Can you believe this?
I just got back from the vet in the big town about 50 miles away, thanks very much to those who contributed to make that financially possible.
And the news is that Torso Boy has cancer, and not a slow subtle kind. There’s a treatment, actually a fairly effective treatment but it costs on the order of $400 a pop every 3 weeks for possibly as many as eleven pops which buys a mean life extension of about a year – remission typically lasts between six months and 2.5 years but really about a year*.
There’s another more temporary treatment that consists of filling him with Prednisone which eases the symptoms long enough for you to get used to the idea of euthanasia, which apparently is going to happen at some point anyway unless you just like watching a pet slowly choke to death.
It’s like some kind of a curse, where I don’t get to own a ten-year-old dog. Anyway, I’m going to have a drink. Then I plan to spend tomorrow reading up on my options.
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*according to what the vet said, of course. I know nothing.
Oh no!
Treatment is likely futile and extremely expensive.
Poor lad 🙁
So sorry to hear of this, Joel. Especially seeing how the little fella has been feeling really good lately about living with you and having a mission (herding pesky intruders) in life.
Wishing you and Torso Boy peace and comfort.
A few years ago, I helped a friend get those treatments for two of her dogs, and both got about two more good years of life as a result. Will be glad to hit the tip jar again if you choose to go that route.
Look into Turmeric added to the diet, quite a bit of evidence it does slow down and mitigate the growth of the sarcomas. Anyway, sorry to hear about this, we’ve had a corgi or two also, the little turds grow on you.
I’ve been through five so far, including a neice’s dog who came to us for retirement. It does not get easier. God bless. I had a corgi and another that looked a lot like little-bear. I enjoy reading you blog a lot. Hopefully my current little guy (size is inverse proportional to life-span it seems) will be with us a long time as we got him from the pound at a youthful age.
Very sorry, & sad, to hear this, Joel.
Give TB a scritch behind the ears for us…
There are no good words, so I’ll just send you and TB hugs.
Damn. This is sad news.
You have given him a wonderful second chance in his life wih you. Too many dogs get a raw deal when their owner dies. Although it was hard to train you, you have given him a life he loves. I am betting that if he knew the deal, he would not change a thing. Am sending hugs and prayers and stuff like that.
I thank God you came into his life and he into yours!
Hang onto him until it is time to let him go, then stop his suffering .
My prayers for your peace and his.
Oh crap. Well at least TB had a good run and when his time comes you will let him exit with compassion.