Dante has taken his last walk....

TJandDante · 12-06-2009, 05:58 PM

I am devastated-my beloved Dante had his morning walk and could not go very far. The lymph node on his neck seemed to have tripled in size overnight and it was painful for him-he yelped when I touched it. He is having a little trouble swallowing too. I will stay up all night with him-I have a call out to the holistic vet which I hope will be returned first thing in the morning. We will have him come out and help Dante go to heaven. I promised Dante( when we started this journey of this bastard cancer )that I would not let him suffer. My grown sons and my daughter in law and granddaughter came to dinner and said their goodbyes, which broke my heart even more. I have been crying all day ,even during church. It seems I cannot stop.I lost my sister a little over 2 months ago and am just not emotionally prepared for another heartbreak.
I never knew you could love a pet like this. The 8 1/2 years just flew by.
I am so grateful for all of your support and hope.Joanne thank you for the lovely note. You did the right thing for your dog and I will find the strength to do the right thing for mine. They trust us so much and love us unconditionally. Humans can learn a lot from them.

mybestfriend · 12-06-2009, 10:15 PM

Dear TJ, I am sorry about the loss of your sister and condition of Dante. Know you did everything you could. I was told by many on this site to try and be brave. It was the hardest thing in my 47 years to do. I will be saying a prayer tonight for you and Dante, and hoping for a miracle for you. If it does not happen, I pray that god will have my Dasha help Dante cross the rainbow bridge and have no more pain. What ever the outcome is know that we will be here for you. Jim

Benpaws · 12-07-2009, 05:42 AM

Dear Friend,
I was hoping never to see this "post" on Dante. He was doing so well a month ago and I thought you would get that "miracle" that we all pray for. Yes, cancer is indeed a "bastard" and takes the "best of the best" from our lives.
I am so sorry that you lost your sister 2 months ago, so much pain in your heart. My grown sons and daughters-in-law and granddaughter said their goodbyes to Benny too and the tears just would not stop. Isabella was also 6 when Benny passed away and they grew up together and were best pals.
I really am so sorry and you have been such a help and a comfort to everyone here. You gave everyone "hope" and "strength" to carry on.
Grief takes a long time and we go through a myriad of emotions before we can come to a "place of peace."
Do take care of yourself and know that your beloved Dante is in a "better place" and yet, what could be better than in your home, walking beside you, looking at you with those loving puppy eyes? I HATE CANCER!!!!
8 1/2 years is not nearly long enough with a friend like Dante.
God Bless you as you continue the journey without your best friend. I do UNDERSTAND! We all do! God understands your tears as well. I even got angry with God when he took Benny. I was angry with everyone.
Take your time to grieve and I hope you have a strong support system to get you through the next difficult months. You know you can always come here and share but it is difficult when your loss is so great.

Blessings & Prayers,
Joanne & Shadow

HEAVEN'S DOGGY-DOOR

My best friend closed his eyes last
night, As his head was in my hand.
The Doctors said he was in pain,
And it was hard for him to stand.

The thoughts that scurried through
my head, As I cradled him in my arms.
Were of his younger, puppy years,
And OH...his many charms.

Today, there was no gentle nudge
With an intense "I love you gaze",
Only a heart thats filled with tears
Remembering our joy filled days.

But an Angel just appeared to me,
And he said, "You should cry no more,
GOD also loves our canine friends,
HE's installed a 'doggy-door"!

TJandDante · 12-07-2009, 09:53 AM

Thank you all so much. The holistic vet is coming to examine Dante this afternoon. He does not do euthanasia but can recommend someone that will come to our home if it is determined this is the end that we are pretty sure it is.
I don't know how we would get through this without you all. I stayed up with him through the night and cried. I dont know how to post a picture, if I send it to someone could you do it for me? I took a picture of him this morning on his bed with his favorite blanket and his toys all lined up the way he likes them.

josie · 12-07-2009, 02:21 PM

I am so sorry to hear this news. Wisp is doing well right now on the steroids but inevitably we will be where you are today too.
Something that has been helping me when thinking about this thing we have to do for our dogs is what our vet said to us about how dogs think. They only live in the moment, they don't think about what they may do tomorrow or next week. They just know your love is there for them whenever they ask for it. Dante knows you all love him very much...
my heart is going out to you and your family right now- josie

Benpaws · 12-07-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJandDante

Thank you all so much. The holistic vet is coming to examine Dante this afternoon. He does not do euthanasia but can recommend someone that will come to our home if it is determined this is the end that we are pretty sure it is.
I don't know how we would get through this without you all. I stayed up with him through the night and cried. I dont know how to post a picture, if I send it to someone could you do it for me? I took a picture of him this morning on his bed with his favorite blanket and his toys all lined up the way he likes them.

