How do you know???

[Britbox]

My heart is aching for you...this is such a tough time for you...I have been there too, and know what it is like to have a beloved Boxer with cancer... It is not an easy road to travel, and every step you take is bourne out of love...and you will find a strength that you didn't even now you possesed...believe me.
You will know when the time comes...you know your baby better than anyone...just know that we are all here to support you, and keep you strong...you are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[tastubbs]

How do you know?

Prayers to you and your baby. My vet told me "when the bad days out number the good AND when he no longer acknowledges you with wags and grins." My bf told me, that I would just know. He was right. It is hard to explain, but I was just overwhelmed with this feeling that it was time and the right thing to do. Even so, it is agonizing to contemplate, wait and wonder, so my heart goes out to you.

Tracey (Buster and Shaylea)

 

[Rocky's-Mom]

I am so sorry to read about your baby and it is so hard to watch them and know that they are leaving us soon. Rocky has bone cancer and I know my days are limited. I spend alot of time on here...there's alot of great people with great advise, support and love to help you thru. They all say you will know when the time isto let them go..but waiting and watching just rips out your heart. I cried for 2 weeks when I first found out but now I cry at different times like right now....so we all know your pain and share it...everyone told me to love them (not that we don't already, spoil them, take ton of pictures and make happy memories so that's what I have done...there's a poem in the poetry sections that gives me comfort...the name of it is "A Dogs Prayer" aaand that what I paln to do when my Rocky is ready...Rocky & Mom

 

[carole]

So sorry to hear about Sam :( you know when its time I think by looking into their eyes they somehow say "Ive had enough"

I was always told better a day too soon than a day too late.

 

[Tigress]

I knew I could count on you all here to understand, and know. The thoughts you have shared with me are wonderful and I will keep them in mind as the days go by. We have a beautiful sunny day here today so I know a trip to the park, with our camera is in order.

Thank you all so much for being here. It has already made a difference in my heart, my life.

 

[Britbox]

Hope your trip to the park was good....capture every memory you can, and always remember that it was you that made all these happy days possible..enjoy every last second...we are all taking every step with you...(((((hugs)))))

 

[rankinirn]

I'm so sorry for your pain

I know what you are going through. Last year we lost both of our white boxer boys. Butch died in March. At first the vet thought he had a virus. He just acted tired and wouldn't eat. He had to keep going back for IV fluids for rehydration. We had to force feed him by the end of his life. No one said the cancer word until the very end. Looking back, I feel I should have known and been a better Mom to him and stoped his pain. Butch lost 40lbs in 3 weeks. He kept fighting...I think for us and for his brother Sundance. The night before he was due to go back to the vet for another round of tests and IV fluids, he gave up. Butch died in my husband's arms in the middle of the night. I worry that we put him through too much pain and suffering. He really labored to breath in his last hours.

In August of last year I came home to find Sundance down in extreme shock and having very labored breathing. We rushed him to the vet. The vet thought he would find his lungs full of fluid or tumors from cancer. Instead the xrays showed his stomach bloated and torsioned. Because of his age -- almonst 9, his extreme shock state and a tumor that was found in his pancreas and spleen, we agreed to euthanize him. It was the hardest decision I've ever made. We cried so much. We both held him as he drifted off to sleep. Then we brought him home and buried next to his brother. They had never been apart their entire lives except for the months between their deaths.

I know we did the right thing by euthanizing Sundance. He had lost his fight and wanted to go. We didn't want to make him suffer anymore. I still miss both of them terribley and cry about them sometimes (like now when I'm writing this). Sometimes doing the right thing isn't doing the easy thing. It was far harder to let him go than to help him fight.

You will know when the time is right, if you watch and look for it. In hindsight, my husband and I probably knew that Butch wouldn't make it, but we did not want to face the truth and let him go sooner. If he hadn't fought so hard and made a one week recovery, we might have let him go sooner.
Just watch your dog and try to see through objective eyes.

