KB - A Cancer Fighter Till the Last Hour

KB - A Cancer Fighter Till the Last Hour

by Carrie
(Greenville, SC)

Last year our 7 year old Pitbull/Dalmatian mix, KB, broke his leg while chasing a cat. We rushed him to the vet and did x rays. They discovered possible bone cancer. We had the leg wrapped up for 6-7 months (with weekly bandage changes) and his leg wouldn't heal. We finally had his leg amputated in April 2011... And he did splendidly!

He was sore here and there from arthritis, but he was happy and running around. Even just 2 days ago. Come 10 am on November 5th, 2011... He started vomiting a LOT and had a huge hole where his amputation was. We flushed it out and called our vet. He told us to wrap it up and change bandages every few hours till Monday (this was late Saturday and I was also out of town).

About 3 am, KB collapsed in the yard. Just fell over. I yelled for him and he just laid there wagging his tail looking up at me. So I figured he might be sore from the trip. Then at 4 am he woke me up vomiting and completely stopped breathing. I tried to give him CPR until the light faded from his eyes.

We know the cancer apparently had spread unexpectedly and took over... But just 3 hours before he died he was looking up at me wagging his tail. He fought his cancer till he couldn't fight anymore and I feel so bad that I kept him here. I feel selfish; but he was doing so fine... I figured unless his quality of life was disrupted, I wouldn't euthanize him. :( I hated seeing him gasp for air...

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KB - A Cancer Fighter Till the Last Hour

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Nov 28, 2011
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Please be strong
by: shinta

What can I say to you... Just be happy that you had sweet moments with your doggy. Those moments were a gift from above. After all we all belong to Him and it's just a matter of time for each and everyone. Above all your doggy knew and felt your caring & love. You have given your dog all the best and I believe your doggy knew that, so be strong and smile. Now your doggy feels no more pain. Just keep the sweet mermories in your heart...

Nov 08, 2011
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So sorry for your loss
by: Anonymous

Your story sounds so much like what I went through with my little pug named Phoebe, every thing sounds so much the same.

She quit breathing on us while I was on the phone with the emergency vet and we did CPR and was unable to bring her back. My heart was shattered into, she also suffered from bone cancer.

This was in March and I still come home looking for her to be there. It is so hard, it doesn't go away but it does get a little easier day by day. I have finally came to the point where I tell myself that we didn't have her for long - only 5 1/2 years but while she was here we loved her and was loved by her... And then I found this and I knew that everything was going to be all right. The description says it all... http://vimeo.com/9619197

So sorry for your loss and for the pain you are going through...

Nov 08, 2011
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You did good
by: Scott L

I want to preface my comments with this - There is NO good way to lose a beloved dog/cat/animal. When you are without them, that's when the pain starts (for you).

What you describe is what we all hope to give our pets - a happy life with us for as long as is possible. A euthanasia experience is no easier. Your dog was showing his love for his life, with you, till the last and it was good that he was able to be with you at his end. It was his natural conclusion.

Like all and our pets, we miss them and of course you will miss yours - but you should be able to sleep well because you did what you could to keep him happy.

I hope your next phase, the healing, goes well.

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