Losing my buddy...

[VINMAN]

Been in a fog the past couple days. Two weeks ago, my Syd had to have a splenectomy, after a defect was found on his spleen during an ultrasound. When they opened him up, the tumor had already ruptured ( most likely within the last 12 hours...) if he had not been scheduled for sugery that day, he wouldnt have made it through the next day. The surgery was originally scheduled for this week, so was a stroke of luck we had changed it. Well his biopsy came back the other night, got the call I did not want to receive. It was malignant. Syd has hemangiosarcoma. Which is a cancer of the blood vessels. It is incurable. Nothing we can do. Chemo may possibly add a month or two. At this point he may have a 2 days, 2 weeks or at the longest a couple months. He doesn't know hes sick. He's happy as anything and recovered great from his surgery.

We just have to spoil the crap out of him and wait for him to die. He's only 9yrs old. Iv'e been a basket case. I've been in tears all week. I cant function. ***** just isnt fair.

[varmint]

I went through this two years ago. I can say nothing tho comfort you because it is truly horrible.

[JavaBrewer]

But how lucky are you to have spent his years here together! I have been there myself friend, and now our Scout is nearing 11 and slowing dramatically. Just talking about the what if gets the tears flowing. We are there for you in spirit! Condolences in advance and yes some extra treats and hugs are in order!

[KFC911]

Damn .... so sorry Vinman.

[Geronimo '74]

That’s bad news, Vin.
My dog is getting old and I think about goodbye more than I used to.
I hope you find strength and courage, your family too.
Give Syd a pat from me.

[astrochex]

Sorry, Vinman. Think of the good times.

[cabmandone]

Never easy to watch them go but that's not a bad thing. It means he has been loved. I'll leave you with something one of my kids told me when one of their cats got injured pretty bad. Not sure if it got brushed crossing the road but... I asked her "is there anything I can do for you?" Her reply was "let him know he's loved" I'm not a big cat person but I spent most of the day petting that cat. So my words to you are the same as my daughters... let him know he's loved.

[masraum]

I'm really sorry, Vinny. This sucks.

[flatbutt]

Damn Vinny that sucks.

[Flat Six]

So sorry, Vinman. Syd looks like a great pup -- please give him a scratch behind the ears (or on his belly if he prefers) for us. I take some comfort that you found out that you have a little extra time with him so you can keep him comfortable and spoil the cr@p out of him! Good on you, brother.

Dale

[rfuerst911sc]

Spoil and love him as much as you can , do not let him suffer . We had to put ours down two months ago I cried like a baby . They give so much love and ask so little . Good luck and hang in there you are not alone .

[Sooner or later]

poor pup.

[billybek]

Sorry to hear this, Vinny.
I still think of the dog I grew up with and tears magically appear in my eyes.
That means she was truly loved.

I cannot imagine the day when my bc girl goes. I will be a basket case for a few days I am sure...
Pepper and Russ send Syd their good wishes and so do I.

[fanaudical]

I'm sorry to hear - it's always hard to lose a good dog. I hope you can find ways to enjoy the time you have left with him.

What would Syd do if he knew you were ill and time was short? I bet he'd take you out to play every chance he could get and then just hang out with you when you were too tired...

[crustychief]

Vinny, I am so sorry to hear of Syd's diagnosis. I would give my dog a daily drive through of a hamburger joint for a burger as I did with Shadow.

[LWJ]

I feel your pain. My buddy had some aggressive cancer and it took him quickly.

When I got the news, we went to a pretty high end burger shop and I bought him a nice burger. Turns out it was the last real meal he ate. But he sure enjoyed it.

Savor the minutes. They are special. I loved my buddy more than my brother. And I like my brother just fine.

Strength and peace.

[450knotOffice]

I'm so SO sorry to read about this, Vinny. Three of the six (yes SIX) dogs we've lost in the past three years have passed from Cancer, including one from Hemangiosarcoma. She too was only nine, in a breed that routinely lives into their late teens.

[Baz]

Vinny.....I remember when you went through the same heartbreak with your sweet Toby - just about 9 years ago. I'm so sorry this is happening again and so damn soon!

You already know this but I will say it anyway - your focus right now and through his final breath should be 100% Syd's comfort.

I posted here in March when I had to take Billabong to the overnight emergency vet to be put asleep due to lymphoma. She was never in pain - and to this day as hard as it was to make that excruciating decision - I felt I did the right thing - and that brings me peace....as it will you.

You know how to reach me if I can be of any help. Much love to you and your buddy......Baz and Winkipop

[Jeff Higgins]

As dog owners, this is kinda what we sign up for. I lost my first dog, Fritz, a Collie, literally the day after my dad died. I was 18. In the interim, there have been six others, with Ed, my Golden Retriever, being number seven. He is three years old, and I'm 60. I'm hoping there is one more dog in me after Ed, before I have to go. This is what we do. It's unavoidable. Heartbreaking, yes, but it's all a part of it. These guys - our beloved buddies - would be out there, somewhere, with or without us. We are privileged, and they are privileged, when our paths cross - we get to give them the best lives they could ever possibly have had, and they get to enrich ours beyond measure. It hurts when they leave, definitely. No two ways about that. But, you know - get another one, make him or her your best buddy and give them the very best life they could possibly have. And do it again, with the next one. Until it's your turn.

And always remember what Will Rogers said - "if all dogs don't go to heaven, I want to go wherever it is they go".

[GH85Carrera]

Sorry about your loss. It really hurts.