On Oct. 15 I had to have my beautiful white lab Lizzy put to sleep. She was a very strong dog from the time I adopted her at 8 weeks old. She had health problems from neglect when I adopted her. But with good vet care and lot's of love she pulled through. She grew up with my lab/whippet mix Abby and they were great pals. Three yrs. ago Abby passed away at 17! Liz & I moved to a warmer climate and soon adopted another lab Elly. Liz was so thrilled to have Elly as her new best friend. Elly got Liz over her fear of water and the two girl's loved to swim together. Even at 9 yrs. old Liz acted like a puppy and played...up until the day before she had to leave for Heaven.

Liz turned 9 in May and that month I found a lump on her belly. A year before that she had what I was told was a cyst removed from the same area. After tests the vet told me Liz had lymphoma...he gave her 6 weeks to live. The cancer was already a stage 3. I could not understand this because she appeared to be so healthy. I had just had her in for a dental cleaning and full blood work in May. I would think the blood work would have shown something. We had always rubbed Lizzy's belly and never felt the lump before. I felt Liz was too young to have this horrible prognosis. The vet suggested prednisone...but then said I may not like the side effects. I chose to seek the advice of another vet and found him to be much more concerned for Liz...so I changed vets. Although the prognosis was the same I felt Liz was in better hands. The prednisone worked great and her tumor shrunk. We changed to a prescription diet which Liz loved. We had a great summer together and no one could believe Liz had cancer. At the end of summer I was laid off from my job. It was wonderful to be able to spend every day with Liz & Elly. Liz made sure we played constantly and she loved to swim and go for car rides. I swear she knew that we had to make up for the yrs. we were losing together. I took lot's of pictures as always and have them framed all over the house.

Liz lived a full life and taught me to be a strong person...despite what life throws at us. She taught me to make each day count as we never know how long our life will last. Her pictures show her smiling and wagging her tail....what an inspiration she is for me. She taught me what unconditional love is. And lastly she taught me to always remember to play!!

Elly is quite lost without her pal. We enjoy our walks together and play all the time. I cherish the memories of my sweet Lizzy. And when I think of her I feel her strength. She never liked it when I was sad so I smile when I look at her pictures. She would want us to live life to it's fullest and to be happy just like she was.

I lost my beautiful, sweet lab/pit, Mack to cancer a year ago in Sept. He was healthy as could be, until the cancer swept through him like wildfire, and he was gone one week after we got a confirmed diagnosis. WE miss him terribly.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet Liz!

Mack and Sadie's Mom,
Dayna

I'm sorry too that it was Liz's time to go. You sound very positive and healthy in your thinking about the whole thing. Liz would be happy that you are handling her passing so well. I know that she wouldn't want to be overly sad. She truly was an extraodinary friend that was brought into your life for a purpose!

Thanks for sharing!
We are here for you.
John B

Luvlabs, I'm so sorry for your loss. Lizzy sounds like a wonderful girl. I also lost my 7yr old yellow lab to cancer. He to seemed to be so strong and healthy and he declined so rapidly from his cancer that I was in shock and disbelief. It is so hard to loose the ones that we hold closest to our hearts. Just know that we all feel and know the pain that you are in. When you need a friend we will be hear for you. Take care k9pal

Thank you for all of your kind words and sympathy in the loss of Lizzy. I know I was fortunate that Liz did so well on the meds. She was able to have fun every day despite having that darn old tumor. I also wanted to share this with all of you. Before I took Liz to the vet that last morning I was comforting her waiting for the vet to open. I talked to her about all of the fun we shared. When I said the words ball, play, swim, car ride...her brown eyes perked up and looked up at me. I always teased Liz that there was a human inside of her body since she always understood everything I told her. Mind you Liz was quite weak as she had her first difficult night the night before. It was obvious to me that the cancer had spread. I explained to her that I would take her to the dr. to take away her pain. I had planned on having someone help me carry Liz to the car. But after our talk I asked her if she was ready to go. To my shock Liz stood up and walked to the door and then out to the car. I was right next to her in case she would need my help. She looked all comfy on her blanket and pillow. I cried alot but tried to remain strong for Liz. She walked right into the vet and she was ready for her journey to Heaven. I had always told her to let me know when it was time and she did.

Although our pet's can't remain with us forever...they touch us so deeply that they never truly leave us. They leave pawprints on our heart.

Nancy

You had a beautiful freindship with Lizzie that lives on forever! What great friends you were. I am sorry she had to leave you sooner than she should have, but you know she is with you. Forever love is just that...forever.
susan

Nancy,

i'm so sorry about your lizzy. i hope she meets my eddie up there, we put him down two days after liz. he too looked at us and his eyes said, "mommy, daddy, it's okay-it's time." from one lab lover to another i honestly believe your quote below is right on and that's why it hurts so darn much.

[Although our pet's can't remain with us forever...they touch us so deeply that they never truly leave us. They leave pawprints on our heart.]

i've shared my grief here so much the last couple of weeks and i really do beleive that our furbabies go to heaven and live healthier lives up there. posting pictures really helps me. please post some of lizzy so we can see her cherub face.

~eddies mom

What a beautiful account of Liz and you and Elly and Abby. What a wonderful family you are all. I am sure that Liz is now living within you as Abby is and this is where you can turn to for your strength. I truly believe that this can be. Your Liz

Take care, you are magnificient, you and yours! Hugs.

