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Yesterday, Bear and I had to put our beloved Rottweiler, Mauka, to sleep due to bone cancer. Needless to say, we are disconsolate, as is his littermate Makai. We "inherited" these two as adults, so had not researched the breed for health issues. (The reputation of the breed for being vicious is exaggerated IMHO, and these two have always been sweethearts.)
When Mauka became ill, I got on line and did a lot of research. Bone cancer is very prevalent in this breed, affecting up to 20% in one study. Neutered males seem to be the highest risk category. Anyone with a Rottie should be alert for unexplained lameness and/or lumps on the bones of the legs and hips. The disease is treatable under some circumstances, but since Mauka's tumor was on the hip, it was untreatable.
Not so cheerful today,
Jerry
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"Heaven.... All the dogs that ever loved you will be waiting at the gate." - Lynn Kessinger
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My condolences. We just lost our neighbor's Golden Retriever yesterday. Woody was loved by all.
Aloha
"You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us." ~Robert Louis Stevenson
“Sometimes the truth hurts. And sometimes it feels real good.”
- Henry Rollins
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Jerry, I am sorry for your loss, and wish you the best. We recently had to put down our 13 year old yellow lab, cancer, one of the best dogs I have ever known. She was a hunting partner, protector, and friend.
Scott
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I hate to see a beloved pet "go". It always hits me harder than I think it will. When I left Puerto Vallarta to come home I had to put down seven cats! Yes, I couldn't turn my back on stray cats in Mexico, or dogs for that matter. So everytime I came across what I thought was helpless animals, I'd take them home to my place. But when work finished all of the sudden. I was left with little time to find good homes for God's beautiful creatures. In my youth, I might have set them free. Older and a bit wiser I figured they were way better off euthanized than set free in Puerto Vallarta. So the proccess really hurt & pissed me off. The Mexican Vet trying to save on his meds with my cats drove me crazy. I told him if another cat required more than one shot again, and went through much agony. I'd step on his 'nut sacks' rather hard to imitate the exact agonizing pain he put on those cats because he was manini with his meds. I haven't had a pet since. But that is set to change rather soon. I need one, possibly two if I can afford? My two boys want pets, they shouldn't be denied. Plus it's a good way to teach responsibility to kids
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Jerry - so sorry for your loss. I think how you treat your animals is reflected in their nature...sounds like your rotties are sweeties.
Carrie
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Beachboy,
We must be inhabitating parallel universes. Here, in La Cruz, I have adopted a crippled dog who came to live with us after my Rottweiler 'married' her a couple of months ago. He is a rescued dog, too. I've spent quite a bit on vet bills. Although I didn't intend to, I will be bringing her home with me because I know if I leave her here, she will go downhill again. It's been quite a drama. She's being treated for heartworm now and just gave birth to one puppy who resembled our Rott, but was born dead--probably the medication did it. Too bad.
Poor thing was not cared for after being hit by a car and healed with her leg out to one side. She was owned by our neighbors, who are really nice people. Since we have given her so much attention, they have taken a renewed interest in her. I have been given permission to take her to the US by Ophelia.
I thought I was going to have to put her down because my vet here thought the puppy was an enlarged liver or tumor. As the World Turns.
Thank God I didn't have to make that decision. She has muchas problemas. How I am ever going to be able to go to HI with all these dogs, I have no idea.
Jerry, my heart goes out to you--losing a good friend is so hard.
Most Rotts are sweethearts, but extremely protective of those they love. The first Rott I knew was my neighbor's, long ago. While they lived there, the meter reader never qwas able to get out of his truck.
april
april
