World's Tallest Dog Dies From Cancer

[Kadie]

Aug 12, 2009 11:01 am US/Pacific
World's Tallest Dog Dies From Cancer
Gibson, The 7-Year-Old, From Grass Valley Had Been Battling Bone Cancer

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ― The world's tallest dog has died after battling cancer. Gibson, the seven-year-old Great Dane from Grass Valley died last week.

Gibson had been battling bone cancer since he was diagnosed in April of this year. A few weeks later, he had his front right leg amputated to prevent the spread of the cancer.

snip...
The news was devastating for Sandy, who has raised "Gibby" from his days as a tiny puppy to the 180-pound giant who tops seven feet when he stands on his hind legs and is still an impressive four feet tall when standing on all fours.

Gibson has held the Guinness world record for more than five years.

snip...
Sandy Hall will continue to raise awareness about canine cancer through the Three Paws for the Cause foundation. Gibson's son Brewster will be joining Hall.

A new Web site, www.remembergibson.com, has been established to promote Three Paws for the Cause and honor Gibson's memory. The Web site features a memorial page where fans can pay tribute to him and express their condolences.

more...
http://cbs13.com/breakingnews/tallest.dog.dies.2.1125355.html

[TwilightGardener]

1. Aw. RIP, big boy.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Way too young even for a huge dog. RIP.

[SoCalDem]

4. Sadly, the larger the dog, the shorter the lifespan

Some breeds are considered to have lived a long time, at 10.. and the little tiny ones sometimes live well into their late teens..

still too short of a time.. that's the only downside of having pets..they leave us too soon:cry:

[Arkansas Granny]

5. Sad news, but isn't that about the average life span for that breed?

[joeybee12]

6. Same with people...

...heart issues. Poor doggy, RIP...such a sweet face.

[TahitiNut]

8. Yup. Great Danes have a life expectancy of 8-11 years.

http://www.dogluvers.com/Great-Dane.html

[flvegan]

3. I lost my dane to bone cancer little over two years ago.

He lost his hind leg to the disease. RIP, Gibson. Sweet giant.

My boy enjoying some of his final days in the sun

[Jennicut]

7. Awww, he was a cutie.

I lost my cat a few years back but got another one recently. Pets really become part of the family, don't they?

[flvegan]

11. Thanks.

They sure do. They sure do.

[kestrel91316]

9. Bone cancer, especially in the forelegs, is and has been for decades,

a leading cause of death in giant breeds of dogs. Which he was. Males are disproportionately represented. As are younger adults.

I had a female Great Pyrenees who lived to 12, which was unusual. And she got terribly senile, which was untenable, but she wasn't dying of anything medical yet.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

10. Poor baby. Danes have shorter lifespans than a lot of dogs and I guess

that's why cancer came so early to him. Hoping that he's now running and jumping on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge!

BTW... a friend of mine had a gorgeous harlequin Dane and he died of a heart condition at 9 years. So sad when that happened.

[Retired AF Dem]

12. For large dog owners, bone cancer sucks

I have lost 6 Borzoi in the past seven years to it. All six of them from differnt bloodlines.
Sako
Mala
Jaime
Rosie
Chanel
Gemina

[SammyWinstonJack]

13. RIP Gibson.

:hug:

[applegrove]

14. Bye bye Gibson.