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[wombat]

So sorry. No matter how long they live, it's never long enough. Hope you find out they can do something for her.

[theinevitable]

Very sorry to hear this miles.

[Asherdan]

Sorry bud, I feel your feels.

[miles]

Thanks imaginary friends. Her appointment is in a couple hours. Hoping for the best, expecting the less than best.

[theinevitable]

Figured out how to upload some pictures. https://imgur.com/a/QQreWcG

Right now we are in a pickle. He was initially fine with being crated sometimes but now he hates it— like full panic trying to dig his way out and expressing his scent glands until the whole apartment stinks level of bad. So we are starting over very slowly, trying to get him to spend time in there with the door open by putting a lick mat in there, etc. The problem is, we are not sure how he’d do home alone with access to the full apartment, and we are going on vacation in a week. A friend will be dog/house  sitting but I’m nervous because obviously she needs to be able to leave sometimes, even if she works from here. Of course, every boarding place we have checked so far is booked up, although I can keep looking for a place between here and where we are going in NC (my parents rented a beach house which doesn’t allow dogs)

1. Only two rooms in our apartment have doors, the bathroom and our bedroom. Which is full of vintage furniture my GF got from family
2. We tried putting up a baby gate in the hallway, so that he was limited to the hall and the kitchen. Kitchen cabinets were secured closed, he had water and a distracting snack and a bone to chew on, his bed was in there, etc. After a few minutes he got bored and jumped right over the gate. The next day we tried again after zip-tying some panels on top to make the gate 42”… and he jumped it again.

We are just not sure how he’d be if he had free reign of the living room/ kitchen / hallway… even if we move the plants behind a door, I’m nervous he’d find something weird to eat or gnaw on out of boredom.

[miles]

Thanks imaginary friends. Her appointment is in a couple hours. Hoping for the best, expecting the less than best.

Even with the most aggressive treatment (removal of her tonsil and lymph nodes plus chemo) they think at best we're buying some time. Usually 4-6 months but in her case they cautiously estimate 6-12 months. I just don't know. This sucks.

[wombat]

Sorry, man. That does suck.

Inev, I think at this point you need professional help from a trainer, but even that won't be able to solve the crating problem in a week, and that's assuming you could even get an appointment with someone - they are all booked up, just like the vets and kennels. Can you find a crappy motel that allows dogs near where your family is staying?

[miles]

Is it reasonable to not want to put her through the surgery? Recovery might be really difficult, she has a heart murmur so the risk of putting her under anesthesia is at least a bit more difficult, and they said they won't be able to get all the cancer so it'll either spread or come back. Is it fair to her to just opt for chemo or palliative care? We're struggling with the decision.

[wombat]

It is absolutely reasonable to not do the surgery. Animals can't think about whether they have four months left or a year left so they don't suffer knowing their time is shorter. They just know if they're happy or in pain right now. Less time left but with less pain and stress is absolutely fair to her.

[miles]

Thanks wombat, that's really helpful. I think I arrived there but I'm just craving like, validation or absolution or something.

We're going to talk to the oncologist again tomorrow. At this point it's just whether we want to get additional time with her and whether that's worth any risks.

[Asherdan]

Much Love, miles, I know what you're going through.

My two pennies: I've always chosen quality over quantity for my animals. Pretty much for the reasons wombles stated.

[miles]

Thanks Ash, that's helpful to hear.

[theinevitable]

Arlo has made a ton of progress! He was very good for the dog sitter— she said she shed a tear when she said bye to him (she was not a professional, she is a friend who walks dogs for extra cash). He is learning a lot of tricks. Still crazy on walks, but improving.

The big news is we inadvertently let him meet a big group of dogs at the park (we let him greet one other dog and a play group from across the field walked over to us) and he was pretty well behaved. He got a little hyper but everyone was having a fun time. We led him away after just a few minutes… we figure a little at a time is best.

[Asherdan]

That's nice, good to see you encouraged by some breakthroughs.

Took the St. Bernard camping and he did pretty awesome. After we'd climb a rock or something he'd drink a bunch of water and crash out in the middle of camp and snooze, so pretty laid back.

[wombat]

Perfect timing. I was just wondering how Inev's dog was doing, like literally a couple of hours ago.