White Shepherd mom

I am so sorry for your loss KOE. What an awful way to see in the new year. Rest in Peace Oliver, until you meet again.

I am so sorry for your loss kajtek. They leave such a big hole when they leave us. Big hugs to you and your OH.

I am so sorry you are faced with this Sammyelle. Ice is a beautiful dog and way too young for you to be saying goodbye. Enjoy her while she's still with you and don't grieve for her while she is still here, if possible. Enjoy EVERY minute you have left and then cry all you need to afterwards. Big hugs to you and your gorgeous girl.

Anne my heart breaks for you. That's a lot of surgeries and I know the guilt you feel leaving them at the vet. Casper had his spleen removed when his vet felt a lump during a routine check-up. It grew quickly (it was checked over 2 weeks) so the vet suggested removal. Admitedly Casper was only 9 at the time. He's had other surgeries for other lumps since, the last one was a month ago for anal lumps and he always recoves well...as they do! Bella had a few surgeries for her haemangiosarcoma. She also had chemo which did make her very sick (after the second treatment) and she passed away soon after. All I'm saying is, there is no right answer. Whatever you do, you will feel guilty one way or the other. It's just testament to your love for Boof. Good luck to you both.

I was patting Casper's chest last night and felt the tell-tale rice-shaped lump. I needed a torch and tweezers to pull it out, there was only the minutest little bit still sticking out. It's a good feeling when the whole thing comes out though! This is the first time he got one whereas Bella used to get them all the time. I think a couple of them made it all the way in with her

It is especially crappy losing them at this time of year, family Christmas is just not the same without them there. I am so very sorry for your loss of your beautiful girl but it sure sounds like she had a full life full of love.

It's never nice being faced with these decisions. We want to hold on to our pets as long as possible. Personally, I would want to exhaust all other avenues before choosing the final one. If you do decide to go through with the surgery, I HIGHLY recommend you get him a harness. I have recently purchased a "Help em up" harness for my 33kg boy as he struggles to walk at times and my back was killing me trying to support his weight. With the harness, I can help support him with two handles on his back. It's a big help and it even makes going up stairs or getting him into the car easier. Good luck to you whatever you decide.

He lived like every dog should, loved and taken care of. I am sorry for your loss of Poncho keetamouse. You gave him a good life. My sympathies to Mjosa too, for your loss of Finnigan. May the two new angels cross the Bridge together and become friends.

Your patience has paid off! I wish you years of peaceful, uneventful walks...just the way it should be.

Casper had something similar looking by his jaw. The vet said it was nothing to worry about and considering his age it was not worth putting him under anaesthetic to remove it. He then found three tumours on his bottom which he said had to come out so the lump on his face was removed at the same time. By the time of the surgery, the lump was so big I thought it would burst at any minute. He certainly does look more handsome without it :)

Thank you Mim. Have you tried the pre-packaged BARF? How does the fresh one compare?

A colleague has just sent me this link: The Pet Chef Has anyone used this company and can share some feedback? Thanks.

Where does the year go? It feels like yesterday and a long time ago all at once. It doesn't make missing them any easier. Big hugs RV, he'll always be your special boy.

WSM, Spoke to surgeon and oncologist and they have advised me that there is no need for Glucosamine as her bones and joints are very good. They checked all her joints that would be bearing the extra weight before offering amputation as a option. Also the chemo will apparently help joint and bone strength anyway. Dave, I was thinking more long term, like when those pesky problems like artritis start to sneak in...especially as your girl will hopefully be around for a very long time! Great to hear that her joints are strong though. Sounds like she's bouncing back very quickly. I reckon once her fur grows back, people won't even notice her missing leg easily. I hope her chemo continues to go well and she doesn't continue to get nauseous. Thank you for the updates.

Oh wow, that was one busy doggy! She led such a full, happy, loved life. What more can a dog ask for? She had such a big smile and it's all because of you Grumpette. Thank you for sharing Baylee's life with us. I am so sorry you have lost her though, she will have left a huge hole in your life, but I'm sure she is still smiling as she looks in on you.

I am so sorry you lost Zuess, he was a fighter who held on as long as he could, spurred onwards by a family who loved him. hugs to you and your boys as you deal with the empty space Zuess has left behind. Until you meet again,

I am very sorry for your loss Ams. Rest in Peace Askari, keep an eye on those who love you and are missing you.

Once upon a time I might have corrected (without going over the top about it) but now that Casper is an elderly dog with mobility problems I figure he's within his right to tell in-your-face dogs and puppies off. He is always on a leash and he WILL nip anything that comes that close. I would be annoyed if a trainer corrected my dog. He is there to train the owner to train the dog, he should not be correcting the dog. If he was not happy in your situation, he should have spoken to you.

Wow, Hunter made it to a good old age. I am so sorry for the loss of your boy, it is such a heart-breaking decision to make, I dread the day I have to make it. Big hugs to you. Rest in Peace, Hunter. Look out for your family who miss you.

I am sorry you lost Opal tarope. It's heartbreaking no matter how they leave us. You were both lucky to have found each other all those years ago. Sending you big hugs.

Rest in Peace little Pye. I am so glad that you got to experience love, warmth and compassion in your short life and that you are missed by those who protected you and loved you. I'm sorry for your, and your children's loss kirty and thank you for being the person you are.

Thanks CC and raffikki. I will take a drive with OH and check out both these beaches before taking Casper. Leighton sounds like a nice beach and shouldn't take us long to get there. I appreciate the suggestions.

Perthites, I need some help please. I'm looking for a dog beach that is north of Cottesloe and south of Hillarys and that has short/easy access from the beach to the carpark. I want to take Casper to the beach when it's too hot for our normal walk but he is not very mobile now and cannot handle a long walk or lots of steps. Any suggestions?

The canine spirit is an amazing thing. We could certainly learn a thing or two from our dogs. She's a gorgeous girl! Out of curiosity Dave, did the vet recommend that you put your girl on any joint supplements like Glucosamine and Fish Oil? I would expect that her remaining rear leg will take strain, especially when she gets older, carrying all her weight at the back.

My next car is going to be an X-trail. My current pooch-mobile is a 14 year old Nissan Pulsar hatch and it hasn't given me a day's trouble so I'm really keen to stick with Nissan. I also like the size of the X-trail as it's not too big (unlike the Pajero and Prado, etc). The Pulsar is likely to outlast my dog unfortunately so the X-trail will be dogless for a while.