Benpaws

My prayers go out to everyone here who is struggling with "cancer" in their precious, forever friends. I joined this site when it opened in October 2008 and was so grateful to have a "safe place" to which I could come and share my story of my Benny's cancer. As many of you know it is like a "roller coaster ride" with many ups and downs, joys, sorrows, hopes, disappointments. It is a journey we take with ""the best dog in the whole WORLD!"
There were so many times when Benny was so energetic and I felt his tumours and thought they were getting smaller. However, after surgery, remission for 8 months, more tumours, a good quality of life for 9 more months, that dreaded day came and Benny let me know with his big brown eyes that "I cannot do this anymore Mom. i am tired and I cannot climb the stairs or lie comfortably in bed by the fire and I cannot chase those pesky squirrels anymore. I love you Mom, please love me enough to let me go."
On a sunny April morning in 2009 my husband groomed Benny's beautiful grey fur and we kissed his soft head and cuddled him in our arms. We were with him when end came and as TJ has stated it was "calm and peaceful"He was only 6 years old and the love of our lives and the joy in each day. However, our hearts broke that day into a million pieces.
Not long before we made the decision for Benny out of selfless love, I read the following poem. I still read it and know we made the right decision and one which Benny would have made for us if he could given the same circumstances.

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

-- Unknown

To all of you who will face having to make this decision, you will do it at the right time and from the deepest recesses of your hurting hearts. The best "gift" you can give when the hope is gone.

Until that time, enjoy every moment you have and never give up hope that there will be many more days to share with your best friend in the whole wide world. There are success stories here with dogs who have gone into remission and might be that way for many years.

Cancer taught me a lot.

God Bless you all my friends.

Blessings,

Joanne & Shadow ( Shadow's litter was born on the same day and at the same time that Benny's soul departed this earth.) That was a "sign" for us from Benny that we needed another to share our home and our lives, but never replace our irreplaceable Benny whom we think of every day with love.

SCanuk

Thanks again for all your support that you are giving to us fighting the cancer beast. I try and give support to the new members that have unfortunate circumstances that find this site, but most of the time I just break down again. Yes, you have to let the pain release so you can carry on caring for your fur baby.
I feel very fortunate to be on this site as feel I have extended Kira days to fight her cancer with all the help on what to feed and cancer fighting foods. I know that this battle I am fighting with Kira will probably not be won - but you still have to fight. I know Kira will let me know when she is done fighting.

Again, we are so all fortunate that we have you and of course the other members that have already been through this to help us.

Kira's Mom

Benpaws

Dear Friend,
I am so glad that Kira is continuing to enjoy her life. She is a beautiful dog and you are doing everything you can to ensure her a good life and just live in the moment with her.

Don't ever GIVE UP! She might just surprise you.

You might want to check out this website: The Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund - smilingblueskies.com

Suzi Beber who founded this site after losing her beloved Golden Retriever Blues to lymphoma in 2001 at the age of 6 was the person who helped me with Benny. She was just awesome and Benny would not have survived as long as he did without her help.
I fed him the Canine Life Cancer Formula muffins which you can find under:
www.theskyesthelimit.com We bought the frozen muffins at our local pet store but they do ship all over North America. Just a thought. However, if what Kira is eating now is agreeing with her and she is enjoying it, no need to change.

He loved those muffins and Shadow is eating the Puppy Formula Canine Life and is doing really well.

My prayers go out to you daily and lots of hugs to Kira.

Blessings,
Joanne & Shadow

P1010228.jpg Shadow taken recently after his haircut.

hershey

Shadow is so handsome! What a great looking young man!

Raymond

Thanks for sharing the beautiful picture of Shadow. He is gorgeous.

hershey

Joanne, you are an amazing human being, and Shadow, you are so so lucky to have Joanne, you are both lucky to have each other. I looked towrds the sky today, and saw hershey wirh Benny again......

Benpaws

Thank you for your accolades, but I am a pretty ordinary person and feel very at home amongst all you amazing friends. I think "dog loving people" are right up there at the TOP of being special people with caring hearts.

I know that Benny and Hershey will be enjoying every day together and they are just about the same size. It is amazing what you can see in the "clouds." I often look up and give thanks for having had the opportunity to know Benny and to meet every one of you here and share in your pain and in your joys.

God Bless.

Joanne & Shadow