Talk Cancer

Question:

<snip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The weekend came and went, and I was hoping that no news was good news. Then I saw her online this evening and asked how Salt was. Unfortunately, she and the vet reached the conclusion on Monday morning that there was nothing more they could do for Salt. His liver had almost completely shut down. ( She did the only remaining thing she COULD do for her dear little friend: she asked TED to help him begin his journey to the Bridge. I’ve just tried to go to some of the online "Pet sympathy cards" links provided at… I think it was lightningstrike.com. I forget. But I’m MMSing so badly I can’t even read the screen, nevermind choose a card and send it. My heart really breaks for my friend and her mom’s loss, because I know how only too well how hard those goodbyes are. I just went through it myself last year when Melody had lymphoma. And yes, I’m grieving over a wee fuzzy friend that I never met in person. As the people in this newsgroup can attest, just "knowing" him in print is enough to create a sense of loss at his passing. Please send purrs, purr-ayers, wags, etc for Salt and for the human family he left behind. Thanks.

Many purrs, headbutts, wags and doggy kisses for Salt and his family. Please don’t bad for crying, it shows you cared. Close relationships don’t necessarily mean "close" in terms on geography, and I’m sure there are many people here who have best friends that they have never met. Distance means nothing to love. Yowie PS. I totally understand emotionally what "MMS" is – but what does it mean in words?

Response:

MMS = "Misty Monitor Syndrome". It’s when one’s eyes are overflowing with tears to the point where the print on the monitor is blurring. And thanks for the kind words from you and Joy. I’m sending my friend, not just the Rainbow Bridge, but the link to the petloss.com site. It sounds like she and her mom are holding up well, considering the circumstances. But then again, nearly all of us know what grief is like: it arrives and recedes in waves. If they check out that site, it won’t take more than a moment for them to realize that the wide range of emotions they feel — from shock and numbness to overwhelming sadness, anger, you name it — are all normal parts of the grieving process. What’s more, they’re UNAVOIDABLE parts of the process: we DO go through those emotions as a part of processing a loss. At least Salt is reunited with his old buddy and canine "brother" Pepper, who went to the Bridge before I got to know my online friend. I can’t think right now whether she said Pepper was a Scottie terrier or … oh, my brain’s working in slow motion today, what kind of dog was Toto? That kind of terrier. But in either case, they’re back together again and enjoying themselves at the Bridge, while they wait for the rest of their human family to join them. And at least Salt had a OneTrueHome with a loving family that he can wait for at the Bridge. How many dogs and cats NEVER know what it’s like to have a home or a family? So he was very fortunate. I’ll miss hearing about what that little guy is up to, though. Sigh. Donna – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <snip The weekend came and went, and I was hoping that no news was good news. Then I saw her online this evening and asked how Salt was. Unfortunately, she and the vet reached the conclusion on Monday morning that there was nothing more they could do for Salt. His liver had almost completely shut down. ( She did the only remaining thing she COULD do for her dear little friend: she asked TED to help him begin his journey to the Bridge. I’ve just tried to go to some of the online "Pet sympathy cards" links provided at… I think it was lightningstrike.com. I forget. But I’m MMSing so badly I can’t even read the screen, nevermind choose a card and send it. My heart really breaks for my friend and her mom’s loss, because I know how only too well how hard those goodbyes are. I just went through it myself last year when Melody had lymphoma. And yes, I’m grieving over a wee fuzzy friend that I never met in person. As the people in this newsgroup can attest, just "knowing" him in print is enough to create a sense of loss at his passing. Please send purrs, purr-ayers, wags, etc for Salt and for the human family he left behind. Thanks. Many purrs, headbutts, wags and doggy kisses for Salt and his family. Please don’t bad for crying, it shows you cared. Close relationships don’t necessarily mean "close" in terms on geography, and I’m sure there are many people here who have best friends that they have never met. Distance means nothing to love. Yowie PS. I totally understand emotionally what "MMS" is – but what does it mean in words?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve got a case of MMS like you wouldn’t believe. Then again, knowing what soft-hearted, animal-loving persons populate this group, I take that back: you WOULD believe. I have an online friend whom I’ve known for nearly 4 years now. We’ve never met in person, only via e-mails and Instant Messages. Since that time, I’ve also gotten to virtually "know" her West Highland White Terrier, Salt. People here should have no trouble imagining how easy it is to grow to like a pet that we’ve never met face-to-face, but only as words on a screen. We’ve all grown attached to one another’s furkids in the same way, laughing at their antics, worrying when they’re sick or missing, and grieving at their passing. A few months ago, "the Salt" (who was starting to get on in years) was showing some symptoms that concerned his human "mom", so she took him to TED. That’s when it was discovered that he was developing a congenital liver disease that Westies are prone to get. (I’m not sure what the name of the disease is.) He was given meds and put on a special diet, and for a while that seemed to help. Last week, though, my friend was concerned at his weight loss and lack of appetite. Even with the meds and the food, Salt wasn’t holding his own anymore. I think it was last Thursday that my friend and I discussed his condition; she’d made a TED appointment for that evening and I told her to let me know how things panned out. The weekend came and went, and I was hoping that no news was good news. Then I saw her online this evening and asked how Salt was. Unfortunately, she and the vet reached the conclusion on Monday morning that there was nothing more they could do for Salt. His liver had almost completely shut down. ( She did the only remaining thing she COULD do for her dear little friend: she asked TED to help him begin his journey to the Bridge. I’ve just tried to go to some of the online "Pet sympathy cards" links provided at… I think it was lightningstrike.com. I forget. But I’m MMSing so badly I can’t even read the screen, nevermind choose a card and send it. My heart really breaks for my friend and her mom’s loss, because I know how only too well how hard those goodbyes are. I just went through it myself last year when Melody had lymphoma. And yes, I’m grieving over a wee fuzzy friend that I never met in person. As the people in this newsgroup can attest, just "knowing" him in print is enough to create a sense of loss at his passing. Please send purrs, purr-ayers, wags, etc for Salt and for the human family he left behind. Thanks. Donna

