Nearing the end of the trail

I wasn't too sure whether to put this post in "Off Topic" or here, but since this situation comes to all owners of 4-pawed hiking buddies, I decided to put it here.

Late last week, my dog Hysson, whom a few of you have met, was diagnosed with lymphoma. This a fast-spreading cancer of the lymph nodes, and its first symptoms are swollen lymph glands. It seems to hit Golden Retrievers especially hard, and Hysson is 1/4 Golden. I just found out that both his grandmother (pure Golden) and his mother (half Golden) died of this disease.

There is no cure for lymphoma, but chemotherapy can delay the end for 12-15 months. I really didn't want to put Hysson through that just to have him for an extra year, especially since he's already feeling the effects of age. The chemo also costs $6500, which to my mind, since it's not a cure but only a prolongation of life, is not worth it. After discussing the alternatives with a canine oncologist yesterday, I made the decision simply to put Hysson on prednisone, which will give him a good month or two before the symptoms return. Without the prednisone, especially since he was already starting to feel sick, he would go steadily downhill and be dead in a few weeks.

So I'm going to be spending the next month or two, depending on how long the prednisone continues to work, giving Hysson everything he wants (well, within reason) and doing the activities he's always loved. For starters we will be spending 5 days at the beach with the grandkids (who have next week off from school). Lots of brushing, lots of treats, lots of nice walks and short hikes, especially in places where he can be off leash.

When the lymphoma starts to return, I hope I have the strength of will to let him go right away, before he starts feeling sick. He has given me over 10 1/2 years of unconditional love, and I feel that being with him through the end and keeping him from suffering is the least I can do for him.

Kipling wrote a lovely poem about "giving your heart to a dog to tear." Well, mine is tearing. It's the inevitable downside of being the "parent" of a wonderful animal whose lifespan is shorter than our own.

So sad for Hysson and you. The pain you are feeling is a reflection of how great a dog he is. I will be thinking about the two of you. Best of luck!

My condolences...I agree with your decisions and will probably follow a similar path with Mary, my Lab mix (and the best hiking partner ever). She is fifteen now and really getting feeble.

I'm so sorry. Words can't describe the place a dog fills in a persons life. A dogs lifespan should more closely match ours. My heart goes out to you and Hysson.

Having been in a similar situation I understand how you feel. Feed him well,love him and when it's time sit with him as he goes so that he knows he is loved as unconditionally as he loved. It will be hard but he deserve to die with a friend not alone and scared.

I've read about Hysson for years now and always you've expressed the greatest love and admiration for him as a hiking partner and companion. Additionally, you've always shown yourself to be a caring and responsible owner and I am sure Hysson appreciates all you've done for him.

Nothing I can say will reduce the ache of knowing Hysson's time left is short, but perhaps it will help a bit to say that through your posting, I know what a great dog he is and what a big place he has in your heart. I send you both my best prayers and wishes for a few more happy weeks together.

OregonMouse,

Count me with with all the others here who wish you the best through this difficult time. Hysson has become a mascot for all of us. He's earned our respect and we'll miss him. You have my prayers for strength and peace in these bittersweet last weeks. best, jcp

OregonMouse,

You have my greatest symphathy at this time. Time flies by much too fast with a dog, and the next thing you know its time to say goodby to a trusted friend and constant (and I mean constant ) companion.

Your plans with Hysson sound wonderful. I hope you enjoy these times together and revel in what sounded like Hysson's full life with you.

Chris

So sorry to hear this sad news OM. I think we all know how much you two love each other and what great and loyal companions you've been.

We are lucky to have such dogs in our lives. They are a constant standard of unwavering love and devotion that we should all allow to inspire us. None more so than Hysson.

So sorry to hear about Hysson. Loosing a loved dog is almost as heartbreaking as I imagine would be loosing a child; my heart goes out to you. But, it is said that Heaven is the place where, when you get there, all the dogs you have loved come running up to greet you. Nice to think so.

Thank you all for the wonderful sentiments! I really wasn't asking for sympathy but trying to describe the inevitable downside of owning a dog. It's the other end of life from of the cute puppy and the hiking buddy keeping your feet warm in the tent.


Hysson has really perked up after 2 1/2 days on prednisone. The swelling in his lymph nodes is almost gone, he's bouncy instead of lethargic and his appetite has come back. This is temporary, of course, but means that he should really enjoy our 5 days on the beach coming up. In the meantime, what he wants are lots of DOG BISCUITS! Which, of course, he's getting!


Prescription from the vet:

I know it's no consolation but I've been giving my best friend Mina, ( my mutt hiking buddy) a ton of extra love and attention and appreciation realizing how fleeting time is.

Been there; except I let it go way to long; ended with me looking at her in the backyard, after having to clean her up after a bowel issue, and asking "is it time?" She looked at me as if to say "Finally; you got the idea." We were at the vet the next day. So sorry that you will need to do so in the future. Have the best last days you can have with Hysson.

Oh dear. I am sorry, OM. But I also think that you are absolutely right in the way you are approaching this. Hysson has a great owner.

