Peace At Last

Maddy was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in June. We made the decision to have her leg amputated to make whatever time she had left quality time for her.

She learned to run and play with three legs. She was her old self again, and we all grew much closer to her than we had ever been.

The past few weeks, she has been declining rapidly. She went the last two weeks without eating. She vomited and, today, had to be picked up and carried to go outside.

We stayed home from church today to spend some time with her. My wife and I talked about it and decided that the best way to spend the day was as a family -- with all of the family, including Maddy. She followed us into the living room today. We made her a comfortable place to lie by the back door and soak up the sun. We wrapped her in a blanket where she could lie in comfort in the middle of the room.

And at 3:15 pm Eastern Time, with my wife and my six-year-old son nearby, lying in my arms, Maddy won her battle with cancer. She is now free from pain and suffering. She now has a new body, with four legs again, free from cancer, and is running in green fields and swimming in ponds.

Many ask if pets go to Heaven. There are two sides to this issue, like any other. I believe that they do, for we are told that God does not forget animals (Luke 12:6). God loves animals, and if He loves them, how can He consider them disposable beings?

Yes, I believe we will see our Maddy again some day, when she comes bounding into our arms, just like she has done for the past 9-1/2 years.

We're going to miss you, Maddy, but we are happy for you that you have finally found relief.

The Time Draws Near

Maddy, our beloved Dalmatian of 9-1/2 years, who has been fighting cancer for the past 5-1/2 months, doesn't have much time left. She hasn't eaten a bite in probably 2 weeks. Her body is surviving only by consuming itself.

Moments ago, she drank some water while we all sat with her, loving her, encouraging her to just let go, just as we did with my mother when she was fighting her own cancer several years ago. A few minutes after Maddy finished drinking, she collapsed in her own vomit. I was sure it was going to be the end.

But how do you reason with a dog, even when she is a member of the family? And how do you decide for yourself whether to help her find relief or to expire on her own? Are we selfish if we let her live it out? Or are we selfish if we put her down?

I pray that God will take her soon -- and yes, I do believe that dogs go to Heaven -- where her pain and suffering will finally be over forever.

Tree Trimming

Usually trimming the tree and putting up the Christmas decorations is something my wife and kids do on Black Friday while I'm at work. This year, we're doing things a little different.

I think we all realize that our dog Maddy probably won't be with us for Christmas this year. While we didn't actually discuss it, it's like we wanted to start Christmas a little early this year so we can still share it with Maddy.

So, today we've been putting up Christmas trees and ornaments and decorating the house, one last time, with Maddy watching. And she actually kept changing rooms with us as we moved from one room of the house to another.

She lies beside me as I write this, resting through her labored breathing, as the kids trim the tree.

Merry Christmas, very early!

Another Night

Tonight as I prepare to go to sleep, I realize that Maddy is weaker even than last night. I can't help but wonder if she'll even try to follow me up to bed, like she has for 9-1/2 years.

She's lost all her energy, lots of weight, and even seems to have lost her spirit. It's hard to watch her slowly die.

She was our first kid, and our house will be empty when she's gone. And every night I wonder if she'll get another night.

Goodnight, Maddy. We love you!

The Real Phantom Menace

Our dog of nine years was diagnosed with cancer five months ago. You may have been following along with the story here. She has begun declining quite rapidly.

This morning we awoken to several spots of vomit around the house. She won't eat and has a sad, distant look in her eyes.

Several years ago I watched my mother battle cancer. Then my grandmother. And as a child, my grandfather. Cancer is like some kind of Phantom Menace, attacking in stealth and consuming everything in its path. It's hard to keep it in mind, sometimes, that those loved ones who lost to cancer actually won the battle of life and went on to reap their final reward.

Our dog will lose to cancer soon. Is there a place for her in Heaven? I want to think so. I can't imagine anything else for her.

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Making Difficult Decisions

It was almost five months ago that our dog, Maddy, was diagnosed with cancer and had surgery to have her leg amputated. Her condition has been declining steadily over the past few weeks. Today, I believe, we made the difficult decision to discontinue her cancer medicine.

It's hard to watch her suffer. She coughs almost all the time -- in fact, last night it seemed that she was up coughing non-stop the entire night. She's enjoyed five good months that she may not have had without the surgery, and we've become so much closer to her over those five months. Her time, I fear, is drawing near.

Your comments?

Joe

Maddy's Cancer Battle

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