Clock is ticking on Mazy
 

About a month short of her 6th birthday, Mazy has been diagnosed with Ostosarcoma (bone cancer). It started with a barely discernable limp 3 or 4 weeks ago. As it got worse, we took her to the vet who prepared us for the worst. Osteosarcoma is very common in giant breed dogs and typically appears in one of the front legs. Had her x-ray'd yesterday and confirmed the bad news. So far, nothing showed in her lungs on XR, but that doesn't mean it's not there.

OS is a very aggressive cancer and by the time it's diagnosed (limp) it has already metastasized. So, she's on powerful pain meds to keep her comfortable. Vet estimated 2-6 weeks before we'll want to put her down. Treatment wise, amputation followed by chemo is rarely successful and we have no desire to put her or our family through that.

Enough said...she's home now, comfortable, snoring through the night, eating, tail wagging and will be spoiled rotten for the balance of her time. Yes, she's going to have a filet mignon in her bowl this weekend!

In a way it's easier knowing how things will unfold. We have time with her and then will absolutely pull the plug before she begins to suffer.

She's the last of a 40 year long lineage of "Lionhearted Mastiffs". If you google that name, or possibly "Gloria Davis", you'll see some hair raising stories regarding abandonment, starvation and even murder. Quite a situation we pulled her from. So, she's had almost 6 years with a family of 5 that are all thrilled to have had her. She's been loved and has given us absolute joy every minute.

Please join me in wishing her a smooth and painless passage. These will be a few trying weeks but we'll cherish this precious time with our "once-in-a-lifetime" little girl.


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Hey Mike......thanks for the post and sorry to hear this. But I admire and respect that you are ensuring your precious Mazy does not endure unnecessary pain and suffering. This - the ultimate act of love you have for your girl.

Many of us have gone through this painful and gut wrenching scenario and many of us will continue to - my 2 girls are at the 10 year mark so I know it will be coming at some point - and who really knows when.

I have a good friend in WI who will put his golden down tomorrow due to cancer but he knows he has a responsibility and as such will do what has to be done.

Stay strong for your family Mike and please give your Macy some extra lovin' from me and my girls - Godspeed....

She is a beautiful girl ! She has been fortunate to have you and your family to love her. I am sorry that she will be going so soon. It is very tough putting down a young dog. I have been through it.

You have a great plan worked out to keep her happy and comfortable. Be at peace Mazy

That's rough Mike. Six years is entirely too soon. From one family to another, we feel for you.

She's gorgeous, so sorry to see this, peace to her and your family from mine.

Beautiful girl. Give her love and comfort, and comfort yourself with the knowledge that you are doing the best that can be done.

oh boy.

this is rough...best wishes of comfort and peace to Mazy.

BTW Mike - I did Google the story of Gloria Davis and the Lionhearted Mastiffs. Very sad. Good for you to step up and adopt your beautiful Mazy girl....

Baz...that all happened about a month after we got her. We never actually met Gloria and most suspect she was already dead or what ever. To this day she has never surfaced. The dogs that survived were recuperated, fixed and adopted out, so the lineage ends with Mazy's litter. Gloria's reputation for brindles was second to none. We're lucky to have gotten our girl out of there before the worst of things occurred. Sounds like we'll be doing the same for her again soon.

Thanks all for your comments and wishes. It means a lot. I always dread seeing such threads but I have to say, it does help to share these things with you guys.

So sorry. We lost two of our Great Danes to bone cancer.

Sorry to hear about this Choca. I always found that with our black lab Sally it was sad to see her face when I left her in the yard while I went golfing. Worse was when I took her to the vet for the big goodbye. You have my sympathy but in the meantime you have given your dog several good years it would not otherwise have had.

Mike
I feel for you and Mazy. After losing one of our great danes a few months ago to seizures and our other one is failing quickly with spine issues, I am looking at being dane-less for the first time in 20 years. The worst part is I am not sure I can get another one. I love everything about the giant dogs but their short life span is wrecking my heart.
So, spoil her as much as you can I hope things go as well as they possibly can for you guys.
gary

Sorry to hear - she is beautiful. Enjoy the time you have left and never forget her.

So sad for all of you. Enjoy the time left. She is a beautiful girl.

Went through the Osteosarcoma thing a little over 1 year ago with our girl Sophie. It's tough. "Treatment" options are not really viable (maybe inhumane) in my opinion. We could see relief in our Vet's face when we told him we were not going to try any aggressive treatment and were opting for keeping her comfortable for as long as possible.

She's a beautiful dog and obviously has a loving home. Give Mazy a big hug from me and let her have some ice cream for desert after that filet mignon.