Dearest T.J.,
My apologies for "jumping the gun" and thinking that it is over for Dante! with all my heart I hope your holistic vet has more things which can be done for your best friend. Please accept my apology. I am very upset that I did this. I would not hurt anyone for any reason and at such a vulnerable time for you and your family.God Bless you all!

Blessings,
Joanne

roomom · 12-07-2009, 04:40 PM

I'm sorry that dante is having a rough time , you are in our thoughts. Its quite difficult sometimes to tell when its time, nobody ever wants to say goodbye. Our babies are so loving and forgiving.Also I'm very sorry to hear that you just lost your sister,love and prayers , Andrea

TJandDante · 12-07-2009, 05:24 PM

Joanne-You didn't jump the gun at all,my friend. I was sure today was going to be Dante's last day on Earth. If our holistic vet had not been available, we would probably have had our traditional vet euthanize him today. The holistic vet had some good news for us-the lymph nodes in his abdomen are not at all enlarged-he cannot feel them at all, which means he does not have organ involvement at this time. Dante actually had a much better day today,wanted to go for a walk (I didnt take him-it was 10 degrees out)and ate heartily. The vet started him on a homeopathic remedy-Hoxsey Formula-and has had some really good result shrinking lymph nodes/tumors with it. He said it could take up to 2 weeks to see if it is going to work, but that as long as Dante is eating, he has good quality of life left-3-4weeks worst case scenario. Of course, if he starts acting like he has pain again, we will be back to our horrible but neccessary choice. But for now,we will have our friend.

Benpaws · 12-08-2009, 06:30 AM

Dear Friend,

I am SO HAPPY for you and especially for Dante. That is just the very best NEWS I could have. This is indeed a "miracle" and I will light a candle today for Dante on the candle site and say an extra special prayer.

Again , my sincerest apology.I did not sleep all night for thinking about what I said. I hope you do not have to make that "necessary decision" for a very very long time.

God Bless You my dear friend and hugs to Dante.

Blessings & Prayers,
Joanne

TJandDante · 12-08-2009, 08:01 PM

Joanne you shouldn't have lost any sleep about the wonderful comforting words you said-they really helped me to know that I was making an unselfish and loving choice. You have no idea how much that comforted me, with that lovely poem. You are so good with all of us through your own loss.
You are a very special person.

12-06-2009, 05:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
TJandDante Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 257	Dante has taken his last walk.... I am devastated-my beloved Dante had his morning walk and could not go very far. The lymph node on his neck seemed to have tripled in size overnight and it was painful for him-he yelped when I touched it. He is having a little trouble swallowing too. I will stay up all night with him-I have a call out to the holistic vet which I hope will be returned first thing in the morning. We will have him come out and help Dante go to heaven. I promised Dante( when we started this journey of this bastard cancer )that I would not let him suffer. My grown sons and my daughter in law and granddaughter came to dinner and said their goodbyes, which broke my heart even more. I have been crying all day ,even during church. It seems I cannot stop.I lost my sister a little over 2 months ago and am just not emotionally prepared for another heartbreak. I never knew you could love a pet like this. The 8 1/2 years just flew by. I am so grateful for all of your support and hope.Joanne thank you for the lovely note. You did the right thing for your dog and I will find the strength to do the right thing for mine. They trust us so much and love us unconditionally. Humans can learn a lot from them.

12-06-2009, 10:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
mybestfriend Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Niagara Falls, NY Posts: 181	Dear TJ, I am sorry about the loss of your sister and condition of Dante. Know you did everything you could. I was told by many on this site to try and be brave. It was the hardest thing in my 47 years to do. I will be saying a prayer tonight for you and Dante, and hoping for a miracle for you. If it does not happen, I pray that god will have my Dasha help Dante cross the rainbow bridge and have no more pain. What ever the outcome is know that we will be here for you. Jim __________________ Rene, Bailey,Angel, Dolce and Jim Remembering "Daddy's girl Dasha"

