More about Cleo

[pastafreak]

We have been to the vet's this morning and the news is almost worse than I expected. Surgery for her would be too invasive....the cancer is in her jaw and near her eye socket-also it is impossible to tell how far it has spread so may be worse. Vet will get 2nd opinion from oncologist but I am not expecting a miracle. As it is she is only given 2 months.I will keep my baby happy...and will continue to welcome all the support from the lovely people here. Thanks to you all...xxxVirginia

[LoftyLottie]

Am in a similar situation at the moment pastafreak. A much loved pet has inoperable cancer of the mouth. Each day is a bonus and whilst she is content and happy we will make the most of our time with her. The minute she suffers then we will let her go with dignity. At least our pets are spared the worry - they don't realise what is going on.

Best wishes.

[jules77]

I was in the same situation last year, my old boy had epitaxis and a tumour in his nose. The prognosis for it was 5 months - but after he had his first nose bleed, I realised where the smeared blood had been coming from for the last few months along the side of the settee, so I treasured each day I had with him. We had the vet out to the house as I didnt want to upset him to take him to the surgery and he just took one look at him and knew what it was as he said the side of his nose was slightly distorted, which even when it was pointed out we couldnt see it. He treated his symptoms systematically as he was far too old to have such invasive surgery, and even though his nose bled when he was eating, it didnt seem to bother him and I just wiped it away. On his 14th birthday a few months before we lost him, I bought him a ready cooked roast chicken and fairy cakes, and did he enjoy it.

He was my shadow, and my husband was dreading the day we would have to say goodbye as he thought I wouldnt be able to go through with having him put to sleep. But to be honest when he woke me up in the night in pain and was unconsoleable I knew it was time, and although I cried uncontrollably, he was in my arms right until the end (OMG I am crying buckets writing this!!).

You love your little girl, and will do the right thing for her, my thoughts are with you, take care x

[pastafreak]

Dear jules-I cried as I read your post.I know only too well what is ahead,having to have an animal put to sleep is the most painfull 'good' thing we animal lovers have to do. Over 2yrs ago I held my 15yr old dog Bramble in my arms as she slipped away,and I will do the same for Cleo. Thankyou xx

[cruella]

So sorry to hear the bad update on Cleo.
My last Westie was suffering from a brain tumour and it really broke my heart to watch him lose his dignity. I wanted to keep him for as long as I could but I knew , deep down I was being selfish.
He fought the illness well but eventually I did know when it was time for me to let him go.
It broke my heart and I was unable to even function at work for weeks after I decided it was time. This is bringing tears to my eyes just re-living it.
I was with him until the end.
He is now in rainbow bridge. It took me 6 years to eventually get another dog.
We now have little Misty, a re-homed Westie.
I really feel for you just now. Just hang in there. xx

[wolf63]

I am sure that Cleo has had a lovely life with you and is currently being papmered even more than usual.

You will know when the time has come to say goodbye and you will make that decision with a heavy heart but with the knowledge that it is the best thing for her.

Best wishes.

Susan

[lankeela]

This is something we all have to face and it doesn't get any easier no matter how many animals you have. At least we are able to do this one last thing for them, and as I always say, better a day too soon than a minute too late.

Enjoy your time with her and then when the time comes remember the good times.

[eyeshade]

Awe, so thinking of you and sending doggie kisses.
xx

[garner]

Just lost for words pastafreak... so sorry for you and Cleo its just so awful, my thoughts are with you its so sad. bless g.x

[divegirl]

Hi, I've been reading your posts, but as yet haven't been able to reply..... it makes me cry. But what you said about the support on here hit home. I lost my Great Dane in March and had worried for a while how I would cope without him.....everyone was so kind....there are a good bunch of people here!!!!
And so....just to say....be strong for your baby.....Enjoy every second you have with her and as others have said, you'll know when to do the right thing for her.
My thoughts and love are with you, but I have to go now as I can't see the screen.....

Lisa xxx

[bensmum]

I went through the same with one of my cats just before Christmas. The vet told me That I would know when the time was right to let her go and I did but it broke my heart all the same. I held her while they did it as I owed her that much, bless her (this is making me cry!)
Your Cleo is obviously well loved and I know that you will do all you can for her in the time she has left. You too will know when the time comes and it will be hard but you will be doing the last kindness you can for her.
My thoughts are with you in this difficult time - there are many of us here who understand what you are going through.
XX Lesley

[ruthann58]

so sorry to hear this sad news about cleo all you can do is your best and as you say keep her happy i shall be thinking of you as you face this. love to you both Ruth xxx

[leelapops]

Oh pastafreak, I am so sorry to hear your news. It sounds as if Cleo is a lucky girl, with a mum who will spoil her rotten 'til the end and make all the right decisions.

The screens all blurred and my tissue is soggy now. Suffice to say my thoughts are with you. I have lost a fish (when I was 13, and it was a very old fish! My dad gave me a cuddle, bless him) and 2 hamsters, but I haven't really felt about them the way I feel about Jack, so I am dreading his time (hopefully a while away, he is only 3).

Much love, and of course you can always count on animal lovers here to support you x

[pastafreak]

I have been crying on and off all day-partly due to the great sadness and apprehension I feel for what lies ahead for cleo-but also for the overwhelming gratitude I feel to all of the ABers who have expressed so much support. there i go...crying again. Frankly -it is all i can do not to start screaming with rage and sadness. I have been on the internet reading up on her condition-squamous cell carcinoma.....it even <b< sounds awfull!. At least I found a sight with a lot of first-hand accounts from cat-owners....both heartbreaking and informative. What I must do is force myself to take one day at a time rather than to keep looking foward to the day I dread....xx

[Beads]

Hi pastafreak.
I am really sorry to read about the update. Thinking of you and also - I hope you able to get comfort at some point from the lovely home you've given to Cleo.
Hugs
Beads

[Kleiber]

Oh, pastafreak - you poor thing. I thought what In a Pickle said about tears being stars was lovely! My little Cleo came & sat on my lap tonight & snuggled up in my arms and I thought of you and your Cleo. I just feel so sorry for you both - I don't know what else to say. Like I said yesterday, just cherish the time you have left together. Love, K xxx

[pastafreak]

As I read the last 3 posts I have sent an awfull lot of tears to the heavens....thankyou for that ,In A Pickle xx

[bigmamma]

I want you to know my thoughts are with you and dear Cleo .You are having such a difficult time and my heart goes out to you. Cleo is blessed to have a wonderful caring owner as yourself .xxx