Lady was found wandering the streets by the Humane Society without tags or a micro-chip. She was rescued by a military family who kept her for about 5 months until the husband received orders that he was being transferred from Hawaii to a base on the mainland. Lady was put on Craig’s list by this family in hopes of finding her a good home. Despite all efforts to find someone, they had no luck finding anyone to take her. The family then made one last ditch effort, to have her adopted with a strong plea, to save her from being put to sleep. After seeing her ad on Craig’s list, I told my daughter we had to save her.
is a permanent reminder of who we really are.”
— Nick Trout
So we adopted lady from this family at the age of 5 ½ years old. She seemed skittish at first and it took some time for her to warm up to us. She had a major fear of men, so we assumed she had suffered abuse by a male at some point in her early life. Eventually she began to gain more trust in us and showed a lot more affection. Lady is now 15 years old and the love of our life. She is part of the family, always faithfully there when we were sick, when we lost family members, & when we were dealing with major stresses in our lives.
The love for an animal can be so deep that you hurt when they hurt, you cry when they are sick, you fret when they seem lethargic and you get devastated when you hear news that your dog has lymphoma cancer cells in her lab results. Your first reaction is a massive shock reaction that sends you in a tail spin, making you useless to those around you. Your mind fails you because you just sit there in total disbelief. You are numb, you breathe more rapidly, you get that queasy feeling in the pit of your stomach, and you feel that your world has come crashing down around you.
a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France
Eventually the realities of the situation come rushing in, so unbelievable that you literally go into a deep feeling of despair. The despair can only be described as a feeling of pending loss of a dear friend and family member. It becomes harder to look at your dog while she lays there with her eyes connecting to yours, wondering why you’re so sad. Just the thought that she might not be there with you and your family to celebrate her umpteen Christmas becomes a knife stab right into your heart. You get sadder and more depressed.
You cope by writing one post after another in an effort to release all the pent up emotional feelings you are feeling. At the back of your mind you know you have to deal with the reality of a devastating loss but it’s hard to face it. You write more, hoping to alleviate the sorrow.
predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal.
Difficult standards for people to live up to."
― Alfred A. Montapert
Many people would say she’s only a dog so why waste your money on vet bills. I would say that unless you have experienced a love so deep for another person or animal, you will never know the true value of loving and being loved. Life is precious and love is our capacity to feel, to care, to give, to cherish, to connect to another person or living thing. It is what makes life rich and precious. It gives us purpose and meaning. It gives us more connection to our inner being. And most importantly, it makes us real not plastic.
They show us what's missing in our lives, and how to love ourselves
more completely and unconditionally.
They connect us back to who we are, and
to the purpose of why we're here."
― Trisha McCagh
Lady’s vet informs my daughter and me that it would be best to have our dog evaluated by the only oncology specialist in Hawaii. We call, but because of the great demand for this doctor’s service, we have to wait over a week to see the veterinarian. The wait is unbearably long and painful. Days go by slowly and we actually start mourning our dog’s decline. We spend more time with her and give her, her special treats. We hug her and caress her whenever we can. We begin to try to accept that her days are numbered.
We finally take her to the oncologist specialist and are told that there are two types of lymphoma outcomes. One is a slow growing one and the other one is rapid with the dog living for 5-7 months. She tells us that in order to determine which type of lymphoma she has, they have to do x-rays, blood tests and take samples from the lymph sites. The cost would be $1,800. We had no choice but to tell the vet to go ahead with it.
then animals are better off than a lot of humans."
―James Herriot
The vet informed us that we would have to wait for the test results which would take time, because the tissue samples would have to be air flown specially to a lab in Colorado. This would be another agonizing wait for us. We are held in suspension again. After a while, we get that dreaded phone call. My daughter takes it because I’m unable to take the call. I don’t want to be in the room when she hears the news. Another painful moment of waiting.
