I think we're losing him

[LetThereBeCupcakes]

DDog is 6. It looks like cancer.

I can't stop crying. Our other dog is a rescue and relies on him for everything. She is lost. Our 2 year old doesn't understand but wants to know where he is (currently at vets).

DH and Ddog had their first year at agility this year. They were winning places, even beating collies. How can this be happening? He was fine on Tuesday. Absolutely fine.

What do I tell DS? What do I do with my other dog?

Sorry. I can't think straight.

You sound as though you are being really positive. Big big hugs and you are being brave. We lost one of our dogs nearly 2 years ago and I felt broken. We filled the gap with another rescue dog, and earlier this year, we took on a puppy and a few months later lost our oldie. It has been wonderful having a house still full of dogs. They are all different, but I am pleased for the continuity.

Thanks guys.

Chief I hope you have many, many happy years ahead with your bouncy Pup. What a lovely age.

Tiger a house full of dogs is always good. We had always planned to get a third when DS was older, and Murphy retired from agility. Just wasn't expecting it to be quite so soon.

Not such a good night last night but he seems more settled this morning. Check up at the vet tonight so we'll see what they say. If today's the day then he's had a brilliant weekend so he'll be going out on a high.

Cupcakes Thinking of you this evening - everything crossed that his vet appointment was positive.

Well, the vet was reasonably happy. He's lost 3 kilos in 2 weeks though. Need to up his calories. I know we're fighting a losing battle but we've got to do what we can.

Turns out last night's unsettled behaviour wad due to a cat poo on the other side of our fence, which he wanted to eat. Lovely. At least he's chilled out a bit now.

Well don't want to think about how you worked out what was unsettling him last night!
But now, instead, he can look forward to his favourite high calorie treats!

Well he may be ill but he's definitely still a Labrador

I hope he enjoys all the yummy treats coming his way

How are you OP? How's your lovely lab?xx

gail - yes, best not to think about it

DH gave him a doughnut last night. A DOUGHNUT! I don't get doughnuts .

Amazingly, Murphy went to his agility class last night. I was really, really against it but DH at least wanted to let him go and play in the tunnel for a bit so he could say goodbye to his friends. They put the jumps down low and he loved it! The trainer is brilliant and very strict about the condition of dogs that train so I have no doubt she would have stopped him if she needed to. Plus, in the nicest possible way DDog is a wimp so he'd have refused if he didn't want to do it. They had a lovely evening.

Glad that DDog had such a great evening and that he is enjoying his treats.

We're now just over 2 weeks since Murphy was diagnosed and I'm knackered! His steroid dose has just come down so I'm desperately hoping it will reduce the drinking / weeing cycle. Right now he needs to go out ever 2-3 hours, right through the night. It's like having a newborn again, but with less chocolate.

DH room Murphy to an agility competition yesterday and they came back with a clear round rosette. Amazing really. Very proud of them both.

Room = took

That's lovely cupcakes well done to both of them- and it sounds like Murphy is doing really well right now

Well done Murphy, clever dog (and well done MrCakes too)!

Very glad you are getting these last weeks with Murphy; he looks and sounds like a cracker. We lost our beautiful big yellow Lab (Monty) earlier this year, but it was an immune-mediated anaemia, and it happened in less than 72 hours. We reeled from the shock, and I can feel the pain all over again thinking of you. Make the most of the time you have left, for all your sakes.

Thank you cresset and I'm so sorry for your loss of Monty.

Murphy is doing OK. He only had to go out twice last night which is an improvement! His steroid dose has decreased slightly so that's probably why. Looking forward to my night off tomorrow though!

I can emphasise with looking forward to the night off Cupcake. Keep Murphy happy and as thin as you can bear. It really seems to help Labs stay well, and as we all know, they are greedy b*ggers. When we lost Monty it was like "Elvis has left the building". He was the King, and (six months on) we miss him. He was a kind gentle giant.

Quick update, nearly 4 weeks since his diagnosis.

I didn't get my night off. DH decided he was too tired. . Last night Murphy got me up FOUR times - and attempted a fifth but I kicked DH out of bed for that one. The trouble is, I think he's playing me. When he first started needing to go out in the night, he would take ages. Have a wee, then sniff around, bark at the hedgehogs etc. So I started rattling the treat jar to get him to come back in, and giving him a biscuit.

Last night, twice when he went out he just stood there and waited for me to offer him biscuits to come back. He's taking the mick. No idea what to do though - sometimes he DOES need to go out so I can't not get up. If I don't offer biscuits I'm standing waiting for him to come back in for bloody ages. Argh!

Weight still dropping off him - taking him to be weighed tonight so really hoping it's not too bad.

Oh Cupcakes lots of to keep you going today! Worth telling the vet tonight about his night time outings? Maybe he could give some thing to settle him a little. On the other hand his energy levels must be good so he can't be feeling too bad!!

