Hello ALL..this is my second time needing support in less than 6 months. This time I need to be strong for my husband, Mark. We have made the decision to put Manuka to sleep tomorrow morning. She is 14+ years old and has been getting weaker for the last 6 months. We kept hoping she would just not wake up. We took her to the vet for a swollen leg last week and we were told she has lymphoma...in all her nodes with spread to lungs coming on. We decided to do this rather that subject her to chemo at her age, and with her frail condition. She can still wag that tail and the prednisone she has been on for the last week has perked her up. We just did not want to wait till it was a matter of her truly suffering. This is the puppy my husband found long before he knew me, in a ditch, in a blizzard on Christmas Eve. Manuka (Lakota Souix for "Freind") is his best buddy. He started school this September which has required him to be away during the week, and he has had Manuka with him there since then. I gues I should be glad they have had that quality time together, just the two of them. It just hurts and I struggle with the decision. Please keep us in your thoughts and say a little prayer for Manuka tomorrow orning. She is about to start her journey where I can only hope she will meet up with Owen, Bug, Jake, Zipper and the other animals that have been so special in our lives. I think the hardest thing is how long she has been a part of the family. It will be strange not to have her around...a big empty space. Martina

Hi Martina,
I will be praying for your family and Manuka tomorrow as you help her across to the Rainbow Bridge. I am so sorry that you have to go through another death and the pain and heartbreak that follows. She is a beautiful girl and I know you and your husband will miss her so much.
Ann

Martina,
I will be keeping Manuka and your family in my thoughts and prayers. I know how difficult it is to make this kind of decision but I think you are doing the right thing not to let her get to the point of unbareable suffering. She knows you love her and that you are doing what is right by her....she will meet up with all of the furbabies from your past at the Rainbow Bridge! She won't be alone and her spirit will always be with you all...

{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Karen

what terrible news. i'm so sorry. manuka sounds like such a special friend to you and your husband. it looks like you've gone through this before so you know what to expect. this is my first time going through this, but as others have told me - it doesn't get any easier after the first one. i'm sorry not only for manuka, but for all of the other babies that you have lost. i will certainly be thinking of you tomorrow morning. be strong, ah

Hi,
I am so sorry that you have to go through another loss. 14+ years is a very long beautiful life. Try to think about all of the great years that you had together. If we could all be so blessed to have as happy and long life. Hang in there,
Jason

Thanks for the post everyone...as Amber suggested, we do have a number of aniamls in our life. But it doesn't get any easier. My husband and I have 4 dogs, 7 cats, 4 horses, 2 mules and a burro, and I guess I should get use to it because as they age it will be a familiar theme in my life. But they each mean so much and are so unique. We are the ultimate adoptive home, and find it hard to turn an animal in need away. They have all come to use because they needed someone to care for them. What does make it somewhat easier is the fact that I know they have been loved and they are aware of it. I just suck at goodbye. I will whisper in Manukas ear that there are people everywhere sending good thoughts her way as she begins her next journey. Blessings to you all. Martina

Dear Martina,
It's a heartbreaking decision you've had to make. This is the ultimate final gift we have to do for our loved babies, and a very very hard one. I will certainly be thinking of you & your husband, & Manuka, tomorrow. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Much love,
Elsie

Martina-

I am so sorry for the loss of Manuka. What a beautiful name for such a special dog. My thoughts are with you during this very difficult time. I also lost my dog Lucy to lymphoma 3 weeks ago tonight. It is a horrible disease. I am sorry your Manuka is suffering from this too. I will say a special prayer for Manuka tonight and tomorrow. What a great life you gave her...

Caroline

Dear Martina-

You, your family, and Manuka are in my thoughts and prayers. I lost Shiloh in September to lymphoma. As Caroline said, it's such an awful disease.

I'm so sorry you and Manuka are having to go through this.
Kathleen