New Here, My 12 year old rat terrier Bitsy has cancer Options

[Deidre]

Hello everyone. I am new here and I just wanted someone to talk to. My rat terrier Bitsy was just diagnosed with lymphoma. She's doing really well; so far so good. But I still have a problem. I have "episodes" where I can't stop crying and I get so desperate and scared. She's not even gone yet and I'm going crazy. I'm not sure what I will do when she does pass. And I feel guilty because I have 5 others to take care of and I am more focused on her. They're not neglected by any means, but they don't get as much Mommy and me time as they used to. I just feel as though I'm failing all of them, especially Bitsy.

[Remembering Dais...]

I too understand your decision to not take extraordinary measures to extend her life. Some times, the final gift we can give our beloved companion is to let her leave this earth without pain or fear.

My dear Daisy began to deteriorate from her liver condition in her 11th year. I took her to a specialist who gave her medication. Then the condition began to affect her brain and she went into an altered state where she kept pacing and pacing and didn't seem to know us. I rushed her back to the animal hospital and he suggested admitting her in a final attempt to save her life. I told him that I didn't want her to die at the hospital alone and afraid, but he convinced me to give it a shot. She stayed there two nights. Then he called and said he had done all that he could. I should come get her and she would either rally or not. She was so terribly weak, but she knew us and licked us and wagged her tail, although she could not really move. In the morning, she was howling and in a seizure. I rushed her back and the doctor on call asked if I wanted her to try something, but I knew that it was over, it had been over two days before, and I just shook my head. Daisy left this world as I petted her and told her I loved her. I wish I had given her that gift two days before.

I regret that she had those two days in the hospital and wish that I had let her go two days earlier.

Just remember, when Bitsy's time comes - you have given her a wonderful life, full of love and happiness. There is no more you can do.

And finally, and most importantly - and this thought helped me a lot. If you had not known Bitsy, she would have still lived, gotten cancer and eventual (hopefully not soon) pass on. That is just how it is. But if you had never known Bitsy, you would not be feeling sad now, but she would not have such a wonderful life, filled with happiness and love. So, your sadness is the price of her happy life. When I thought of it that way - I knew that no matter how much the grief - it was worth it - to have had those moments with Daisy. I wouldn't have missed a minute of it.


Daisy's mom

[Deidre]

Thank you so much. Bitsy has passed, but I can think of her with love and happiness. Her sister Maggie misses her the most. She doesn't have a playmate anymore. But I tell her that Bitsy is a shining star watching over her. I wish I could make the pain of losing her go away, but the only way to do that would be to not have known Bitsy and I wouldn't trade my Queen Elizabeth for the world.

I too understand your decision to not take extraordinary measures to extend her life. Some times, the final gift we can give our beloved companion is to let her leave this earth without pain or fear.

My dear Daisy began to deteriorate from her liver condition in her 11th year. I took her to a specialist who gave her medication. Then the condition began to affect her brain and she went into an altered state where she kept pacing and pacing and didn't seem to know us. I rushed her back to the animal hospital and he suggested admitting her in a final attempt to save her life. I told him that I didn't want her to die at the hospital alone and afraid, but he convinced me to give it a shot. She stayed there two nights. Then he called and said he had done all that he could. I should come get her and she would either rally or not. She was so terribly weak, but she knew us and licked us and wagged her tail, although she could not really move. In the morning, she was howling and in a seizure. I rushed her back and the doctor on call asked if I wanted her to try something, but I knew that it was over, it had been over two days before, and I just shook my head. Daisy left this world as I petted her and told her I loved her. I wish I had given her that gift two days before.

I regret that she had those two days in the hospital and wish that I had let her go two days earlier.

Just remember, when Bitsy's time comes - you have given her a wonderful life, full of love and happiness. There is no more you can do.

And finally, and most importantly - and this thought helped me a lot. If you had not known Bitsy, she would have still lived, gotten cancer and eventual (hopefully not soon) pass on. That is just how it is. But if you had never known Bitsy, you would not be feeling sad now, but she would not have such a wonderful life, filled with happiness and love. So, your sadness is the price of her happy life. When I thought of it that way - I knew that no matter how much the grief - it was worth it - to have had those moments with Daisy. I wouldn't have missed a minute of it.


Daisy's mom