My neighbor's Great Pyrenees/GoldenR mix has cancer.

[ScreamingMeemie]

:cry:

She just called to tell me. It is too far advanced and there is nothing to be done. :cry:

Alex was super scary on the day we moved in. Me with babe in arms...Alex, all 4 feet high at the shoulders of him Whoofing it up in true Pyr fashion at the fence. We soon realized he was a big push over baby. He adored my son as a toddler, and would patiently let him walk him around by holding onto his collar...endlessly. My husband was the only person he will put his paws up on the fence for...just so he can get a little closer, for a hug. Even Jessie, our Sheltie loves him, as long as he stays on his side of the fence. Some would be annoyed, and have been, by his incessant bark at every noise whenever he is out. I have always welcomed it as either a warning, a cheery hello, or even a happy tune. I'll always remember the year our neighbor put a bark collar on him. He looked so sad...we begged her to free him from it. There is nothing sweeter than seeing this big boy rolling around on his back on the first crisp day of fall. He has a lot of fur and summer becomes monotonous for furry babies. And always, always, those liquid retriever eyes looking into yours. He's the kind of HUGE dog who thinks it's okay to lay on his momma's feet as she works at her computer. He's the kind of dog you want your neighbors to own, because he becomes a little bit of yours...by nature of his personality. This is a dog who is well loved,and loves well...who is leaving a huge whole in my heart already.

To Alex, the best neighbor ever.

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. One sad little kick for a dog that deserves it.

:(

[tuvor]

2. That's sad, I'm sorry to hear that.

But it's good that you've got such happy memories.

Some of us, like me, forget to treasure the moments that matter.

Thanks for the reminder.

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. I forget a lot too...and took Alex for granted when he would whoof

at me most times...but I'll remember the times that we stood at the fence, looking into each other's eyes forever. That dog is better than a therapist at knowing people.

[qnr]

3. I'm not good at threads like this. I never know what to say :(

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. Awww, qnr. I just wanted to share him with you.

No need to say anything...he's just an incredibly awesome, one in a million, beautiful animal that I felt needed to be toasted. :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. Awww...Poor poochie.

:cry:

[ScreamingMeemie]

9. He is a big, sweet baby. You wouldn't know it to look at him...but

just a bunch of fluffy pushover. :(

[GoddessOfGuinness]

17. A lot of times the big dogs are...

Alex sounds like a sweetie...

[MissB]

7. If you have any pictures

of him and your son, you might consider writing some of your post down and giving it (along with the photo) to your neighbors sometime in the future.

:hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

10. I'll have to look for them. My son used to take his naps on him when

I worked for my neighbor in her home office. Sweet memories. Thanks for the idea missb. :hug:

[merh]

8. ((((( hugs ))))))

:-( :hug: :hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

13. Thanks merh.

:hug: I'll try to find a picture of him. He looks like a Giant Golden Retriever.

[salin]

11. *sniff*

so sad when a great pet-friend/part of the family (even by exetension of neighbor) grows ill. We had only a few weeks between diagnoses and loss - spent every minute that was had in that period intentionally being 'present' and mutually enjoying the company. When you can, your family should go visit Alex and just "be" in his company; it will be good for you, the dog, and give comfort to his direct family.

[ScreamingMeemie]

14. I stood at the fence with him for a long time this evening. He loves

to just lean on people. I'm gonna miss that. I felt honored, in a weird way, that his Momma called me from the vets and asked me to meet them at the house...but my heart is breaking right now. :(

[salin]

15. our Hope's last day came very quickly

I had an hour and a half drive - from the time I heard that her breathing was very labored. When I left I was thinking, this may be the night we have to put her down... and while it would be hard that I would want to be there - if it was time. Early in the drive by phone I was told how serious it was - and now it was down to minutes... would I get there in time (and I didn't, she drew her last breath as she heard the front door open {me} and died in the seconds five seconds or so it took me to run down the front hall to her.) We were given warning that she was ill with cancer, but were told she had several months... not several weeks. Point being - make those minutes happen of togetherness, and savor them. Btw, on my nightmare drive home (where I was behind every slow truck and traffic hazzard imaginable), the only thing that kept me sane was a phone call with NSMA who kept me calm and focused while I drove. :-(

We now have a new pup (didn't plan on getting one so soon), who was very critically ill when we first got him - and remained sick for several months - who is now a very small golden(from smaller stock... males at 65 lbs instead of 80 lbs... who seems to have had his growth slightly stunted by his early illnesses... which just potentially means we get the 'cute puppy' look for a long time), and he has recovered and gives us great joy - even if he takes a ton of energy.

I think that our experience at the end of life with our one lovely companion, gave us some wisdom, faith and love to take the risk (way earlier than we had expected) with a rather sickly youngster. A sort of canine cosmic way of keeping the circle going.

[bigwillq]

12. That's sad.

:(

[Wcross]

16. Thanks MrsGrumpy.

You really can bring a tear to my eye. Give him a big hug before he goes to let him know many people loved him, not just his household humans.

[Straight Shooter]

18. I know how it feels.

Helpless. Devastated. A huge ugly claw rips into your world and tears away your best friend.

:hug:

[progmom]

19. I am so terribly sorry.

Losing a pet who is important in your life is devastating. My heart goes out to you and your neighbors. :hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

20. ***Thank you everyone. She just called me this morning again...

and asked me again to go with her when he gets put down. Part of me wants to take out the loan, give her money to try and save his life...but the prognosis just isn't very good. I'm going to go sit with him for awhile today and get some pictures of him with my son like missb suggested. I'm just a crazy, dog obsessed fool...:cry:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

22. Awwww...what a heartbreaker

I'm sorry this is happening. It's hard to let go of our furry friends and I rue the day I will have to say goodbye to my boy. Dogs are such wonderful beings.

:hug:

[auntAgonist]

21. an angel to watch over him.

They are gorgeous dogs. I'm so sorry he's going through this. :hug: