OT-Our daughter's service dog has cancer.

[bomber89]

4 months ago we lost our oldest dog/family member to old age. A wonderful holden retriever. Yesterday we found out our daughters service dog another golden, has advanced cancer & only has days left.

I know it sounds stupid to ask for prayers for my wife and daughter over a dog but that's what I'm doing. That dog has helped our daughter who has autism so much over the last 13 years. She's been with her since she got diagnosed at two. She has prevented her from hurting herself, helped her calm down in tough times and loved on my daughter when she had no other friends. it's very difficult. As a father it rips your heart out knowing your daughter is hurting and there's nothing I can do.

Would be very appreciative of your prayers for my girl.

 

[JohnRossEwing]

That sucks! I did not know service dogs are used for kids with autism, that a great idea! I have a friend that has one for depression.

Are they attached at the hip? I would imagine they are.

 

[timnsun]

So sorry to hear this, bomber... Definitely praying for peace and comfort for your family.

 

[bomber89]

That sucks! I did not know service dogs are used for kids with autism, that a great idea! I have a friend that has one for depression.

Are they attached at the hip? I would imagine they are.

Yes, very much so. She can detect when my daughter starts getting anxiety and she would lay on top of her and it detract's my daughter and calms her down. It's strange my daughter hates fuzzy and strange feelings but loves that dogs when it lays on her. it's like they have the same mind.

It's not pretty seeing a 45 year old grizzly Adams cry like a baby for your daughter!

 

[JohnRossEwing]

Yeah, my friend has his for depression and anxiety, totally helps him out. It is amazing.

 

[PeliniTheCrutch]

Some dogs can be truly unbelievable companions.

I hope this doesn't come out the wrong way, but have you started to look around for future companion to fill her shoes?

 

[nordakotahusker]

Sorry to hear that. Had to put down a dog two years ago and it definitely sucks. Two in such a short span would be very hard to deal with.

Might seem a little callous, but I'd start looking for a puppy right now. It won't ever completely replace the other dogs, but its definitely a distraction and helps ease the pain some.

 

[huskerfan1414]

Sorry to hear this. Dogs are amazing creatures. Hopefully another can be found to help your daughter out. It's not stupid to ask for prayers for a thing like this.

 

[NikkiSixx]

Prayers Sent. Dogs truly are awesome and mankind's best friend. You might need to wait for a little while, she will know when the time is right to get another. I had a very special dog that I had to put down at almost 12 years old. She was a gift from God, and looked after me, when I could not do it for myself. I try to return the favor now for a different dog. It was important for me at the time to see it not as something being taken away from me, but as a gift that I needed to return. I hope that sort of makes sense. It might help re-frame things and help her cope.

 

[mwulf]

Dogs>humans

 

[Hoosker Du]

Not silly at all. Prayers being sent to your wife, daughter, and your beloved canine friends. Golden retrievers are the most beautiful dogs on the planet.

 

[bigboxes]

4 months ago we lost our oldest dog/family member to old age. A wonderful holden retriever. Yesterday we found out our daughters service dog another golden, has advanced cancer & only has days left.

I know it sounds stupid to ask for prayers for my wife and daughter over a dog but that's what I'm doing. That dog has helped our daughter who has autism so much over the last 13 years. She's been with her since she got diagnosed at two. She has prevented her from hurting herself, helped her calm down in tough times and loved on my daughter when she had no other friends. it's very difficult. As a father it rips your heart out knowing your daughter is hurting and there's nothing I can do.

Would be very appreciative of your prayers for my girl.

Not stupid. When my wife was diagnosed with stage IV cancer I lost it. Who was there to comfort me? My girl cat. My mother was there, but it was my cat who was closest. Love her!

Prayers going up for your daughter, you, your wife and, of course, your dog. In our house, our pets were always part of the family.

 

[Mr.Scary13]

Dogs are family. Hoping for the best.

 

[HuskerBlueDevil]

Not silly at all. Dogs can literally be life-savers. I agree with those who say start looking for another dog for your daughter. It will not cure the pain, but the process should help. I've see it with the loss of other service dogs.

 

[TheBeav815]

If there's one thing EVERYONE on this board agrees on, it's that there's nothing silly about being busted up about losing a dog. You have our hearts and prayers on that for sure.

Will you be able to get another service dog for her? Sorry to rush to that end of things, but I understand that there can be a lot of waiting involved with getting a service dog and I'm sure you'd like to keep that going if possible.

I haven't found anything more centering or therapeutic than when I used to work at the dog daycare and if was having a crappy day, I'd sit down in the middle of those dogs and they just come and lick your face and flop in your lap until you feel better. A pack of dogs will tell you right away how you're doing even if you don't know.

That's actually what I'd do if I won the lottery is buy some land and rescue/rehab dogs and train service dogs.

 

[litespeedhuskerfan]

Sorry bomber.

 

[scarletred]

Dogs are family. Hoping for the best.

+1

 

[VandallHuskerJulie]

Prayers for all, Bomber. I work with special needs kids and know how useful service animals can be. We all mourn the loss of our pets but this dog clearly has a very special and important place in your family. Hopefully there is an organization in your town that can help you not only find another service dog but offer suggestions on how to help your daughter deal with the loss.