Hello everyone,
Yesterday we just got the news that our sweet dog Kobe has lymphoma. She is a black lab mix and is only 8 years old. The vet told us that it's not curable and we have two options as far as chemo. The more aggressive option may give her a year, and the less aggressive with prednisone may give her 6 months. I just can't believe I'm writing this...I'm in shock.

If you don't mind me sharing a little, Kobe is one of the sweetest dogs I've ever known. She absolutely adores her "brothers" who are our two sons, ages 18 and 20. She loves riding in the car, going for walks, playing fetch with her old, flattened basketball, and sleeping in the sun. I think her favorite time is winter because she can roll in the snow, catch snowballs and snuggle on the couch when she's inside. She can be feisty and is always ready to play, but she also has a very sweet temperment. She doesn't like the dark, and falling water (such as rain or a sprinkler) scares her. I could go on and on, but that's all I'll say for now.

Kobe came into our lives when I was struggling very hard with depression and she helped me heal as she drew our family even closer together. I want us to make the most of this time we have left with her, as well as make her as happy and pain-free as possible. I can't stop crying though and go off to do it whenever I get some alone time. My husband and our sons feel as devestated as I do.

Thank you all for listening and I'm grateful for a forum like this. I have friends I've told about this, but none of them are really animal people and I think they have a hard time understanding. Thank you again.

I'm so very sorry.

I went through this last year. We found out our 7 year-old golden retriever cross, Hunny, had cancer just a few days after we lost our other dog, Lily, a spaniel cross, 8 years-old. Lily died suddenly and unexpectedly June 24 last year. So we were completely devastated with losing her when we found out the bad news. Hunny didn't even have time to mourn for her sister. We were told it was a non-spreading cancer, and she ended up losing two toes to it. She had the surgery August last year. Christmastime, I noticed it growing again. We let her go April 4th to be with her sister. I'm so grateful for the extra time we had with Hunny. I have no regrets except of course that I couldn't cure her or keep her free from disease. But we had time to really make sure she knew how much we loved her. I found this website the day we had to make the phone call to the vet to put her to sleep. That was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. And I wondered for a long time after if we could have waited longer. But the fact of the matter was, she was getting sicker (it had spread this time), she was on pain killers and I did not want her to suffer. It was important that she leave with her dignity intact. Hunny was such a proud dog. I think she was ready to meet her sister, but not ready to leave us or our other dogs that's why she never slipped away in her sleep.

I, and many, many others understand your pain. We know that this is such a difficult time. But, please just remember, no matter how hard or unbearable it is for us, we have to do what is right for our loved ones. We can't keep them here just for us - that's selfish. I didn't want Hunny to go, but I couldn't bear to see her suffer and I knew she would in a very short time. There were lumps popping up over her body, the last one on her neck. It was spreading so fast. The pain killers were doing there job, because I tried cutting them back one day and she didn't do well. The stress is so great, but I am so greatful for the extra time we had together.

I miss Hunny and Lily so much each and every day. And I'm sorry if my words seem a little harsh. I don't mean for them to be. I wish I could be there to comfort you through this - I know how hard it is. I'm still healing from losing my babies. But this is such a wonderful site. There are so many people out there who have such comforting words to offer. I'm not so good at it. Sorry.

I'm so sorry again. I really wish I could be there for you. Please feel free to write whenever you need an ear.

Lynette.

Lizabeth, I am so sorry about this bad news. I know how hard it is to get that diagnosis! Kobe sounds like a real love! These next few months is your chance to tell her and show her all the things you can possibly think of so that you won't later wonder if she knew how much you loved her. I know that doesn't help your devastation now, though. You're in my thoughts as you begin this hard journey and I hope you'll keep posting on how she is doing. Do you know which course of meds you will do? I'm sure you will make the right decision.
-Donna

im so sorry to hear this. my heart is broken for you. the love you have for kobe come thru crystal clear. treasure every second you have with her. tell her how much you love her a million times a day and write often. we will be here to hold you up. we know the pain you feel.
you are not alone and are in my thoughts and prayers
patricia

I'm so sorry. That's devestating news to get and it makes it even worse that she's only eight years old. Cancer is an awful disease- I lost my Keesha to it a couple months ago. Kobe sounds like she's a great dog. Treasure the remaining time you have with her.

I want to thank you all for your kindness and support...it really means a lot. My husband and I both agree that we don't want to put Kobe under any unnecessary stress. So the treatment choice we'll make will be geared around her comfort level. We'll take our cues from her and just take it one day at a time. She really doesn't seem sick right now, but she took a long time to eat her breakfast this morning, which is very unusual. I don't know if that's just a coincidence or not. Thank you again and I'll keep you posted with how she's doing.

Please get another opinion about this - there have been great strides made in the treatment of lymphoma in dogs and many dogs respond very well to therapy and have few side effects. Tufts University Vet School has lots of information about this and they are doing great research. Please see a veterinary oncologist before you decide what to do. There may be hope here.

Cheryl and Angel Maxie

Good idea Moonflower.

I wish I had gotten a second opinion with Hunny. Who knows she may have still been here with us.

The vet that we took her last summer was very cold about the whole situation and ended up dragging it out. We should have taken her elsewhere right then and there, but we didn't (don't know why really - she was close to home). If I had to do it over again, I would definitely seek another opinion. As it is, I don't think I'd ever take another pet to her again. I'm not angry at her at all, she did give us eight more months with her and I do believe she is a good vet, but her attitude is very cold.

This is a very difficult time and I believe a friendly vet is so important right now.

Thinking of you.

Take care.

Lynette

Hi Lizabeth,

Sorry to hear the bad news about Kobe's diagnosis. She sounds like such a wonderful dog and I'm not saying that because I'm partial to labs either. I'm partial to the unconditional love and acceptance that dogs give us. They really are the ideal companion. They love us and depend on us so much. Of course in our human pride, we would never admit that we depend on them, but my experience says we do. We rely on them to bring out the best in us and show ourselves that we as humans have a capacity for love and acceptance. I lost my little buddy a little over ten weeks ago and it has been very hard. He went so suddenly. What I miss most is when I got home from work or from shopping. He would wag that little tail of his so hard that his bum wiggled to. So happy to see me, and when I cam through the door with beef, chicken, pork, and other goodies (groceries), he must of thought I was the worlds best hunter.

I really miss that.

Take care
Ben