Long time no doodlekisses... Sad update

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Hi everyone,

I haven't been on DK for years... but I find myself drawn back to this awesome community at a hard time, likely just to say goodbye.  I had been thinking about re-joining things here for a bit, and I see some familiar names so I thought I'd check in.

Our little Luna is 7.5 years old and is best buds with our now 4.5 year old daughter.  We came to this site when Luna was just a little 8 week old pup and got great advice on all sorts of things. She is an awesome dog, so loving and gentle and playful.

And now for the hard part... it seems likely she has lymphoscarcoma.  Her blood calcium is high, she has  polydypsia/polyuria (drinking/peeing all the time) and today the vet found lumps in the area of her lymph nodes in a few different places.

We have not done any conclusive tests yet (needle biopsy, ultrasound etc.) but we are unsure if we want to, since the prognosis for that type of cancer is very poor and she likely only has a month or two left even with treatment.  The only purpose of the testing would be to confirm diagnosis and get her some more targeted palliative care, one of the options being steroids.  We've been down the steroid route before with her allergies and the side effects are not too pleasant, though they may make her feel better as things progress.

Other than the drinking/peeing all the time she remains playful, her energy levels are high and she is eating.  It's extra hard because she's barely a senior dog and her behavior is mostly normal.

 

Send Luna some of your warm thoughts and let's hope she stays happy for whatever little time she has left. :)

Thank you for all your amazing advice, keep being awesome.

J & Luna

[Nicole and Teddy]

Praying for you and your sweet Luna!

[Amy and Annabelle]

Warm thoughts coming your way. This is the hardest part of having a pet... saying goodbye. Hope whatever time she has left is spent happy and pain-free.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Luna, Finn and I are sending you lots of love and prayers. We haven't been on DK much lately either but we remember you well. So sad. You and Finn are the same age.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

We lost our six-year-old very suddenly two years ago, so I know the depth of sadness you’re feeling right now. Saying goodbye to a senior dog is hard enough, but when the dog is young and should have so many more good years, it’s especially hard. Hoping Luna’s last days are filled with love and happiness.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm so sorry to hear this sad news about Luna.  So many of our original DKers have recently lost their Doodles or are dealing with sick dogs.  I know it's so difficult, but I'm hopeful that you can enjoy the gift of this time together. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sending love and positive energy to you and Luna. You will both always be part of DK for me. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Well, it looks like I may be sticking around on this site after all... DH and I have been crushing on bernedoodles and there's a local (and looks like responsible) breeder... ;)

[Lynda Kamrath]

Oh, I know this is so hard, but you will get through it a better person.  We have lost three dogs (Hondo with liver failure, Groucho Too from cancer, and Copper with a massive heart attack).  I have three other doodles and life goes on and better from having had these amazing dogs in my life.  Hugs and some ear scratches for Luna.

[Stacy]

I'm so sorry to hear this. Cancer is such a terrible thing. I wish you so many good things.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

J and Luna,

So nice to hear from you again. You've been missed. It is hard to believe your daughter is 4.5 years old?  Seriously?

We Love Luna and wish her the best of love, life, and happiness.

Hugs to you all.  

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

She is 4.5, it's crazy!  She's in kindergarten and growing like a weed.

[Wendy and Myla]

I have missed you and Luna!  I always loved seeing her pictures - her eyes have always been my favourite doodle-eyes - they are always so loving, kind and soulful!  Sending Luna many hugs and hoping for the very best outcome.