Not the best of news

I was supposed to start heading out after work for our annual elk and deer hunt in Colorado today. Had the Blazer loaded up and ready to go.

Just one problem. I had to make a phone call during my lunch. I didn't hear what I wanted to.

See, my mother-in-law, whom I truly do love, had a chest x-ray last week which showed a mass in one of her lungs. She had another doctor's appointment this morning which would tell more.

It told the worst. Yep, lung cancer. She is getting operated on Monday to remove the tumor. My wife is flying out tomorrow to be with her, which leaves me having to stay at home to take care of the dogs.

Why not put them in a kennel or have a friend/neighbor look after them? It wouldn't be a problem with just one of them (actually my dad's dog), but my big mutt and German Shepard? There is no one within 1000 miles that could come close to taking care of my big mutt. He absolutely loves the few people he knows. Anyone else? He'll rip their heart out for fun (no kidding). My Shepard, on the other hand, is a sweetheart...

if someone she knows is with a stranger. No way anyone would ever have a chance getting in the house, with permission to take care of her, and getting out alive if I or my wife wasn't there.

My wife feels absolutely terrible about me missing my hunt. She knows this is the one time a year I see my brother and his family. My niece and nephew look forward to me coming up every year to hunt.

All I can tell her is there are more important things than me going hunting. This is one of them.

Yes, I'm dissappointed on not getting in my hunt this year. I am much more worried about my mother-in-law. I have been in a bit of a funk since we got the news. I wish I could go out and do whatever is possible to help her through this but I just can't abandon the dogs.

My wife and I have come up with a number of scenarios for the dogs. None work.

I hate missing my hunt with family and friends, but this is one thing I'm willing to give it up for. Good luck to my dad, brother and friends on what I hope to be a spectacular hunt!
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well id love to help out if you were in utah!
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Can't you take them? :-k

If room in the truck is an issue rent or borrow a cargo trailer.

IDK the whole story but if it was me my dogs would be going hunting with me.

Bill
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TheHardWay
Hope they can get all of the tumor out, and she has a speedy recovery.
Colorado will be here next year for you to hunt!
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dahlmer
What a tough deal all the way around. My prayers are with your wife and mother and I appreciate your perspective on the issue. God bless.
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I'm sorry to hear the news.... that a tough situation to deal with. I wish I could help out!
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ABert
"huntindad" wrote:Can't you take them? :-k

If room in the truck is an issue rent or borrow a cargo trailer.

IDK the whole story but if it was me my dogs would be going hunting with me.

Bill
I've got space in the back to put the dogs, not a problem. The problem is my neice and nephew sleeping in the camper with us and the dogs, or rather just my big mutt.

Believe me, I've looked at every angle and cannot find a solution other than being where I am right now. That is at the house with the dogs.
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Hiker
Abert, sorry to hear the news buddy.
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sneekeepete
Sorry to hear that A-bert! Your family will be in my prayers and hopefully next year will make up for a missed season.
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derekp1999
I'm sorry to hear about your mother-in-law, best of luck to her. May she get the best possible care and outcome possible.
I had a similar situation where I got a phone call 2 years ago while hunting the Book Cliffs with a buddy & my wife told me that my Father-in-Law was in the hospital with blood clots in his lungs. At that point hunting didn't matter and we were off the mountain and home very quickly. Best of luck to you next year though, karma will come around.
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ABert
Thanks for all the kind words. She goes in tomorrow for surgery.

I did get word today that an elk and a deer where taken this morning.
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