Anyone have a big Lab that exceeded longevity projections?

[Anonymous]

Mine is dying from soft tissue sarcoma. There's nothing more they can do. The grief is crippling, I adore him. Labs live about 10 to 12 years. He's 11, right on time, sadly. What could I have done differently?

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry, OP. It's heartbreaking every time.

If it's comforting, please know that a longer life is not always a better life. My last dog made it to 15 but the last 2 (or more?) years were not good ones and in hindsight we should have let go sooner.

Just be good to him. Hugs.

[Anonymous]

Just give him all your love and attention right now. He feels it. Have been there and it is so heartbreaking and painful. Hugs to you.

[Anonymous]

It's so so sad. You had a great 11 years together - be grateful for that.

We lost a Golden Retriever to cancer at 7 and Pyrenes/Golden mix to cancer at 5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine is dying from soft tissue sarcoma. There's nothing more they can do. The grief is crippling, I adore him. Labs live about 10 to 12 years. He's 11, right on time, sadly. What could I have done differently?

Not a thing, I'm sure his life was wonderful. Let yourself grieve.

[Anonymous]

First, hugs to you. Losing a beloved pet is difficult to go through and please don’t let yourself think you could have done anything differently. It sounds like your dog has had a wonderful life in a home filled with love.

[Anonymous]

Our medium-sized lab lived to 12. We held on a couple months longer than we should have. They're the best dogs.

[Anonymous]

I am sure you gave him a good life, OP. There is nothing you could have done.

Please keep him comfortable and give him lots of love. It's for him, but also for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's so so sad. You had a great 11 years together - be grateful for that.

We lost a Golden Retriever to cancer at 7 and Pyrenes/Golden mix to cancer at 5.

So many cancers of these types are genetic. Those Goldens- great dogs, but so much cancer. It’s just heartbreaking to lose them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's so so sad. You had a great 11 years together - be grateful for that.

We lost a Golden Retriever to cancer at 7 and Pyrenes/Golden mix to cancer at 5.

So many cancers of these types are genetic. Those Goldens- great dogs, but so much cancer. It’s just heartbreaking to lose them.

Yes and both dogs were from rescues and were not pure-bred.

[Anonymous]

OP - please work hard to remember that it's better to end their suffering a couple of days or weeks too early rather than one day too late. Our dogs, especially like labs and goldens, often suffer in silence and are stoic and strong to please their owners. It's so sad for us - but they leave this world without fear or pain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - please work hard to remember that it's better to end their suffering a couple of days or weeks too early rather than one day too late. Our dogs, especially like labs and goldens, often suffer in silence and are stoic and strong to please their owners. It's so sad for us - but they leave this world without fear or pain.

+1

We gave our 7 yr old lab with cancer another day because it seemed like he was still enjoying the sunshine and was content being with us but then just a day later he suddenly couldn't stand up anymore. We should have been stronger for him weeks prior but it was too hard to let him go. The last day was awful and I still feel guilty for being selfish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - please work hard to remember that it's better to end their suffering a couple of days or weeks too early rather than one day too late. Our dogs, especially like labs and goldens, often suffer in silence and are stoic and strong to please their owners. It's so sad for us - but they leave this world without fear or pain.

+1

We gave our 7 yr old lab with cancer another day because it seemed like he was still enjoying the sunshine and was content being with us but then just a day later he suddenly couldn't stand up anymore. We should have been stronger for him weeks prior but it was too hard to let him go. The last day was awful and I still feel guilty for being selfish.

Yes, this. We worked hard to remember that holding on to our pup for as long as possible was solely for our benefit and is, at its heart, a selfish choice.

[Anonymous]

There is nothing that you could do differently. Just give him as much love as possible right now. So sorry.

[Anonymous]

You loved your dog, took good care of him, and gave him a happy life. You’re hurting because it’s time to say goodbye, so you’re wondering how you could have prolonged his life, but honestly, I’m sure you DID prolong it. Your loving care most likely gave him more time with a high quality of life. You have done right by him, and continue to do so in giving him a gentle passing.

I’m so sorry.