The Final Days with a Best Friend who has Cancer

Can you relate to being so incredibly attached to a dog?

This is Roxie (photo above), a gentle, sweet and loving dog. She has always been eager to meet me at the door with a wagging tail, or to sit by me. She could always put a smile on my face. When she was younger, she loved to play fetch or her favorite, tug of war. She would shake her head pulling on that rope, trying so hard to win. Roxie loved being around playful kids and kids at heart. She was always really good around other animals too. It was part of her chill and friendly demeanor. Roxie is a smart, observant dog. She learned a few tricks in her day, the best being how she would sit straight up on her hind legs. Being her coat is black with a fat white belly, she looks like a penguin sitting up!

Roxie has liver cancer and her health has rapidly declined in the past couple of weeks. Today, the vet said she needs to be put down soon.

So, this may be my final weekend with Roxie. The thought of that crushes me and makes it next to impossible to focus on work today. I keep thinking about her, so I decided to write this.

Roxie was rescued as a puppy. Her name came from seeing the confused and apparently hungry pup try to eat a rock. The name Roxie came to mind, followed by me serenading the pooch The Police song, "Roxanne." Through the years, I would sing "Roxanne" to her, changing a few words here and there for the situation. Roxie would develop a variety of allergies that became a constant battle to control. Now, her developed cancer has made her body so bony and frail. It all happened so fast. It hurts, really bad.

This is Roxie (photo above), after a bath several months ago. Maybe, I should give her one more, for old time's sake. I know what will happen, she'll let out a series of cow-like moans of disgust, for old time's sake. She's not a fan of bath time, but it was a constant to treat her skin.

How will I spend my final days with a best friend who is dying of cancer?

It's so hard to say goodbye. Roxie, you're one of a kind, girl.

This one goes out to you...

The Police "Roxanne"