Hi Kez, sorry to hear the news.

My previous border collie had a rare cancer last year. It was quite hard (I hadn't found Dogweb back then), so I can appreciate what you are going through.

She was diagnosed in late May, and the vet thought she would last about a month. However, she put up a good fight, and with chemotherapy (which didn't work) and steroids (which slowed down the progression), she managed good quality of life until late October.

I had a bit of time to prepare for the inevitable, but you just know when is the right time to let go - it probably comes from the strong bond between the two of you.

You could ask about chemotherapy - although, be prepared to travel to a specialist veterinary centre, and some treatments may not be as expensive as you might imagine (some are though) - pet insurance was really handy.

Thanks for your reply, sorry to hear about your collie, how old was she when you had to say goodbye? obviously i want to keep her for as long as i can but as soon as i think she is not happy then i know what i have to do. At the moment she is still trotting around the house after me hoping for another titbit and being very cheeky as usual, scratching at the dogfood cupboard for treats! I will ask as many questions as i can on Thursday and we do have pet insurance.

Glad you liked my dogs website Kez

I'm not sure if my little Yorkie would have appreciated these two big dogs...lol...although one thing would have been for sure, she would have kept them in order, I know that!! My Yorkie only weighed about 4lbs...lol...86 lbs lighter than Takoda...But her spirit more than made up for her tiny size!

Glad it seems to be going well with keeping the sore clean and so that it's not bothering her, it's great she's got someone taking such good care of her

How does she get on with your Staffie that I see you have??

Heidi is about 3lbs, and more than makes up for her size in character.
We got Bruce our Staffie when Heidi was 7, my husband had always wanted one (more of a mans dog) and some freinds of ours had mated their two Staffies round the corner from us.
We went to have a look at them and of course fell in love and picked out the darkest one at 3 weeks old.
I had already said that if he didnt get on with my heidi he would have to go back, but right from day one he was very gentle with her and if he got too rough as a puppy she would put him in his place!
They live together quite happily and do their own thing really.
you can't give attention to one without the other though, they are like spoilt children and Bruce will sometimes try and nudge heidi off my lap so he can get on, he doesnt seem to realise how big and heavy he is!
people do seem to find it amusing when i walk them both together, you can see them looking from one to the other,and someone once asked me if they lived in the same house!
Staffies are known not to get along too well with other dogs but Bruce has a fantastic temperament and im sure its done him the world of good being brought up with another dog.
they are quite a combination that amuses people everywhere we go with them!

Well they both sound like great dogs You'll have to try your hand at posting a pic or two in the photo's section cuz I know everyone would love to see them both. I know I would.

Your Staffie is also another good reason to stick around as they are very very popular here on DW! as you will find out!

She was somewhere in the region of 13½/14½ (not too sure as she was a rescue). Sounds like yours still has lots of quality of life.

My dog was referred to: http://www.vetspecialists.co.uk/ {they will only take referrals}

So sorry to hear your sad news,my thoughts are with you.

Hello kez,welcome to dog web wish it was happier times for you, but at least you can be sure , of being in the company of people who understand how your feeling, i myself had a yorkie years ago , i loved her to bits, so i know what great dogs they are ,but what am i saying all doom and gloom hopefully when she next visits the vet he'll have better news for you, its amazing what can be done now,good luck and please let us know

Hi there bash,
Thanks for your reply, i can't believe how much support i've had from total strangers on here it's wonderful.
Heidi is looking very well, I just bathed and dressed her ulcer which is looking better and she doesn't seem to mind me doing it or walking around with an old stocking of mine round her middle! but it's holding the dressing in place and keeping it nice and clean.
I just found her IN the dogfood cupboard in the kitchen looking for treats! still as cheeky as ever!

Hello Kez,sorry to hear of you sad news.It is totally understandable that you are an emotional wreck at the moment, so would we all be.She sounds as though she has had a fabulous time so far with you, surrounded with love and fun.Thinking of you.