—Josh Billings
Then my daughter enters the room and I couldn’t tell what the outcome was. She explained that Lady’s test result showed that it was the less aggressive cancer and we could put her on an oral chemotherapy drug. Through the fog I remember slowly realizing that we would have Lady with us for a longer period of time than expected. I almost cried in relief. The chemotherapy would be expensive but to have our special dog for a bit longer would be worth it. The feeling of relief was so enormous I was literally in a state of tears.
—Roger Caras
So for all of you who have ever loved someone, especially an animal, I say that you are very special people who have the capacity to go beyond yourself. You are caring, loving, deeply in tuned to others and have a great capacity to give.
-Charles Darwin
Just to let you know, we just found out this great news earlier today. I decided to make this post for Lady, our beloved dog, and to find a much needed way to release my pent up anxiety I’ve held for two weeks. I know most people will never read this story but it does give me the ability to release all the turmoil I was going through.
—Josh Billings
If you read this post, I thank-you from the bottom of my heart for doing so. Our Lady is very special to my daughter and me and I’m so glad we will have her for another year or two. Again thank-you!
All photos were self taken.
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Such a beautiful doggy :) I have a cat myself but would love to have a dog too ^^
Cheers and all the best patches :)🍻
How are you doing @vangelov? Hope you are doing well. Since I never heard back from any of my comments on your posts, I decided to move on. Best wishes to you.... Cabbagepatch
I can totally relate to this! My dog and i are bonded so closely that hes like my child. Ive been battling a 2 year mange problem and it pains me every day to see him suffer.
So good you saved Lady! What a lucky dog
Thank-you @eco-alex. About 2 1/2 weeks ago everything happened when we were told about Lady's lab results from her regular vet. Ever since then everything spiraled downward. My daughter had it the hardest crying practically everyday. So just yesterday we found out that Lady had the slow growing lymphoma which is the best one to have of any the possible types. We are very relieved. I'm glad you have a dog so you understand the impact. I am so sorry for your dog's own suffering with mange. He/she is lucky to have you and vise versa. I hope you have a great weekend! Thank-you!
This post has received a 0.63 % upvote from @drotto thanks to: @banjo.
Dear @cabbagepatch so pleased to her you have Lady for longer. If we were nearer we would offer you rso to try (not assuming that you would choose to use it). One of ours is a rescue dog; she was also skittish but it's been worth it to see her grow.....as you know :)
@healingherb, you are such a caring individual with a big heart. I really appreciate your kind and comforting words and support. Lady got diagnosed about 2 1/2 weeks ago so the stress was rapidly increasing until yesterday when we found out the good news. Having a dog is like having a child and when they get sick, we stress ten fold. Now that we know we have more time, we will make the most of the time we have with her. We count our blessings and we will embrace each day with fullness. Again, thank-you so much for being so kind and caring. It is deeply appreciated!
Please give her a big doggie hug from me/us :)
@healingherb, you are really a very kind person. You really have touched my soul with your love and caring nature! Thank-you so much! I have given Lady two hugs from you. If she could talk would say thank-you too! You'll just have to accept her wagging tail! :D. Again, thank-you!!!!!
Thank you so much for telling this story!!! I'm really glad to know Lady pulled through.
Thank-you so much @andrea-annie for your kind word and support. I am deeply touched that you read my post. Writing it was my way of releasing all the worry and fear during these past 2 1/2 weeks when we first got the bad news. Waiting is so horrible when you don't know what to expect. We just got the news yesterday so today I am so relieved and happy. People like you give me so much positiveness that hits right to my core. I don't know how to thank-you for your kind words. I hope your weekend will be wonderful and restful for you. Again, thank-you so much!
Oh this is such wonderful news, I have been asking and wondering about Lady. I really hope she will be herself soon. Animals dont grumble or complain, all they need is love and then you have a friend for life.
Thank-you so much @bigbear. Your caring and loving nature has again touched my heart. Thank-you for your concern and well wishes. We will spend the time with Lady with love, quality and happiness. The past 2 1/2 weeks were horrible and very stressful so today I am relieved and happy. I know you know what it is like when an animal suffers. You went through that yourself when someone poisoned your dog. Please know that whoever did it will have karma to answer to. Again, Bigbear, thank-you so much for everything!
