Starsiege Tribes - Oh Man..... :o(

Author

Oh Man..... :o(

Miracle Smith

2005-06-10, 3:33 am

Dusty the Belching Wonder Dog developed a sore leg
about 3 weeks ago, and after inspecting her leg and paw, I
found what I thought was a split toenail. Her pad was warm,
so I cleaned the base of the toenail real good, and gave her
a baby aspirin.

Since then, I've kept a close eye on her- the nail looks
good, her pad is okay, but her limp stayed. I noticed she was
napping right atop an air vent, so I thought she was suffering
from arthritis in that leg, due to the extremely cold air coming
out of the vent (47°).

So then we figured that if we cut her hair real short, she'd
stay off the vent more, and her limp would improve. Last Sunday
and Monday Ross began her haircut, using scissors to get the
bulk of her hair gone, so I could finish her up with the electric
shears.

Last night I picked her up to check her paw once again,
because her limp seemed to worsen yesterday. Again, her leg
seemed fine, and I could find no sticker, or splinter, or any
other reason for her to be limping. Ross and I wondered if her
titanium pin had moved- she broke her leg 10 years ago on
Christmas Day, and she had to have some very extensive
surgery to pin and wire her leg bones back together.

At that point, we weren't sure it was the same leg, so I got
the photo album out, and checked. She had broken her left leg,
and it was now the right leg that she was holding up. So we
decided that I'd call the vet this morning and get her in to have
it checked.

I was *so* unprepared for what I saw this morning- when I
picked her up, that right leg was *4* times its normal girth, and
felt so horrible I was sure she had a broken leg. Talk about "getting
on the horn" in a hurry- I was damn near incoherent when I got the
vet's receptionist on the phone. Although I tried to emphasize just
how radical the leg had gotten overnight, they couldn't squeeze us
in until 4:15 this afternoon.

I had planned to take her in myself, but Ross managed to finish
early so we both went- I drove and he held her, which was better
than toting her over there in a carrier. As it turns out, I'm very glad
he was there.

After a look-see, and then x-rays, we got a double whammy-
her leg isn't broken- it's a fast-growing (probably cancerous) tumor
that has already eaten away the smaller of her 2 leg bones from her
"elbow" down to her foot.
She has congestive heart disease, which is going to prevent us
from having a biopsy done of her leg, unless medicines help shrink
her swollen heart and ease her breathing. Her little heart has a terrible
murmur, and has enlarged so much that it is pressing against her lungs,
and the vet has to put her under general anesthesia to perform the type
of biopsy needed for her leg.

The vet tried to tell us ever so gently that in the couple of weeks
we need to get her heart & lungs ready for surgery may well be her
*last* couple of weeks. As gently as she could, she let us know that
a tumor of this type, which has eaten the bone so rapidly, is always
fatal. She said in all likelihood the cancer has already spread to her
bloodstream and is settling elsewhere. I know our vet, and I'd trust
her with MY life, so I know we have very little hope, if any.

Man, that was a grim drive home.

Oh well XXXX it- I have three pills to give her, all twice a day. So
the first doses were wrapped in nice gooey chocolate cake. In the
morning, I'm going to wrap them in peanut butter, and then roll that
into some granola I ground real fine earlier. *With* raisins, one of
her favorite "people foods", along with strawberries.
At this point, what does it matter if she loses her girlish figure?!?!

Dusty was the very first birthday present that Ross bought me,
back in 1993, the same year we married. She is still the cutest and
prettiest little dog I have ever in my life seen. This is going to hurt
*real* bad. ;-(

--

quote:

>^,,^< Miracle

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Shinnokxz

2005-06-10, 3:33 am

Oh man, sorry to hear it.

I had a dog, Louis, since I was 3. He's had minor epilepsy all of his
life... we'd have to worry about a seizure from him every 6 months or so.

One day in October 2002, he had nonstop seizures. I'm talking about all
night. The state of him being in constant stress and in a stiffened
state wrecked havoc on his old body. By the time we were able to give
him epilepsy medicine, his joints had swolen 25% because of the sever
artiritis he had developed. He couldn't even get up without us helping
him. Over the next month his condition began to worsen, as he was
loosing control of his bladder and needed to wear diapers.