Donna, purr-ayer, wags and candle lit. The human did the right thing but oh, it hurts. It just seems so unfair sometimes that they give us so much love and ask nothing. And their short life is devoted to loving those who love them in return. I still have a hard time getting over our dogs that are waiting for Dot and I over the Bridge. We helped them, cuddled them as they passed over, but even now – the last one to go over was 6 years ago and I still get tears in my eyes thinking about them even now. This is quite often the reason why I don’t reply too often to those who I should – it still hurts and hurts deeply. Brutus – Black Great Dane – spine went and could no longer walk 7 years old. Jag – GSD – diabetes that we didn’t know he had until too late. 11 years old Gabriel – Dane – Bone cancer. 10 years old. dave

Response:

say about Re: What a case of MMS (TW): Many purrs, headbutts, wags and doggy kisses for Salt and his family. Please don’t bad for crying, it shows you cared. Close relationships don’t necessarily mean "close" in terms on geography, and I’m sure there are many people here who have best friends that they have never met. Distance means nothing to love.

My best friend lives 3000 miles away from me [I'm in California, she's in Maine] and we’ve never been in the same room [but we plan to!]. PS. I totally understand emotionally what "MMS" is – but what does it mean in words?

Think it’s "Misty Monitor Syndrome". — Seanette Blaylock "You attribute perfect rationality to the whole of humanity, which has to be one of the most misguided assumptions ever." – Alan Krueger in NANAE [make obvious correction to address to send e-mail]

Response:

Your friends are in my thoughts and prayers. Hazel Az

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – MMS = "Misty Monitor Syndrome". It’s when one’s eyes are overflowing with tears to the point where the print on the monitor is blurring.

