When our pets are sick
 

Cannon is actually my dog's name, that's his beautiful face in my picture. He's an 8 yo black lab.

Cannon is in the animal hospital tonight with what they are describing as "end-stage heart disease." He has had a heart murmur for a couple of years without symptoms, and a good checkup three weeks ago, and now he is very ill with essentially congestive heart failure. The ER vet said she expects him to come home from the hospital, but can't say for how long after that.

I am devastated. Cannon was my companion every day that I lay on the couch, tired or nauseated or whatever from treatment. I forgot that I would feel this pain from losing him.

Rebecca

Rebecca, I'm so sorry. I've always liked your new avatar. Cannon looks alot like mine and Nikki's Rottie, Wyatt, but with a little bit different coloring. The same attentive, intelligent look though. I feel for you, baby, I know what you're going through.

Rebecca, I have no words. I just wanted to say I understand your feelings. These faithful companions have seen us through so much. I have admired Cannon's wise and gentle face here and will pray for you both.

Oh Rebecca, I am so sorry. Cannon is a beautiful dog. I am praying he will prove the er vet wrong.

Karen

Rebecca ~

Oh, how my heart goes out to you! I went through my dbl mast and chemo alone (people-wise) but had my Sheltie, Abby, and olde kat, Kirby, right by my side for everything.

My surgery was June 1, 2006, then chemo, and then in November, the day of my first "all clear" checkup I came home on such a high ... only to have to put Abby down when I got home -- just four days before her 3rd birthday.

She was a gift from God. I had gotten a wonderful report from my oncologist that day for my first 3-month checkup. Abby had been sick for about a year but was such a fighter. It comforted me so much to think she was a guardian angel of sorts and I believe Abby knew her job was done ... she saw me through cancer and on the first day I felt safe she was able to leave.

But oh, how it breaks our hearts when it is their time.

Here's a huge hug and many prayers for Cannon and you during this transition time. I've loved your avatar of him. And Abby is still my avatar too.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

Helen (a.k.a. AbbyDawg)

Rebecca
As one lab lover to another, I feel your pain. I had a chocolate lab named Cocoa, who was 9 years old...she became sick very suddenly at the same time I had my recurrence...she also had cancer in the lymph nodes. The vet said that they could do chemo, but it would only shorten her life by a short time. My husband and I took her home and loved her for the next week, and when she worsened, we took her back to have her put down. I held her with tears streaming down my face...my husband and I didn't want to return home to the empty house, so we drove around forever.Finally, we went home and I opened the paper and saw an ad for black labs...8 weeks old....a litter of 8, a few chocolate and 2 black...I called, went to see them the next day and loved the spunk in the black ones, both females...I couldnt decide, so I got them both...sisters, buddies for life....Sophie and Sadie became my new focus...and all their unconditional love is exactly what I needed. They will never replace Cocoa, but they are pure joy every day...what is a more adoreable face than that of a Lab? Give Cannon a big hug...she has been your rock, but do know that there is another black lab waiting to give you their unconditional love, and while it doesn't take the pain away from losing your beloved pet, it softens it.

oh what sad news. Our border collie Patches slept by me on my bed or on the couch and was very quiet when I came home from my big surgery. She died of a heart condition at 12 yrs old.
Labs are wonderful dogs, we had a lad/german shepherd mix and he was the best dog ever. Get another soon but maybe if you're not feeling really strong, an older dog from a refuge. I just adopted a Griffon who was 3 yrs old and she's a wonderful dog.

If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have
known will go to heaven, and very, very few
persons.- James Thurber

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. -Roger Caras

hugs and love
sarah

Rebecca,
I feel your pain, being a dog lover....these guys become our family and are the best members of the family.

I have been in your spot before and it is not easy.
It took me a long time before I was able to let another dog into my heart. Now I have three....and while waiting at the time seemed what I needed to do (heal)
once I did get another dog my heart once again was
happy. I send you hugs and support.

I am so very sorry....
jean

Oh Rebecca, I'm so sorry for you :'(

These animals are part of our souls and are witness to some things that even our partners don't see! You must be crushed!