He was the kindest dog, and what killed me the worst was that he would
feel terrible, or guilty, everytime he would have a seizure, or accident.

In November, we finally put him to sleep because he was not happy in the
condition he was in. It was the hardest thing I had to ever decide, and
I was only 14. I got him cremated and his ashes are on my mantle.
Nevertheless, he will be with me no matter what.

--
Cory "Shinnokxz" Hansen - http://www.coryhansen.com
Life is journey, not a destination. So stop running.

Shinnokxz

2005-06-10, 3:33 am

Though it's tough, it's wise to take a step back and really evalulate
Dusty and see if he is enjoying things. Does he still wag his tail?

--
Cory "Shinnokxz" Hansen - http://www.coryhansen.com
Life is journey, not a destination. So stop running.

ScratchMonkey

2005-06-10, 8:43 pm

"Miracle Smith" <miracle@spamcop.net> wrote in news:42a92ab0$1_1
@galaxy.uncensored-news.com:

quote:

> Dusty was the very first birthday present that Ross bought me,
> back in 1993, the same year we married. She is still the cutest and
> prettiest little dog I have ever in my life seen. This is going to hurt
> *real* bad. ;-(

Virtual hugs, big sister.

Frank van Schie

2005-06-10, 8:43 pm

Miracle Smith wrote:

quote:

> Dusty the Belching Wonder Dog developed a sore leg
> about 3 weeks ago, and after inspecting her leg and paw, I
> found what I thought was a split toenail. Her pad was warm,
> so I cleaned the base of the toenail real good, and gave her
> a baby aspirin.
> [snip story of dread and doom]

Sorry to hear it, Miracle. My sympathies to Dusty, Ross and of course you.

If I may be so bold as to advise: Keep spoiling the dog rotten like you
never dared, but don't hesitate too long about euthanasia. If Dusty is
going to pass away soon, she's going to be nothing but a set of
memories. Don't spoil the memories...

--
Frank

Andy Smith

2005-06-10, 8:43 pm

Very sorry to hear your news Miracle. I'm down to 3 dogs now, since we lost
our elderly springer Britty. No matter how long you have them, you're never
really ready to let them go. Just remember that you gave your furry kid a
fantastic life, you promised to be there for them till the end, and you'll
fulfill that promise.

Hellmark

2005-06-11, 3:32 am

Miracle Smith's last words before the Sword of Azrial plunged through his
body were:
<WACK!>

Shit hon, that really sucks.

I kinda know how that is, most of my pets are in the end stages of life.
My one llama my parents got around the time I was born, and my oldest pig
is 16 (with some of the others not too far behind).

Just try to make her feel as comfortable as you can.

Miracle Smith

2005-06-11, 6:34 am

Andy Smith wrote:

quote:

> Very sorry to hear your news Miracle. I'm down to 3 dogs now, since
> we lost our elderly springer Britty. No matter how long you have
> them, you're never really ready to let them go. Just remember that
> you gave your furry kid a fantastic life, you promised to be there
> for them till the end, and you'll fulfill that promise.

Thank you Andy.

--
{{{{{HUGZ!}}}}}

quote:

>^,,^< Miracle

Miracle Smith

2005-06-11, 6:34 am

Hellmark wrote:

quote:

> Miracle Smith's last words before the Sword of Azrial plunged through
> his body were:
> <WACK!>
>
> Shit hon, that really sucks.
>
> I kinda know how that is, most of my pets are in the end stages of
> life. My one llama my parents got around the time I was born, and my
> oldest pig is 16 (with some of the others not too far behind).
>
> Just try to make her feel as comfortable as you can.

Thanks sweetie. That's all we can do.

Man, this is putting a pall over everything here- I think
we're sensible old folks, and then you get bad news, and
we just go all to hell. Over a dog.
I just can't imagine not having her around.

