It Takes A Village

"Taking responsibility and having faith in your own judgment 

will help you make good choices and decisions at the end of your pet's life."

 Jon Katz

It may take a village to raise a child. Whether with a human or a pet, as a caregiver you need a small army of doctors, friends and helpers for a sustained quality of life and/or a peaceful farewell.

Once the biopsy declared for sure that Maizey had cancer, John, who can be the most social guy I know or the most isolated, went into research mode. He googled. He read. He consulted with veterinarians. He explored alternative and herbal remedies. He compared stories with other dog owners. 

John knows many of the dogs and their humans in the neighborhood by name.  A few neighbors have experienced the full-on Maizey which happens when she tears through an open front door, charges to the back of the house then races out again like a dust devil on an open plain. Thankfully it all happens so fast that it’s hard to figure out what just happened. We have a few neighbors who know to keep their doors locked for reasons such as this, and a couple who often retell the story of the time a white lightening bold zoomed through their living room. Needless to say, Maizey has garnered quite a reputation.

During their nightly walks, while Maizey tugs on the leash for a butt sniff, John greets other dog walkers with the universal sign of hello to dog lovers — a wave of a poop-filled baggie. Unlike Buster who knows to sit and stay when another dog or car passes by, Maizey turns up the volume. On most occasions she is all bark and no bite, full of bluster and hot air. Still not many dogs or their humans want to mess with her.  Most give Maizey a wide berth. Even when Maizey is watching from inside the house neighbors speed walk past. Nothing makes Maizey crazier than seeing her human through the plate glass window, chatting away with other members of the Clifton Dog Brigade. Call it what you will, paranoid or egomaniacal, Maizey believes she is the subject of every conversation and wants to tell her side of the story.

“Busy town dogs bark less than country dogs, but all dogs know all about the Twilight Barking. It is their way of keeping in touch with distant friends, passing on important news, enjoying a good gossip." Dodie Smith, The Hundred and One Dalmatians

Through the human version of “twilight barking” John learned that cancer in dogs is not uncommon. Several dog owners have experienced the heart break that John is now facing. Like women discussing child birth, when your dog is sick no one is afraid to share even the ugliest of details. Each person’s treatment decision is as individual as their dogs. Some choose chemotherapy, some immediate euthansia, some a combination of all choices. None are easy. All are devastating.

Neighborhood Watch

In addition to all the valuable information John received, it must be noted that during their time together, John has learned each of Maizey’s peculiarities, penchants and peeves. What might work for some dogs (i.e.leg amputation) would probably not work for a dog with OCD who doesn’t like change. Maizey could, no doubt, learn to get around with one leg missing, but the truth is a three-legged Maizey would not be a happy Maizey. As he drew near to his final decision, John also reached out to two online organizations. Live Like Roo and Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice. These love-filled organizations are all about supporting, honoring and loving a dog/pet with cancer.

Stay tuned for more information on each of these organizations.