[creedavislove]

I’m so heart broken 💔 I don’t know what to do! Lord help me. My Dobbie son Mansa passed away today, he was the sweetest dog ever 😭. He loved our family unconditionally and we loved him. He was our fost
I hate cancer and don’t understand why he had to die at 7 years old. I thought they lived to at least 10. It feels like half of my heart is gone! 😭 I can’t believe this.
Someone help me please, I need answers. If your Dobbie child has passed how did you get through it? Has anyone Dobbie passed early at 7 from lymphoma cancer?

I want another but I’m afraid I’ll love them so much again and it will break my heart too much when they pass. I love my doggy son like my own child. Lord have mercy on my soul.

Where does this stupid cancer come from? It has to be the food or vaccines?! I fed him what the breeder said to feed him, Diamond Naturals, which is suppose to be a top brand. I fully vaccinated as the doctors recommend.

I feel like a new Dobbie baby will help me cope. I don’t want to buy from the same breeder even though they’re a top breeder in Carolina. We spent top dollars for our son.
Can someone please send me the info on a breeder that has a history of long living healthy Dobbies.
If you have a Dobbie child that’s over 10 what do you feed them and do you fully vaccinate ? I need to know this so I can help my next baby live and love longer here on earth…

Thank you in advance for your help,
A heartbroken hearted grieving Mommy,
Cree 💔

 

[melbrod]

I'm so sorry you lost Mansa to cancer. Dobermans have an almost unique ability to enter into our hearts and when it is time for them to go, they leave such a terrible hole in our lives--the grief can be excruciating.

And I'm not sure how you get through that pain except by putting one foot in front to the other as you go through the process of mourning. "This can't have happened; I don't understand; I hate this disease; it's not fair; what did I do wrong; what can I do differently; how can I go on without him...?"

Everyone grieves differently. Some people want a new puppy right away; others need to wait until their heart has healed a little. Some people say never again. In my case, at least once, I got my next dog too early. I was persuaded by the rest of my family; they were ready. But I wasn't. And I was the primary caretaker of the dog. It was a difficult first few months, and a lot harder than I expected it to be.

It's a decision we each have to make for ourselves.

A new puppy will not replace the old, but he will bring you new and different joys (and challenges.) You will always have a place in your heart for that first special boy--and thinking of him will hurt, a lot at first, not as often as time goes on. At some point (and I truly believe this based on my own experience) you will be able to remember him and smile, even laugh, about the good times you had together, and that will counteract some of the loss. But I don't think you can get there without going through the dark times and the pain first.

Sometimes it helps to talk to other people who have had the experience of losing their heart dog too. So come here if you'd like--mourn your loss; talk about the pain; tell stories about Mansa (both the good and the bad); post pictures of him if you'd like. Just about everyone here has been in your place--we understand how devastating it is.

Run free, dear Mansa...

 

[MaryAndDobes]

I'm sorry for your loss, and I understand the seeking for answers. Any answers ... I think we all go through that, trying to make some sense out of it. But I just don't think there is sense to be found. Cancer is all around us. Sure, there can be some expected longevity based on averages but the fact is that not everyone or everything IS average. Old people die, young people die, kids die - same for animals. That's just life, unfortunately.

I have had many long-lived Dobermans that lived past 11, 12, a couple past 13 but I've also lost some way too tragically young. A puppy who died at 6 months of dilated cardiomyopathy, a 4 year old that died of cancer. Personally, the ones I had with lymphoma were around 9, I think, but there was one who was around Mansa's age. I don't believe it had anything to do with their food or their vaccines as they weren't treated any differently than the ones who lived good, long lives. That said, I do believe in seeking out breeders who tend to produce a lot of long-lived Dobermans to give yourself the best genetic chances of having your pet around for a long time but I'm not going to beat up anyone about vaccines and food.

 

[spocksdad]

Sorry for your early loss of your beloved Mansa. Can't fathom how impactful that must be at an early age of 7? Our two past Dobes lived past 10 and we were thankful for that, but it still seemed too early. I reason that it's because Dobes are so devoted and give all their energy to their families. They just enjoy every day of life that they are granted on the earth. Like a candle burning at both ends, yet some still leave us way too soon, like your Mansa. Just gather up your memories of you boy and recount all the wonderful times with your family. If you can, post up some of your favorite pictures here as a tribute to his life.

