Richard Ray learned Wednesday his best friend is dying.
Harley, his 6-year-old Rottweiler, has bone cancer. Veterinarian Jeremy Yates of Elizabethtown Animal Hospital, who made the diagnosis, told Richard bone cancer is one of the most serious forms of cancer for dogs.
Richard brought Harley to the vet because of a large lump on the pet’s left front leg, near its shoulder.
“I held it back, trying not to cry,” Richard said. He had not expected the diagnosis and took Harley home following the appointment. Richard and his wife, Mary, concluded that putting down their family pet was the best option. The lump on its leg was about the size of a softball.
“I know my baby’s hurting,” Mary said. “I don’t want him hurting,”
Harley is the couple’s first dog. To them he is a big sweetheart, part of their family. When he was a baby, Harley was with them 24/7. Richard and Mary reminisce about how their pet used to get in the middle of the bed with them and push Mary out of the way. “Like where he’s supposed to be,” Mary laughed.
The Rays are building a memorial for Harley under a weeping willow tree. They plan to have him cremated to keep some of the ashes and spread the rest on the memorial.
“I don’t ever want to put him in the ground,” Richard said.
