Post Photos of Your Pets...in Honor of Stoli!- Page 5

[xxnewgirlxx]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 1:24pm

Uuuggghhh...I'm so sorry to hear that. I don't know what I would do in your situation. I know the logical side of me says to do what's best for Stoli, but the emotional side is a different story.

No matter what, Stoli has the best mom he could ever ask for.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 1:43pm

Know that whatever you decide will be the right thing to do because you will do it with love.

And if Stoli could talk, you know what he would say?

"Thank you for loving me."

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 2:06pm

If Miss Holly could talk, however, she would look at me and say "God, you're annoying."

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 2:16pm

Deb, is stoli having any quality of life? Is he in pain? If not, I know you're not asking me, but maybe I'd wait to see what the second opinion is, and if surgery isn't an option, then I'd leave things alone as long as the cat is comfortable.

[misschung]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 2:28pm

I think so, too. We had a 10 year old Golden Retriever with a tumor in his stomach that could only be classified as malignant by going in and removing it. Now, he was in really bad shape - couldn't eat a thing and was basically starving to death, so we didn't have a choice and decided to let the vet operate. If he wasn't in that situation, we would have just let nature run its course and let him stay comfortably at home with us, instead of upsetting him further by bringing him back and forth to vets.

Keep us posted, and I wish you the best.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 2:38pm

He is in no apparent pain. The only issue has been weight loss, and a little bit of lethargy. He still plays with his sister a bit, sleeps with me and likes to kneed my neck and get his scratches and petting.

He is otherwise the same spoiled and attentive beast he has always been.

Thanks for the good thoughts and advice. I will see what the other vet says on Saturday.

If surgery is as risky as described, and the second opinion confirms that, I will probably just spoil and enjoy him until it is time to do the right thing.

[Revolutionary]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 2:49pm

(This is the face she makes when she's done something bad.)


(Her new collar, innit cute?)


(With my best friend's dog. I always catch them spooning.)

Sending you and Stoli lots of love and peace and positive energy and all that good stuff!
Updated On: 7/30/08 at 02:49 PM

[KrissySim]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 2:52pm

Labs are great dogs.

[Mamie]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 3:41pm

Oh Lord - I read your report and then saw those eyes on that golden and started crying! I'm sitting here at work PRAYING that no one comes by until I can get this stopped.

My first reaction on reading it was that in a way I was blessed when I learned about my dear old boy's (Feisty's) cancer. He was a huge cat and my vet thought he might have had some wild cat in his ancestry. He got his name from his size and his tendency to fight the vet literally tooth and nail whenever he had to go in. (I was under instructions from the vet's office to call them in advance of bringing him in so they could get a couple extra handlers ready to hold him down!) I had this incredibly nice vet who loved cats and loved Feisty - despite his evil ways. When Feist got sick and stopped eating and started losing weight, we all hoped it was an infection and could be treated. Instead he just got sicker and finally couldn't even keep water down. I took him in and then had to leave him there until the good doc could see him. Later that day the doc called me and he was crying. He said "You know how he would never let me go near him? Well now he'll let me do anything I want to him!". The doc had discovered that Feist was full of tumors around his abdomen. His kidney's were starting to shut down. The doc had to give me the options = 1 to 2 weeks of IV fluids to get the kidneys operating again, followed by surgery and then chemo. Or I could bring him home (which would mean watching him starve to death), or euthanasia. I thought about it for about 4 hours and then went back and told him I couldn't put Feist through all that - so I chose the last option. The vet breathed a sigh of relief. He said it would break his heart to have to put Feist through that and that even with surgery and chemo, feline cancer usually returned within 6 months. Feisty was only 7 1/2 yrs old but the way I saw it, I really never had to choose. His condition took all choice out of my hands. It's so much harder for you. Just like PJ and others have said - it'll be the love for Stoli that will help you make the final decision. As long as he isn't suffering, keep the love going.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 3:48pm

I love this thread. Everyone has such wonderful pets. :)

And sorry to hear about Stoli, YWIW. You guys are still in my thoughts and those of my "zoo". Oh yes, and the 15 cats and 10 dogs at the shelter I volunteer at now are thinking of you too. I just won't post pictures since there are so many of them. :)

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 4:45pm

YWIW, spoil him rotten no matter what!

