hi just joined after going to many web sites on dobes. We have had 3 red dobes and would like to get another but I was told NO as its too hard when you lose them.We just lost ours April 13 2009. How it goes I have been taking care of my elderly Mother since 1995 and she became sick and was on life support for 11 days and died at 95 on March 27th. during that time Buster got sick and I couldn't take care of both, the 2 times that I was able to get him to the vet we found out that he had an enlarged prostate and by the time i could get him to the vet to have something done it was too late. I feel so bad about that he was 9 years old but I really belive that the vet could have done something for him if I could have got him there sooner.Our other 2 were red the first lived to be 7 and his heart went. The second was 9 years old and I put over 3 grand into his back legs but his heart went too. I just wished that they had a longer life. I sure do miss the last one and I still wouldn't have any other breed. I do want another red male but will have to work on that. But the thing that really put the icing on all of this my granddaughter had a baby boy March 5 and on April 20th she called to tell me that her 6 week old baby had died that morning. Sorry I don't mean to bring everyone down that reads this. But I sure miss my Buster. We babysit our 3 year old grandson and since Buster has been gone theres not a day that he doesn"t come here that he doesn't say something about Buster and how much he misses him and that he liked him. Its just so sad. when we lost the other 2 I had a job to go to every day but now I'm retired and its just me and the old man who spends most of his time in the pole barn. So it was just me and the dog in the house. And now I feal really lost. As my Mother called me all the time and there's no dag to start bugging me about 3 PM for food when he really doesn't get feed until 5PM.

First off welcome to the forum. It sounds like you have had a pretty rough last few months. I've had a few dogs too so I know that it can feel every bit like losing a close family member. It also sounds as if you found yourself in a a situation were there was no other choice but the right one.

---

I am very sorry for your loss my friend. Those of us who have had the priviledge of having a dobie as companion in life know some of the pain in your heart. I have had dobies since 1979 and I have lost several over the years. But none hurt as bad as loosing Max 4 months ago, He was one of those one in a life time true friends. So hang in there and time will let you know when you are ready for another dobie. And as far as chatting we are all here just drop in and let er rip any time....someone here will be glad to chat for sure.

Leland

Having just gotten back online after visiting with friends with internet trouble, I wanted to add, that if the canine prostrate is anything like the human prostrate, the fact that you could not get him into the vet on a quick notice in the last few months or even the last year or so would not have had any effect. In fact, unless they have prostrate treatment for canines, there was almost nothing you could do but make him comfortable.

I am a 4 year survivor of prostrate cancer, and it is a very slow growing cancer that takes years to show up. The detecting in humans is one of two ways, manual or by blood test. Unless there is a suspicion it is unlikely they do PSA tests on dogs. Once it show up, you have three options, one, Radiation 2) Surgery or what they call "watchful waiting", which is basically do nothing.

While your loss is understandable, please do not beat your self up by thinking you missed doing something for you boy, when in fact, in my opinion, they only thing you could have done is love him to the end. You post tells me that you did that.