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My Precious Bailey has Bone Cancer

by Eric
(Hopkinton, MA )

Bailey came into my life 2 years ago, she is a beautiful fawn 6 year old girl Great Dane.

She has changed my life greatly in the short time I have known her. I use to tell my fiance that I would never get another breed, that Great Danes were the only dog for me, but after today I can't manage to think to go through this pain every 6-10 years.

Today I took Bailey to the vet, she was lame on one paw, and very mopey. We hoped that she had pulled a muscle digging in the yard. After hours of x-rays, we learned that Bailey has a mast cell tumor in her and it has spread to bone cancer in her front paw. Our world seemed to crumble.

If you have never had a Dane you might not understand the loyalty this dog has. She will never leave your side, cries to sleep in bed with us, she continues even to this day as sick as she is to show her undivided attention to us.

Even though she has been diagnosed with fatal bone cancer and continues to cripple, she still fights the urge to stand and nuzzle you, and wag her tail. I can't even begin to tell you how much love this dog has shown us. She is very a brave girl, and most likely has been sick for a while but never has shown us. Almost like she doesn't want us to be nervous for her.

She has brought so much joy to us, we are very sad to watch her get old and sick. We can't manage to think that one day she won't be part of our lives. We bought a new house a year ago, this is her palace. She loved it - big yard, big house - she could roam anywhere she wanted. She makes our house very special. We are very lucky that we were able to have Christmas with her and she seemed healthy. She was so happy, pawing at her gifts and so excited. It really made my life, I had it all...

So I ask this one thing:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Please bless myself and Amanda to have the strength to get through this difficult time, and bless Bailey the peace she deserves. She is forever in our hearts.

If there is any justice to the love one dog can give and compassion showed to her owners, please ease her pain and let her know that we care very deeply for her.

We continue to monitor her and ease her through this difficult time. I assure you that we cannot give her any more love than we have.

I love you Bailey, you gave me something that I will never forget. You'll always be my buddy and favority dog.

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Mar 20, 2012
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Bailey's love
by: Ann

I want to say congrats on your new addition. Seems Bailey will live on. I wish you many years with Mabel. I wish there were more people like you guys to love these precious animals that God has given us. They fill many voids in our lives. I wish I could find another beagle like my Buddy. But I know he was one of a kind. I still miss him terribly.

Good luck and much happiness,
Ann

Mar 20, 2012
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Once A Dane Owner, Always a Dane Owner
by: Eric

Hi all,

Just a quick update. We put our gentle giant to rest on January 24th. It was extremely hard to do, as she was our best friend and loyal companion. We were very distraught, our lives were so incomplete.

On Febuary 24th to the day Bailey passed we picked up our new baby. Mabel. She is a darker fawn female Great Dane, with a black muzzle and a white stomach.

We struggled with the thought of getting another dog so soon, and continuing to get another Great Dane whose life span is very short. Once a Great Dane owner, always a Great Dane owner. We realized the time we shared with Bailey was very special even if it was only for 6.5 years. That we needed the love that a Great Dane can show.

Mabel is now about 11 weeks, she is 25+ lbs, she will never replace her sister, but she has shown us that we can love again.

We miss you dearly Bailey, but know that we love you sister Mabel more than ever. Please protect her.

With much love,
The Berger Family.

Jan 27, 2012
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RIP Bailey
by: Hazel, Site Editor

Eric,

I am so sorry about Bailey. It's so hard to lose a friend and companion. I hope you will find comfort in all the good memories that you had with Bailey.

Please remember that you are not alone... if you need support and encouragement, feel free to visit and post in the forum. There are a lot of dog parents who care and are extremely supportive.

Take care.

Jan 26, 2012
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Bailey's love
by: Ann

Dear Eric,

I am so sorry you lost Bailey. I really feel your loss. Yes I'm glad that you had that extra week with him also. Take solace from the fact that he suffers no more. I still wish I had to bring my little "Buddy" home for a while to show him my love some more also. But you know something Eric? Years wouldn't really be long enough, would it? Because we love them so much.

Again we're so sorry and I hope you don't grieve too long. He'll always be in your hearts.

