I'd love to know where that longetivity statistic came from -- it sounds pretty precise.  Personally we've had two live past 15, but have lost two to cancers, and have one at 10 and one at 8 pressing ahead with very active healthy lives.  The GSPCA health survey found the median age of the deceased dogs to be under the longetivity statistic you quote, but my experience is for longer lives (e.g. 14 years or older) for GSPs not hit by cancers.

Of cancers the #1 by far is Mammary Cancer and (of course) found primarily in bitches.  The two we lost were to Mammary and Hemangiosarcoma -- neither easy ways to go.

The top 5 issues that GSPs died of in the GSPCA health survey were:  Cancer, Old Age, Euthanasia, Gastrointestinal problems, and Heart Disease/problems.  Cancer, Old Age, and Euthanasia combined for 53% of the deaths in GSPs --

If you'd like to read the entire survey it is on the GSPCA web site at:

http://www.gspca.org/Health/GSP_Report/GSP_HEALTH-REPORT.htm

Dave

Yeah -- the vet (who has 40 years experience) feels this one has a good chance to be survivable.  We'll see.  I was just struck by the closeness of this and Jean's situation.

Dave

Hi Dave - and thanks for asking. Rosie continues to act like nothing is wrong - although the pack knows something is up and is very paternalistic towards her now, very interesting to watch. To the point that I worry that if they were to perceive a threat to her, they would move swiftly to eliminate it.

We took her out training (she hasn’t been in YEARS) weekend before last and it was a blast to watch her. On her own bird, she held till the shot. (Prior to retirement, she was broke to shot and honored without a verbal caution and then didn't need to be collared - remember she was our personal gundog, not a trial dog). Then we had Willow and Thunder each do a callback and brought Rosie in to honor – hoping she would screw it up. She was SO JACKED UP that she did honor, but then crept in and stole point on Thunder’s bird. Then Blair flushed it and shot it and Rosie promptly retrieved his bird. That’s what we were hoping for as those screwed up situations happen at trials. Thunder stood perfectly through it so I was happy. Then it was Willow’s turn. Rosie “flash honored” then stole point, then decided to jump right in and grab the bird. She chased it all over (too young to fly very well) and caught it, then retrieved it to Blair. Willow was PISSED but also held perfectly. Never seen an old fat dog have so much fun “un-breaking” herself. Once she figured out there were no negative consequences (which there won’t be for the rest of her time, however long that is) she was a wild animal. It’s actually beneficial to have a dog to screw things up. Willow and Thunder, however, looked at us and clearly said “Who the hell brought Mom??!”

I am happy to say that she has already exceeded the vet's most pessimistic prediction of 2 weeks on the low end. So far she has no outward signs of lung mets - no coughing, no difficulty breathing whether running or not. I did unfortunately find the beginning of another mammary tumor and am watching it. It does not seem to be growing terribly fast - certainly not as fast as your Magic's grew, and that gives me some hope that it won't be terribly soon.

I'll keep your Zin in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep me posted on how she does. It helps to feel like we're all in this together.

Jean

Thanks Dave - and Ann and Bev. I laughed and cried at the same time watching her. I guess when it get right down to it, that's what this is allabout.

Jean