Caleb has had a few problems going on the past year or so.

He developed perianal fistulas within the past 2 years and has been on meds to control it. And he's been dragging one rear leg for the past year. But he's been a trooper and not let any of that stop him from doing what he wanted to do.

Since late fall and winter, he's been slowing down a lot and loosing more control of his rear legs. We took him in for a check-up 2 weeks ago because he'd been drinking a lot more water than normal and I couldn't see any reason why that should be. Long story short - the vet confirmed that the problem in the rear legs is certainly DM - he's got all the classic symptoms.

We did blood work as well to see if she could find anything that might explain how thirsty he seems. Nothing definitive showed up at the time, although he did have an elevated white blood cell count. We put him on an antibiotic just in case. About a week into the course of the antibiotic, it seemed that his fistula problem was acting up and I put him back on an every day of his meds (he had been on once every other week). It seemed to help - but I noticed a hard bump on his butt that I'm sure was not there a week earlier. We were back for a follow-up yesterday and I pointed the bump out to the vet. When she checked it out, It turns out that he has a huge tumor back there. She said that explains the blood work results. But the prognosis isn't great. While we talked briefly about chemo or radiation, she wasn't optimistic and neither DH or I want to put him through any of that given the condition of his hips and back. - I had some suspicion that it might turn out to be a cancer over the past week, so I wasn't totally shocked.

I don't know how much time we have left, but he's going to be one very spoiled dog for whatever time is left.

Well, that is just a series of rotten. Chemo seems to give them 6 months, that was my experience with a dog that had nothing else going on. I like your "King Caleb" plan for him. I bet he does, too..

Oh Johanna, I'm so very, very sorry. My heart is just breaking for you Know that you're not alone. We are here for you every step of the way. Caleb has been spoiled his entire life, you're going to have a problem making him feel even more special but I know you will. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Johanna,

It is very painful for me to write this, but I wonder if we made the right decision with Mars when he was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma when he was 8. The surgeon gave us no hope but the oncologist agreed to treatment. The treatment (drugs, then radiation) failed.

I know the situations are different-but Caleb deserves the best in the world and that may be continued love.

I am so sorry,
Mary Jane

MJ it's always an individual choice. The decision you made was the right one. If you had chosen not to try, that would have been right, too. Johanna's choice will be the right choice. None of these are easy but you rather know at the time what is right. That doesn't mean you do not agonize over it or question yourself. Hindsight - it's always helpful.

MJ, I agree with middle - the choice for Mars was right for you at the time.

If Caleb didn't have DM as well as this tumor, I think I would want to try something for him. But we were already facing the fact that his legs are getting worse. He has his good days, then some bad days. He walks like a drunken sailor. Ciara tried to invite him to play this morning and knocked him down in the front yard. I had to be sure she got some chuckit time later in the day to burn off some energy. And he kept looking at me while I was throwing her ball, like play with me, too. (For the record, I gave him a ball, but he wasn't interested in picking it up.)

He's happy to spend time outside with the weather being really nice the past couple of days. If he's having trouble getting up out there, he makes enough noise to let us know he needs help. And he can still get up on his own most of the time. And he got up to follow me around the yard in the afternoon, when I took a break to spend a little time with him outside. We inspected the various garden patches DH has been putting in. I'm grateful for all of that.

He still enjoys his apple tree.


And he seems to like the Rhododendron, too

I remember when Eli could still walk enough to go in the backyard. The pups always love being out in the fresh air. If not for them I wouldn't have taken up gardening. I needed something to do while they played.

MJ, I join the others when I say you gave your best when it came to Mars. Please don't doubt yourself as he was one loved pup.

Johanna, my heart goes out to you. I know this is not easy for DH and you but I'm sure Caleb will love being spoiled by both of you. We remember them as vibrant playful pups and want to preserve their dignity. Glad to hear Caleb can still get up on his own most of the time. He looks so noble enjoying his time under the apple tree.

Caleb knows what he's doing. Thanks for the photos-they are truly heart-warming.

MJ