Sad News to report

nikimcbee · 03-14-08, 02:27 AM

I guess since subsim is practically family, I have some sad news to report. Niki McBee, the official Boston Terrier of Subsim, is rapidly approaching the end of his doggy life.

Niki has a large tumor on his throat that is effecting his breathing. I took him to the vet today to have his tumor looked at again. It has grown considerably since I first noticed it. The vet tried to take samples from the tumor, but that effort failed to yield results (a diagnosis). An operation is considered too dangerous to perform because of the location of the tumor in regards to the arteries that are located in the throat. Plus the operation is out of my price range (>$3000) It is most likely (unconfirmed) that the tumor is malignant and it may be too late to do anything. So at this point the vet and I discussed euthenasia. At this point I just need to make "the decision."

I don't know the time line for making this decision.

This is a very hard time for me, as I raised Niki from a puppy, so making the decision to end a friend's life is not easy.

Thanks for your support and friendship.

Ol' McBee

Dowly · 03-14-08, 02:32 AM

So, so sorry to hear that.

danlisa · 03-14-08, 03:07 AM

It's like loosing a member of the family. I'm very sorry for you.

_Seth_ · 03-14-08, 03:29 AM

I'm a dog lovin' person myself, so this is indeed bad news...Im so sorry, mate

d@rk51d3 · 03-14-08, 03:43 AM

I don't know quite what to say, except, I'm sorry to hear that sad news.

Dmitry Markov · 03-14-08, 04:00 AM

Sad news indeed (((

joea · 03-14-08, 04:30 AM

Oh no I am so sorry to hear that, Niki McBee is a subsim icon!

TarJak · 03-14-08, 05:10 AM

That's sad news indeed. Whatever you decide it will be right for you and Nikimcbee. This place won't be the same without his doggy mug everywhere.

nikimcbee · 03-14-08, 05:22 AM

Thanks for the kind words and everything. I guess it really helps with the grieving process. I've always dreaded this day, but it is part of life. I never really had a dog as a kid, so when I was out on my own, this was one of the first things I did, was get a dog.

Here are some other memories of fun and adventure:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=132243

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=131018

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=106563

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=122760

bert8for3 · 03-14-08, 05:37 AM

Very sorry to hear that and know what you're going through as have been there too.

Skybird · 03-14-08, 05:49 AM

Leave him the time he still has without much pain, then help him to get free.

STEED · 03-14-08, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

This is a very hard time for me, as I raised Niki from a puppy, so making the decision to end a friend's life is not easy.

It never is mate.

As long as he had a good life you can be proud you did your bit and had a good time with him.

ReallyDedPoet · 03-14-08, 06:50 AM

Very sorry to hear that.

RDP

AVGWarhawk · 03-14-08, 07:09 AM

As many dogs as I have seen in my family, and it has been plenty as my mother bred pugs for show and is a AKC judge, she always was in the thought that as long as the dog is comfortable and not in pain with a problems such as Niki has, let it be. One pug in particular had a mass growing on her leg and chest area. Could do nothing about it. She let the dog be and we kept her comfortable fat and happy until there was evidence of pain and discomfort. Niki should be handled the same way. If the little guy seems to be ok and making it around without much issue, let him be. Make him comfortable and let him enjoy what he can. When the day comes were he is in pain or life is just miserable with his cancer, then euthanasia is the one best possible thing you can do for Niki. Although the thought of euthanasia sucks, it is a avenue you can take to relieve Niki of any pain that you or the vet can not do anything about. Sorry to hear of his ailment and yes, these little guys get to be your best friend and a family member. They all have a personality of their own for sure.

Torplexed · 03-14-08, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

At this point I just need to make "the decision."

I don't know the time line for making this decision.

Aggggh! Grim news mcbee. This is a heart-rendering post. I've gone through this before. With cats mostly. Watch for signs of apathy. If he has no more enthusiasm for life, no interest in food or water it's time. It's mercy, but that doesn't make it any easier.

Now, I'll be depressed all day.