Sorry to hear, Choc. May she enjoy her remaining time as much as possible.

Sorry to hear. She's beautiful.

I'm sorry for your loss :(

Mike so sorry I feel your pain. I put my 8 yr old boxer Piper down on Tuesday due to cancer. It's a tough road ahead so show her lots of love. Something I read hear I think by Baz is to be there with her at the end.

Mike,
Mazy is a real beauty. Sad to hear. Please stay with her to the end. We made a mistake with our Dobie years ago when we took her to the vet for overnight cancer treatment. Got her back the next morning in a black plastic bag. So Please be with Mazie at the end. She will quietly close her eyes and be at peace knowing her guardians were there with her.

And its times like this we wonder why we put up with this level of pain. Thanks for sharing Mike, we are all there with you.

Mike, I'm so sorry to hear the diagnosis. I've only been through losing a pet once just 10 months ago - and I know it is tough.

Thanks to all for your comments and support. This is a great community and I'm glad to be a part. Today was Mazy's last day. She had her filet for dinner last night...and we shared eggs over easy for breakfast today. Probably took 200 photos over the past week.

She was on a bunch of pain meds so sleeping a lot, but the limp and swelling marched on, to the point where we had to call it quits. The big worry was that the tumor (bone) wouldn't support her weight and would give way...not good.

So the kids and Cathy said their good-byes and I took her in. I held her close as she went to sleep, composed myself and came home to the family and our two other pups.

Will miss her dearly but there is a sense of relief in having it over. There was no hope of improvement so the end result was inevitable. Perhaps we could have gone a bit longer, but she walked in on her own feet, was happy and alert...the way I'd want to be.

Anyway...thanks again for all the kind words. Perhaps we'll see her again on the other side. Cancer sucks.

I hate these. Did it back in Oct and it brings it all back.

You did the best you could and I'm sure she loved every minute. I think it's the most gut wrenching thing one can do but it has to be done.

RIP Mazy.

My condolences Mike. It's never easy saying goodbye to a member of the family. RIP Mazy.

Sorry for your loss Mike. This is a tough one to go through. Adults understand pain, illness, and death, but children and dogs continue on innocently until the end. Maybe they're better off.

A friend sent me this when my Abby had to go. It's an old one, but I still love it.


Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

So sorry Mike. RIP Mazy. Cancer Sucks

Thanks Patrick...I hope that's true, otherwise a promise I made her wont be fulfilled.

so sorry Mike..

Rika

Much appreciated Bruce...and especially for your PM. You have a way with words that gave us strength.

Wishing you the best for Sam and Jack.

Losing a family pet is really, really tough on people. I hope you find some comfort in your long and heart-felt good bye. Condolences to you and yours.

So sorry for your loss. These threads always make me cry, because it reminds me of the grief I've experienced when I have to let one of my good friends go. Even so, my wife and I continue to adopt senior Golden Retrievers (we're on our third). They give so much more than they take...

My eyes are very teary right now - you will see her again, Mike.....

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Sorry for your loss Mike.
RIP Mazy

As I type this our 14 yr. old German Shepard is pulling herself to the food dish with her front legs, back ones are pretty much done. She can still get up on her own most times, but at others needs help. Can barely make it up and down the stairs on her own.
We've made 3 appointments ( so far) to have the vet come and put her down, but cancelled them all.
We didn't think she'd make it through the winter, but the time is near.

Mike, I hesitated opening this thread - as I thought it might just be for this update. Sorry to hear about Mazy, sounds like her last few days were a treat. I'm sure you'll remember them.

I am very sorry to hear of Mazy's passing. I know how hard it has been for you, your family, and her. You did the best that you could do, there were no other options. It took great courage to take her in the last time. I too, have been through this too many times. You did the right thing by taking her in before something happened. My dog BooBoo, had the same situation...cancer in the leg. He too would have suffered terribly if I had kept him around as long as I had wanted, but we must do what is right for our beloved pets...and that is the hardest part.

R.I.P. Mazy

Sorry for your loss Mike. You were with her at the end, and I truly believe Mazy was comforted by your being there with her. My wife and I have had large breed dogs for years and have been with them at the end. Very emotional time for us but a relief as well knowing they are in a better place. We look forward to being reunited with them at the rainbow bridge. As you watch your puppies grow, your grief will be replaced by joy and happiness. The best to you. Mazy is watching over you and yours, and will be waiting for you at the bridge.

Oh no. So sorry sir.


Sent via Jedi mind trick.

I keep coming back to this thread, maybe it's the pics in the OP. She looks too old and wizened to be 6. How beautiful. Gone way before her time - way before her time.

Sorry to hear about this, Mike.