someine to care for our boy Bear

[Jlemon]

I'm sure a lot of you have seen my post about Bear and his diagnosis of Wobblers. Tonight my wife and I talked and came to the very hard decision that we are not capable of giving Bear the care he needs. We are now reaching out to the Mastiff community for someone to take over Bear for us. This is neither a quick or easy decision for us to make as Bear means so much to us and our kids. If someone were to take him we would prefer him to be the only dog in the family. He gets a long great with other dogs and kids but we would just prefer it that way. We would also like to see him from time to time if possible. He is currently on Phycox and Neuroplex. He does get around fine on the carpeting but cannot do hardwood or linoleum. Our vet said he has a good year left in him and maybe more. He tires easily outside and sometimes needs help getting back up the stairs. He is the definitive of Gentle Giant. I cannot watch my wife cry anymore when she sees him crying because he cannot get up or falls trying to play like a 10 month old Mastiff wants too. If no one can help its perfectly understandable as it will be a difficult road for Bear. If that is the case then we willl continue to care and love him until he gives up.

---------- Post added at 09:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:36 PM ----------

Many pictures of Bear here
http://m.facebook.com/home.php?refs...54960389887.381158.745269886&__user=745269886

 

[Jlemon]

Many pictures of Bear here
http://m.facebook.com/home.php?refs...54960389887.381158.745269886&__user=745269886

---------- Post added at 09:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:52 PM ----------

Many pictures of Bear here
http://m.facebook.com/home.php?refs...54960389887.381158.745269886&__user=745269886

 

[Jlemon]

Many pictures of Bear here
http://m.facebook.com/home.php?refs...54960389887.381158.745269886&__user=745269886

 

[musicdeb]

I'm sure that was a very difficult decision for the both of you. I'm so sorry that you had to make the decision. I hope you find a loving and caring home to give Bear lots of love. Please keep us posted.

 

[stephanieb]

being in Canada I can't help, but did want you to know that my thougths are with you and I hope you find someone close to you that can help out with your baby.

 

[raechiemay]

Ohhh I'm so sorry you guys had to come to that decision. It sounds like it was a very difficult one at that. I unfortunately cannot help being in Texas, but I wanted to send my thoughts & prayers over to you guys. I'm sure Bear is a very special dog & will forever be in your hearts if you guys do find him a new place. I'm tearing up just reading your post & typing mine. I wish you all the best & please do keep us updated.

 

[Jadotha]

I've been trying to stay out of this one, as I do believe everyone has their own threshold for what they can and can't cope with, and I am sure you have agonised over your decision. But this is haunting me.Did you have an MRI/myelogram done to confirm the wobbler's diagnosis? If so, I know spinal surgery is very expensive (we have had to have it done with two of our dogs to correct bulging discs and spinal misalignment, and spent over $5,000 dollars for emergency surgery for bloat -- (which we really couldn't afford, but found a way). I have two friends with Great Danes with wobblers agree to the surgery with excellent long term results. So now, you can't afford the life-saving surgery for your baby because of upcoming wedding expenses, AND you can't endure keeping him at home where (he thinks) he's loved until the end (?).

My last dog struggled with incurable Degenerative Myelopathy for over 2 1/2 years -- becoming incontinent and progressively weaker in his hind limbs until we had to support him in getting up and walking, care for pressure sores, and find games he was capable of playing. At the end, his care was taking us around 4 hours per day. But he was with the family he loved and he was happy. I cannot imagine sending him away.

Perhaps if you turn him over to a rescue, they could find someone willing to spend money on surgery so he has more than another year in him. In the meantime, you might invest in a 'Help em up' harness, which is a huge asset in helping dogs stand up, go up and down stairs and stabilise them when they walk.

 

[northernmastiff]

Have you gone to your breeder about Bear? I am not sure of his background but it may be covered under his health guarantee to recoup some of the costs spent in purchasing him and that could go a long way to the surgery. I wish I could help you but I am in Canada. That being said, you could set up a fundraiser campaign so that you are able to afford the costs of his surgery and everything.

 

[kona]

I agree with Jadotha - It is haunting me too - and am really beside myself that because Bear has a medical problem you are ready to let him go. He is supposed to be a part of your family and is depending on you. I have had my share of expenses with my animals - one being paralyzed and treatment that has gone with it - two times in two years- and it is not over yet - if it happens again there will be surgery involved and I am still not through paying for last years treatment. You can only imagine a female taking an 80 lb paralyzed (dead weight) dog outside to try to help him use the bathroom and then get him back in. I was out of work for over 9 months but didn't even think about not getting him what he needed. I have never thought about how tough it was seeing him going through it - just what could I do to make him better. He is my responsibility and I love him and couldn't imagine not taking care of him - to the end. I hope you will give this more thought - you may have already and decided you couldn't let him go and will love him and take care of his needs. Unfortunately, I am sure Bear has gotten all the "vibes" but he loves you unconditionally - no matter what. I do wish you all the best in finding him someone to love and take care of him if that is what you finally decide to do.

