This is Nechung. She was 12 years old on the 6th of this month, 10 days before me, though I won't be 12.She is the mother of Micah and grandmother of Shameless and great grandmother to Carly, Bridget and James.
I have sensed that something is not right with her so I took her to the vet. My fears were confirmed. She has cancer. She has two tumours in her breasts and possibly one on her shoulder and possibly higher up inside her ribcage. Surgery could remove the small ones in her breasts. I have elected not to operate. I think it is far kinder to leave her be and judge the right time to let her go. She is fine now. She still gets excited about food time. She doesn't cry or yelp when touched. She is happy within herself. I am sure it will become obvious when she is no longer fine.
Nechung is John's favourite. She sleeps on the bed every night though that is becoming a problem because she isn't so good at getting down the stairs and whilst I carry her, it is dangerous for me as I can't manage the stairs that well either, especially when I have first woken. I can't bring myself to leave her downstairs though. John doesn't know this news yet.
Nechung came to me from France, 6 years ago, to introduce fresh genes into the Lhasa Apso population here. Her children were bred with the children of our other import form Denmark and all those genes are in Bridget and Carly and James.
10 comments:
Colin-
My condolences on this sad news. Hopefully Nechung still has many good days ahead of her. May y'all enjoy each other as much as possible.
Sabine
Colin, I am so sorry she's ill. It's hard to watch a loved one fade, no matter the species. Never doubt your decision not to operate is the correct one; surgery can be so very much harder on the elderly than simply allowing a disease to run it's course, especially when you can give them that final gift of a dignified exit from this life.
Oh, I am so sorry for you. Can John carry her upstairs for you?
Oh, Colin, I'm sorry. I believe you've made the right decision. There is no point in making her suffer through surgery. It is far kinder to keep her comfortable as long as possible and when she is no longer comfortable, to help her leave without suffering. My thoughts are with you.
I'm sorry--glad I met the grande dame. I deeply respect your decision to forgo surgery. She will be happy until the disease becomes too much--then she will let you know.
That is sad news. My Lila got similar news at 14, and lasted a few months. Then one morning she didn't want breakfast and didn't bark at the mailman, so we knew that her time had come. She was an old lady when we got her, but she had happy final years. I think that keeping animals (and people) alive artificially beyond their time is cruel. It is very difficult, but you are doing the best thing.
So sorry to hear this Colin but from your posts it sounds like she has had a lovely life and will be allowed to depart surrounded by love and with dignity.
Do you have space for a stair lift? Sounds like it cold help both of you.
I am so very sorry to hear about Nechung. I hope she's able to live pain free for a good long while. I think you've made the right choice in regards to the surgery. No sense in putting her through that if she's not in pain.
Hi Colin,
I am sorry to hear this but you still can make her end days beautiful. I made the same decision with my dear 11 year old choc. lab. He actually lived pretty happily for approximately 6 months after the diagnosis came. This past May we knew it was time to let him go. His suffering became horrible...Blessings to you both and as many loving days as possible! Lisa
You are being very wise and loving. I am so sorry for this awful news!
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