Hysson has been a most fortunate dog - there's nothing quite like a dog's devotion, is there? and so many people don't appreciate it. I'm glad he had such a good owner for so long, and that you're doing it right despite the tears you're probably shedding all the while.

mouse,

I'm sitting here crying over Hyson and i'vr only spent an hour with him. Hes beyond great. I don't know what you did to deserve such a great dog, but the other side of the coin is losing such a special dog is hard and you will need to be taken care of also, especially after losing him.
I know a tear will come to your eye for years after Hyson is gone - seriously consider the depressing part - get another dog. You can scatter Hysons ashes somewhere nice that he liked.

My special dog died of a heart attack in my arms, on the lawn in front of my vets office.

My thoughts are with you and Hyson. He doesn't know - its a toss up whether to put him down on a good day or a bad day. You will want to remember him from a good day and know that just because he was having a good day doesn't mean his life was cut short. If you put him down on a bad day you may be saddened when you remember him.

He can play with Roxie...
Jim

Thank you so much, Jim, for your kind words! I remember your sad PM when Roxie passed away and trying to find words of comfort for you. They do tear our hearts, don't they?

I want to put Hysson down on a good day, before he starts suffering, far better too soon than too late. With lymphoma, once a dog starts going downhill he goes really fast, often within a few days. Hysson's breeder was in denial over his grandmother a few years ago and kept hoping for some kind of miracle even though the poor dog was staggering around aimlessly in circles, obviously because the cancer had spread to her brain. The breeder finally ended up taking Hysson's grandma to an emergency clinic at 2 am and she died on the table before the vet could put her down. None of that here!

Yes, I will be looking for another dog afterwards, although probably not for a few months.

We had a great 5 days at the beach. Hysson loved it (one of the few places he gets to run loose and explore) and enjoyed all the fussing from my grandkids. They said tearful goodbyes when they left. Of course, depending on how long the prednisone works, they may be doing this several times! I told them that, and they said that was fine!

The prednisone does have its side effects, but they don't seem to bother him. It causes a big thirst which means I have to put him outside frequently (including at least once during the night) because he drinks so much water. It certainly has increased his appetite, too! As my vet said, all diets are off now; he can have anything he wants!

That's about as fine as I can imagine OM. Thank you for the update, and stay strong...

Hi mouse, hi Hyson,

A 5 pound dog is easy to pick up and hold. Our new chijuajua is an incredibly sweet little thing and it doesn't hurt my back to bend over and pick her up. A 10 pound dog is verging on being a bit heavy to pick up and a 15 pound dog somehow weighs at least twice as much as a fifteen pound UL pack... You'll want a dog with enough fur to keep it warm in the winter. One thing though - Daisy can run through my 8 foot high field wire fence so I had to add 200' of 39" high fence with smaller holes to the bottom.

So does Hyson get ice cream now? Maybe McDonalds cheese burgers, hold the pickle and onion?

Yep we're gettin some snow over here.
Jim

As my vet said, all diets are off now; he can have anything he wants.

OM --

So sad to read this all. There have been a few "group hikes" on this forum over the years, although I haven't been able to attend one. And I always imagined that if I had been able to go that you and Hysson would be there. You two, together.

What a great dog you have had that has logged so many miles with u. But when Hysson has gone, you have to consider getting another, to continue the tradition. U know he'd want that.

A few years ago, I had a most unusual woman come into the store (I work at Whole Foods), and for several weeks buy carne asada. One day she off-handedly said not to worry about the cut, it was for her dog (at $24/pd.!) I thought, 'how strange,' til I pried and she told me that it was for one of her Bernese Mountain dogs. That breed has a short life span due to cancer and other problems.

I befriended her, as much as one can while serving her in a natural food store, and vicariously came to love her dogs (six then), and realized that the carne asada was only for the current dog of hers that had been diagnosed as terminally ill. (By then I had learned that her husband had driven from Denver to North Carolina to rescue an abused BMD puppy and spend a fortune on several operations once here.)

And I thought to myself, why not?

I actually packed a quart of gelato for her recently for another of her BMDs also diagonosed as terminally ill.

Point is, whatever feelings we express as we grieve the coming loss of a canine companion is deserved, for they have devoted so much of their lives to us, to make us happy being with them.

A little carne asada for Hysson might be in order.

.

Just a note that Hysson, at his oncologist visit yesterday, was doing great. He has responded just fine to the prednisone and is probably good for another month if not two.

He continues to be spoiled rotten! His latest tactic is to sprawl out on the floor right where I either have to stop to pet him or else trip over him!

I thank you all for your sympathy and understanding! It's hard to be sad when he's currently so bouncy! He, of course, lives for the moment (MORE DOG BISCUITS NOW!!!) and knows nothing of his impending short future.

OM -- I think u once posted it some time ago, but how did Hysson get his name?

Hysson was bred by Canine Companions for Independence and was supposed to become an assistance dog. He was part of that year's "H" litter and one of the prescribed names for boys in the "H" litter that year was Hyson. When my daughter told me about him, she sent me pictures and spelled the name with a double "ss." I've spelled it that way ever since. I liked his litter name and never felt the need to change it.

