Woke up feeling sick today. Realising it could be my last full day with Shadow.  Its the not knowing that is the worst thing ever.
Just had an absolute nightmare.  Took Shadow in car, aiming to get to his favourite park, just for a 10 minute sniff and change of scenery for him. But theres a bloody marathon going on in our town today and half the roads are shut. Ended up sitting in traffic for ages instead. Have given up and come home. Feel I've let him down.

Cooking more pasta and chicken. Going to try and take Shadow out again later once the roads are all open.  Just hope he has some energy for it later. He seems to get more tired as the day goes on.

Awww...if he's anything like my danes just a little ride in the car will do him good :)

I really feel for you, and we have everything crossed here for Shadow tomorrow - dane paws and horses hooves all crossed aswell.

Thinking of Shadow today and will watch the forum anxiously, hoping for good news. HUGS.

Im so sorry what what your going through i have only just read the post :-( As i read i kept looking at my puppy dane and and im filled up!!
Good luck to you all today!
best wishes dawny xx

We will all be rooting for you and Shadow

Well, Shadow got a lovely walk earlier. Took him to his favourite place. Lots of sniffs and loads of wee's.  Took loads of photos and plenty of video footage.
He's eaten well today. I havn't. Cooked for hubby and son but coudn't face it myself. 
Lets hope tomorrow brings some good news.

A good day to be stored and cherished forever.
:)

Glad you had a good day with Shadow yesterday. Will be keeping everything crossed for him today.

Took Shadow to the vets this morning.  Things are not good.  Showed the vet a new lump that had appeared above his rib cage over the past couple of days.  The vet decided to do scan and xrays before deciding where to go after that. 
The scan and xrays both show large mass in abdomen, further mass around ribcage and another smaller mass in bowels. He also found what he thought could be more in his chest area.  The vet advised us we would be unwise to go ahead with the planned op. 
We've bought Shadow back home - where he belongs.  He has around 1 week, maybe 2.  He will go downhill very quickly. 
I don't know how I feel. In some ways relieved that we have a few more precious days together, in other ways I feel he's been cheated of that one small chance of survival.
How do you plan and prepare yourself for something so devastating that you know is going to happen and how do I prepare my son too.
I refuse to let him suffer and I know it won't be long before we call the vet to our house to help Shadow cross the path to Rainbow Bridge.

I am so, so sorry -so much wish I had a magic wand to make it all okay. :( :( :( In my experience the best thing you can do for your son is to tell  him exactly what is what no matter how hard it is. It's hard to come to terms with at any age, but at least he is old enough to be able to understand the gist of things.  I have a friend who simply told her daughter their dog was so sick the vet had to put him to sleep, and she ended up believing the vet killed her dog for no good reason, so try to explain WHAT is wrong ad how Shadow will feel terrible and one day you will have to help him to go to sleep to not suffer. (And do tell him the rainbow brigde story!) I've been through it with my own kids so I can imagine the heartache, and at times like these, you don't really even get a chance to grieve properly yourself as your thoughts are so much with your child and it hurts just as much to see them grieving as it does  to lose your dog, so you get a double whammy. :( It's awful.  You will all be in my thoughts so much.

I'm sorry to hear the bad news about Shadow. I'm certain you're doing the right thing by not putting him through an operation.

How old is your son? Assuming he's young, all you can do  is be honest with him - tell him that Shadow has a serious illness that the vet can't cure, and that very soon he's going to have to be helped out of his pain. Tell him that you know you all love Shadow too much to let him suffer. And let your son see that you're upset about it - if you try to be too strong, he may think that his own sadness should be hidden, which isn't healthy.

Enjoy your remaining time with a dog you clearly love very deeply. Make some happy memories to keep forever.

I'm so very sorry, Shads.

So sad to read your update :( {{{HUGS}}} to you and Shadow.

Sorry to hear your news :(

Hi Shads,

I am sorry to hear Shadow's story. I just wanted to let you know that we are thinking of you all, and we hope you have as long as possible with him.

Our thoughts are with you.

{{{big hugs}}}

Nat xxx

So so sorry for you shads :-( :-(

I am so sorry to hear your news.

wow what a heartbreaking post, i am so sorry for you and can't begin to imagine how you are feeling... big hugs to you and your family at this sad time xxxx

Thinking of you Shads.

I'm very very sorry to hear about Shadow, :(

My thoughts are with you Lynne and your family.