03-14-08, 02:27 AM	#1
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Sad News to report I guess since subsim is practically family, I have some sad news to report. Niki McBee, the official Boston Terrier of Subsim, is rapidly approaching the end of his doggy life. Niki has a large tumor on his throat that is effecting his breathing. I took him to the vet today to have his tumor looked at again. It has grown considerably since I first noticed it. The vet tried to take samples from the tumor, but that effort failed to yield results (a diagnosis). An operation is considered too dangerous to perform because of the location of the tumor in regards to the arteries that are located in the throat. Plus the operation is out of my price range (>$3000) It is most likely (unconfirmed) that the tumor is malignant and it may be too late to do anything. So at this point the vet and I discussed euthenasia. At this point I just need to make "the decision." I don't know the time line for making this decision. This is a very hard time for me, as I raised Niki from a puppy, so making the decision to end a friend's life is not easy. Thanks for your support and friendship. Ol' McBee __________________

03-14-08, 03:07 AM	#3
danlisa Navy Seal Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 5,499 Downloads: 45 Uploads: 1	It's like loosing a member of the family. I'm very sorry for you. __________________

03-14-08, 03:29 AM	#4
_Seth_ Ocean Warrior Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: In Tromsoe, @Tirpitz' final resting place.. Posts: 3,277 Downloads: 94 Uploads: 0	I'm a dog lovin' person myself, so this is indeed bad news...Im so sorry, mate __________________

03-14-08, 04:00 AM	#6
Dmitry Markov Officer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Moscow, Russian Federation Posts: 236 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Sad news indeed ((( __________________ Большому кораблю - большая торпеда!

03-14-08, 05:22 AM	#9
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the kind words and everything. I guess it really helps with the grieving process. I've always dreaded this day, but it is part of life. I never really had a dog as a kid, so when I was out on my own, this was one of the first things I did, was get a dog. Here are some other memories of fun and adventure: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=132243 http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=131018 http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=106563 http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=122760 __________________ Last edited by nikimcbee; 03-14-08 at 05:33 AM.

03-14-08, 02:32 AM	#2
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,052 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	So, so sorry to hear that.

03-14-08, 03:43 AM	#5
d@rk51d3 Sea Lord Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 1,951 Downloads: 207 Uploads: 0	I don't know quite what to say, except, I'm sorry to hear that sad news.

03-14-08, 04:30 AM	#7
joea Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: At periscope depth in Lake Geneva Posts: 3,512 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 0	Oh no I am so sorry to hear that, Niki McBee is a subsim icon!

03-14-08, 05:10 AM	#8
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	That's sad news indeed. Whatever you decide it will be right for you and Nikimcbee. This place won't be the same without his doggy mug everywhere.

03-14-08, 05:37 AM	#10
bert8for3 Ace of the Deep Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,124 Downloads: 110 Uploads: 0	Very sorry to hear that and know what you're going through as have been there too.

03-14-08, 05:49 AM	#11
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,603 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Leave him the time he still has without much pain, then help him to get free. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

03-14-08, 06:50 AM	#13
ReallyDedPoet Canadian Wolf Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canada. The one and only, East Coast Posts: 10,884 Downloads: 946 Uploads: 5	Very sorry to hear that. RDP __________________ Back in the Day

03-14-08, 07:09 AM	#14
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	As many dogs as I have seen in my family, and it has been plenty as my mother bred pugs for show and is a AKC judge, she always was in the thought that as long as the dog is comfortable and not in pain with a problems such as Niki has, let it be. One pug in particular had a mass growing on her leg and chest area. Could do nothing about it. She let the dog be and we kept her comfortable fat and happy until there was evidence of pain and discomfort. Niki should be handled the same way. If the little guy seems to be ok and making it around without much issue, let him be. Make him comfortable and let him enjoy what he can. When the day comes were he is in pain or life is just miserable with his cancer, then euthanasia is the one best possible thing you can do for Niki. Although the thought of euthanasia sucks, it is a avenue you can take to relieve Niki of any pain that you or the vet can not do anything about. Sorry to hear of his ailment and yes, these little guys get to be your best friend and a family member. They all have a personality of their own for sure. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road