The breeder-caretaker of Hysson's mother was the secretary at the first veterinary practice my daughter worked for after graduating with her DVM. My daughter started work September 1 and called me about October 1 with "Mom, I have a puppy for you!" I drove down to Santa Rosa, CA the very next week and fell in love at first sight. Hysson had been rejected at puppy turn-in time because of an overbite (undershot lower jaw). Not a good thing in a dog that is supposed to pick up dropped items and telephones and bring them to the wheelchair-bound client. CCI's loss has been my gain!

2 month anniversary and still doing fine. I've noticed the last week that Hysson is definitely sleeping a lot more, but if I mention the word "dog biscuits" even in a whisper, he's alert and jumping up and down! Of course I check his lymph glands several times a day (under the guise of lots of scratching) and wake up and listen to his breathing in the middle of the night--nothing yet. In the meantime, he's getting more and more spoiled!

So good the hear he's do ok. Believe it or not I've wondered often.

Just popped into this thread for first time today. I've recognized you at several sites based on your picture. Lymphoma is such a drag, and it seems like I am hearing about it more and more.

We lost one of our hounds a couple years ago to Lymphoma, so I know what you are going through. We also chose not to treat, we actually didn't even do the prednisone (SP?).

We did pretty much what you are doing - allow the dog to enjoy what time is left. Trust me when I tell you, you will know when it is time. Our vet was ready for the call, and one morning we woke up and just knew.

Such a hard thing to deal with. I hate dogs for all the same reasons I love them. It just isn't fair that they can't stay with us for longer.

Truly sorry

Today Hysson hit the three-month anniversary of his lymphoma diagnosis. He's still in remission, far beyond the average time with prednisone )2 months). It's not likely to last much longer, but we continue to enjoy each day as a gift.

The prednisone does cause muscle deterioration and makes him more vulnerable to heat. He is definitely a lot weaker than he was three months ago. The heat was hard on Hysson last weekend, when conditions on the Washington coast were sunny and an amazing 80*F (what is so rare as a sunny warm day on the PNW coast?). My son's beach umbrella unfortunately picked Sunday to disintegrate, so we had no shade. Hysson lay in the lee of a log and panted except for occasional trips to the water's edge to cool off. The grandkids once more said a tearful goodbye when they left, and we took a bunch of pictures.

Just to confound everyone who thought Hysson was at death's door Sunday afternoon: Monday, the temperature was 20 degrees cooler and he bounced all over the beach!

Thank you for keeping those Hysson reports coming in. After so many years, many of us who've never met Hysson feel an attachment to him all the same.

After nearly 4 months of remission, the lymphoma came back over the long weekend. Hysson passed away peacefully in my arms this morning, after eating up most of the vet clinic's dog biscuits.

I've had an incredible gift for the past 10 1/2 years.

Hi, Mouse:

You have my sympathy on your loss. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Glenn

OM,

So sad, you know we're all with you. But 10 1/2 years with a friend like that is also worth celebrating. Take care. best, jcp

I'm so sorry for your loss.

OM, my thoughts are with you.

RIP Hysson. Here is to all the great memories you have of him and the great life he had.

I'm so glad you had a few months to get used to the idea and to enjoy him. Saying goodbye is never easy, but it helps a bit to know that's what you will be doing before it hits you out of the blue.

after eating up most of the vet clinic's dog biscuits.

I couldn't help but smile reading this. Rest in peace, Hysson.

Ember and I send condolences.

Hysson was a "Lucky dog" to have you as a friend OM. I hope your grief is short and your fond memories sharp and everlasting.

So sorry for your loss OM. You both were lucky to have each other.

Thank you all! Please give your dogs extra hugs for me!

Thanks, already have; several times. Our Rosie is a seven year old, purebred, Golden Retriever princess so we are facing the lymphoma issue as well. We love her dearly as we have other dogs that have gone to heaven over the years. They can never be replaced, just remembered. Rosie's AKC name is Krishna's Second Hand Rose. She doesn't know that name: she thinks her name is "damn-it Rosie".

My wife Kathi and I send you our deepest sympathy for your loss of Hyson. When you get to Heaven, I'm sure he will be the first one there to welcome you home.

My condolences for you loss. You will be in my thoughts.

Mary,
I am so very sorry to hear about Hysson. Bennie and I had wonderful adventures hiking with you both in years past. He was a wonderful dog and will be missed.

BF

Thanks, bigfoot! Please give Bennie a hug for me!

I've been asking all those who expressed sympathy to hug their pets for me, until someone on portlandhikers.org suggested a piranha! I suspect those are not huggable!

Sorry for your loss. I hiked for years with my two buddies, Hemingway and Penny, well-trained (by me) American pits who would fan out in front of me as we hiked. They were family, and the thought which made it easier for me to let them go at the end was if I got the best of times from them for so many years, then I have to go through their final hours. And I did. Still miss them greatly.

Sorry to hear this!