Aww..just look at those eyes!! Those eyes are chock full of love. The 'just an animal' or 'just a pet' doesn't fly with me either. I am so happy that Lady's diagnosis was the lesser of the two possibilities! What joy they bring to our lives and consequently, what devastation they leave in our hearts when they pass. I understand your feelings of fear and trepidation completely. I wouldn't want to take the call either. Much love to you, your daughter and to Lady. <3 <3
It was the one of the hardest 2 weeks of my life, but I survived and the news was happy. It makes me appreciate what we have right now. I have to learn to stop looking into the past and stop worrying about the future. I am getting better though. My writing has helped tremendously allowing me to focus on the now.
I hope you are doing well. I really appreciate your wonderful comments and support. Lady is the love of our lives and we will be sure to make everyday count. Thank-you @tamaralovelace. Have a good Sunday!
I'm so sorry to hear what you've been going through these last couple of weeks but happy that you finally got some good news. Lady is an adorable doggy and you are all so blessed to have and love each other. Our animal friends are truly members of the family and often we have a deeper bond with them than we do with some of our human relatives. I know that's certainly been true for me. Losing their physical, daily presence in our lives is deeply painful. I'm very relieved that your little Lady will be with you for longer than expected and pray that she will be in good health for the rest of her life and that you will all enjoy the precious times still ahead.
@eyeofthestorm, your comments brought tears to my eyes for your loving words. It was a very hard time but my daughter and I were blessed with the best news we could ever have. The amazing thing is that despite this traumatic event, there was so much love and concern extended by really good, good people like you. It restores my faith that there are many kind and caring people in this world. Thank-you so much. Your sincere words will resonate with me for a lifetime. Thank-you so much!!! .......Cabbagepatch :D
That really makes my day cabbagepatch! I'm so happy to know that my words brought some comfort to you.
I think she is very happy.She got sick, but you guys love she kindly.I am relieved that your wish has come true.Happy time with you in the future please:)
Yoshiko, it was probably one of the hardest times in my life but I am so grateful that everything is working out for the better. People don't understand, unless they love animals, how our pets are like family to us. When they hurt, we hurt too. We are making the most of each day. On Wednesday we will be seeing the Vet Oncologist specialist and Lady will probably be starting Chemotherapy. Hopefully it won't be too hard on her. Thank-you Yoshiko for you support and caring words! I will never forget it!
Thanks for sharing this story. I'm glad you will get to enjoy Lady for a little while longer! The picture with her in the hat is so cute!
@violetmed, thank-you for your kind words. It was an extremely hard time when we first heard the news. I seriously don't know how I managed to survive the wait. I guess that is why I have been writing so much. It has helped to focus on something else other than our Lady. I really appreciate your support! I think that is why I told you to hug Pepper because I wished, at the time that, I did it more often to Lady. I really appreciate you kind words. Thank-you @violetmed!
@cabbagepatch you are welcome!
Well done for accepting lady into your world, I can see that this one lucky dog in more ways than one :)
@markwhittam, that was really nice to write such a warm and wonderful comment. I appreciate your visit! Our dog Lady is part of the family so it was such a shock to learn of the Lymphoma. But fortunately we eventually got better news. We will be seeing the oncologist this Wednesday to weigh all our options. The most important thing is that we don't want her to have to go through any unnecessary pain or suffering. Again, welcome to ecoTrain. I think it is amazing about choosing to have quality life with your family instead of a materialistic one! Again, thank-you @markwhittam! :D
Thank you @cabbagepatch.
I hope for the best possible outcome for your little Lady :)
Yes, living simple affords us time with our children, we used to have the big house and the flashy cars bit no time for the most important part, our family.
You are making the best decision. Putting happiness and family first is what I call living for the moment and being in the present. These are very important values in an effort to fully enjoy your life. You and your wife are doing what is good for your whole family. It makes me smile because we need more people like you. Keep living to the fullest....you will never regret it!....Cabbagepatch :D
She seems to be full of joy in your pictures. I think that it is the result that you loved her for ten years. I think that she is happy. I sincerely hope her illness will improve.