My JR has a fat lump on her chest near her right leg. It was initially the size of pea but has grown to the size of a golf ball. We had an aspiration done and the vet confirmed it was a fat lump and said we could either leave it or have it operated on to remove it. We chose to leave it but now it seems so large that we are wondering whether it would be best to get it removed? When she's sat up it protrudes quite a bit as she's not the worlds biggest JR either. She previously had a cyst on her side that we had removed and this has healed with no problems. In the past couple of days I'm also sure I can feel a much smaller lump quite near it.

She has been acting strangely on walks over the past few months, going from being enthusiastic to just not wanting to go anywhere and don't know if maybe the lump is causing her problems, although when I feel it it doesn't seem to be pressing against her leg.

She is 11 now and I don't want to do anything unnecessary but worry about it growing bigger to the point where something has to be done and then she's even older. And now with the smaller lump as well... I think I'll be taking her to the vets in the near future anyway but wondered if anyone has had fat lumps removed from their dog, was it a big operation or is it quite minor? She has had a few operations over her life and one time she stopped breathing and had to be resuscitated so am always nervous thinking about that.

Basically what would you do?

You're giving me a special gift, So sorrowfully endowed, And through these last few cherished days, Your courage makes me proud.

But really, love is knowing When your best friend is in pain, And understanding earthly acts Will only be in vain.

So looking deep into your eyes, Beyond, into your soul, I see in you the magic, that will Once more make me whole.

The strength that you possess, Is why I look to you today, To do this thing that must be done, For it's the only way.

That strength is why I've followed you, And chose you as my friend, And why I've loved you all these years... My partner 'til the end.

Please, understand just what this gift, You're giving, means to me, It gives me back the strength I've lost, And all my dignity.

You take a stand on my behalf, For that is what friends do. And know that what you do is right, For I believe it too.

So one last time, I breathe your scent, And through your hand I feel, The courage that's within you, To now grant me this appeal.

Cut the leash that holds me here, Dear friend, and let me run, Once more a strong and steady dog, My pain and struggle done.

And don't despair my passing, For I won't be far away, Forever here, within your heart, And memory I'll always stay.

I'll be there watching over you, Your ever faithful friend, And in your memories I'll run, ...a young dog once again.

We have a secret, you and I, That no-one else shall know. For who but I shall see you lie, Each night in fireglow?

And who but I can reach my hand Before we go to bed, And feel the living warmth of you And touch your silken head?

And only I walk woodland paths, And see, ahead of me, Your small form racing with the wind, So young again, and free.

And only I can see you swim In every brook I pass. And when I call, no-one but I Can see the bending grass.

--author unknown

Next Sunday we have our very own Paws in the Park event and I want to go, with Manny of course, and J wants to take Ojo. There will be no one at home because the rest of the family will be in church. My dad is happy to go with us and he has said he will take Toffee. I just don't know what is best for her - to leave her at home in a state of distress and anxiety without any physical discomfort or to take her with us and have her suffer for days afterwards. I'm leaning towards taking her because she will enjoy it so much. She just loves fuss and attention but it is hard to do the right thing isn't it!

He has cataracts in both eyes for the past 4 years ,and on Wednesday his eyeball perforated

I rushed him to the vets,who said it needed to come out :( i was so socked and upset

He had it removed yesterday ,it does not look very nice as its still swollen and sore .

Lily x

thanks for anyones help/advice..

Now that they are old: 14 and 16, I know the time will come soon. The older one always sleeps, but is energetic for about two hours in the evening during meal time. The younger one has slight problems with her hindleg, but she does not seem to know. When she excuses herself, I hold her so that she will not fall on her own mess (not that she had done that before, I just don't want that to happen to spare her from any humiliation). The younger one always yearns for food, and does not seem to know that she is old.

Seeing them slowly deteriorate breaks my heart, especially when my job demands my 12-hour attention every day, plus business trips. Although I have been told by my dog friends that I have done a marvelous job with the girls, and I know they are happy with me, I cannot but feel guilty for not able to take even better care of them. I need to know if they think I am an ok father. I also want them to be happy in their life, not leading a long but unhappy life.

