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Max My Dog My Friend My Brother

by Dan
(Essex, U.K.)

Twelve amazing years I have had with a friend that can never be replaced.

We got him when he was just 6 weeks old. My human brother just went out and bought him. As soon as he came in I knew we would be friends. Even though he could only just walk, he wandered over to me and laid at my feet - a position he would lay in whenever we were together - when he wasn't curled up on the sofa with me of course (we never told my mum).

I was aged 23 and living at home to save money for my own place and I was doing a job that meant I was around in the mornings so we always went out for long walks and basically just hung out together.

We did everything together - he even slept on my bed between my legs with his head laid on my thigh. He was so relaxed there and did not want to move. If he couldn't get into my room he would sleep on the floor outside my room and would only move if he was let in.

When I finally moved out, I would still visit and although someone else had taken over walking duties, as soon as I walked in the door, it was like I was the only one there - he would only listen to me and we would spend ages playing fighting - rolling about on the floor fighting over a toy ball.

It didn't matter whether it was 2 days or 2 weeks; as soon as I walked in I was all that mattered to him. I would take him for walks and he would put on a sad face every time I left. He got his first taste of snow with me.

He was a smart dog - he knew when and where he was meant to go to the toilet. He didn't have one day's training but never went in the house. But boy did my mum spoil him - she would say he doesn't like dog food and go to the shops just for him and buy him chicken, eggs, rice. He ate better than she did, lol.

Every year that went by, he got grayer facial hairs but never seemed to age as he would race around like he was still 6 weeks old.

And then it hit... My mum returned from work one day to find him laying on the floor unable to get up. He wouldn't drink and he was not well. She called me and I went straight round and knew he needed a vet. I picked him up and put him in my car and took him to the vets.

They kept him in and after doing tests told us the news - he had an enlarged spleen and needed it removed. They told us he may not come round from the anesthetic due to his age. We got the phone call that he was coming round a little. Good news right? Sadly no, she then told us that there were tumours on his spleen and his lungs and possibly more places...

Cancer... Not my dog! I thought. No way, he and I are living forever...

Now we wait, will he ever recover from the operation enough to enjoy maybe 1 more year or will he only have a month? No way to tell but one thing is for certain - the best friendship ever is about to be broken up because of cancer.

I am not coping well although I am a grown man of 35. He has lived with my mum for all this time and she has spent so many years walking, feeding, bathing and laughing with him that I am not sure how she will cope without him around either.

He was a great friend to me but more than that HE WAS MY BROTHER, and always will be.

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Jan 14, 2012
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Max
by: Ann

Dear Dan

Max was a very lucky dog to have a home such as yours. No matter what, take comfort in knowing you and Mum did your best for him.

I rescued a beagle 9 yrs. ago and had to put him to sleep after our vet showed us his lungs on an x-ray. Yes, lung cancer. We could have had more testing but I thought no, because he would suffer some more and he was breathing very fast. I live on a small Island outside St. John's NL and there is no vet here. If I took him home and he turned for the worst and couldn't get back I could never have forgiven myself. Plus I would have been doing it for me, not him. So I gave him a big kiss on the snout after they placed him on his favorite blanket. My husband stayed and held his face and talked to him as it was done. I didn't have the courage. I've gone over and over it in my mind. But when the worst pain is over you come to realize that it was your last act of love for them.

He was the most beautiful dog I'd ever seen. And the very first one I owned. The funny thing is, I'm a cat person. But he loved me so. He was starving and freezing the year I rescued him and he said thank you for 9 yrs. We think he was about 13 years old. Now I am a dog and cat person, in that order.

I could go on and on Dan. There is no easy way my friend. Keep loving him till the end, that's all any of us can do. I'll always miss how he cuddled behind my legs on the sofa every night when I watched T.V. MY little "BUDDY", his name, left me on Dec. 28,2011. Worst 2 weeks of my life. I cry every day. My heart goes out to you and I'll be praying for you ALL.

Ann

Jan 11, 2012
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Rocky
by: Anonymous

Rocky's waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge, just don't make it too soon!

Jan 10, 2012
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Rocky
by: Jules

Hi Rocks,

So sorry to read your story, I can imagine how devastated you are and I think we always feel guilty in these kinds of situations as they are sooo difficult.

However, you can't blame yourself for putting your trust in your vet, that is what they are there for, they are the experts. The important thing is that you took Rocky out of a rescue centre and gave him a good home for all those years which he might not otherwise have had. All we can ever do is learn from these kinds of experiences and if you feel you really did make the wrong decision, next time I'm sure you will trust your own instincts a little more. If you really feel the vet pushed you into the decision, change your vet too.

