It's just a dog.

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Originally Posted by PNWbrit

Sorry Cono.

Our nine year old Golden is getting lumpier by the day, I was grooming out his winter undercoat the other day and the thought occurred to me that he's probably not going to get to grow another one.

We had three large masses removed 18 months ago and the recovery was complicated by a postoperative infection. We nearly lost him then and decided that we wouldn't put him through surgery any further.

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Thanks. He spent the last two yrs in Chile and i raced down in nov to get him, i regretted leaving him there and now this shit. Ive been telling my gf hes aged just since he came back, but i hope im just overreacting. On his carpal pad hes had some nasty shit growing, but now there are hard lumps underneath, hes drinking like two gallonsnof water a day and now that im not completely neglectful im noticing his lack of energy, and all kinds of shit.

i guess ive been lucky with previous dogs.

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Originally Posted by Moeghoul

I tried pedialyte diluted in water, she didn't drink it. I got a clear colored bottle I hoped was flavorless, but it had a bit of a sour taste to it. Check with the vet for options. I think feeding her some salty food and maybe a multivitamin and minerals might work. Awesome looking pooch, Seeing them when they're old and vulnerable but still try to rally is definitely rollercoaster, its a singular joy and sadness these days. Enjoy the remaining time with him.

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You too, prayers to Jewels, she's a darling. In the end, decided on the same as you: salty food, multivitamin, seems to be doing the job. My boy's actually going for walks these days, he insists on it, although it's only for a block or two and he staggers around like a drunken sailor. It's kinda funny actually, especially since he's so game to go explore his neighborhood and dribble a few drops of pee on the requisite trees - it's like he doesn't even know he's debilitated. Such is a dog's life.

Thoughts to you PNW and Cono as well. I would sometimes skim this thread in the past but never replied. I would get choked up as it would remind me that my own dog was getting on in years. Now that his time is fast approaching it's good to commiserate with others going through the process.

Thanks all.

This thread is all kinds of awesome in a melancholy way. Just seeing all the great pooches you guys have/had and how much love they get and give reminds me that while there are a lot of assholes in the world, most folks are good people.

My 8.5 yr. old lab mix had a cancerous tumor removed from his ass a couple months ago. They saw an unidentifiable mass in his chest when they x-rayed him and because of it's location it can't be biopsied without another surgery. He'll be going back for xrays every six months now. And, he's got another lump forming on his neck. He's still active and seemingly healthy but he has a history of skin cancers and I don't think he's going to be a long-timer because of it. Best dog I've ever had, crossing my fingers he has another few good years at least. Having him around when my last dog passed really helped so I adopted an 8 mo. old Shepherd mix a month ago.

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Allah willing, he"s gonna make it!

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Originally Posted by Plainview

Best dog I've ever had, crossing my fingers he has another few good years at least. Having him around when my last dog passed really helped so I adopted an 8 mo. old Shepherd mix a month ago.

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Aren't they all the best dog there ever was. I always tell Gunther he is the "Best GSD" I ever had and Maya is the "Best little girl" I have ever had. Unlike humans, there really is something special about every dog.

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Originally Posted by Cono Este

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Allah willing, he"s gonna make it!

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Beautiful coloring. Never seen an Aussie like that....looks like a Bernese

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Originally Posted by liv2ski

Aren't they all the best dog there ever was.

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Pretty much.

Gus had his first ever icecream cone on his recent ninth birthday.

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Originally Posted by irul&ublo

Beautiful coloring. Never seen an Aussie like that....looks like a Bernese

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He's big too, 75lbs. His dad was a normal blue merl. never saw his Mom.some goat fucker in Iowa abused him for two yrs then I found Mr. handsome and his Dad in the shelter. Unbelievable. I still owe that fucker a visit.

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Originally Posted by Tri-Ungulate

We're on the exact same track Moeghoul. Our samoyed/golden mix is ancient (anywhere from 15-17) and on his last legs. He got an inner-ear problem and we put him on prednisone when he couldn't stand up. Did OK for a week, but when we tapered, he got really bad, even after resuming the steroids. Called the vet to put him down last Thursday, but cancelled when he rallied. He was worse again on Friday morning, so we called her again; he rallied once more and we cancelled again, it's been a rollercoaster. At least now he's hobbling around yelling at the passing dogs doing pretty OK. Sure, it's only a matter of time, but every reprieve is a godsend and every remaining moment with him is precious.

Good reminder about the electrolytes, I'm gonna get some Pedialyte this evening. Thanks. https://www.tetongravity.com/images/...zho__forum.jpg

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He's a real good looking boy.
We aren't quite there yet, but our 15 yo girl (mini NA shepherd) is starting to get "tired" in her hips.
Once she gets moving it's all good, but that initial getting up and getting going is requiring more effort from her now.
We had her on Duramax which really helped but had to take her off of it to treat a kidney infection.
It really made a difference for her which really became evident when we took her off of it (the Duramax).
She is almost done with her run on antibiotics, we are hoping that we will be able to get her back on her normal regiment.

