My dog has bone cancer. I don't have enough trouble with a geriatric mother, but now I have geriatric dogs. My other, most adored, dog is starting to tremble which is apparently normal for old dogs. I'm feeling pretty old myself these days. I wonder if life just gets worse and worse, or it it ever gets any better.

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. I had to put a cherished family pet down due to bone cancer; in dogs, bone cancer can take them so quickly. I know it must seem unfair or just too much to handle right now, but you will find the strength to keep caring for both your Mom and her beloved pet. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

SallyB

BOH, I used to tell my students that when we take ANY creature into our hearts, we're putting a downpayment on a future heartbreak. It's what's in between that makes us keep comin' back for more, that makes us smile through the tears.

As my Gabe was dying, our home was oppresively sad with Mom slowly going down her path and Gabe quickly going down his. It was a sad time. Saying goodbye sucks to the max, but to every thing there is a season... Last year was a very sad season for me, but this one is better so far. Things ebb and flow... I'm getting too old to keep a lot of big dogs or groom heavy coats with these arthritic hands, but I'll always have a buddy around and, with any luck, maybe we'll both lie our old bones down one night in bed and walk over the Rainbow Bridge together. What a fantastic deal that would be!!!

You dog is like a member of your family. My dogs were the love of my life. No matter how I felt, I can be guaranteed my dogs will still greet me joyfully and happy to see me.

But I promised my dogs if they were too ill or in any pain that was not cureable, I would do the humane thing and put them to sleep.

I have cremated my previous dogs and have left instructions that when I am cremated, their cremains are to be interred with me.