I'm sure Rocky's still there with you anyway, just in another form and he knows you did your best for him.

Jan 10, 2012
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Our Rocky I feel like we killed him
by: Anonymous

Our Rocky (a white boxer, very sturdy and big) came into our lives when he was maybe 2yrs old. My brother rescued him from the dog's home.

Rocky had so much personality - protective of his family and loved to play and sulk to get his own way. He was a big part of our lives; I miss him so bad.

He had no prblems healthwise until about 1 month ago. He started fainting, coughing, retching. He lost his appetite, and just not himself.

Late 2 nights ago, I took him to the vets and they did tests on him. Vets said it was cancer and it was best to euthanize him there and then.

I felt the vets pushed me and my fella into doing this. We both are so against it - no way would Rocky want to have died there.

I really hate myself - I really wish I would have taken him home to die. He still had a bit of life in him (he had up days).

I can't take the guilt. He trusted and loved us. We miss him - I am crying all the time; I am so sad. He really was the best.

I am sorry I took him. Why did I say yes.

Dec 15, 2011
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Alternative to vet's prognosis?
by: Anonymous

Hi Dan,

Did you see my messsage on Facebook about Zara's herbal tea? Zara lived another five years till she was 15 after her vet had condemned her to two weeks left to live because of cancer (you can read the vet's report confirming it).

Please think about giving it a try. Conventional vets don't know everything.
xxx

Dec 14, 2011
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Update
by: dan

Thanks everyone,

The vet called to say Max hasn't improved at all and that by Friday we will need to see an improvement or he will never be well and that means putting him to sleep.

My human brother is in denial and refuses to have him put to sleep no matter what. My mum is slowly breaking - she is trying to be brave but I can hear it in her voice. And me, well I'm coming to terms with it. He had a good life, was treated so well, had so many friends and never wanted for anything. The only problem is, I now want something I can't have - him home healthy.

It's not gonna be much of an X'mas, and for me now every Christmas will only be a reminder of how cruel life is. One thing is for sure though, if there is a heaven and I get in, I'm getting some payback on God. He will not get away with doing this to my friend! OK so it sounds like I've gone mad but really, people worship the guy that lets innocent animals suffer. Well, not me, I'm taking him out when I get up there.

Dec 14, 2011
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I am so sorry
by: Sharon (aka shihtzu801)

I too lost my best friend to cancer just a little over 1.5 weeks ago. I have a post on here too called Princess Mighty Dog has malignant melanoma. At 53, I still cry every day for her even though we have brought a new dog home to keep our other one company. I pray that the time you have left with Max can be peaceful. I still cannot come to grips with what occurred with my little princess, but I hope you can.

Stay strong for Max and your mom.

Best wishes,
Sharon

Dec 14, 2011
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All is not lost?
by: Anonymous

Dan, have you thought of trying kinesiology? It may be too late, but it might not be and it won't hurt Max to try it.... There is a very nice lady in Essex who I could recommend to you as she has helped our animals - send me a message via Facebook if you're interested.

[Site Editor's Note:

Dan - you can get this visitor's message on our site's Facebook Page]

Dec 13, 2011
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Sincere condolences
by: Anonymous

Dear Dan and Mum,

All of us have loved and lost, have been where you are. Safe journey, Max. See you on the other side.

Dec 13, 2011
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Losing Best Friends
by: Anonymous

I too had my beloved Bullmastiff put to sleep last year as he had cancer. I too thought he was invincible - it was the hardest thing I have ever done. We paid extra to have the vet come to our house and I held his head in my lap.

I feel so sorry for you right now. Thoughts are with you.

Dec 13, 2011
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To Max's friend and brother
by: Carrie

I know what you are going thru...

Lost my sweet little girl of 10 years old about 3 weeks ago to cancer. She stopped eating one day and was still acting like herself, took her to the vet thinking it was her teeth and 1 week later cancer throughout her spleen and liver, pressing on her stomach so she could not eat.

We put her to sleep, it was the hardest thing I have ever done, but we were with her. I know she is still with us, but I miss her very presence and am still tearful (at 58 yrs old) every time I think of my dear Chewbacca.

Nothing prepares us for the loss of our animals. They love us so unconditionally. I feel you sadness. It does ease as times goes by, and you remember the happy times.

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