12-07-2009, 05:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
Benpaws Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oakville, ON., CANADA Posts: 894	Dante Dear Friend, I was hoping never to see this "post" on Dante. He was doing so well a month ago and I thought you would get that "miracle" that we all pray for. Yes, cancer is indeed a "bastard" and takes the "best of the best" from our lives. I am so sorry that you lost your sister 2 months ago, so much pain in your heart. My grown sons and daughters-in-law and granddaughter said their goodbyes to Benny too and the tears just would not stop. Isabella was also 6 when Benny passed away and they grew up together and were best pals. I really am so sorry and you have been such a help and a comfort to everyone here. You gave everyone "hope" and "strength" to carry on. Grief takes a long time and we go through a myriad of emotions before we can come to a "place of peace." Do take care of yourself and know that your beloved Dante is in a "better place" and yet, what could be better than in your home, walking beside you, looking at you with those loving puppy eyes? I HATE CANCER!!!! 8 1/2 years is not nearly long enough with a friend like Dante. God Bless you as you continue the journey without your best friend. I do UNDERSTAND! We all do! God understands your tears as well. I even got angry with God when he took Benny. I was angry with everyone. Take your time to grieve and I hope you have a strong support system to get you through the next difficult months. You know you can always come here and share but it is difficult when your loss is so great. Blessings & Prayers, Joanne & Shadow HEAVEN'S DOGGY-DOOR My best friend closed his eyes last night, As his head was in my hand. The Doctors said he was in pain, And it was hard for him to stand. The thoughts that scurried through my head, As I cradled him in my arms. Were of his younger, puppy years, And OH...his many charms. Today, there was no gentle nudge With an intense "I love you gaze", Only a heart thats filled with tears Remembering our joy filled days. But an Angel just appeared to me, And he said, "You should cry no more, GOD also loves our canine friends, HE's installed a 'doggy-door"! Last edited by Benpaws; 12-07-2009 at 05:46 AM.

12-07-2009, 04:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
roomom Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: stony brook L.I. new york Posts: 55	tj and dante I'm sorry that dante is having a rough time , you are in our thoughts. Its quite difficult sometimes to tell when its time, nobody ever wants to say goodbye. Our babies are so loving and forgiving.Also I'm very sorry to hear that you just lost your sister,love and prayers , Andrea

12-08-2009, 06:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
Benpaws Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oakville, ON., CANADA Posts: 894	Dante Dear Friend, I am SO HAPPY for you and especially for Dante. That is just the very best NEWS I could have. This is indeed a "miracle" and I will light a candle today for Dante on the candle site and say an extra special prayer. Again , my sincerest apology.I did not sleep all night for thinking about what I said. I hope you do not have to make that "necessary decision" for a very very long time. God Bless You my dear friend and hugs to Dante. Blessings & Prayers, Joanne

12-07-2009, 09:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
TJandDante Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 257	Thank you all so much. The holistic vet is coming to examine Dante this afternoon. He does not do euthanasia but can recommend someone that will come to our home if it is determined this is the end that we are pretty sure it is. I don't know how we would get through this without you all. I stayed up with him through the night and cried. I dont know how to post a picture, if I send it to someone could you do it for me? I took a picture of him this morning on his bed with his favorite blanket and his toys all lined up the way he likes them.

12-07-2009, 02:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
josie Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 29	I am so sorry to hear this news. Wisp is doing well right now on the steroids but inevitably we will be where you are today too. Something that has been helping me when thinking about this thing we have to do for our dogs is what our vet said to us about how dogs think. They only live in the moment, they don't think about what they may do tomorrow or next week. They just know your love is there for them whenever they ask for it. Dante knows you all love him very much... my heart is going out to you and your family right now- josie

12-07-2009, 05:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
TJandDante Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 257	Joanne-You didn't jump the gun at all,my friend. I was sure today was going to be Dante's last day on Earth. If our holistic vet had not been available, we would probably have had our traditional vet euthanize him today. The holistic vet had some good news for us-the lymph nodes in his abdomen are not at all enlarged-he cannot feel them at all, which means he does not have organ involvement at this time. Dante actually had a much better day today,wanted to go for a walk (I didnt take him-it was 10 degrees out)and ate heartily. The vet started him on a homeopathic remedy-Hoxsey Formula-and has had some really good result shrinking lymph nodes/tumors with it. He said it could take up to 2 weeks to see if it is going to work, but that as long as Dante is eating, he has good quality of life left-3-4weeks worst case scenario. Of course, if he starts acting like he has pain again, we will be back to our horrible but neccessary choice. But for now,we will have our friend.

12-08-2009, 08:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
TJandDante Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 257	Joanne you shouldn't have lost any sleep about the wonderful comforting words you said-they really helped me to know that I was making an unselfish and loving choice. You have no idea how much that comforted me, with that lovely poem. You are so good with all of us through your own loss. You are a very special person.

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