possible osteosarcoma... please help

[sweetboxer]

Melanie, I know this is so hard. Skye kept wandering through our house looking for Cadence. I felt so bad for her, but luckily, I was home that whole week from work anyway, so we spent the time together. I took her to the dog park, we went to the lake, we did everything together so neither one of us had to sit at home in the silence. As we got through the week, I think each of us saw that we'd be okay. It hurts like h***, but you will both be okay. They have a very wonderful gift for knowing what we need and being able to give it to us. Let Dexter help you as you help him. It will heal you both.
My heart goes out to you. I know how this feels and only time will help it. I still cry fairly often from missing Cadence, but I've come to realize that it's perfectly okay for me to cry. She was my girl and I love her very much. I know she's safe and I know she led me to Colby, b/c he acts just like her in some ways and he does things that only she did. So I know she's here...plus, sometimes, I swear I smell her stinky little butt!!!
Please give Dexter a BIG squeeze from me and lots of kisses from Colby and Skye. They also send you lots of wiggles to help you feel better. I am sending you all my strength and support...and a VERY BIG hug.
Remember...your girl is safe.

Run free, sweet Ginger. No more pain, no more pills, just open fields and lots of Boxer friends to jump around with. Give my sweet Cadence a big kiss for me. Keep watch over your mommy and Dexter...they need your strength.

 

[spud's mum]

OMG Melanie, I'm so sorry. I haven't been online for a while and I was so shocked to see this. Like everyone else, I really hoped that Ginger was going to fight on a while longer. I'm so shocked I just don't know what to say. *tears* I'm just so sorry. (((Hugs)))

 

[Mama_Zookeeper]

I really did not want to read this post. Sometimes we hope & pray for the recovery miracle so much that when our loved boxer babies do pass on it is almost shocking. I was really hoping that sweet girl with her silver face would recover. Please know how very sorry I am, be strong. Give Dex lots of extra hugs & kisses for me. I remember how my Bluto was after Rocky II had gone to the bridge, it is heartbreaking to see them searching. You guys are all in my thoughts & prayers.

Dora

 

[Gin&Dex]

First of all, my thanks to you all...

Things are better today. I still have my moments, but they are getting better.

I wanted to share this with everyone.... my sister (and nephew) came over today and brought me a dozen yellow roses. One of them broke off, just below the flower (it looked like a boutenier). I thought it would be perfect to give to Ginger... so me, my sister, my nephew, and Dexter all went to see Ginger and give her the rose. Doug (my 5 yr old nephew) put it on her grave. We talked to her for a bit and then came back inside.

Later, I went outside to take out my trash, and the air smelled like roses.... not flowery, but JUST like the roses my sister brought me. The exact same scent!!

I know it was Ginger... telling me thank you... She was letting me know it was ok. I sat outside for a while, enjoying the scent, and finally realized that it was her... I came in for a minute, and went back out, and the scent was gone. I know it was her..... I feel so much better, and feel like I can sleep tonight. Geez, what a gift she gave me tonight, and through her life. My sweet angel!!!!

Big thanks to all of you for helping me through this! Big hugs to all of you too...

Big thanks and hugs......

 

[wendy]

Signs

Melanie, my deepest sympathy for the loss of your girl. Anyone who has lost a Boxer baby knows how you feel. Yes, things will get better with time. You will always miss Ginger, but time will help heal your wounds. Know that you are loved by all of your friends here at Boxerworld. We understand.

We helped our Princess to the bridge in March of 04 and recently helped my mother-in-law with her Sassy just a few days ago. Making that decision was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but I now know it was the right thing for her. When we brought home Princess from the vet to be burried, I sat with her while my husband prepared her final resting place. I talked to her and hoped she knew that what we did was best for her. I wished for some type of sign from her that she was OK with our decision and asked for her forgivness.

When it came time to bury her, I wanted to help my husband. I went to the closet to get out an old pair of shoes as it was really muddy outside. I found a pair of tennis shoes that I hadn't worn in months, and didn't care if they got muddy. When I slipped my foot into one shoe, I felt something inside. I pulled my foot out and looked inside my shoe. There I found one piece of Kibble. The shoes had been in a closet far away from the food bowl, but somehow this one piece of Kibble made it into my shoe. That was my sign. Crazy as it may be, I felt as this was the sign I needed to know she was OK. Just like you smelling the roses, that was your sign. She is OK with your decision.

You had many great years with your girl, how blessed you are. Think of all those great times and try not to be too sad. Dex will help you get thru this.

 

[Elyse]

Wow, that gave me the chills. It is wonderful to hear Ginger gave you a sense of calmness. (((HUGS))) No doubt she is watching over you and Dex.