Rankinirn

 

[Rocky's-Mom]

Just checking in to see how your trip to the park went and how you were doing. Rocky has never had quote real food just snacks occasionaly and everyone said spoil him give him things you normally don't..well knowing how smart boxers are guess what he want eat his dog food so I am cooking for him. One of the girls told me about fixing oatmeal and chicken...he loves it. I give my husband a sanwich and cook for the boxer ( he doesn't mind) but I thought it was funny....love plain yogart. We found out on Jan 10th that he has bone cancer....a tumor on his leg. Just breaks my heart to see him knowing he will be leaving soon but as I have been told on here that I will have more good days than bad and these boxer people are right. Roller coaster ride yes but I take it until I see sign of pain. He still eats good, pink gums, still all wiggles and slobbery kisses but limps on three legs...tumor getting larger every day. The vet said he had weeks back on Jan 10 but so far I have had him longer than I thought I would. It's all these positive vibes and prayers and support from all these great boxer lovers....This is a wonderful place and I thank God for leading me here....Rocky & Mom

 

[vetstudent]

I had tears in my eyes when I was reading your post. I am so sorry you are having to deal with this. Unfortunately this is something that comes along with having a pet, loving them so much, and making them a part of your family. The fact that you are having such a hard time with this just shows how much love you have in your heart for him. I understand that you do not want to wait too long and have him suffer, yet do not want to do it too prematurely. In my experience that feeling lingers for a very long time (even after they have crossed the bridge you may still second guess yourself for a while). However, trust your gut and your little boy will let you know when the time is right. He has trusted you his whole life and now you need to trust him when he tells you it is time. Just remember that you are doing it for him and you can't be selfish when the time comes and keep him around only for yourself. My prayers are with you.

 

[Donna1969]

Like you I wondered how I "would know". I found out my Blizzy had lymphoma in November. She fought a good fight and never really displayed the signs/symptoms of cancer. In the end her enlarged heart (I believe) was her undoing. My daughters birthdays are Dec 23rd and Dec 28th. After Thanksgiving I had a "talk" with Blizzy and made her a deal so to speak. I told her make it to the birthday of the older one (she turned 13 on 12/28) and when Blizzy was ready I'd help her to the bridge. We had TONS more good days than bad from the time of her diagnosis until the day she left. About a week before my little one's birthday (12/23) Blizzy had a few bad days, scared me a lot. I asked her to hold out until Christmas if she couldn't wait until the 28th. Like a trooper my girl made the 12/23 birthday AND on Christmas day she at at the table with us..I fork fed her everything we were eating, she played all morning and all day with my girls and with the extended family that was here for dinner..Blizzy gave out kisses and her famous "hugs" to everyone..later that night she got a bit pale in the gums and my heart and stomach KNEW she was ready. The day after Christmas when she didn't wake me to go out..I knew something was terribly wrong. She had an awful morning..she was very weak and showed signs of breathing troubles. I lay with her and told her..if she was ready to go today, I was ready to fulfill my end of our deal. She picked up her head, and looked at me with eyes that said "ok, Momma, since you have accepted it and will allow me to go..I am ready". She lay her head on my lap and we snuggled. Not long afterward, she started having little seizures and that was it, I rushed her to the vet so she would not suffer not one second. She went peacefully in my arms looking into my eyes.

I promise you, you WILL know, you will feel it in your heart and soul. When the nubby wags are no longer, when she doesn't have that "gleam" in her eye, there are lots of ways our babies show us in their own ways.

I wish you didn't have to go through this. Its a tough thing to deal with. Loving them as much as we do, we don't want them to go, them loving us as much as they do, they fight when they want to give in..for us. But we know in our head, that we cannot let them suffer no matter how much pain their passing will cause us But doing the most unselfish act of ending their pain is what each and everyone of our babies deserve. Sending out positive vibes to you & your fur baby. Kiss her sweet face for me and give yourself a hug. There are so many here who understand EXACTLY what you are going through (although we wish we didn't). Carson sends puppy breath and kisses to your baby.