My white shepherd, Chilly, has gotten me through many rough patches. Just by being there. They are such caring souls.

Rebecca,

I am sorry to hear about your dog.

Amelia

Rebecca,

I'm sorry to hear about Cannon, who I know has been a source of a lot of comfort to you.

Joan

I am so sorry about your beautiful dog. My animals are like my babies. When I am feeling bad my dogs will lie in bed with me all day long and never complain. I always tell my little girl that animals are like people...only better...sherryg683

I feel for you and know your pain. I will say a special
prayer. I have many dogs at the rainbow bridge. I
love labs but now have a schnauzer that looks like a
black lab puppy. Take care.
patb

Dear Rebecca,

I am so very sorry to hear about Cannon. I will pray for both of you. This is so difficult. I lost both of my Goldens in '08. One in February and the other in December. I do believe they are at the Rainbow Bridge. Yes, they are there with us through so much. Red, my older girl, actually saved my life as I was running 104 fever in my sleep during chemo and she woke my husband up. They are pure and wonderful souls. Warm hugs to both of you.

Sincerely,

Liz J.

It is so hard to lose a dearly beloved "companion animal"! I have lost several who were so dear to me, and my heart goes out to you, Rebecca. There is a story you may have heard about a little boy whose beloved old dog had to be put down. He said thoughtfully to his mother: "I know why dogs don't live as long as people. It takes a long time for people to learn how to be loving and forgiving. Dogs already know how, so they don't have to live as long." I believe there will be animals in Heaven, and that every dear pet we have lost will be waiting for us there. Of all the wonderful dogs we have owned (or who owned us) our favorite is the little Basenji we have had for 11 years. I could write a book about how special she is. It might give you comfort to write all about Cannon, and maybe someday to read the book or see the movie "Marley and Me"about a yellow Lab. No matter how painful losing Cannon is, you know what a blessing it is to have had him in your life. Hugs, Tricia

Thanks so much everyone for your kind words and sympathy and empathy and warmth and understanding that even though this is not cancer, it sucks.

My sister "puppy-raised" him for Guide Dogs for the Blind in California. He failed because he was "not confident enough." :-) He just thinks he's a person, and finds all other animals frightening, especially -- truly -- cats. I did not know he was here for me, I thought he was here for my sons - one with autism, one has trouble with depression. I guess he's been here for all of us.

Cannon is still in the hospital, we went to visit him today. Me, my teenage sons and my mother. They are giving him diurectics to try to get the fluid out of the lungs (it's IN the lungs, not around them like pleurisy, so there's no way to drain) and something else to try to slow his rapid heart beat (was over 200, now running 160-180, want him at a solid 160 or even better 140). He was excited to see us, maybe too much, as he was panting heavily (although dr. said he was fine). He had one of those stupid cones on to keep him from chewing on his IV line.

They say he will come home from the hospital, but there's no way of knowing how much longer we'll have him with us. I worried that since this came on so suddenly, it was a bad sign, but they said no, it's just very unpredictable.

I had actually been planning to get an additional dog soon, since Cannon was 8, I wanted to have another dog in place before he hit 10, so that we wouldn't have to go through the "no-dog" phase. Now the vet says with Cannon's anxiety, we should not bring another dog in, at least now. And of course now it's all about him, but I think I will want another dog - or two - soon.

On a funny note, we also have an aquatic frog named Freddy. We grew him from a tadpole, and he will be 9 yo in March - my son Daniel said, "Freddy is like the tuck everlasting of frogs!"

Hoping Cannon will be home tomorrow night.

Thanks for all the love you gave me on this, I can literally feel it.

Rebecca

Rebecca, I am so sorry to hear about your sick dog, Cannon. I remember so fondly my dog, Bailey, who was with me throughout my cancer treatment. When she was fading, we got another terrier mutt, Trixie, who is also a darling, but losing Bailey was sooo hard since she was with me during such tough times. Trixie has charmed her way into my heart, too, but I'll never forget my Bailey...I'll keep you and Cannon in my prayers--

Cannon update:

He is home now. He is on multiple medications to try to keep as comfortable as possible for as long as possible, general range 3 months to 2 years, best guess about a year. Better than I feared, worse than I hoped. Of course, we know that doctors don't know everything!

