Casey's Page

Weight: 120
Breed: Saint Bernard
Age when diagnosed: 11

Tumors:

We could not wait to pick up Casey from the breeder on July 5, 1997. She was about 7 weeks old and the cutest little puppy. We did not have any kids at the time so she was my baby. She went everywhere with us - Pet stores, the lake, parks, daily walks and all holidays at the grandparents. She was so spoiled. We went on to have 4 kids which Casey was a wonderful friend to them. She was a great dog with a great temperment. They loved taking her for walks or sometimes she took them for a walk. As she got older, the vet would always say she never looked as old as she was. I took her into the vet for a check up and her shots on May 23, 2008. She had the start of a heart murmur and possibly signs of the start of heart failure. This was hard to take at first but we knew she was 11 years old already and still in great health otherwise. She started limping around June 23, 2008 and I took her to the vet again. They examined her leg thoroughly and found that she could have injured her shoulder muscle. The vet gave her a shot of Metacam and sent us home with a liquid prescription which we gave to her everyday. She immediately improved with the shot at the vet's office. A few weeks later on July 12, 2008, she started limping again. I called the vet's office and they prescribed Tramadol for the pain. I did not notice any improvement so I took her back to the vet on July 14, 2008. The vet took a few x-rays and gave me the devastating news. Casey had bone cancer. Due to her age and size, we were in pain management stage. I just wanted to do what ever I could to make her comfortable and be free from pain. The vet prescribed a steriod and the pain medicine and due to her heart condition, we were told it could be a month, maybe two or maybe a little more. As the days passed that week, her limping became worse and her breathing very fast and labored. By Thursday, we had to carry her into the house and she could no longer walk. We knew her time had come. I could not stand to see her in pain anymore. I slept with my baby that Thursday night as I had the first night we brought her home from the breeder. By early morning on Friday, we woke up all the kids (ages 10, 8, 5 and 2) to say goodbye to their special friend who they had grown to love more than anything. She was a big part of our family in so many ways. On that Friday morning, July 18, 2008, we said goodbye to our beloved friend and constant companion. She is no longer in pain and is now in heaven free to run and play. We will always have Casey in our hearts and will always have great memories of the 11 years we shared with her.

Pictures

Casey Casey