I am broken, crushed if you will, into pieces...so much so, that I can barely post the message I received this morning from our Rescue. Few dogs have ever touched my life as deeply as Ebony has. But I've always known that Ebony's purpose on this Earth was to send a message of courage, love, and hope when facing the most daunting obstacles. And now, having given her lesson on that issue, she has more than earned the Peace she so greatly deserves. I'll never forget Ebony, ever, even though she wasn't mine and I only met her once when we first looked at taking her in.
This news has not been posted on our FB page yet, so please bear that in mind. But I know some of you have been interested in Ebony's story, and aren't on FB.
Please join me in sending good and powerful thoughts her way.
Here are her foster Mom's words, edited some:
"I am so very devastated to have to send this to all of you.
Sunday Ebony had a very busy day we worked in the yard and went for a walk. Sunday night as we were getting ready for bed, I noticed that Ebony's mouth was bleeding. I looked at her mouth and saw that her lower right K-9 was bleeding. Thinking that we maybe had an abscessed tooth or maybe a piece of food was lodged where it was causing problems. On Monday morning I took her to Twin Creek Animal Hospital (where she had all of her dental work done) to have the Vet take a look at her.
Unfortunately the problem was not as I had suspected -- Ebony has a VERY AGRESSIVE cancerous growth. In the 4 month's since her last surgery the cancer has eaten a large chunk of her jaw. (When she had her surgery 4 month's ago there was NO sign of the cancer and her jaw was solid and complete). She now has 3 teeth that are simply floating in soft tissue. Dr Rachwitz kept Ebony for the day, and did a biopsy (he is donating his services and is asking for payment for the pathology report only -- estimating it will be around $100. ). They had issues getting the bleeding to stop so they ended up keeping her the night.
I picked her up this morning and brought her home.
Now for the REALLY BAD NEWS --- Dr Rachwitz is absolutely sure that it will be cancerous, the question is which type of cancer. There are 3 different types of cancer her thinks it could be. The treatment for all 3 are the same, the life expectancy changes with each type of cancer. The treatment is to do some very radical surgery and remove about the front third of her lower jaw, rebuild with soft tissue -- Dr Rachwitz is offering to do this with some pretty deep discounts and says he can do it for approx. $1,000.
I do not remember the names of the cancers -- but this is how things breakdown.
The BEST outcome is she would probably live a quality life for close to a year.
The next scenario is about 6 months
The last is it has already probably spread and there is not an estimate given
The scenarios above will be determined once we get the pathology report back and know which kind of cancer we are dealing with.
If we do nothing and manage the pain --- Dr Rachwitz has estimated that we have about a month before the pain is too much and she will need to be put down.
I am still trying to gather my thoughts and wrap my head around this. I am sharing this with the people that have been involved with her rescue so you to have a chance to process this information. I have tried to provide all information that I have.
I am so very sorry to have to deliver this news ---
Say a little prayer for my little girl --- her courage just doesn't seem to be enough right now
Judy & Ebony"
This news has not been posted on our FB page yet, so please bear that in mind. But I know some of you have been interested in Ebony's story, and aren't on FB.
Please join me in sending good and powerful thoughts her way.
Here are her foster Mom's words, edited some:
"I am so very devastated to have to send this to all of you.
Sunday Ebony had a very busy day we worked in the yard and went for a walk. Sunday night as we were getting ready for bed, I noticed that Ebony's mouth was bleeding. I looked at her mouth and saw that her lower right K-9 was bleeding. Thinking that we maybe had an abscessed tooth or maybe a piece of food was lodged where it was causing problems. On Monday morning I took her to Twin Creek Animal Hospital (where she had all of her dental work done) to have the Vet take a look at her.
Unfortunately the problem was not as I had suspected -- Ebony has a VERY AGRESSIVE cancerous growth. In the 4 month's since her last surgery the cancer has eaten a large chunk of her jaw. (When she had her surgery 4 month's ago there was NO sign of the cancer and her jaw was solid and complete). She now has 3 teeth that are simply floating in soft tissue. Dr Rachwitz kept Ebony for the day, and did a biopsy (he is donating his services and is asking for payment for the pathology report only -- estimating it will be around $100. ). They had issues getting the bleeding to stop so they ended up keeping her the night.
I picked her up this morning and brought her home.
Now for the REALLY BAD NEWS --- Dr Rachwitz is absolutely sure that it will be cancerous, the question is which type of cancer. There are 3 different types of cancer her thinks it could be. The treatment for all 3 are the same, the life expectancy changes with each type of cancer. The treatment is to do some very radical surgery and remove about the front third of her lower jaw, rebuild with soft tissue -- Dr Rachwitz is offering to do this with some pretty deep discounts and says he can do it for approx. $1,000.
I do not remember the names of the cancers -- but this is how things breakdown.
The BEST outcome is she would probably live a quality life for close to a year.
The next scenario is about 6 months
The last is it has already probably spread and there is not an estimate given
The scenarios above will be determined once we get the pathology report back and know which kind of cancer we are dealing with.
If we do nothing and manage the pain --- Dr Rachwitz has estimated that we have about a month before the pain is too much and she will need to be put down.
I am still trying to gather my thoughts and wrap my head around this. I am sharing this with the people that have been involved with her rescue so you to have a chance to process this information. I have tried to provide all information that I have.
I am so very sorry to have to deliver this news ---
Say a little prayer for my little girl --- her courage just doesn't seem to be enough right now
Judy & Ebony"
Last edited:
Ronnie