Response:

<<<snip sad news I am so glad your friend didn’t agonize over the decision, which would have prolonged  the pain and misery for both of them. I am so sorry for your friend who is left behind. But at least she knows her dogs will be reunited and healthy and happy and waiting for her. She must be so lonely. My dog, Shasta, sends a hairy hug with healing licks. CATherine

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve got a case of MMS like you wouldn’t believe. Then again, knowing what soft-hearted, animal-loving persons populate this group, I take that back: you WOULD believe. I have an online friend whom I’ve known for nearly 4 years now. We’ve never met in person, only via e-mails and Instant Messages. Since that time, I’ve also gotten to virtually "know" her West Highland White Terrier, Salt. People here should have no trouble imagining how easy it is to grow to like a pet that we’ve never met face-to-face, but only as words on a screen. We’ve all grown attached to one another’s furkids in the same way, laughing at their antics, worrying when they’re sick or missing, and grieving at their passing. A few months ago, "the Salt" (who was starting to get on in years) was showing some symptoms that concerned his human "mom", so she took him to TED. That’s when it was discovered that he was developing a congenital liver disease that Westies are prone to get. (I’m not sure what the name of the disease is.) He was given meds and put on a special diet, and for a while that seemed to help. Last week, though, my friend was concerned at his weight loss and lack of appetite. Even with the meds and the food, Salt wasn’t holding his own anymore. I think it was last Thursday that my friend and I discussed his condition; she’d made a TED appointment for that evening and I told her to let me know how things panned out. The weekend came and went, and I was hoping that no news was good news. Then I saw her online this evening and asked how Salt was. Unfortunately, she and the vet reached the conclusion on Monday morning that there was nothing more they could do for Salt. His liver had almost completely shut down. ( She did the only remaining thing she COULD do for her dear little friend: she asked TED to help him begin his journey to the Bridge. I’ve just tried to go to some of the online "Pet sympathy cards" links provided at… I think it was lightningstrike.com. I forget. But I’m MMSing so badly I can’t even read the screen, nevermind choose a card and send it. My heart really breaks for my friend and her mom’s loss, because I know how only too well how hard those goodbyes are. I just went through it myself last year when Melody had lymphoma. And yes, I’m grieving over a wee fuzzy friend that I never met in person. As the people in this newsgroup can attest, just "knowing" him in print is enough to create a sense of loss at his passing. Please send purrs, purr-ayers, wags, etc for Salt and for the human family he left behind. Thanks. Donna

Purrs, purr-ayers, and sympathy to Salt’s family and to you.  Have you sent your friend the Rainbow Bridge poem? Joy

Response:

I’ve got a case of MMS like you wouldn’t believe. Then again, knowing what soft-hearted, animal-loving persons populate this group, I take that back: you WOULD believe. I have an online friend whom I’ve known for nearly 4 years now. We’ve never met in person, only via e-mails and Instant Messages. Since that time, I’ve also gotten to virtually "know" her West Highland White Terrier, Salt. People here should have no trouble imagining how easy it is to grow to like a pet that we’ve never met face-to-face, but only as words on a screen. We’ve all grown attached to one another’s furkids in the same way, laughing at their antics, worrying when they’re sick or missing, and grieving at their passing. A few months ago, "the Salt" (who was starting to get on in years) was showing some symptoms that concerned his human "mom", so she took him to TED. That’s when it was discovered that he was developing a congenital liver disease that Westies are prone to get. (I’m not sure what the name of the disease is.) He was given meds and put on a special diet, and for a while that seemed to help. Last week, though, my friend was concerned at his weight loss and lack of appetite. Even with the meds and the food, Salt wasn’t holding his own anymore. I think it was last Thursday that my friend and I discussed his condition; she’d made a TED appointment for that evening and I told her to let me know how things panned out. The weekend came and went, and I was hoping that no news was good news. Then I saw her online this evening and asked how Salt was. Unfortunately, she and the vet reached the conclusion on Monday morning that there was nothing more they could do for Salt. His liver had almost completely shut down. ( She did the only remaining thing she COULD do for her dear little friend: she asked TED to help him begin his journey to the Bridge. I’ve just tried to go to some of the online "Pet sympathy cards" links provided at… I think it was lightningstrike.com. I forget. But I’m MMSing so badly I can’t even read the screen, nevermind choose a card and send it. My heart really breaks for my friend and her mom’s loss, because I know how only too well how hard those goodbyes are. I just went through it myself last year when Melody had lymphoma. And yes, I’m grieving over a wee fuzzy friend that I never met in person. As the people in this newsgroup can attest, just "knowing" him in print is enough to create a sense of loss at his passing. Please send purrs, purr-ayers, wags, etc for Salt and for the human family he left behind. Thanks. Donna

Response: