Cancer and health question

[blewis]

I am having a hard time now because my 5 1/2 year old Boxer Rocky has been diagnosed with cancer.

Let me give you a brief summary of my Boxer experiances--

Our first boxer "Stormy" we found out a few days after we got her she had a heart murmur-- but we were already attached and decided it would all work out-- well at 9 months she went into congestive heart failure-- and we ended up having to put her to sleep

We got Rocky right before Stormy went across the bridge-- he has been the best dog ever-- why do you click so well with some dogs?

The we got Leah-- we originally thought we wanted to breed Rocky-- but after reading all the info-- we realized we did not have the time or commitement for breeding-- Leah is now 3-- she seems in fine health.

anyhow-- just found out a week ago that Rocky has cancer and will only be with us a short time-- I am devasted beyond belief-- he is my special baby.
When we got Rocky-- because of what happened with Stormy-- we made sure he did not have a heart murmur-- in fact the first puppy we picked out did-- and we decided not to take him.

Now we are dealing with cancer-- and I would not trade any moment with Rocky ever-- but I am scared to get a new puppy (which will not be for awhile-- but eventually I will want one)

Are there any test out there to detect if some dogs are more likely to get cancer? I dont mean to not give some puppies a chance-- but having children this is so hard to go through so many times. I really want a Boxer-- but am getting nervous because of the bad times I have had with health issues.

any input welcome!!


my rocky man
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37...s/DSC01320.jpg

Rocky and Leah-- snuggle pals-- this will be very hard on leah--

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37...s/DSC00744.jpg

[blewis]

Rocky has stage 4 Lymphoma-- and we have opted out of chemo because if they could cure him-- I would take out a loan-- but they cant-- and I just dont have the funds to extends his life a few months---so for now we are making him comfortable--

and since starting on predisone a few days ago-- he is eating like a horse and is in good spirits

[SherylM]

I am so sorry to hear about Rocky. How devasting to loose Stormy and now poor Rocky is sick. I can only imagine what you are going through. I know once you get that "boxer magic" in you, it is horrible to think about not having them in your life. I love your picture of Leah and Rocky together. They remind my of my first two boxers Chelsea and Frazier, they always snuggled up together. I lost Chelsea to heart disease when she was 7yrs old. You will be in my thoughts and prayers

[SuzanneC]

I'm so sorry about your Rocky. Cancer is a hard road, I know all too well.

Unfortunately, there is no way to tell whether or not a dog will get cancer. My philosophy is that I will get a dog and love him/her like a member of the family, do my best to keep them in excellent health, and help them to the next place when it is their time to go. I know it hurts badly, my heart aches every time I look at my Cookie and wonder how much longer I'm going to have with her. For me, I just decided that all the wonderful things about sharing my life with a dog outweighed the pain that comes at the end, and I will treasure the time I have with my pups.

Best of luck to you and Rocky. You will be in my thoughts.