Luvlabs,
What a beautiful tribute to your beautiful Lizzy! I am so sorry for your loss. I do believe that they have human souls or actually, better-than-human souls and just as intelligent. I find it so inspiring for you to draw upon the invaluable lessons that she taught you. Unconditional love is really what it is about, right?
Much hugs and love to you and little Elly.

Your special friends are lucky to have you and, of course, you them. You painted such nice memories of times past one can see them through your eyes. You came out of this with such a wonderful positive att*itude...I salute you...that is wonderful.

In the Pet Disease Section there is a new member whose lab, Annie, had her spleen removed today. There seems to be so many lab lovers here, maybe they can offer her some words of encouragement. Like you, she has had her baby a long time. I wish her well and I wish you and your "family" many more happy years together. I'm sorry about Lizzy...she sounds like a doll. I have lost too many animals due to cancer and I cry whenever I see it has taken away another loved one. You took wonderful care of your girl and are still being a good mom. I do admire your outlook..it is good to read about.

I lost my cat, Little Guy, at age 16 1/2 just last 9/10 to apparently a cancer that flew through him in 8 short weeks. I had a beautiful Silver and Black German Shepherd for 12 years who lost to cancer years ago. My cat's Twin Brother also went in 2002, again cancer. I just hate that disease so much. It tears hearts apart.

I'm glad you posted your story. It does help to create a bond that we all shared an unforgettable unconditional love and, will again, cause that's why God put animal lovers here....to love and be loved by the most unselfish of creatures. Take Care.

to Lizzies mom, I am so sadden by your loss, I understand the heartbreak, Although Annie is doing better, her spleen will be sent for biopsy on the tumor. Annie also has a wonderful lab att*itude and even through her pain we have to slow her down. I also adopted Annie from a clinic I had worked at 12yrs ago, she had been hit by a car and had a fractured pelvis, when no one claimed her the vet was going to euthanise her, to which I answered "It would be such a shame, she's such a beutiful dog." Surgery to plate her pelvis and recovery like a champ. The person who brought her in said he saw her on the road going to work and called both county humane societies, no one would pick her up. When he got off work she still lay there, lifting her head. She's a fighter. I thank god for everyday that I have her. When I lost my horse I found this place. It hurt at times to come here, but it also helped to talk or chat with people, who like you, need support through these really hard times. It helps alot to share what you have learned as well as learn from those who have been there, just to have someone listen is sometimes a godsend.

Love Them, thank you for your kind words. Your replies to myself and other's here are always so thoughtful and filled with understanding. Thank you for letting me know about Annie (lab) so I could offer my support to Martha.

The sorrow I felt when I lost Lizzy has since been replaced by joy. I have all sorts of pictures of Liz on my computer desk. Behind me is more pictures as well as her urn. I placed a teddy bear angel on top of her wooden urn. When I look at her pictures I still smile...like she is smiling in the pictures. Although our babies have to leave us...know one can take away the memories we shared with them.

Elly my 3 yr. old lab keeps me busy with walks and play time. And if all goes well we will have another lab in our lives in Jan. We are awaiting the birth of a lab pup due in early Dec.

Martha, thank you for your words of comfort and support in my loss of Lizzy. As you can see from my posts Lizzy taught me alot. She did not have a long life as I had expected. But life often throws us curves along the way. When our pet's have health problems we have to find the strength within ourselves to help them. It is very difficult when a pet becomes ill and it hurts us deeply. But I feel they give us such unconditional love we must put aside our pain and comfort them. I'll be honest I was so upset with my old vet. When I found the lump on Liz he began treating it as an infection. I knew it was a tumor and had the biopsy done. The vet was very cold and uncaring when he told me she had stage 3 cancer. I had an untrasound done to see if the cancer had spread yet...it hadn't. The vet gave her 6 weeks and said I could "try" prednisone to shrink the tumor. But he stated it would cause Liz to vomit and urinate constantly. He stated maybe I wouldn't be able to tolerate the urninating. I was actually afraid to try the meds as I didn't want Liz to feel sick all the time. The staff at the hospital was also very uncaring. All of this was so upsetting that I chose to find another vet. I wanted the best of care for Liz and I didn't want her last days to be at that hospital. I found a wonderful and very caring vet. The staff was nice and it made a huge difference. Although Lizzy's prognosis was the same I felt better. The vet called me often to check on Liz. When she had to be put to sleep the care couldn't have been better. They made sure Liz was comfortable and made a very painful time bearable.

I replied to your post about Annie on the other board. I hope and pray that Annie will make a full recovery.

Nancy

Thank you for your comments. I'm glad you are able to comfort Martha, being both lablovers

I'm glad to hear the good things that have become part of your life and especially a new puppy...maybe in time for Christmas? It is hard to lose one who has become a part of you but it is wonderful to be able to feel joy through other special ones who also claim a part of you.

My last pet, Little Guy, was healthy for 16 1/2 years and not healthy for about his last 8 weeks. I try and remind my husband of the joy for 16 1/2 years but he says it is hard to forget the worry and unhappiness of the last 8 weeks because it is so recent, it tends to overshadow so many years of light. Again, it takes time to forget the darkness and remember the light. Having other ones as part of your family is a gift because it really helps so very much. Take care and we will both be watching Martha's Annie.......so far the news is positive and THAT is something we always want to hear.