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Originally Posted by Cono Este

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Allah willing, he"s gonna make it!

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He's a handsome Aussie!

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Originally Posted by liv2ski

Aren't they all the best dog there ever was. I always tell Gunther he is the "Best GSD" I ever had and Maya is the "Best little girl" I have ever had. Unlike humans, there really is something special about every dog.

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Well sure, they're all great in their own way. The dogs I've had before were great and I loved them like nobody's business, but this guy I have now is something different and I kind of doubt I'll ever get another like him. I just erased a long paragraph trying to explain what it is about him that makes him different, but I'm not sure it's something anyone else will understand or that I can adequately put down in writing. I will love every dog I bring into my life and they have been and all will be awesome in one way or another, but "Dog of a Lifetime" is not a stretch when describing this guy.

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Originally Posted by irul&ublo

Beautiful coloring. Never seen an Aussie like that....looks like a Bernese

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I thought he was a Bernese on first glance too. Great looking fella. ACH, thanks and sorry to hear about your girl, hope she perks up soon.

Plainview, I 'm feeling pretty much the same about my guy. Loved all my dogs, especially the one before him, but he's been a special part of our lives for 13 years now.

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Originally Posted by Tri-Ungulate

Plainview, I 'm feeling pretty much the same about my guy. Loved all my dogs, especially the one before him, but he's been a special part of our lives for 13 years now.

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Odd thing is, I have had 4 dogs and I have loved every last one like a child. Like children, they are all different from each other and each has so many parts to their personalities that just make them "the best dog ever". I guess it is just me, but my dogs have all grown up to be practically perfect. The tough part is once they are gone, as there will never be another like them. So I try and make sure everyday is a good one for us. Guess I am kind of odd, but for them I try to be the "best human ever".

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Originally Posted by liv2ski

Aren't they all the best dog there ever was.

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Amen.

Had to put my 15 year old Black Lab down yesterday. Cried like a baby watching the life drain out of her. She had nine lives, but cancer got her in the end. There is never enough time with them, so enjoy every minute.

^^the last solid you can do for your friend. Sorry to hear

[QUOTE=Stowelen;4502634There is never enough time with them, so enjoy every minute.[/QUOTE]

sounds like she had a good run. Sorry you had to see her go, that's a heart breaker :(

It's just part of the deal. Hopefully someone do it for me if I needed it. Circle of life. Thanks for the vibes.

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Running free again. See you on the other side.

Harley, going on 8y/o, adopted her last August with some college buddies.
Can't imagine not taking her home next year.

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Originally Posted by Stowelen

Had to put my 15 year old Black Lab down yesterday. Cried like a baby watching the life drain out of her. She had nine lives, but cancer got her in the end. There is never enough time with them, so enjoy every minute.

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I am very sorry for your loss.

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Originally Posted by Stowelen

Had to put my 15 year old Black Lab down yesterday. Cried like a baby watching the life drain out of her. She had nine lives, but cancer got her in the end. There is never enough time with them, so enjoy every minute.

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Vibes, he had a full life, you did well for him.

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Originally Posted by Stowelen

Had to put my 15 year old Black Lab down yesterday. Cried like a baby watching the life drain out of her. She had nine lives, but cancer got her in the end. There is never enough time with them, so enjoy every minute.

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15 is a solid life, so sorry to hear the time came for her.

Update: Jewels is rallying. From certain death 12 days ago to almost normal but for the skin condition. We took her to UPenn Vet hospital this afternoon to see a skin specialist. Well worth the trip. We had a few options regarding testing, biopsy, and opted for a few tests to rule out secondary/underlying infections, tick borne illnesses and a few other things. She's prescribing a drug that interacts with the immunity system, I'm sketchy on the details and need to read her report that she emailed to me. She's back on the Carprofen, and I need to soak her paws in some blue stuff that's over the counter and a name I'm not familiar with. Give her a month on this treatment plan and see how it goes. Awesome that she is letting me email her about any changes as well as pictures of the affected areas. She's gotta wear the inflatable donut around her neck if she starts licking the paws. Hilarious.

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Originally Posted by Stowelen

Had to put my 15 year old Black Lab down yesterday. Cried like a baby watching the life drain out of her. She had nine lives, but cancer got her in the end. There is never enough time with them, so enjoy every minute.

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Sorry to hear. We did two last year, one was ours, one was Mom's. Never seems right, in one sense, but very right in the other.

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Originally Posted by east or bust

Can't imagine not taking her home next year.

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What a pretty girl. No way could I let her go.

Stowelen, sorry for your loss, but 15 years is a great life for a larger dog. Being there at the end is the most important thing you can do for both of you.