Brandi, Letting my little girl go..... Options

[chargergirl]

Hi--I am new to this group and wanted to share my feelings. My 12 year old pup Brandi was diagnosed with digital melanoma 3 months ago. She had her toe amputated and we started chemo and acupuncture as well as Chinese herbs. She walks fast with me every day for 1 1/2 miles and has a high play drive even though she is going through all of this. 4 days ago, the oncologist took chest x-rays and told me the cancer has spread to her lungs. It's still early so Brandi isn't exhibiting any symptoms. We are trying an experimental vaccine as well as increasing the dosage of her herbs. Thank goodness she doesn't have to have chemo anymore. My heart is breaking and I can't stop crying. I don't want to upset Brandi, so I cry away from her. I can't imagine my life without her. My other dog, Taffy died last November. She had lymphoma which was still in remission but she died from kidney failure. I have been taking care of sick dogs for 2 years now. I don't know how to have a normal life anymore and it scares me. Through all of this, most of my friends have deserted me because I chose to be with my pups. My girls have been my best friends and after Taffy died, Brandi has gone everywhere with me. I have had dogs all my life but now I can't imagine having another one here. My husband cares about the dogs but is not an animal person. I didn't know where else to turn. Thank you for listening.
Jyl

[Precious' mom]

Jyl,
I am very sorry for what you're going through right now. I lost my 19 year old cat Precious to lung cancer and congestive heart failure three weeks ago. His cancer was too far advanced for chemo. Thank God you are doing everything possible for Brandi. You did what you could for Taffy. Taking care of sick animals is something many people don't do -- you're a kind and caring person with a rare gift for being there for them. As for your friends...they aren't. My friends, in person and email, were super-supportive and are still supporting me through the aftermath of Precious' death. Yours should have done the same! I hope your husband is understanding everything about animals and that they go through what humans do...sometimes worse, but they have feelings AND souls and though animals can't talk, they DO appreciate what you're going through, what you've given up for them and especially what you're doing for them.
Will be praying for you through this difficult time. We're all friends here and will be here for you!
Lisa

[Furry's mum]

Dear Jyl,
I am so glad for you that you have found this site.
When my Furry died on 23rd July I felt that I couldn't live without her. Friends were supportive for a few days, but then couldn't cope with the intensity of my grief. My husband grieved too, but not to the same level as I did & still do..
Visiting this site made me realise that I am not alone, that other people feel the same as I, & you do about our beloved furbabies.
So spend as much time as you can with Brandi, she knows how much you love her & that love will give you the strength to decide what treatment is best for her.
I hope & pray that she will pull through this. Like Furry, who lived for 21 months after her initial collapse with heart disease - so Brandi may have lots of happy times with you still.
Take care of yourself & remember that you are such an attentive Mum to her that you have given her the best possible chance to get better.
Judith

[bubbawny]

Dear Jyl:

You are amazing in your dedication and care for your pets. It's strange really that your best friends sometimes are four-leggers rather than two-leggers. Our furry friends show us so much love and friendship, i'm glad to hear that you are giving your's the love back.

This is a tough time for you. I'll say a prayer for you and your special friend.

Peace be with you through this time of trial. Enjoy the love of your special friend.

[Daisy's Mommy]

It is sad that some people cannot understand the bond that exists between people and their pets. So, don't feel bad about those friends who do not understand. They have something missing in their souls - and it is sad for them.

I really understand how you feel, having lost my beloved Daisy. I also could not cry in front of her because it upset her so. In the end after living almost 12 years with a congenital liver defect, Daisy became very ill. We tried everything, but finally she went into an irreversible seizure and was crying and I had to let the vet help her leave this world right then. I was with her, holding and telling her I loved her when she died. I hope that you don't have to make that choice, that Brandi will p^^ away naturally - but if you do, remember that the last gift you can give your pet is to allow him/her to leave this earth without pain.

Come to this site often. Everyone here understands. No one here will get tired of hearing what you have to say or will grow tired of giving support and comfort. I don't know how I would have made it without this site after Daisy died.

Try to enjoy your time with Brandi, as long at that is possible. Always remember that you cannot control the length of your dog's life, just the quality of it - and it sounds like Brandi is having a wonderful life, filled with love and happiness because of you. And finally, it helped me to remember that when Daisy left, she went to God's loving care, which is greater than any human can provide.

My thoughts and prayers will be with you.

Daisy's Mommy

[Precious' mom]

Jyl,
Do you have an update on Brandi?
Lisa

[Rockadoodle]

Hopefully chargergirl will come back.

My Buddy also had cancer that was in remission but then he went into kidney failure. We were so focused on the cancer that the kidney problem blindsided us. I'm sorry about Taffy.

I hope that Brandi is doing okay. Enjoy your time with her. I have no regrets having been grateful for each and every day I had with Buddy knowing our time was drawing to a close here on earth. It is truly sad that some people don't understand the bond that exists between animals and humans. Sad for all of us really.

[Precious' mom]

The bond continues though...physical death hasn't erased the one I still have with Precious. I can feel his presence all the time and it's very comforting. Patches can see him (he looks up at the bed sometimes and chirps like there's another cat around!), I wish I could! Just knowing he's around spiritually is a blessing. We had a very deep bond and it's continuing. If you read Allison DuBois' new book (They Are Our Heaven), you'll see what I mean!
Lisa