Clock is ticking on Mazy

[Chocaholic]

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.

[Baz]

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....

[Skytrooper]

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

[gsxrken]

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

[jhynesrockmtn]

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

[wdfifteen]

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

[vash]

oh boy.

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

[Baz]

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....

[Chocaholic]

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.

[Ronbo]

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

[recycled sixtie]

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.

[arcsine]

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

[fanaudical]

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

[widgeon13]

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

[jwasbury]

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.

[Noah930]

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

[Brillo]

Sorry to hear. She's beautiful.

[GWN7]

I'm sorry for your loss

[86 ssinit]

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.

[bob deluke]

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.