My Heart is Breaking - Page 1

max, he is a 9 yr old grt dane. he has hemangiosarcoma. I came home tongiht and he cannot get up, he cannot walk. His eyes are sad, I cannot stand this. My heart is shattering and I do not know what to do. I had my husband help me put him on the couch. He has his favoritr blanket. I cannnot stand this pain. Part of me wishes he would just pass peacefully. Part of me is trying to hold him here. He has been my friend, my helper, my protector, my pet, my child, my heart for 9 yrs. I dont think I will survive this. Can somebody help me please

So sorry for what you're going through. They let you know when it is time... Relief from suffering is the greatest gift we can give our best friend.

The thing about hemangiosarcoma is that there's generally no pain felt by the dog...if he's already too weak to stand or walk, I suspect that if you checked his gums you'd find them to be getting paler, and he's probably losing blood internally from rupture to the cancerous lesions on the organs. Typically, when the disease reaches this stage, the dog gradually and painlessly loses consciousness, and does pass quietly on their own. If he's up on the couch, you'll need to stay with him so he doesn't fall off, and you probably should put something leakproof underneath his favorite blanket, because when they pass their bodies will expel any urine remaining in the bladder.  Your pain presently is far, far greater than what your beloved Max is experiencing--he's simply drifting away gently, while you are being devastated emotionally.  It is better for Max, however, if you try and rein in your distress, because it does telegraph to the dog, and Max will become distressed at your distress and possibly try to fight the sensation of relaxing and losing consciousness.  Clearly, you've given Max a wonderful life--9 year old Great Danes are not typical in that breed, so you've given him excellent care to get him to such an age.  Try to embrace the time you and he have left together in appreciation for those years, and for all of the joyful things you shared.  Your time for grieving is not far behind, but for now, try to make these hours and days entirely about letting him know how much he means to you right now, in the moment.  From what you've described, Max is basically in the 'hospice' phase of his illness, where you do everything possible to keep him comfortable and allow death to come in its own time without trying to intervene.  You might want to consider moving him back to the floor, so you can lie down beside him and keep him company, where you can talk to him and caress him and let him know you're there to walk with him to the Bridge entrance. I think you'll find great comfort in doing that, as will he in having you there next to him.

My heart goes out to you, as I'm sure does everyone else here who has ever loved a dog; it is never easy, and it never gets any easier to experience, but find some solace in the truth that the only way such a loss can hurt so deeply is when you've loved another being beyond all measure.  I wish for both you and Max a peaceful, gentle passing when it is his time to cross.

Being his best friend means that you will most likely have to do what you wish you did not. But it IS the right thing and he will need you to be strong for him. He gave you the best 9 years of his life. Now its your turn to give it back and do the right thing. Good luck.

I have a 7 yo with cancer that I know is coming near. Soon I will be in your shoes and it makes me sad. Like you, I hope he goes in his sleep but that is rarely the case. As he has been my friend for these past 7 years, when the time comes, I will do what I can do for him as his best friend.

My heart goes out to you today. I too, have had to make decisions that have broken my heart many times. But, when I look back I know they were all the right ones. They do, indeed, tell you when it is time. 9 years is a really good long time for a Great Dane. 9 years of nothing but love and joy, more than alot of dogs can hope for. Now it is up to you, his owner, to end his suffering and let him go. He is going to a better place, where he can run and play and wait for you, and in the meantime, he will always be in your heart. He is relying on you to make the tough decisions. Anyone who has ever loved a dog can sympathize with you and know what you are going through.  I will be thinking of you today.

 so sorry.

My heart leapt to my throat when I read this, I posted the exact same thread title just10 short months ago. Hold him, love him, tell him you'll be OK with out him, tell him it's OK for him to go.. I swear, just like human loved ones, they try to hang on if they think you're not OK. And don't let any one tell you  different. They don't understand; just be there for your boy. 
God bless you, jackie harris

Oh my heart goes out to you. The title of this thread took me aback, I remember Jackie's thread so well.
I doubt there is a better way to put it than she has, and the others that have posted. Be there for him, tell him you love him, hold him until it is time for him to go. Imprint the feel of him on you and as much as you can and let the joy of the years flow through you both during these last hours or days. If for any reason he becomes distressed you will know that you need to step in and help him on his way.

I am so very sorry, I am sure we all wish we could ease the pain for you.