removed while they were still quite small - only $300 and that was with a whatever you call that to find out if they were cancerous - they weren't. she's 7 and has had numerous attacks of pancreatitis.

pets are a joy to my life - as i sit here waching them sleep.

let us know how she does, k?

[Murph]

Well Peaches is home, she is groggy, having some trouble walking, but seems pretty much in good shape. We have antibiotics and pain meds for her, so hopefully she will not be in much pain. I think she just needs sleep. Thank you all for the kind words. Peaches really is my buddy dog.