I had been told by several people that this was a depressing series and it was, even more so now. Anywho, I just wanted to wrap it up in case anyone was curious.

The actual dog that was put to sleep was my dog Sydnee, a sweet Rottie we'd had for 8 years. I had already been doing comics with the dog character as our other dog Yoshi and I figured it would just be easier not change that. The Yoshi dog was kind of an amalgamation of the two dogs anyway. I would include a picture but I thought was too depressing. Anywho, thanks for everyone who wrote to me and read these comics.

mmyers

Our Doggie Cancer year (1) by mmyers 9-28-04

Come on, pup. We're going for a ride. Awesome! I love rides! Where are we headed? Um, to the vet...but it's not a big deal. The...vet? And you can ride up in the front seat with me. Won't that be fun? Allrigh--waitaminute, your voice sounds weird, like you're pitying me...and you never want me to get hair on the front seat! Well, if pity gets me in the front seat, I'll take it.

Our Doggie Cancer year (2) by mmyers 9-28-04

The Vet. All these other animals are weirding me out. They look sick, like those animals on that animal rescue show you won't let me watch. If I don't let you watch it then how do you know what the animals on it look like? I have a vivid imagination.

Our Doggie Cancer year (3) by mmyers 9-28-04

Um, Dad, am I sick? Well, you're not neccessarily healthy, unfortunately, but the doctor is checking on what we can do. I don't feel sick. That's the bad part about being sick is that sometimes it's hard to tell it. So how do we know you're not sick and don't know it? Let's cross one bridge at a time, okay, boy?

Our Doggie Cancer year (4) by mmyers 9-29-04

Okay, Mr Myers, I have some bad news for you. Your dog has lymphoma. Well shit. *sigh* Allright. Thanks Doc. What's the good news? Good news? Um, there isn't any good news. No good news? Doc, I paid you nearly $1000 to tell me that my dog is sick, the least you can do is give me some fucking good news. Um, I ju-- If you say that you just saved a bunch of money on your car insurance, I'll punch you.

Our Doggie Cancer year (5) by mmyers 9-29-04

So what are our options here, Doc? There are several types of Chemo we can do: an expensive chemo that is very effective, a not as expensive kind that isn't as effective, and a cheap kind that doesn't do anything at all. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that I'll take the most expensive kind and you can put it on his bill. Hold on, hold on. I'd like to hear more about this one that doesn't do anything at all except not make me feel guilty. Yeah, I think you've about summed it up with that explanation. If everyone values their shoes, I think we'll put me on the expensive drugs and there won't be any more discussion about it.

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Peeing sitting down is the gift you give yourself.

Our Doggie Cancer year (6) by mmyers 10-01-04

Dad, am I gonna go bald from the treatment? They said probably not. It doesn't usually react that way with puppies. There's like a 7% chance. Good, because I don't want to look stupid. You wouldn't look stupid. Look at the back of my head. I'm going bald and I don't look stupid. Ummm, right. Maybe I'll start collecting all my hair around the apartment, you know, just in case. Yes, and perhaps I'll stop by the store to get some of that thickening shampoo they make for guys with receeding hairlines.

Our doggie Cancer year (7) by mmyers 10-05-04

Man, this just doesn't seem fair. I'm young, I'm vibrant, I like to hump things. Bad things shouldn't be happening to me. I know, Yoshi. It just doesn't seem fair. If only it could have been testicular Cancer instead. Um, you haven't had testicles for about 3 years now, guy. D'uh, I know that. Then it would be whoever the guy who has my testicles now problem. You do realize that your testicles weren't organ donored, right?

Our doggie Cancer year (8) by mmyers 10-05-04

What???? Where the hell are they? What did you do with my testicles? I didn't do anything with them. They probably got thrown away after the surgery. I am not at all pleased with the complete disregard for the well being of my testicles. Come on. You'll forget all about again in a few minutes and you won't care again. I will not. This will not be forgotten so soo...Hey! A bone! Woohoo! All the lonely testicles, where do they all belong?

Our doggie Cancer year (9) by mmyers 10-08-04

I think we both knew it was only a matter of time before I accidently projectiled diarrehia on your shoe. That was pretty incredible. I think we should set up some cans and see if you can knock them over.

Our Doggie Cancer year (10) by mmyers 10-13-04

Oh boy! Your first solid poop in three weeks. We're on the comeback trail, Yoshi. Allright! We should celebrate. What would you like to do? We could ride go-carts and go fishing and swim in the lake and...oop. Now I've got the runs again. Maybe we should just take it easy for awhile. I've got a happy dog's heart but the nervous dog's bowls.

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Peeing sitting down is the gift you give yourself.

Our doggie Cancer year (11) by mmyers 10-27-04

I like my new expensive dogfood, but I have one problem with it. What's that? It's not expensive enough. Also, I don't feel like eating it, so maybe you could feed it to me? Nugget by nugget? Something leads me to believe that you're milking this but I feel bad for you so I'll do it. Wear a silk glove while you feed to me. Your hands are dry and rough. Also, call me Caeser. I think you've milked it enough now.

Our doggie Cancer year (12) by mmyers 10-20-04

How you feeling today, Yoshi? Tired, mate, tired. Feel like sleeping all the time. How's that different from your normal routine? I've exerted too much effort thinking about that. I'm gonna go lay down.

Our doggie Cancer year (13) by mmyers 10-20-04

3:45 AM. Psst, hey! Hey Dad. Wake up. Mmmuunnhh? Wha--what's up? I gotta go poop, man. You gotta let me out right now. Allright, allright, let me put on some shorts. I can't go now. I've got shy bottom. Will you sing to me? It really helps get the fluids movin'. *sigh* Black dog poopin' in the dead of night, pinch your little loaf, let it take flight. You were only waitin' for this moment to arrive. (Sorry Mr Lennon)

Our doggie Cancer year (fin.) by mmyers 10-27-04

I had such good plans for this series. I patterned it after Harvey Pekar's "Our Cancer year". A bitter sweet look at animal Chemo therapy. In the end, I hoped it would maybe give someone hope who was going through the same thing and add a little levity to something dark. We were very optimistic about the success of our doggie's treatments but sadly it didn't work out and we had to put the dog to sleep this weekend. We did all the pup's favorite things. I made steak and we went for a walk and slept on the floor with 'em. It was a happy doggy life and we couldn't have loved her more. Good dog. Doggy Heaven.

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Peeing sitting down is the gift you give yourself.

:*-)

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Please replace the handset, and try again.

I like to think all our dogs are romping together in the best Outdoors ever. Now I have to snuggle the cats again. Excuse me.

Doggie Summerlands by ivytheplant 10-27-04

Welcome to Doggie Heaven. We have all the comforts of home and to get anything you want, all you have to do is ask. Of course there's other dogs here, so you'll have lots of friends to make. Cool. Anything I want, eh? I'll start with a cat slave feeding me steak while wearing silk gloves. I'm a ferocious hunter. Soon that ball will no longer be a Menace To The World! Why is Jaimie looking at me like that? Uhoh. Looks like Major is doing his circus act again. I'd better bury this before the new guy comes sniffing around.

Thanks gang.

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Peeing sitting down is the gift you give yourself.

Jeez, man. I'm sorry. I was holding onto the hope that she'd pull through.

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The giant three-phallused phallus of Uzbekistan will one day squirt the cosmic jizz of revenge all over Canada.

:*|

Sorry for your loss, mm.

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Think classy, you'll be classy.