 

[sweetboxer]

Melanie, I have no doubt that Ginger was letting you know that she's okay. I had a very similar thing happen to me when Cadence died. This sounds funny, but she used to have some pretty bad gas, and we always joked about her smelly hiney. I was laying in my bed and got up the next morning and walked out into the hallway. I immediately smelled her hiney! Skye was still in the bedroom and no one else was up. I went back to tell Jay real quick, and in the meantime, his one daughter had come downstairs. She smelled it too. By the time he got out into the room, it was gone, but I knew she had been there to let me know in her way that she was safe. I even sometimes smell my mom's perfume and she has been gone for almost 17 years now. I truly believe it's one of their ways of letting us know they're okay and that they're watching us. What a wonderful gift your baby gave you...rest assured, that she's with Cadence and all of her new friends at the Bridge.

 

[Gin&Dex]

Need some advice for Dexter

Hi friends,

First of all, as always, my thanks! Things day by day are getting better for me. Dexter and I have been out every evening to talk to Ginger, and while we're out there we play for a few minutes. We've been for rides around the block and he seems pretty happy as long as I am around.

But we're having a problem when I get ready to leave for work. His eyes get big, his ears kinda flatten and he looks scared. And I know he IS scared... By the time I get home, he has gotten into whatever he can reach (and I haven't even worked a full day yet). He pulls my keyboard & mouse off my desk, the phone is knocked off the hook, he gets into the trash (which is on top of my kitchen counter) and spreads it all over the living room and eats what he can. (He has full run of the living room and kitchen.)

I have a baby gate up so he can't get into the back of the house. I have put up all chemicals and anything that might be really dangerous for him (and I know anything can be dangerous if it gets stuck in his throat). But here's the deal... I live in a mobile home, and my kitchen and living room are open. My computer and desk are in my kitchen (I'm single, what can I say?). There isn't a baby gate wide enough to block the "entrance" from the kitchen to the living room (about 7.5 feet). I talked to my dad about helping me build something possibly, but that would still be this weekend at the earliest.

My question is, does anyone have any advice on how to deal with this? I don't mind the mess, and it isn't his fault... I don't scold him when I get home, because I know he doesn't know how to be alone, he's scared, and missing Ginger.

He's been on Clomicalm for a month now, and I know it is helping a GREAT DEAL. I read somewhere else on the board about an "air freshener" type thing that emits doggie pheremones to calm them. Does anyone know if they work?? And should I try a spray or gel (Bitter Apple) for my desk to keep him off??? Like I said, I don't care about the mess, or even my stuff, I'm just worried about him and his safety and peace of mind.

He was crate trained as a puppy (and I firmly believe in crates), but I really don't want to crate him now at 11 years old, especially after he has had run of the house for years. I think it would hurt him more emotionally if I had to crate him all day.

I'm just really worried about his safety and his peace of mind. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. I don't know what else to do at the moment, and it breaks my heart to see him sad and scared when I leave.

I'm sorry this was so long.... but you guys always seem to come up with something I haven't thought of, so I thought I'd ask. We may go talk to the vet tomorrow, but I'm not sure there's much more he can do. I wanted to see what you guys thought first.

My sincerest thanks to all of you for your sympathy and hugs. They have meant so much these last few days.

Melanie and Dexter

 

[wendy]

Have you tried leaving the TV on for him? I know it sounds strange, but our pups seem comforted by having the sound of the TV on as it makes them feel like someone else is there with them. We usually put on Discovery's Animal Planet : )

This might be a phase he will go thru for a few weeks until he gets used to the new routine. Does he like rawhide bones? Maybe something big enough for him to chew on and keep him busy while you are gone.

Do you have an answering machine? If so, one that he can hear the message as someone is leaving it? If you do, maybe try calling home a few times a day and leave a message for Dex. Maybe the sound of your voice on the message with calm him (or stop him as he's getting into something).

Just a few suggestions. Thanks for keeping us posted. (((BIG HUG))) for you and Dex.

 

[Gin&Dex]

Thanks for the input Wendy! I guess I forgot to mention that I also leave the TV on when I'm gone. I think you are right though, I think it will take time for him too.

But I did make a trip to Petco last night. I got one of the "Comfort Zone" things (with the pheremones), some bitter apple spray, and our very first KONG! I *think* the Kong might be the trick.

Before I left for work this morning, it was the last thing I did. I got some of the liver flavored filling stuff and filled it up. He is still a little timid with it, but he immediately went to work on it. So I'm hoping that will keep him occupied long enough for the fear to go away. Then maybe he'll lay down and sleep.

Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts. And I will keep you updated.