[__ Prayer __] Taking Mandy to the vet today

[Nikki]

My sister in law (the same one I've been talking about) stopped feeding her dog and was going to have her put to sleep over a year ago because she felt a lump on her neck. Well, we rescued Mandy last December and she's lived such a wonderful life. She is 13 years old and has always acted like a puppy and full of energy. Within the past month though, her tumor has gotten larger and she has developed a very large one (About the size of a peach) under her armpit. I've done searching and from everything I've found, it's Hemangiosarcoma...a very fast progressing cancer in dogs. The one on her neck always had 2 holes that were black. That's a classic sign of Hemangiosarcoma.

This morning, the one on her neck ruptured and is now bleeding. The outlook doesn't look good and I can't bear the thought of having her put to sleep. But I also don't want her to be in pain.

Please pray for us. I know we've given her a good life the short time we've had her. She never slept in a house until we got her (she was always an outdoor dog), she never had someone lay on the floor and cuddle with her, she didn't know how to play with toys when we got her....but she quickly learned! She never slept in a bed under covers until we got her. Every little thing has meant so much to her.....you can just tell. She is such a wonderful dog. Please pray that we make the right decision. I can't bear the thought of her being in pain (IF she is), but I also can't bear the thought of having to have her put to sleep. : : :

Here's a picture of her:

 

[Pale^Rider**]

Pets are part of the family....I've had several of my own "family members" pass on both naturally and by the vets help....neither is easy to deal with. Hang in there and please take the advice of the vet, whatever the prognosis is.....a good vet will not let a good pet suffer, nor will he/she recommend euthanizing when there's still time......
One thing I learned with my 75lb collie who I had for 9 years.....he suffered with chronic hip displacia for over a year (having to be fed a horse steroid every week to keep him with me) until I finally made the decision to have him put down.....I knew he woudn't suffer anymore....that's easier to deal with.

Hang in there.....

 

[Nikki]

I've got GREAT NEWS!!!!!! It's NOT cancer! She had surgery early this morning and is recovering. The one on her neck was in infected hair follicle. Can you believe that?! The doctor said they become VERY painful though. I can't believe how big they can get. She also had a large lump about the size of a peach under her front armpit and it was just a large fatty tumor.

Her mother is still alive and full of life at age 17, so hopefully Mandy has many more years left with us.

She came home early this evening and the poor baby is in a LOT of pain. I have to carry her outside and she can't walk well at all. All she's done is lay and sleep. I tried to post pictures, but they're not showing up. :-?