Max has been diagnosed with liver & spleen cancer

by Kathy Shock
(Scranton, Pa. USA)

Max is a silkie terrier I rescued from a back yard when he was just 1 year old. We live in NE, Pa. and you know how cold our winters are. There he was, freezing cold in March rain and snow, 12 years ago. I knew the family and knew they went away. They left him outside and someone was to come and feed him. Needless to say, I could not stand it. I took him out of the yard at night, took him home, warmed him up, gave him a good meal, and he fell asleep like he was with me all along.

I phoned the "former owners" the following week and told them they had 2 choices, I keep Max or I call the Humane Society and they would take him. You know the answer.

Through the years he has been wonderful. Within the last year, he became diabetic, lost his eye sight, lost hearing, but still follows our German Shepherds around in the yard. And I swear they know he is sick and they stay by him and always watch they don't step on him. Tuesday of this week, I went home for lunch and he was having a seizure as I walked in. I rushed him to our vet, and asked why his belly is looking bigger. She took an x-ray and ultrasound and found the mass.

What do I do now. I fixed all his other issues, how do I fix this one. She said there is no cure. What do I do? He is not very comfortable, he is not in pain, but his belly is in the way of him laying comfortably. His belly is larger because the mass from the liver is pushing agaist his stomach and pushing it forward.

Help...should I ride this out or not put him through anymore. he hates his insulin shots, he doesn't want to go in the yard anymore, just wants to be held and pet. If that is what I have to do for the rest of his life I will, but is this honestly fair???

Thanks for listening.
Kathy S