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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I haven’t posted in such a long, long time. However,
after reading about Lucy, I felt a huge need to just put work aside for a few
minutes and tell my story.</span></font></p>
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font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Back in 2002, our 12.5 year old hound Stanley became
incredibly lethargic. He couldn’t get up, wouldn’t eat or drink
and was very pale. We immediately brought him to the vet. She found a
softball-sized mass on his spleen and referred us to a specialist. She
thought if his spleen was removed we could buy another year. The specialist
saw him that day. This particular surgeon is a god, but that is another
story. He really, really did not want to do the surgery. He felt Stan was too
old, and he didn’t think he would be able to save him. I cried and
pleaded and wanted to try, so after a blood transfusion from Penelope (ATB),
off to surgery he went. We saw him the next day and he didn’t look
good. He had a huge incision, but was fairly alert so we were hopeful. He
wasn’t eating and couldn’t come home until he ate. The next day,
we were asked to bring food – he still wasn’t eating. We tried
everything. He turned his nose up at cat food, cheese, crappy dog food,
everything. The vet said it didn’t look good and wanted to have a look
at his heart. Hemangio likes blood so the heart is a target. The ultrasound
doctor was not available until 9AM the next morning, so we had to wait. At 10:00
the next day we got the news – the hemaniosarcoma was in the heart and
there was nothing left to do. He was suffering and it was time to say
goodbye. It was a gloomy day, but when they brought Stan outside, the sun
burst through the clouds. We spent about an hour with him and then said our
good-byes. Even the vet cried. It was horrible and I’ve never
completely forgiven myself for putting him through so much. When they found a
mass in Penelope six months later, we kept her comfortable until it was time to
say goodbye. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>My advice – if you decide on surgery get an ultrasound
of the heart first. If the hemangio is in the heart, there is nothing left to
do. I would also really think hard about surgery at all. Hemangiosarcoma is
the worst of the worst. By the time it’s caught, it’s usually too
late. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>If you decide against surgery, you will definitely know when
it’s time. Hemangio leaves no doubt, and I still wish I had listened to
my head, and an incredible vet, instead of my heart. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Good Luck!! Much drool is being flung your way. Give Lucy
a big hug from me. Feel free to e-mail me privately if you’d like. </span></font></p>
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font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Debbie</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Owned by Clarabelle and Roscoe</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Being Watched Over by Penelope, Stanley and Casey ATB</span></font></p>
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12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><font size=3 face="Bodoni MT"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT"'>After a visit to the beach, it's hard to
believe that we live in a material world. ~Pam Shaw</span></font></i></em></p>
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12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
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