Jan 26, 2012
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My Precious Bailey
by: Eric

I can't thank everyone enough for all your kind words and support. On Tuesday January 24th we had to let our gentle giant go. She only lived one short week since diagnosis. We are heartbroken, but know she will no longer suffer. We are very thankful we had one last week with her to show her our unconditional love.

Jan 24, 2012
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Bailey
by: Anonymous

Eric, my heart and soul go out to you and Bailey! I remember looking at Jake when he was 6 weeks old and thinking, I need to die before this dog does, because I love him so much, don't wanna live with out him. He's 11 and I'm faced with problems that I will surpass! But I will keep this dog alive! I will know when it's time. And so will you. My heart and prayers to you!

LK

Jan 18, 2012
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Such a Beautiful Dog
by: Sharon (aka shihtzu801)

I've never had a great dane myself, but my brother did. Her name was Kiev. He lost her several years ago to twisted stomach syndrome. She was a harlequin dane and very regal and loyal. I lost my beautiful Princess Mighty Dog to malignant melanoma of the nail bed on December 3, 2011. We had her almost 12 years. I have a post on here too, Princess Mighty Dog has malignant melanoma.

Our love for these precious creatures runs so deep. I look at the picture of your beautiful dog and it tears me apart. They hide so much of their pain from us, they just love right through it. I know this because Princess Mighty Dog lived way beyond what we were told she would, over 1 year.

I will keep you and your family and Bailey in my thoughts and prayers.

Jan 18, 2012
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Bailey's love
by: Ann

Hi Eric

Just want you to know I'm so sorry for your trouble. I know how you feel.

Our dog Buddy had lung cancer and had to leave us 3 wks. ago. I don't think I'll be quite the same again. I don't want to go through this agony any more either but I have A 12 year old cat. They are our best friends and company like no other.

I'll pray for you all and hope Bailey, who looks so regal, doesn't have too much pain. Damn cancer anyway. I hope they find a cure soon. I have a friend I grew up with fighting the battle too.

Let us know how you are doing from time to time. I'll be thinking of you all.

Ann

Jan 18, 2012
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So sorry
by: Anonymous

I am so sorry for your loss.

We have lost our beautiful Labrador Retriever Coco on October 31 2010. He had leukemia and lymphoma. It was heartbreaking to let him go but we did not want him to suffer.

We can understand your pain. Coco too was our best friend and companion to our other dog Sadie. She misses him as much as we do. Sadie has been with Coco since she was a puppy and they were unsepartable.

Coco was nine years old when he was taken by cancer - we will miss him forever. All we have now are the memories of him and all the good times we spent with him.

We have to be strong for Sadie because she needs us to get her through the pain of losing her best friend also. With much love to give her, she will do fine in time, and again very sorry for the loss of your beloved Bailey.

Jan 18, 2012
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The anguish of parting
by: Anonymous

At some point I have to quit this site. It is so hard to be in the place you are now, and also to be the person I am today - without my Jake and my Daisy. Dogs are a special gift to humans, tho I think only a fraction of us (People) know what we have.

As Pam and Ray have responded to your heart wrenching words, there are others who have known your pain - still know it.

My Two Dogs and Osteosarcoma.

My wife and I are trying again, a short 3 months following the loss of Jake, to try and love again. We have rescued two new pups. Two Pointers that are from the same litter. They have already earned our love. Even as 3 month old puppies, I already dread of their last days. But we must have them.

A friend of mine commented a phrase so true ...

We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way.

I wish you well, you are better to have known and loved her then to have not known her at all.

Jan 17, 2012
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We understand your pain
by: Ray and Pam

We just lost our dog Sarge on January 2nd, our 13th wedding anniversary.

He had pulmonary adenocarcinoma. He was an American bull/boxer and we think some great Dane in him. We have been grieving for two weeks. It is so difficult.

My husband Ray took him everywhere when I was at work. We miss him so much. We just want you to know that there are people who understand.

Everyone loved Sarge and he loved everyone. After he died, we had a memorial service for him. Over 40 people showed up. All his vets loved him and thought he was so special. We enjoyed every day with him and will never forget him. We feel the same as you in that it would be hard to go through this again, but it is the cost of all the love they give.

We are sorry for the loss you are facing and will pray for strength for you both.

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