Advise re what’s best for my beautiful girl 😢

[sheselectric13]

Hello

My beautiful girl is only 5 and sadly she has become unwell over the last few weeks. We saw a vet 3 weeks ago due to an upset tummy with lots of blood (sorry tmi). She was given antibiotics and injections to reduce inflammation in her tummy. They said it’s likely she has eaten something she shouldn’t have when out. She’s a golden retriever so that’s normal. She got better for a week or so. Then this week she stopped eating and we found two lumps on her neck. Took her straight back to the vets. Blood tests were done and came back abnormal. We don’t have what exactly was abnormal as the vet wants to speak to us in person Monday. She is booked in first thing Monday for an abdominal ultrasound.
It’s not looking good unfortunately and my mind is all over the place. I know I shouldn’t have but I googled and what I have seen that aligns with her symptoms is Hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive form of cancer. Of course it’s entirely possible it’s not that and it’s something much less serious. However, me and dh have discussed what to do if it is the worst.
DH (the typical dad who didn’t want the dog but is now obsessed with her) is gutted. He took her to the vets yesterday and it’s possible he is shielding me from the full truth as he keeps dripping info about what the vet said. He knows how I feel about my girl so is likely waiting till we have the official confirmation. If It is cancer dh does not want to try chemo and says he can’t stand to watch her deteriorate. He wants to let her go while she is still able to run and somewhat enjoy her last days. Google says chemo would only prolong life for a few months but most dogs with these symptoms die within a year regardless. I on the other hand would want to try anything. I can’t stand the thought of taking her for her last walk etc and I keep crying. She’s my best friend.
I know we have given her the best 5 years, with love and so many experiences and memories but I can’t help feeling like we have done something wrong. She’s so young. This is my third dog and every time I say I won’t get another as I can’t stand the heartbreak.
this girl is my soul dog. My best friend. Despite growing up with dogs and having my own before, this one is different. She’s the best. She’s my best friend. She’s the best behaved and gentlest dog to have ever lived.

Has anyone gone through the above disease? Did you go down the chemo route? How was that? Sorry I know this will be painful for those with experience but I need real life experience so I can hopefully make a decision if needed.

Jeez, life is so unfair.

When my DS's cat was very ill and old 18.5 years the vet told us all of his best days are behind him now and his days ahead will be bad days for him. I'm so glad the vet was so blunt because my DS sighed and said please put him to sleep so he doesn't have to deal with worse days, to the vet. I wish all vets would be this honest as it actually makes the decision easier. Buy your dog it's favourite treats, take her out and play with her then get the vet to come to your house to PTS.

Very sorry to read today’s update Op.

We never do get long enough, but she is so very well-loved , and will continue to be cared for as long as she is with you. She will have had a lovely life, even if it is to be a short one.

Sending hugs.

I’m so sorry @sheselectric13 , and best wishes moving forward whatever you decide to do . Life can be shit and very unfair 💐

You dogs beautiful, thinking of you x

@sheselectric13 "Whatever happens I’m grateful that we were the ones chosen to spend her short life with her and I feel so lucky for that."

That is so lovely. You are so brave. I'm sitting here snivelling and tearing up in sympathy.

Just read your update OP and I’m so very sorry about your beautiful girl’s diagnosis. It’s so unfair. Thinking of you all - whatever happens, it’s clear that she is very much loved.

So sorry to read your update op. I think quality always tops quantity 💔

Hi.
My beloved dog was diagnosed with lymphoma 18 months ago after finding lumps on his neck.
A week later we we're told that he would be unlikely to make the week out and chemotherapy would be unfair.
It floored me and I cried every day for months after but I knew it was best to put him to sleep while he wasn't in much pain.

So sorry

I’m so so sorry. We recently lost my lovely boy to cancer. It was inoperable and advanced so decision made for us really. However I do think - given his loathing of the vet - that had chemo been an option, I wouldnt have put him through the upset of vet visits, trauma of chemo because he could never have comprehended why.
And we wanted him to be the happiest he could be for the short time we had with him post diagnosis.

ultimately know that whatever you decide, that decision will be made with lots of love for your dog - and that’s what she needs most.

huge hug - it’s an awful thing to go through for the whole family xxx

I'm so sorry. Being told your dog has terminal cancer is very hard indeed. Our previous dog was a rescue who'd had an awful life (used for breeding and treated very cruelly indeed - she didn't trust any other humans but showed us she loved us every minute she was awake) and we only had her for 26 months when she died of cancer.

The loss of her was such a shock (we knew she was ill, scans showed she had a large tumour in her chest and the vet said she had "months" only) - the vet said we had to let her go only 2 months after her diagnosis.

Please do comfort yourself that there was nothing you could do and that she HAS had a fantastic life with you. Dogs are given to us for such a short time - but they come to teach us about unconditional love.

Thank you all. Your words are comforting and appreciated. I feel like I can’t be as outwardly upset as I feel inside because people in real life don’t understand that it’s not ‘just’ a dog and that this is a very painful loss.
She has been eating more today and I took her for a paddle in the creek near us this afternoon. It was nice just sitting watching her being happy in that moment.

If it helps, I lost my mum last July and my dog three weeks ago. The latter grief is much much harder to bear.

Dog people will get it. If anyone else judges you then feel sorry for them( they don’t know what it is to love and be loved by a dog.

Sending you lots of love. We’ve had dogs with all sorts of cancers over the years. Some have been very treatable and have gone away for many years. Our more recent one was not, sadly, but that was in a much older dog. Whatever you choose, you are choosing it with love and kindness. Your lovely girl is so lucky to have you, and you are giving her the best life, however long that may be. I have my fingers crossed for you.

@Motorina so sorry. The grief is extraordinary for these loving,innocent, joyful friends.

So sorry for you OP

Dog people will definitely understand. I'm fighting really hard not to cry, reading this thread (I'm in a public space and I'm very 'stiff upper lip' British, hate the thought of bursting into tears here).

The pain you feel now is because of the enormous and very pure love that you share. In a world full of so much evil, that is one of the most precious things there is. Sending love to you and your dog.