Anyway yesterday he couldnt eat properly, poor thing, i felt for him as i have had terrible trouble with my teeth and gums and know how awful it makes you feel. His gums are really inflamed.

So i rang the vets and he is to go in tomorrow, the VET will check him out, but they have booked him a place to have his teeth cleaned and perhaps some taken out i cant see what is going on his mouth is too sore.

Poor old guy, I shall be in a right old state tomorrow worrying about him, thats if the VET doesnt think he just needs antibiotics first.

He is such a great dog love him to bits. Maria

I'm posting with tears in my eyes to tell you all that poor Dashdog, my faithful friend and shameless poser in the gallery is sadly fading away. She became ill this morning with an eye infection (which she has had before) and now it seems that the old girl is fading away. The vet has treated her with antibiotics but has advised that if she does not improve in the next 24 hours, we will need to say goodbye and end her suffering. She is now peacefully sleeping as she has had painkiller jabs as well as the antibiotics.

I am gutted, she is my best friend and life without her is unimaginable.

I will keep you posted....

Debbie aka Dash's Mum

Last Tuesday,we took him to the vets and he saw a vet he doesnt normally see. This vet looked very young, and he suggested Jp be euthanised. I was distraught. Jp is overweight as a result of the medication he is on, so he has to go on a special "Weight watchers for dogs" diet. We mentioned he hates his Obesity food, and this vet said to give him what we like. Also, we asked him to cut Jp's dew claws - he wouldn't. Its almost as if he wouldnt do it because he thought Jp was going to die.

Anyway, we took Jp back to the vets on Friday, and he saw the vet he see's most of the time. This vet knows Jp's history, and she knows exactly how poorly he is and how HAPPY he is too. She said they couldn't give him anymore medication, and now it's all about his quality of life. NO mention of euthanasia.

Jp is NOT in pain, he has NOT gone off his food (I know i said he wont eat his obese meat, but he is ALWAYS after our food!), and he is still mobile (if a little cranky!). He sleeps alot, but thats expeceted - elderly people sleep alot too!

To lose Jp, would be to lose a very vast chunk of my heart. Jp is EVERYTHING.

thank you for reading.

xxx

At 12 weeks, disaster, he got Parvo virus. It was serious. The vet gave us little hope that he would survive. Family rallied, giving huge dollops of tender loving care with round the clock nursing.

He beat all odds. He survived.

The vet said it was the breed - 'a fighter with a tenacity for life' she called him.

All dogs are special but Boz left a huge paw print on my life. He became a protector to my children, always at their side whether they wanted him or not. Always in the thick of the family.

Boz became widely known - a regular at the Rugby Club! With enthusiasm he joined in sponsored walks for charity.

He loved visiting family by himself, travelled using crossings safely.

Then lovely Lily came along. Despite his arthritic hips, Boz - a sprightly 20 year old - managed to sire three adorable pups including son of Boz, our Dylan.

Sadly after 24 years as a faithful companion Boz died, the vet said he was the oldest Jack Russell that she'd ever seen.

I treasure my fond memories and feel that somehow Boz lives on through Dylan.

I FOUND THIS STORY ONLINE a DAD AT 20 AND DIED AT 24 THATS GOT TO BE IN THE RUNNING FOR THE OLDEST jrt HASNT IT.?

Has anyone had them removed from their dogs? With or with out success? do they grow back?

Any comments would be appreciated

He is also is weeing and pooing in the house. I am at work during the day so can't do much other than clean up when i get home. During the evening I find myself following him around but sure enough as soon as i sit down to say watch a programme on tele he will do something.

He has recently taken to barking throughout the night. I am usually up to see to him about 6 times during the night, he goes straight back to bed, with his cover over him but the barking starts again an hour or so later.

I feel very selfish saying this because i love spike and he is a huge part of our family, but, i am at the end of my tether, the lack of sleep due to his barking, not being able to invite friends around due to his incontinence etc is slowly taking its toll.

If anyone has any suggestions i would be grateful.