Montana Is Gone Options

[kkofthemilkyway]

We had to unexpectedly put our 10 yr. old shar pei/ lab dog, Montana, to sleep on Christmas Eve Day. To make matters worse, that was also my son's 6th birthday. Montana had oral cancer, a large tumor in his throat, but we had been taking him for radiation treatments and were so hoping to shrink the tumor so he could live a little longer and fuller life. He had stopped eating a few days ago, but would still eat from my hand. (A vet had told me pets sometimes live for their owners, and I can see now how true that is, although I didn't see it for what it was at the time.) Anyway, Montana collasped ten minutes before my son's birthday party was to begin. He was still alert, but couldn't seem to get up, and had some blood coming from his mouth. I tried calling all the vets in town, but no one was answering, due to the holidays I'm sure. Finally we reached one an hour away, and asked to bring Montana in to be put to sleep. My husband offered to bring him, thank God, and we just tried to downplay things so that my son wouldn't have a terrible birthday. Christmas festivities followed, and I am just fully absorbing now what truly happened.

It was a terrible day for him to die, and so stressful. However, I do feel blessed that Montana made it so clear to me that he needed to go. I was worried about how I would make that final decision for him, and how I would endure the agonizing final hours before I brought him to the vet that last time. At least having him go this way eliminated all of that. It was also a blessing that the commotion of the festivites kept my children from noticing what was happening. In fact, they still think Montana is at the vet because he is sick. I didn't want to ruin their Christmas. I will tell them tomorrow. Does anyone have suggestions for me? They are six and seven. It will be hard for me to tell them without breaking down, but I know I need to be strong for them. They have never known life without him.

We still have another dog, Mozart, who is Montana's brother and also ten. He is very lonely right now. I would also appreciate any suggestions that anyone has how I can keep him from being miserable, especially during the day when everyone is gone all the time and he will be alone.

Good bye Montana. You were a good dog, and I love you. You will be missed.