 

[ECIN]

Cree -- I'm so sorry for your lose . I lost my Ali girl to cancer 4 years ago , I beat myself up endlessly ! WHY ? I told her right before Doc gave her the shot to take her pain away for good , I was sorry that Dad could not make her well again , Still today , I have an Ali day , I will just from out of the blue break down and cry . So I know where your coming from .

I will tell you some of my past history , maybe it will help you some in your discission , Back in 91 , we lost our Female , I was so heart broke I said never again , There was not much of my heart left - fast forward to 2000 , Puppies for sell ! Beautiful was what they said , Trip to Nobleville IN and brought home a -- yes -- Beautiful little girl ! She lived just short of her 15th birthday . After picking her up , a few days later , wife and I was sitting there watching her play and said , what was we thinking ? waiting almost 10 years Doberless ? We were whole again ! And then added the second one when she was around 7 .

I have no idea Why this happens , Mary covered that as well as anybody could . You can do everything right , yet it happens , no matter how much money you spend , life is life , we never will know how long that time will be .

When I lost Ali , I called our breeder, I knew it would take time to get the next one and it did and by then , I was ready to pull my hair out again with raising a pup .

You will never forget the dog you had , never , when they come home that first day , they already have your heart , but what helped me with Ali , was I was chasing around another new pup and that helped me and I'm not kidding here , I needed help .

Big hug for you !

RIP Mansa

 

[falnfenix]

I'm so very sorry.

For us, it's impossible - inconceivable, even - to get another dog right away. We needed time to grieve. (We also needed to wait until my very geriatric cat passed on, as another dog would have killed him through stress.)

My mother-in-law, on the other hand, lasted 24 hours before she was scouring rescues for another dog. Every person is different, and everyone grieves differently.

 

[TNfisher]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

 

[alan j.]

When you lose the things you Love it does not matter at what age. It is heart breaking.
I am sorry for your loss.

 

[MeadowCat]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Cancer is a terrible thing, in dogs and in humans. There are so many different types of cancers, and they all behave differently. I think many of us have been touched by it in our lives and can understand your pain and grief. We all wish we could control things and prevent cancer, but unfortunately we simply can't. You didn't do anything wrong that caused this.

This is a great group to support you - we know how much our dogs mean to us.

 

[creedavislove]

😭 … My Son Mansa over the years! I can’t believe he’s gone! 😫😭

 

[dobegal]

I am sorry for your loss and the pain that you are going through

 

[KristenC]

I am so very sorry for your loss. This community is a great place to find support, we truly understand your pain.

I have lost several Dobermans now to various issues at all different ages. All lived mostly the same lifestyle. You truly just never know. We do all we can to give them the best life and enjoy every moment.

 

[ECIN]

Quote from KC : This community is a great place to find support, we truly understand your pain.

Amen Sister KC .

 

[dax0402]

So very, very sorry for your loss. Run free sweet boy.💔

 

[Anza]

Awe, what a handsome boy. I'm really sorry for your loss, it can be hard. I lost one of my favorite dogs unexpectedly and it tore my heart out too.

As far as getting another pup, you will know when the time is right for you.

 

[dobebug]

I'm so sorry that you've lost your Mansa boy--I don't care what age they are--the loss is always heartbreaking.

But these good dogs of ours will go where ever it is that the good dogs go--to be well and happy again...

Sleep softly Mansa and run on the green hills and wait for those who loved you...

dobebug

 

[Doberdemon]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Sunje]

I'm so sorry. I just lost my girl to a different kind of cancer at 8.5 years. It was very fast-moving and unexpected, and we had to put her down right after Christmas, especially difficult since she was our only dog and I am now dogless for the first time in 35 years. I'd suggest you do a lot of research and reading here, learn about what makes a good breeder and how to find a healthy dog. I've learned so much here and on Dobequest and the DPCA website, where there is good information about longevity and health in various pedigrees. Ask questions here too.

 

[GP Person]

I'm so sorry. One of my dogs died at 8 from a different cancer. There is an extra element to the pain of fighting the idea it's extra unfair. Memories of Millie and the human friend who died of cancer in her 40s come to me often and still make me want to kick things. I changed breeds from Akitas to Rottweilers after losing a second Akita to cancer sure I wouldn't love a Rottie as much. Foolish, silly me. The pain of losing them is IMO the price of loving them, and I resigned myself to paying it. Give it time. You'll find your way.

 

[Rosemary]

I'm sorry for your loss. I lost my mutt girl to hemangiosarcoma when she was only 7, and I was pretty much shattered.