Hi all. I got home from work on Thursday to find that Archie, my Aussie/Doberman mix was very lethargic and wouldn't eat his cookies. First thing Friday I called my vet and they saw him right away. The ran a bunch of tests - poor thing had a belly full of fluid - he had gained 5 lbs since his last visit 3 or so weeks ago and he weighs 50 at most. This came on suddenly. So he has a mass on his spleen that was causing internal bleeding. He will have surgery tomorrow, Monday, to remove the mass and have a biopsy done. The good news is that removing the spleen will solve the bleeding problem; the bad news is there's a 60% chance it's hemangiosarcoma, a particularly aggressive form of cancer. If the biopsy shows it's cancer, the vet said he has 6 weeks at the most. But there's a 40% chance it's a benign mass and he'll be fine without his spleen. I have been in a tizzy since Friday when I got the news. I'm trying to be hopeful that he will be okay. So please send good vibes our way tomorrow.

Praying for Archie. We have a special place in our hearts for all of God's creations. They just don't know what is happening but they still know love.

Keep lovin' on Archie as much as you can.

Yonuh, you have my prayers for sweet Archie. Please keep us informed after the surgery if you have time. We're there with you and Archie, girlfriend!

Adding your sweet Archie to our prayer circle. He is one of Gods special creations as are all animals in my opinion. Just give him as much attention and love as possible now as you would a sick child. They are our children in a way after all. Gods blessing be with you.

Yonuh, thinking of you during this time with your sweet boy, Archie. It's such a heartache to have a sick animal...we've all experienced it. I'll be praying, especially tomorrow. Please let us know the outcome soon.

Thank you for all your good wishes. Archie passed away after surgery today - he never woke up from the anesthesia. He had lost too much blood, 1/2 his blood volume, and they weren't able to replace it fast enough. He had too many bleeding tumors and probably wouldn't have lived very long even if he had come through the surgery. It was a last ditch effort, and I was so hoping that the tumors were benign. He was 10 and had been part of our household for the last 9 years. Our other dog, Peanut, is really bummed. She is camped out by the front door waiting for Archie to come home.

I am so sorry .
Mountain ash

Oh my goodness...I just saw this post and I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Animals can be like our children and I understand how devastated you must be feeling. Just know that you gave a beautiful animal a wonderful life for 10 years...I'm so very sorry sweetheart. So very sorry.

SO sorry about Archie. I'm sending you a hug.
I trapped one of my long time, sweet ferals today to have him spayed. He's not been looking too well lately but he's always happy to see us. The vet called soon after I'd dropped him off to say he was so sick that the best thing for him was to put him down.
I could barely believe what I was hearing. I know this vet forever and she will do everything she can to save an animal, feral or otherwise so I trust her. But I still had to get the list of what was wrong with him.

The list was long, he was in pain, and he had Fe-Leuk and Aids. He was still asleep when she called and so he'd not be awake when the drug was administered.

I'm just so sad because he suffered all this time and sad because I had to let him go even though I know it was the best thing for him.

Yonuh, When reading your final post about Archie, I had to shed a tear for him, for you and for Peanut, as he will pine for days to come after his missing friend. I am so sorry for you loss...

MsCoach those of us in service of the stray and unwanted animals in this world suffer greatly as you are now. At least he is free from pain and in a better place. I can't even count the animals I have seen go over the Angels Bridge to a better place. We can't love or save them all but the few we can help, makes all our time and effort worthwhile... Bless your heart for being there!