Losing My Baby, Afraid My dog Murphy is dying Options

[jim]

First off, thanks for listening. I am so glad I found this forum.

My baby, Murphy, is a 9 year old German Shepard/Rottweiller mix. My wife and I cannot have children and he is our baby. We have had him since he was 7 weeks old. In January he lost a toe on his front foot to a tumor, it wasn't cancer, but still had to be removed. He also developed a lump on his right rear haunch. It was the size of a baseball when he had the toe removed and is now the size of a softball. The doctor did a tissue and fluid sample and says it isn't cancer, but we need to keep and eye on it. She also said it is too deep in the tissue to remove, if it does develop into cancer there's nothing she can do. He has also lost some muscle in his face in the last few months, she said this is due to his age, muscle attrophy. I cannot shake the feeling that he is slipping away from us. I have had several dogs in my life, but none like my Murphy. He is truly my baby.

I am scared to death that I am losing him. I really don't know what I will do when I lose him.

thanks for letting me vent.

[jim]

Thank you all so much for your kind words. I have an appointment for Murphy at OSU on Wed, 5-13. I have high hopes that the diagnosis will be the same, no cancer. Murph is still doing well, he is in no pain, and still has a healthy appetite and good outlook. I have been loving him like there is no tomorrow. He is such a good boy.

We have 2 cats as well, Raven and Salem, black shorthair brother and sister that we rescued from Sicsa 3 years ago. Raven, the boy, absolutely LOVES Murphy and cuddles with him every chance he gets. Murphy started out just 'putting up with' Raven, but now loves him just as much. It really is something to see.

Yesterday Murphy was sleeping on the couch with me and I felt Raven jump up near us. As I looked down at him, he was licking Murphy's lump. I cried. He knows its not supposed to be there. Is there any question why we love these little guys (and big guys) so much?

My wife and I go to northern Michigan every summer to visit my dad. Murphy loves it up there, swimming in Lake Huron, and going for walks in the woods with my dads dogs. (he has an Irish Setter named Sonny and a Newfoundland named Shadow). Murphy and these guys are best buddies and do everything together. I can't wait to take him up there again in August. I only pray that it won't be the last time. I am keeping myself optomistic as much as possible.

Thank you all again for the kind words and prayers!!!