"Hi There Dear Heart, I just read your post and it broke my heart. I'm experiencing the same feelings as you over the loss of my golden Bear. I too feel as though I let him down. I know it sounds crazy because we both know that ultimately death is inevitable and we can't stop the hands of time - but still we sit and question ourselves. I know that I carry a sense of guilt because although I know that euthanizing him was the humane thing to do I question whether or not his soul forgives me for it., I was the only one he fully trusted. The way he looked at me during his very last moments will be with me forever, his look of being terrified over what was happening to him, all I could do was lay there with him and tell him he's such a good good boy and how much I love him, and cried my eyes out. I too wish I had spent more time with him - although I was home during the day with him - I think about how I never took him on family vacations or to the beach etc etc.... and I think to myself I wish he could have enjoyed those things. One of his favorite things was to go for a ride in the car - we didn't even have to even be going anywhere special - I wish I had done more with him.
I wish I could make these terrible feelings go away and I question friends and family only to hear that "I did the right thing" , but somehow it just doesn't suffice. I'm sure we aren't the only ones who carry around these feelings- these feelings are probably natural. "

"I Just got back from the vet with my almost 8-year old golden and am devastated----she has a large mass on her spleen and ulcerations on her liver---her liver is also enlarged. I'm going to see a specialist tomorrow but would love advice from anyone who has gone through this horrible situation before-----is it worth having her spleen removed and/or chemo??? I just don't want what days she has left to be full of pain and suffering if it only buys her a couple of months----please help me---I would love to hear any (hopefully!) good stories of recovery out there----I have been reading this website and getting even more depressed----I just want to help my friend and don't know what to do...........thanks....."

"I have a 8 year old yellow lab that was diagnosed with a ruptured spleen and he had emergency surgery last night. We had to do it because he was actively bleeding into his abdominal cavity. After surgery the vet told us she evacuated 3 liters of blood out of his abdomen. She also said there was a tumor present on the spleen but could not see any other visible tumors on the other organs. I am completely devastated. My dog has never been sick. He is a vivacious creature. He may be 8, but he has the spirit of a puppy. I called the vet this morning and they said he is improving minute by minute. My husband and I had the surgery done because there is a chance that it may be a benign tumor. If the tumor is malignant we decided against chemotherapy. I feel your pain. I have not stopped crying since this occured. I am having a hard time writing this because I am blinded by my tears. I wish you all the luck and my prayers go out to you. I will keep you posted. We have to wait a week for the pathology results."

"We just came back from visiting Maui and he looked much better than yesterday. He did have to recieve a unit of blood. He is still weak but he was walking outside with us a little bit. He tried to walk towards our car. I think he wants to go home. The one vet that originally saw Maui thought he was not going to make it through surgery. She was pleasantly surprised. My hopes are high but we are not out of the woods yet. Thanks for your response. It meant alot to me and my husband. It blows my mind that so many dogs have gone through this. I will keep you posted. Thanks again."