Coco my Boxer - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Melstar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Coco my Boxer

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mel, you will know when the time is right to let Coco go, I have always had pets, they have always been treated as a family member, and the end days have always been so difficult. Keep us posted and stay strong....G

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Melanie, Sorry to hear that CoCo is not doing well. Some members of our families have 4 legs and fur coats (or 2 legs and feathers) but that doesn't mean they are any less family members or that them suffering or losing them is any less painful. Keep us posted and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

As much as I love dogs (I call Callie my blonde girlfriend) I still hate it that they don't live all that long. However, the love they give you in that short lifetime is priceless! If you've gotten 13 years out of a dog that is only supposed to live 10-11, then consider yourself blessed with 2 bonus years of love from your good friend! As Gene says, you'll know when it's time to let her go. As hard as it is, just be sure to be there when you see her off with a promise to see her again at Rainbow Bridge.

janni · RV-Dreams Family Member

Melanie, I am sorry to read about your Coco. It was only a couple weeks after you lost your yorkie that I lost my cat. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Melstar · RV-Dreams Family Member

UPDATE: Took Coco to the VET today and he found a mass on the left side of her throat. He thinks it's a growth from her esophagus. Took a FNA and the findings came back that it has bacteria and white blood cells. She's been in a lot of pain....not eating or drinking. He can do exrays, testing with barium, ultra sound....to see if it can be removed.......If it is he can perform sergery. It could be a cancer mass or just a diverticular.....he won't know until all the tests. If it's cancer...he probably would not recommend sergery.

Now the delima.....spend the money for all of this and she still may not have a decent quality of life, or put her down since she's so old.

He gave her a 24 hour pain shot....she seems a little more relieved....at least she drank water when we came home.

We have a decision to make.

Jim01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

A very hard decision, but try to put your own feelings aside and think of her.

Jim

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our little "Princess" (cat) had been in and out of hospitals several times during her life. Healthy one day and going down the rabbit hole the next. The expenses were not much fun and sometimes the doctor did not give us much hope but we persevered. Last September, however, she started drooling constantly and she was not eating and while she tried to drink it didn't look like she was getting much as her tongue did not go straight out when she licked. The diagnosis was not good and cancer of the tongue was suspected. We had the biopsy (not sure why as there really was not much chance it was anything else) paid for the pain medications and steroids but she still could not drink. She would lay her entire jaw in the bowl trying to get something in her mouth. I love my beautiful little girl but she is now resting in the Sandia mountains in Albuquerque, NM watching the balloons. We miss her but we were also not going to let her suffer.

Melstar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Coco has crossed the "Rainbow Bridge". It was very difficult for me....but I think I'm going to be OK......thank God! He gave me the peace I needed when the decision was made.

Steve C · RV-Dreams Family Member

Melanie,

Evin and I are so very sorry for your loss. We have been through the same experience many times and it is never easy. We are RVers because we want to take our "babies" (Doodlebug, an eleven year old Jack Russell, and two rescues - Eddie and Bumble) with us everywhere we go.

Our pets trust us to do what is right when they are in pain and there is no hope; but, it is not ever easy. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Trust that peace will come in time.

Take care,

Steve

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

Melstar wrote:
Coco has crossed the "Rainbow Bridge". It was very difficult for me....but I think I'm going to be OK......thank God! He gave me the peace I needed when the decision was made.

So sorry for your loss, Melanie. After your description of her suffering there's no doubt that you did the right thing for her in letting her go. I have a friend and fellow animal shelter volunteer that has this saying on his email signature:

"Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened"

Waggin Tails · RV-Dreams Family Member

Melanie, We are praying that your hurting heart by touched by the love from your family and friends. We too recently had to make that decision for one of our 4 fur babies. As hard as the decision was, you made the right choice for Coco given the prognosis. May your memories of Coco help carry you through this tough period.

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mel, we just lost our Smooth Fox Terrier of 14 years due to a carcinoma in her throat. Couldn't eat, etc. She was a long term friend and will be missed. Keep depending on God for peace, and it will be OK.

The Hensons · RV-Dreams Family Member

May I recommend this book for anyone dealing with the loss of a family pet.

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

So sorry to hear the sad news Melanie. I know you have many wonderful memories with Coco. As hard as it was/is, I hope it is also some comfort to know that she is no longer suffering.

eagleshea · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mel,

So sorry to hear of your loss. No matter how many times we have to put our loved pets down it never seems easier. I am sure Coco gave you many good memories and it is these that we hold on too. Thanks for sharing and may God give you peace in this difficult time.

John and Terri

Melstar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks everyone...you guys are the best! Kyle and Lisa.....thanks for the recommendation of the book.....I just looked it up and will order it.

rclvnv · RV-Dreams Family Member

As you know, there is nothing like the love and joy to be had from a wonderful pet, and nothing like the sense of loss experienced when they have to leave us. I think the loss is so profound, because the joy given is so intense. I've been faced with the decision you've once again had to make, many times. Never got any easier. Hard, but you know you did the right thing.I hope the knowledge of that will help a bit.

Richard

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

My greatest loss was that of a cat (Kitty Cat) who had been with us for 20 years. He was a real daddy's boy and at 18 was diagnosed with renal failure. We gave him fluids to keep his kidneys working for the next 2 years and monitored his condition along the way. His condition was declared cured (the vet had never seen this but had also never seen anyone give their pet fluids with such dedication, every other day for 2 years). Shortly thereafter he was diagnosed with liver cancer. There was really no chance that he would survive but doctors said, "give this a try". It was a terrible mistake and my beautiful boy suffered while I tried to keep him around "for me". I finally realized that I was not doing my favorite "son" any favors, disconnected his IV and held him in my arms as he passed away. I am glad for every moment I was able to share with this wonderful beast but I regret every day that I allowed him to suffer (maybe he didn't suffer, right?) during that last week. His passing was quite and peaceful but much more painful than if I had done the right thing at the right time. That was in 2002 and I am in tears trying to finish typing this today. I did not make the same mistake when our beautiful "Princess" was diagnosed with a terminal cancer. While I hated to lose her, I know I did the right thing, this time. I know they will be there waiting for me when the time comes and I am sure they both still love me just the same.

Penny and Paul · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mel,

I'm so sorry for your loss, and so glad that you were able to make that decision with a peaceful spirit.

Penny