Another dear friend approaches the end

[nhmaf]

On Monday this week, Laura and I received some very, very bad news concerning our beloved golden retriever, Barley.   Last week he had become quite weak, and stopped eating entirely - I brought him to the vet and it was determined that he had a serious infection and some internal bleeding.  Xrays were unclear, so an ultrasound was scheduled for Monday.   Testing has now indicated that he has a very aggressive canine cancer, hemangiosarcoma, which has left numerous tumors throughout his liver, kidney, and some other locations in his abdomen in a matter of about a month from its onset.   As he had no symptoms of problems prior to this, it has progressed too far (and the compromising of his whole liver) have made it inoperable.  Chemo treatments alone will not put it into remission and the doctors believe it would only delay the inevitable by a month or two at best, and he'd have all the issues of dealing with the doctors, needles, and chemo drugs effects.   We have been struggling so much with the decision, but have agreed that with the odds so stacked against him, we will forego the chemo and simply keep him happy, treat him so that he is not in pain and clear up the infection he has, and enjoy the time we have left with him to the max.   He is enjoying all the chicken meat, treats, and premium dog foods he wants, plenty of short walks within his abilities, and rides in the truck to his favorite places.

Sadly, Barley is only 8 years old - we have had far too short a time together, but we have managed to give him a good life, I think.   Last year, I had decided to put together a sidecar rig so that we could go for rides together.   My wife could go to, but even she admitted the sidecar's primary purpose was for Barley to join me on my motorcycle journeys.   Money was tight, and I only got so far as to to acquire the "tug" (1978 R100/7) but haven't got a hack for it yet.  And now we're in the middle of winter, and Barley will only be with us for a matter of weeks.   I guess he will never get to ride with me after all.   I am much less interested in completing the sidecar rig now.

As Laura and I have no children - and we're fairly unlikely to have any - we're VERY attached to our furry four-footed "children".   I may not be on the forum so much over the coming weeks, trying to balance work and maximizing our family time with our "golden boy".

So, in the past 6 months, I've had 1 close friend diagnosed with breast cancer AND with an internal sarcoma on her aorta/spinal cord who is battling for her life, another close friend with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer battling for his life, and now cancer is about to claim the best dog I've ever owned in my life.   I am REALLY getting tired of cancer and its devastation.

Only Suecanada has met Laura and our doggies, but here is a pic of our dear Barley.

[msbuck]

    Literally.

I'm so so sorry to hear about your Barley, Mike.  I can't even begin to imagine.  Graham and I are the same with our four footed 'kids' as they are all we will ever have, too.  

Be glad that you have some time to spend together and it sounds like you're treating him to some great pleasures now.  

Hugs.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I'm so sorry to hear this!  
But I am sure he will be riding with you for years to come.  Especially on the long, boring interstates where there is not much else to do except daydream and remember (when there is no close traffic!).

[larstorders]

It sounds like Barley has been lucky enough to have a very full and happy life with you nhmaf. I understand how our dogs become such good friends and a part of the family and I'm sorry to hear that your friendship  will be shortened.

[John M]

Sorry to hear about Barley , he is still young in age . It was hard for my wife Margie and I to put down our 15 year old Aussie  (Masa) even at that age. I can imagine how you are feeling being faced with Barley's problems .   Our regrets and best wishes go out to you and your wife.
                                   John & Margie

[nhmaf]

Thank you, every one!

I've had dogs all my life, and I've had to put some to rest to ease their suffering of various sorts, but always at an advanced age of 13-17. It is never easy, but this one is hitting as hard as anything I've ever experienced.   Barley has been the very best dog I've ever had the pleasure of sharing my home with, and he likely will be the best of any dog I'm ever likely to have.  At least, we've had 8 1/2 years of wonderful times hiking, camping, hunting, swimming, boating, playing, and just walking back roads for what literally thousands of miles by now.   There are 6 mountains in my area that we frequently hike, with several trails at least on every one.  Barley knew every trail, which turns we usually took, all the hidden swimming holes, you name it.  He always would range ahead and come back to check on me before ranging out again.   Whenever we reached a trail junction or trailhead, he will pick the right path, but wait for me about 10 paces down it until I catch up.

I am positive that he will be waiting for me at the next trailhead, when the time comes.  As Will Rogers said, "If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."

[k_enn]

It is sad to hear this.  I can fully understand what you are going through.  

My wife and I never had children - our hunting dog became our child.  At age 10, he broke a bone in his foreleg in an accident when he was fooling around the house.  We were told that it was osteosarcoma -- a very aggressive form of bone cancer.  We were fortunate to catch it early, and aggressive treatment (surgery, chemo, and radiation) saved him because the cancer had not yet spread.  He lasted another three years, whereas he would not have lasted more than 2 months without the treatment we gave him.  Beginning in 2010, he began having problems (back legs were giving out) and he was going downhill.  We just tried to make his remaining days as good as we could for him.  He passed away this past August.  It was tough.  

I hope you and your wife can still have some good times with Barley.  Hang in there.

k_enn

[balibeemer]

Our hearts go out to you!.
We went through the same situation last year with our female Doberman, so we can understand the feelings  
Chin up !

Mr & Mrs Balibeemer.

[scottyintex]

So sorry....I do know how it hurts when a old friend slips away. Life is a journey made sweeter by those who travel with us.  We carry their memories with us into the Winter of our lives where they warm us still.  Some times I think I like dogs more than people.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Some times I think I like dogs more than people.  

That is a given for me!

And I am a cat-person!

[Julio A.]

That is a very hard thing to go through. I had a cat before, killed by feral dogs on the street while I was on vacation.

It pains me to see your companion go, but I do believe you gave your Barley a good life, more than anything he could ask for.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I had a cat before, killed by feral dogs on the street while I was on vacation.

Wow.  That would be a lousy way to return from vacation.
Yes - we have talked about the feral dog problem on your island, before.

Oops!  I got my South Sea riders mixed up!  Apologies!
http://www.bmwr65.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1287546982

You guys aren't exactly next-door neighbors, either!

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Mike, so sorry to hear about this.  I'll be thinking of you and hoping for better times for you.  Private message sent to you.  -Mike

[Ed Miller]

It hurts so bad when they go, but we love them so much we're not willing to do without them.   They bring us joy, and we do the same for them.

[Semper Gumby]

Time to buy another Azalea!  In the spring in Atlanta we are surrounded by flowers and good memories. :')