Oak's Last Story

August 2006

Oak has aged well over the last five years. He did well during his show career and made himself a champion, he has friends everywhere and all our family loves him. This is going to be his last story.

Oak turned six on the 12th. On the 29th, I took him to the hospital because he was limping and his (wrist) was swollen. The news was not good. The doctor and I think he has osteosarcoma (bone cancer).

Osteo is a particularly nasty disease which migrates to the lungs in its final stages. The aggressive treatment includes amputation of the limb involved. The biopsy includes cutting into the bone (which never heals). I have decided not to have a biopsy done and I am not going to have his beautiful leg amputated. We will try holistic medicine, careful diet and lots of pain medication.

Irish Wolfhounds are 27 times more likely to develop osteo than all other breeds COMBINED. It is much more prevalent these days and we hear a lot about it. I have read much of the sorrow that goes with it on the wolfhound mailing list.

I feel as though I am in a nightmare and can't wake up. My beautiful boy will not see his 7th birthday and I am heartbroken. He has been my hiking buddy almost from the first day I brought him home. We bonded deeply and I have hoped all this time that he would get to live a long and happy life. He has been happy for the time that I have had him (except for going to the first 4 or 5 shows) so we got half of it right.

Still, I wouldn't change a thing. Wolfhounds are in my life to stay and I have Sassy and Purple J to help me through this crisis.

Thanks to all the wonderful folks who have followed Oak's adventures and sent all the encouraging words throughout his puppyhood.

November 15, 2006

I took Oak back to the clinic this morning and shared TWO packages of Grandma's peanut butter cookies with him. Then the wonderful folks there helped me end his life. He was not everyone's favorite dog but he worked hard for the people he did love. He never failed to meet Dad on the porch for a handshake and he sat in the laps of his other favorite people. Having Oak sit in your lap was a real treat. It was always exciting to see who he would add to his list of favorite places to sit. He usually chose the smallest person in the room.

Dad and I buried him in the front yard while the sky cried onto the forest that Oak loved so well.

In loving memory of my boy
Mountain Mist Mighty Oak

August 12, 2000 - November 15, 2006
age 6 years, 3 months, 3 days