--
{{{{{HUGZ!}}}}}

quote:

>^,,^< Miracle

Miracle Smith

2005-06-11, 6:34 am

Shinnokxz wrote:

quote:

> Oh man, sorry to hear it.
>
> I had a dog, Louis, since I was 3. He's had minor epilepsy all of his
> life... we'd have to worry about a seizure from him every 6 months or
> so.
> One day in October 2002, he had nonstop seizures. I'm talking about
> all night. The state of him being in constant stress and in a
> stiffened state wrecked havoc on his old body. By the time we were
> able to give him epilepsy medicine, his joints had swolen 25% because
> of the sever artiritis he had developed. He couldn't even get up
> without us helping him. Over the next month his condition began to
> worsen, as he was loosing control of his bladder and needed to wear
> diapers.
> He was the kindest dog, and what killed me the worst was that he would
> feel terrible, or guilty, everytime he would have a seizure, or
> accident.
> In November, we finally put him to sleep because he was not happy in
> the condition he was in. It was the hardest thing I had to ever
> decide, and I was only 14. I got him cremated and his ashes are on my
> mantle. Nevertheless, he will be with me no matter what.

Thank you for your kind words. Who are you? I mean,
do I know you by another name?

--

quote:

>^,,^< Miracle

Miracle Smith

2005-06-11, 6:34 am

ScratchMonkey wrote:

quote:

> Virtual hugs, big sister.

Hugz back, ALB #3.

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Miracle Smith

2005-06-11, 6:34 am

Frank van Schie wrote:

quote:

> Sorry to hear it, Miracle. My sympathies to Dusty, Ross and of course
> you.
> If I may be so bold as to advise: Keep spoiling the dog rotten like
> you never dared, but don't hesitate too long about euthanasia. If
> Dusty is going to pass away soon, she's going to be nothing but a set
> of memories. Don't spoil the memories...

Thank you, Frank.

Don't you worry, she's going to be treated better than
any princess. And not to worry- Ross and I do not want
her to suffer at all. We're both big fans of 'checking out'
before it gets gruesome, so we will do the same for all of
our "fur babies".
It's going to be tough, though. I'm going to ask the vet
if we can do it here, at home, rather than in her office.
Dusty will be more calm and comfortable.

She had more treats today than I think she's ever had,
albeit with pills hidden in them.

--
{{{{{HUGZ!}}}}}

quote:

>^,,^< Miracle

Shinnokxz

2005-06-11, 8:34 pm

Miracle Smith wrote:

quote:

> Thank you for your kind words. Who are you? I mean,
> do I know you by another name?

Nope, this is the first time I've posted on this group, even though I've
played a little of Tribes 2

--
Cory "Shinnokxz" Hansen - http://www.coryhansen.com
Life is journey, not a destination. So stop running.

Miracle Smith

2005-06-12, 8:34 pm

Shinnokxz wrote:

quote:

> Miracle Smith wrote:
>
>
> Nope, this is the first time I've posted on this group, even though
> I've played a little of Tribes 2

Well then, welcome aboard! Just make sure you've
fastened your seat belt, honey- we can be rowdy. ;)

--

quote:

> ^,,^< Miracle, a lifetime [LD], DkAngel

Miracle Smith

2005-06-12, 8:34 pm

Hmmmm, I don't like the way Dusty is sleeping-
she's panting a lot more rapidly than normal, like she's
overly warm.
She's so cute with her head resting on her leopard-
skin print (fake fur) dog bone pillow.

I might stay up and watch her until Ross wakes up-
it's cool in here so I'm not sure why she's panting so much.

She's been taking her medicines without a hitch, and
one of them is an antibiotic just in case that tumor should
present an infection, so I know she isn't fevered.

I gotta take some good pics of her- I need a good one
of her eyes..........

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Troy

2005-06-13, 8:37 pm

I'm so sorry to hear this. Pets can be like children, and it's hard to
let go. My thoughts are with you, Ross, and Dusty.

--
Troy

Miracle Smith

2005-06-14, 6:48 am

Troy wrote:

quote:

> I'm so sorry to hear this. Pets can be like children, and it's hard to
> let go. My thoughts are with you, Ross, and Dusty.

Thank you sweetie.

--
{{{{{HUGZ!}}}}}

quote:

>^,,^< Miracle