It is good to have him here, but I keep looking at him every 5 seconds to make sure he's breathing.

Give him a hug for me! And my boy "Porter" sends him dog wishes.

sending doggie hugs to Cannon from our girls, Mel and Zia

Rebecca, I'm so sorry about Cannon's illness but hope the Dr's will be wrong and you'll have many more happy days together..

You guys are the best - thanks for all the loving support. He is doing ok, but I have already called his cardiologist once ("it says to call if he has diarrhea, and he's not having frequent bowels, but they are loose when he does have them, so is that a problem?") and am thinking about calling again tomorrow ("it says call if he coughs, does that mean if he coughs once, or 4 times, or what?").

The other issue is preparing my children for this earlier-than-expected-and-don't-know-when passing. They have not lost any people close to them (that they remember, my grandparents died when they were 2 and under). My older son has autism and when we saw Marley and Me over the holidays (spoiler alert: the dog dies in the end), Josh said, "Well that will never happen to Cannon," as if saying so would make it true. Yesterday I broached it again, saying "You know Cannon will die someday, right?" and he had a number of denial-type answers:
No, he won't.
Why?
But he just came home from the hospital.

One day at a time.

Sorry to say, Cannon died this morning, only 2 weeks after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He had seen the cardiologist on Saturday, and was doing well. Then while he was sitting outside in the snow, he just left. His tongue was still sticking out from licking the snow.

I'm devastated, and I guess my teenage boys have become men, because they don't want to talk about it at all. We went to the hospital tonight so they could see him and say goodbye. The hospital staff were very caring.

Thanks to all of you who offered sympathy and empathy. Tricia K, I love the story about why dogs don't live as long, that is certainly true.

Taking a break for a while, I guess I don't feel like talking much either.

so sorry
 

I'm just now reading about Cannon and am sorry to see that you lost him. I can tell through your posts just how much he was loved. I will pray that God comforts you and your family.

Lisa

Rebecca,

I am so sorry that Cannon is gone. A pet's love is unconditional and I am sure you will feel a void.

I am sorry that your sweet Cannon is gone. He was so very loved and he knew it.

Hugs,
Karen

Rebecca ~

Since my diagnosis, mastectomies, and through chemo I haven't been able to cry one tear for myself. But I did cry when I lost my Sheltie, Abby ... and I cried tonight to hear about Cannon. He must have had a gentle soul to pass in such a gentle way. My heart is with you ....


Travel well, Cannon, and say Hello to Abby for me.

I am so very sorry to hear about your loss. Sometimes the furry ones are harder to endure. My heart is also with you.

so sorry to hear about your Cannon...how we love our furry children...

I am so sorry about your Cannon.

Amelia

I am so sorry. But I am so glad Cannon passed on while outside, licking snow, doing doggy things. Please take good care of yourself during this difficult time.

Thank you, everyone. I am really feeling your love and support. I know Cannon was "just" a dog, and everyone here is dealing with much worse, some on a daily basis, for themselves and loved ones. It is that unconditional love that I will miss.

Rebecca

My 10 yo Eng Springer Spaniels, Tinkerbelle & Toad Lily (littermates too) send their doggie love to Cannon too.
Give him a kiss on the muzzle from me ,please!
Marcia
No such thing as "just" a dog..sigh...

Rebecca, adding my condolences. Just tonight my husband and I were talking about how our dog is getting old and grey. And the inevitable. They leave us too soon. But they leave us good memories, too. I like the idea of Cannon and Abby (and all the others) getting together in Dog Heaven and keeping an eye on us from there.
God bless you and your boys.

Rebecca
So sorry to hear about Cannon...my heart goes out to you...I have been there...it explains why I now have 2 sisters...the unconditional love they give us.....what a gift...I am sure that Cannon is romping with my chocolate lab right now....Sending you a big hug!