What did the vet have to say yesterday Cupcakes? Do hope s/he was pleased with Murphy.

We didn't actually see the vet, just popped in and weighed him. He's only lost 0.2 kilos so much better than expected.

He went 7 hours overnight without needing a wee, but then had a massive accident this morning between my dad leaving him at 10.30 and me getting home 2 hours later. Don't know of it means anything or if it's just one of those things.

[bones] He is gorgeous - I'm glad you are having a good time in his last few weeks x

As you know from the other thread we have been talking on, I really feel for you in your situation and am sending you loads of hugs. You're being very brave and positive. I think wobbles are going to happen too. We are only human, hey. Don't worry about them. This is gong to be a massive strain on your nerves. It's not great if you have only just come of anti-depressants. You are going to really feel it, hey Just do your best and don't forget to take care of you too.

I did chuckle at the image of Murphy on his night time wee rounds, waiting for his biscuit Little monkey.

And 1 month, hey. That's great going.

For Berkeley's weight we have been supplementing his meals with a little pasta and boiled chicken. He loves it.

You're doing great Woofs to Murphy from Berks xxxx

Hi Lime! Thanks for dropping in.

Murphy’s weight seems to have stabilised thank goodness – we’re doing similar to you, pasta etc. to bulk up his meals. How is Berkeley doing? I told Murphy that Berkeley sent woofs and he sent a tail wag back.

Fairly exhausted today, he was up at 11.30, 1.30 and 3am, then DS was up at 4.30am. Words have been had with DH as he’s going to have to start pulling his weight, I can’t carry on like this. It’s like having a newborn again!

I’m vaguely daring to hope he might make Christmas with us. It’s still a long way off though. Normally I would have done most of my Christmas shopping by now (yes, I buy for the dogs, too), but not really sure what to do. Will probably get a few bits anyway, they’ll be used. Can’t get anything until the first lot of insurance payments go through though! He’s costing us a small fortune at the moment. Can’t begrudge him that though.

Glad you had words. You'll run yourself ragged, which won't do anyone any good I do hope you are doing OK. I take tablets for anxiety and would be lost without them, especially at this time. What you mentioned about feeling cold sounds like anxiety to me, which is understandable. It feels like coldness/fear running through your arms, yes? I hate that. Very disconcerting.

Berks is doing well thanks. Full of beans. Getting used to being hand fed. We have to crank his mouth open and put the food to the back of his tongue and he swallows it whole. Because he can't use his tongue and it is folded back, if he tries to eat he just gets it stuck in his mouth. I have found all sorts in there, lol. Drinking - I have ordered him a pet water fountain this morning, hoping he can learn to take a drink without always having to ask us. I know he likes to be self sufficient

He is also enjoying his midnight snacks. Last night it was ham and cheese. Well, why not.

He's started his reduced steroid dose now, which is better. Murphy has done that too, yes?

I am beginning to think (hope) we'll have Berks with us for Xmas too. Not sure what to get him but he loves opening pressies so maybe treats wrapped up. He has everything else a dog could wish for and is so hard to buy for in his old age. Yeah, let's think positive and get them pressies, hey I am even daring to hope he'll make his 16th birthday in Feb but we shall see.

Next check up Thur. Those always make me anxious. I'll be waiting to hear how Murphy is doing too and cheering you both on.

Hugs and woofs to you both xxxx

PS I started Berkeley on CV247. I am not saying it is a miracle cure or anything and it may be a right load of old hocus pocus but I spoke to the vet and she said it can't hurt. I just want to like to feel I am doing everything I can. He took it 3 years ago for a tumour, also on his tongue. I always say you just never know.

I just wanted to come and update.

We made the decision to have Murphy pts yesterday evening. The vet had trouble getting a vein so it took a while, but it was relatively peaceful in the end. He had developed a tremor in his back legs and was panting heavily. He then refused his lunch and we decided that was enough. It was so hard, he was still quite perky and eating treats, but he was starting to struggle and we couldn't bare to see him suffering.

He was the most amazing dog. Only 6 years old but he achieved so much. He was loved by everybody. Even dog-reactive dogs seemed to love him. He used to go along to puppy training classes to expose the pups to an older dog.

Even at 32 kilos, he held his own against the collies and brought back agility rosettes.

He took DDog 2 under his wing and taught our broken little pup how to be a dog again.

He did Heelwork to Music and Rally Obedience. He was offered the chance to be on stage this summer. DDog 2 is practicing for the role instead.

He loved the beach, and paddling in the sea. He wouldn't swim unless he had to though.

Who knows what he could have achieved if he'd lived longer. I wanted to do more heelwork to music with him. I wish I'd rubbed his belly a bit more. I wish I'd taken more pictures.

We will miss him.