Oh bollocks :(

[D0oinMeCleanin]

Remember Howly Dog? The old GSD X my Dad was fostering as an end of life dog, the one whose owner had died and the owner's family left him in the pound.

He's got throat cancer My Dad has been told to prepare for the worst. He's estimated to be around 15/16 years old, so he's a good innings.

My Dad has really bonded with him these last few months, they go literally everywhere together, the dog even sits by the bath while he's getting bathed and sleeps in his bed.

He has to go to the vets on Monday I only saw him a few days ago and he was bouncing about all over the place, I even commented that he gets younger every time I see him.

[moosemama]

I'm so sorry, that's really sad.

It's going to be hard on your dad, but he should be so proud of himself for giving Howly Dog such a lot of love and care at the end of his life. As you said he's had a good innings and he will be at peace knowing how much he was truly loved.

[RedwingWinter]

I'm really sorry .

What a lovely thing your dad has done for the dog, to give him a happy home at this stage of his life. I agree with Moosemama, your dad should be really proud of himself.

[Scuttlebutter]

One of the things that really gets me about pound dogs is that they die alone, unloved and with no name.

Your dad is making sure that this dog is spending the last precious time of his life loved, cared for and named. He will pass peacefully in your dad's arms, knowing he was cared for right up to the wire. I can think of no greater gift to give to a dog.

Big hugs for you, your dad and Howly. xx

[D0oinMeCleanin]

I saw him last night (my Dad, not the dog, coming to my work place is the only time he leaves him, he is far too greedy to sit nicely in a takeaway while my dad waits for his food, he'd start guarding all the customer's food from their children )

I told him how much love the dog has had because of him and pointed out that if he'd been in the pound much longer he would never have made it. It wasn't a rescue as such who rescued him from the pound, it was us. A ex-MNetter put me onto him because he was in my area and popped up on her 'dogs at risk' feed on FB. I had no foster dog in at the time, so agreed to help him and emailed every rescue in the area. Just as I'd found rescue back up, my last foster ended up being returned, so it looked like the wee old thing would have had to stay in the pound, until my Dad stepped up and said he'd take him.

The pound was one of the better ones, who beg for rescue spaces and advertise their dogs on every rescue site going, but they were getting dangerously full and we all know what happens then He would've been first 'out'

He was talking about continuing working with end of life dogs, but the rescue he is with atm cannot afford to take any more on, so he wanted to know if I knew of any, but he'll need a break first to grieve. He was very teary. I told him we'd talk about it more when he was ready.

The dog's just going in to be checked out at 8:30am on Monday, then they're going to ring him and let him know what the prognosis is, but the vet said on the phone he should prepare for the fact that it is unlikely the dog will come home again and if he does it won't be for long. The dog seems happy and pain free enough atm, he's just off food and has less energy so I'm not sure if my Dad will hang on until his quality of life reduces. He wants me to meet him at the vets when he goes in to hear the diagnosis and make the decision. He can't handle things like that alone.

[RedwingWinter]

What a hard thing to deal with. I'll be thinking of how you all get on at the vets. It's a lovely thing that you and your dad have done for this dog, and perfectly understandable if your dad needs a break before doing it again - above all, you have to look after the rescuers, because if they get burned out that's no good. What a difference it's made to this dog, to have a lovely family at the end of life - well done, both of you. Let us know how it goes tomorrow.

[shockers]

I had my old dog PTS last Tuesday, it's very hard and very sad. I'm bawling at the thought of this dog having had love from your Dad, rather than dying in the rescue centre... your Dad should take comfort from the fact that his dog has had a very happy end.

[LEMisdisappointed]

Oh - i think i have got something in my eye :( What a wonderful man your dad is Doin' That is an amazing thing he is doing for that dog - he would have died alone and scared but your dad made him feel special. It must be so so hard to rehome dogs that are reaching the end of their years and they deserve a loving home, of course people understandably shy away from the cost but most of all the heart break, i am not sure i could do it. I have two dogs, one of which is a rescue, but he was a spritely six months when we got him - its funny, i am more protective and probably more sentimental over that dog than my boy I had from a pup. I can't bear to think about losing him and ive only had him just over a year. I wish there were more people like you Doin' and now i can see where you get your compassion from xx

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Dooin (you know I'm not a dog person really) but I have so much admiration for your dad to give this dog his "end of life" care.
Sensible, honest , respectful care at the end of this chap's days.
A few sweet weeks rather than an end in Rescue. And it's not as though he would have been rehomed TBH so he would have spent his days as a Rescue Dog.

I'm 100% sure that between your dad, yourself and your vet , you'll make those tough decisions on Monday.

Elderly dogs have all the health problems of age and illness. Bit arthritic, less energy, bit fussy with food, many their bowels and bladders aren't so good.
Your dad sounds like a star

[bassetfeet]

Dooin just want to say that I read your posts and advice . Have huge respect for you and your dad . The care and love you give is heart warming to these lovely animals . Thank you .

[higgle]

Dooin, your father is a lovely man to have taken in this lovely old chap.
I have a soft spot for the older dog in need, "Oldies Club" is guaranteed to bring a tear to my eye and a strong desire to have them all to live with me.

[D0oinMeCleanin]

Howly has had a biopsy, the vet says on closer inspection it might be a simple infection causing the lump, so there is hope but we need to wait for the results to be certain.

[moosemama]

Keeping everything crossed for Howly.

I should add that my girl had a throat infection a couple of years back that manifested as a series of lumps. She was a shepherd cross, with a huge furry neck ruff, so we only noticed when she started struggling to drink. Turned out she'd chewed up a stick and the splinters had made their way through her oesophagus into her neck tissue. As they tracked through the tissue they caused pockets of infection, which appeared as hard lumps. She had an op to open and clean the pockets and a after couple of weeks of antibiotics and she was fine. In fact she was desperate to get on the beach within a couple of days. She was 11 at the time and we had another two years together after that.

Here's hoping Howly's problem turns out to be something that's just as easy to treat.

[RedwingWinter]

Fingers and toes crossed for the results. I hope it will be easy to treat.