 

[musicdeb]

Have you tried to find a vet school? They usually free or low cost vet care.

 

[Jlemon]

Thinks he's loved? All the vibes? Perhaps you should spend a few days in our house with us to see the love he gets. Or maybe work 12 hours a day on 3rd shift with 2 kids.

 

[dpenning]

I cannot watch my wife cry anymore when she sees him crying because he cannot get up or falls trying to play like a 10 month old Mastiff wants too.

This is a horrible position to be in and I know he is a young dog so I may very well get blackballed for even saying this but perhaps it is his time? What you describe does not sound like a good year, it sounds awful. I haven't done any research on wobblers so I don't have any idea of his quality of life but I know I have held on to dogs too long in the past for me not them. I'm sorry you are having to go through this.

 

[Jadotha]

@jlemon, I am terribly sorry I have offended/hurt you, and I am sure you are giving Bear the best care you are able to. My only issue is my feelings about your willingness to give him up, and pass him along to strangers. No, I didn't work 3rd shift 12 hours a day with 2 kids when I was caring for Dylan (for 2 1/2 yrs), but I did/do work up to 16 hours a day in my consultancy, and I'm on call 24/7. Our daughter who was living with us was pregnant -- which turned into a high risk situation, and my best friend was dying of cancer. Through it all, it never occurred to us to give Dylan up -- we felt we had made a life-time commitment to him when we brought him home. I recognise these are my feelings and values, not yours. So God bless and good luck

 

[Sherri]

This is a horrible position to be in and I know he is a young dog so I may very well get blackballed for even saying this but perhaps it is his time? What you describe does not sound like a good year, it sounds awful. I haven't done any research on wobblers so I don't have any idea of his quality of life but I know I have held on to dogs too long in the past for me not them. I'm sorry you are having to go through this.

I'm so sorry about Bear. It just makes my heart ache! I also do not know much about this disease. However, if Bear is in a lot of pain and he is having a hard time getting around and his quality of life won't be good, then I agree with Dpenning. I'm not saying it wouldn't be hard.....I'm tearing up just thinking about Bear. But I would NEVER want my dog to suffer. Hugs for you and Bear!

 

[Jadotha]

Sherri,
Usually in wobblers, as with degenerative myelopathy, there is no pain, just increasing weakness/incoordination

 

[stephanieb]

I am going to play devils advocate here. I can see JLemons point and truly don't know what I would do in his position. I do know that as his wife if I had to watch my puppy deteriorate and knew there was no "cure" I too would be crying daily. From what I understand while surgery is an option it is NOT a cure and life span remains limited. This is a couple that loves their puppy and wants what is best for it, and they know that at this point they are not it. They are reaching out for help from this community and we are questioning them for their decision? They ARE trying to do what they feel is right from what I can tell and it is a heartbreaking decision. Jadotha you are an amazing person for doing what you have and I admire you for it, but like DPenning, I am guilty of holding on to animals for too long for my sake, not theirs and will always regret that. Take a minute and recognize that we are not all the same, we do not all have the same resources, or life experience. What all have is a love of a breed that has the potential huge health issues and I hope bond together not to cast judgement but to provide advice and support and information that benefits others. My appologies all, but that is my rant for the evening.

JLemon, know that for all the varing viewpoints, I don't think anyone doubts your love of Bear and only wishes you the best in what has to be an incredibly difficult situation. Just some of us deal with things in different ways. Keep us posted please.

 

[ruby55]

Jlemon: I sent you a response but you haven't responded. I have a few contacts left in Michigan; can I get your permission to tell Bear's story? These folks are dog lovers; most of them have mastiff type dogs. Perhaps one of them can open their home & heart to you, your wife, & Bear. Believe me; I understand you want what's best for your buddy. If he's with someone else who can be there for him, your offer to let him go is heroic, in my mind.

 

[dujac]

I am terribly sorry…

people like you are keeping others from coming forward for help with their dogs when they need it

 

[Jadotha]

@ dujuc
1. I don't know what you mean by 'people like me' since you don't even know me, for starters
2. If you actually go back and read all of my posts in various threads, I think you will find that 95% were offering (sometimes extensive) help in response to requests for help on all kinds of issues.

My first comment to jlemon was that I believe people have their own thresholds as to what they can and can't cope with. My final comment was that I recognised my issues with rehoming in this case were due to my own feelings and values, and I ended with 'God Bless you'.

If you have supportive and empathetic comments or suggestions to offer jlemon, why don't you do so, rather than trying to start something with me ?

 

[dujac]

1. I don't know what you mean by 'people like me' since you don't even know me, for starters
2. If you actually go back and read all of my posts in various threads, I think you will find that 95% were offering (sometimes extensive) help in response to requests for help on all kinds of issues.

no, you're very judgemental and negative