Friday, January 23, 2009

When Life Throws You a Curveball

"For Christssakes, it's just a dog". Indeed, we are a young, childless as of yet, married couple, and those who know us well, know very well how our dogs are our family. They are the most faithful and loving of companions that make coming home from work, entering through the front door and being met by a circus of a greeting, the absolute highlight of our day.

There is something utterly disturbing and hopeless about watching a loved one who is young and high on life (canine, in this case) die a long, drawn-out death. A million thoughts swirl in our heads. What the...? How? And -- let me indulge in self-pity for a bit -- Why us? To quote a few of my faves,

Mom: "how on earth did he contract this rare disease!"
Vet: "Luck of the draw."
Vet-oncologist: "Cancer does what it wants to do."

I am documenting our journey so as to a) keep him alive in my heart and mind for years to come, remembering who he is and not what he has, b) help me accept and heal, no matter how slowly, c) keep Brian's human friends posted on his developments, d) potentially help other dog-owners who may, unfortunately, tread the same path, and e) keep this medical journal for tracking our baby's fight against this horrid disease. To quote my vet, "many cancers are treatable", but treatment options, in Brian's case, is "palliative", that is, for merely easing pain as we face what is imminent.

Dog-lovers and friends of Brian, keep sending him positive vibes.

No comments:

Post a Comment