It didn't get any better today. The oncologist notified us that the mass in his chest could be two kinds of cancer. One is the lymphosarcoma I've been researching. I don't remember the other, but it is operable, unlike the first. BUT, the operation would entail cracking his chest open to remove it, it would only buy him a year, and he would not be the same dog, in the words of the oncologist.
Tomorrow my dad and I are going to go to Columbus to bring him home. They promised to clean him up before we get there. We're going to bring him home so the kids can see him one more time--we are timing it so they will just be getting home from school. Then we're going to take him to the vet and do what we have to do. After that I'm going to put him out back by the fence near the place where the bunnies always went under to escape from him (except the one he got last summer). I'll put a nice stone or something down there and some flowers next summer.
Did you know that golden retrievers are one of the breeds that is most susceptible to cancers? I made sure Ranger's bloodline was rated excellent for heart problems, eyes, and hips--all problems I knew goldens have--but had no idea they were more susceptible to cancers. Yes, all dogs get cancer, but statistically goldens are more likely to get it. Did you know the rates have gotten so high that the average life expectancy of a golden is now only 10 1/2?
I absolutely love this dog, he is the best I've ever had, but I'm now scared to death to get another golden. I may go back to labs, if I can bring myself to ever get another dog. I hate going through this.
Robin M.