The second opinion will help you come to the right decision.

We're still all pulling for you guys.

Xooo

[misschung]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 5:37pm

Gorgeous labs, Revolutionary

[StockardFan]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 5:51pm

I would post a picture of my Ruby-Cat but they all have my kids in them, and I feel weird posting pictures of my kids on a public board. If she shows up (she's usually hiding somewhere) I'll take a pic. She's actually really cute, just very standoffish.

[Mythus]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 6:03pm

Mamie, that's almost exactly what happened to my babygirl. Now I'm crying too.

Stoli is in my thoughts, YWIW.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 6:55pm

oh Deb, my heart is breaking for you...what a tough thing to have to deal with. Know that all three of us are rooting for you and Stoli, and if there is anything we can do, let me know.

[Weez]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 6:57pm

I'm so sorry to hear the news. Just keep giving her love, know that we're all rooting for you guys, and let's hope the second opinion turns out good. *hugs*

[Revolutionary]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 7:59pm

Thanks misschung!! I like to think so. :)

And still sending you tons positive energy YWIW! Hope everything turns out well!

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 8/2/08 at 1:29pm

Well,

I got the second opinion, and it was consistent with (and perhaps even a bit more dire) than the first.

This vet said that there is about a 1-2% chance that they would find something non-malignant if they did the exploratory surgery, and that the ultrasound showed evidence of growths on the liver... I don't want to put the cat through the risk of surgery if it is most likely not going to work.

So, we got some steroids to try and put some weight on him. It is just a band-aid until it is clear that he is not longer comfortable or enjoying life. This could be weeks or months.

It is a very sad day.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 8/2/08 at 1:44pm

I'm so sorry to hear that Deb.

We are thinking about you and and Stoli and send all positive and soothing thoughts.
Just really show him what it is like to get some ULTRA pampering!

Updated On: 8/2/08 at 01:44 PM

[Mamie]

Posted: 8/2/08 at 2:08pm

Poor baby.

I'm so sorry Deb. We all know they won't be with us nearly as long as we want and need - but that doesn't ease the pain when the time comes.

Just keep doing what you've been doing - loving them both a lot and praying that when it can't be postponed - God gives you the strength you'll need to do it. Always know that it's the best thing you can do for him.

[DMsquared2]

Posted: 8/2/08 at 2:14pm

Anubis, 4 years old.

[KrissySim]

Posted: 8/2/08 at 2:21pm

Oh, I'm so sorry. And I've been there , too. The thing to do now is whatever is best for the animal, and to keep him comfortable.

warning: the following recalls a similar event with me. Read it only if you are ready:





I had a dog who developed an aggressive cancer and when it became clear that he could no longer be happy, rather than take him to a vet, a trip he always hated, I took him to a lake where he used to love swimming and playing on the shore. Rather than have a stranger put him under, I gave him a sedative and sang a song to him that would always make him wag his tail. And he did wag his tail that final time. I held him until he was asleep. After he was asleep, a nurse friend of mine administered the euthanasia. It was sad as hell, but i wanted him to be with someone he trusted in a place he loved.

[xxnewgirlxx]

Posted: 8/4/08 at 11:13am

I'm sorry the news wasn't what you had hoped for. Big hugs and kisses to Stoli, Zorra, and YOU.

[southernboy]

Posted: 8/4/08 at 11:19am

YWIW,
I'm so sorry. I think you're doing the right thing, though. Best wishes to you and that magnificent cat and friend.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/4/08 at 12:20pm

Sorry to hear this. Sending good thoughts to all of you.