Nearing the end of the road for an old friend
I try not to post too much “personal” stuff here since this is a photography blog meant to chronicle my journey from amateur to professional. But sometimes, things just come up and divert your attention for a little while.
Almost 9 years ago, a little puppy came into my life. I had decided that I wanted to buy a dog. I had never owned a dog before, at least not on my own. I was living in Pittsburgh at the time and I traveled all the way over to Philadelphia to inspect a new litter of Doberman Pinschers. I had always been impressed by Dobermans. Not because of their reputation but, because, they just looked so majestic and intelligent. I remember remarking to a friend at the time that they always looked like they were “in uniform”. When I arrived at the breeder, I remember opening the door to the little stall where all the new puppies were. I had no idea how I was going to pick from so many adorable little puppies. However, within a minute of sticking my head into the stall, one puppy decided to stop fooling around with his brothers and sisters and came over to greet me. That was it. My new little boy. I decided to call him Sieger, a German word for victor or champion. He was German after all, right?
He lived with me for about two years until I decided it was time to move back to DC to further my career. I had gone to school in DC in the early ’90s and I had been dying to come back. Unfortunately, though, trying to find an apartment that accepts what had turned into a 90 pound dog wasn’t easy. After some serious consideration, I decided to give him to my mother, who was living in upstate New York at the time. She is the quintessential dog lover and the only person in the world who I trusted to take care of my little boy.
Within a couple years, she moved to Frederick, MD, about 45 minutes from where I lived in Arlington. He’s been with her for about seven years now. I hated giving him up but I would still got to see him fairly often when Mom and I would get together and it was obvious that he was much better off. It was a much quieter suburban setting with all sorts of new dogs to play with. He was happy.
Just this week, however, Sieger was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Bone cancer. He had been having trouble with his left hind leg but, initially, everyone, including the vet, assumed it was a torn ACL or a pulled muscle. I saw him on Sunday and, other than being a little grumpy and unable to use his hind leg, he seemed like himself. This week, though, my mother returned to the vet where they discovered that, not only did he have bone cancer in his left hind leg, but the cancer had already spread to his lungs. Had it just been the leg, they could have immediately amputated it and he could continue his life as a happy, if somewhat hobbled, dog. Unfortunately, that’s not the case anymore. It’s past the point where they would recommend even treating it. So, he’s on painkillers for now and that seems to be making him fairly comfortable.
I’ll be heading up to my mother’s place in the next couple days to take some pictures of him since there is a significant chance that he may not be around when I return from India at the beginning of June. I’m sure I’ll be posting those photos here.
Anyway, I apologize for the slightly off-topic, slightly depressing post. But I appreciate you taking the time to read it.
Its always tough to lose a pet; they really do work their way deep into our hearts! My last cat had diabetes, I gave him insulin shots for a year. He stopped responding to it and had to be put to sleep. A sad couple of weeks, but I remember what an awesome cat he was! Ah, and all the dogs I had growing up… Spend some quality time with him before he’s gone!
Thanks Gyuri. I’m definitely going to spend as much time as I can with him. Unfortunately, all the travel I am doing over the next month is going to make it difficult. But, regardless, he is an awesome dog and I’ll always remember that.
Thanks!
Shawn
So sorry to hear about Sieger. I know how tough it is to make the right decisions about a terminally ill pet - we’ve had to euthenize three of our cats in the past few years.
It sounds like Sieger has a great life with your Mom and you - and I’m sure he’ll enjoy what time the two of you can spend together before you head to India.
Patty
Hey man, sorry to hear about Sieger. I myself am considering adopting a dog right now and know how quickly you can become attached to an animal. My cat was 20 when she was put down last year, she was in bad shape but gave me 20 years of joy. I look forward to seeing the pics you take!
Oh, and on a side note, how long you going to be in India? Let me know if I can give you and advice, I was there a month last year and had a blast!
Sorry to hear about this Shawn. Best wishes to you during this period.
Sorry to hear about the dog Shawn. Hope you get some good time to spend with him. He is a great looking dog.
Hi Shawn; our hearts are with you, we lost our Doberman last October. Chris & Wendy
Thank you for all the wonderful comments everyone! It’s definitely helped. We’ll see what happens over the next few days before I go to India.
@Sandy: I’ll be in India for two weeks… So if you have any suggestions/tips, I’d be happy to listen!
Oh Shawn, I’m so truly sorry. I saw on your myspace that you mentioned you were in a down mood and I wondered why…and now I know…
This really touches me since I have a black lab who is my best friend there is…and he is always by my side…makes me think I don’t know what I would do without him.
Shawn, we are so very, very sorry to hear about your dog’s cancer. We lost a Golden Retriever to Lymphoma about 15 years ago, and a Black Lab to osteosarcoma about 2.5 years ago. Kira, our Lab, was such a wonderful and devoted dog. We were fortunate in that our vet agreed to come to the house when the time had finally come to let her go. For the entire last day of her life we loved her and kept her as comfortable as we could. We wept for days after her passing, and still to this day feel sad when we think of her suffering and pain, and we continue to feel her loss.
We now have a new Lab/? mix who has helped fill the hole Kira left. Our hearts go out to you.
Aww that’s terrible, I’m truly sorry. Beautiful dog..
Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments… My mother has started some herbal treatment which, in combination with the painkillers, seems to be keeping him normal. He’s using his back leg, has a great appetite, and is still barking at things out the window.
So he might just have a bit of time left. Fingers crossed!
Sending positive vibes out to Sieger!
I hope you don’t mind that I’ve added you on my photoblogroll on my fledgling blog.
Thank you so much Broderick! On both counts! I’d be honored to be linked from your blog and I look forward to checking it out!
Not good with the death ticking thing Shawn, Meant to post something yesterday but I still have no words- my thoughts are with you and Sieger and Mom - Safe Travels -
Thank you very much Mike… So far so good.
Sorry to here about the troubles your old pal is having.
Pets quickly find a permanent place in our lives and it’s not easy to say goodbye.
Your pooch has enjoyed great companionship by terrific owners, and you can take some solace knowing that he had a good life with you and your family.
Thank you very much for your comment, Shawn. It means a lot to see so many people wishing us well. Thank you.
Shawn - so sorry to read about Sieger - I hope you get to spend some time with him when you return from India. Have a safe trip.
Sheila
Thank you Sheila… I will definitely try to spend some time with him when I’m done with all this traveling.
Shawn,
My sympathies for having to deal with a situation that I can truly relate to. I have been a Doberman owner for about 14 years. At one time I had three doby girls running around my house, all 3 from the pound or rescues. I am sadly down to my last dog and she has cancer in her mouth which has made it almost impossible for her to eat anymore. I am sad to say that I will probably have to take her on that last ride to the vet soon. It’s nothing I would want anyone to have to do, especially for a wonderful pet that has been part of the family for so many years. I hope that you get some quality time in with your dog while you can.
Jeff
Thanks Jeff. Best wishes to you and your dog as well… That certainly can’t be easy.