Sarahx

I am so sorry to hear about the bad news :(

I hope Shadow's remaining days are happy and painless and hope you all come through this with the knowledge you did everything for him and he couldn't have been loved more :)

Take Care

Lucy
xx

Can't believe how many people out there care so much for Shadow and my family.  I wish I could thank you all personnally.  I've been trying so hard to hold it together today but I finally succombed to the dreaded tears.  The problem is that once you start it is so, so hard to stop. I've really got to try and hold them off when I am with Shadow. I'm sure he is picking up on my "down" mood.  I wonder if he understands what is happening.  He must surely know himself that he is unwell.
My son is handling this really well.  He is obviously upset, we have been completely honest with him (he is 9 this Friday). But, if he is doing something he tends to forget that this is happening. Maybe thats a blessing for now.
Shadow has just been up for a while.  He seems a little restless.  We stood outside the frontdoor together. He keeps taking long deep breaths with his head held high in the wind.  I cherish these moments so much.
I'm due back at work tomorrow. My colleagues have been so understanding but I am so worried about Shadow while I am not at home.  My husband works from home, so Shadow has company all day and I know I'm only a 10 minute drive if I'm needed urgently. Thanks to everyone again for their love, care and support. Could not get through this without you all.
Lynne

Poor Shadow. I wish the news had been better. It must be the worst feeling on earth for you and your son. Make sure you keep taking lots of pictures to remember him by. Lots of hugs ((())) :-(

I've been where you are twice in the last year {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}to you all

Nothing to add just lots of hugs

CarolW

Thanks to all for messages.  Feeling like an emotional wreck today.  Kept crying at work.
Shadow greeted me with a big waggy tail when I got home.  He's not eating so well again.  But he has had some toast and a couple of chicken frankfurter style sausages.  Anyone got any other ideas what he may eat.  He seems to want something different everyday and I'm running out of ideas!!

Home made Chicken soup ? Beef tea ? Rice puddng ? Minced chcken ? Scrambled Egg ?

I'm heading to the kitchen right now. Thanks.

Willis is a fussy dane for eating - but he loves crispy fried aromatic duck from the chinese :) He also loves all sausages, scrambled eggs, pasta with raw mince, tuna, sardines, pilchards, chicken of all desciption and style and all cakes and biscuits. HTH a bit.

2 eggs lightly scrambled went down a treat.  His stomach is making some well weird noises though!  He is having trouble with poos at the mo. Gone the opposite way to how this all started.  He squats for ages now before squeezing anything out. I know the cancer is probably in his bowels. His poos are very black which the vet says is most likely blood.  He has only pooed once in 2 days - and it wasn't very much. Nice subject to chat about - not!!

Poor Shadow glad you are finding things he fancies to eat! Give him a hug from me! :-(

Liquidised chicken soup is easy to digest(jewish mum's favourite) & easy for the gut to absorb.

Shadow has had another ok day.  He's eaten scrambled egg again (on toast this time). Also has just enjoeyed a bowl of cornflakes.  Hasn't pooed all day again. Going to ring the vets in the morning to see if there may be something I can do to to help him or if maybe its a tumour blocking him up.  Not really much else to report.  He doesn't appear to be getting any worse at the mo.  Fingers crossed he will make it passed my sons birthday on Friday.  I still can't believe we are actually going to lose him soon. Doesn't feel real today. I've had a whole day without crying!

Glad to hear he's holding his own and having some good days. Hope it continues!

I'm so very sorry Shads, god bless you all.  Keep strong for Shadow.

Had to phone the vets today.  Shadow keeps licking his front paws.  Vet says he's possibly got pins and needles due to low blood pressure and not moving around much (too busy sleeping).  Have been given a higher dose of steroids to try and alleviate the problem and also told to give him paracetamol morning and night too.  Must have worked - I put coat on this evening to head out to Tesco's and Shadow got up off his bed and came to the front door. Ended up taking him for a 10 min walk down the road before going shopping.
Hubby went out this morning and bought lots of new foods to try.  Roast lamb went down a treat. Have sardines, bacon and gammon in the cupboards. Pork sausages are all cut up into small pieces to hide his tablets in. 
Oh yes, he also had a lovely poo today too.  Things are good here today. My sons birthday tomorrow - thank God Shadow is holding on for that.  It all seems very unreal that he won't be here for much longer.
Lynne
x

Paws crossed for a good day tomorrow & JD is in his Cavalier Prayer position for him

I'm so glad you're getting some good, happy times with him. He's a lucky dog to be so well loved. I hope your son's day is a happy one.

Oh yes, he also had a lovely poo today too.
The things us dog lovers get excited about!! ;) 
We all know exactly what you mean - we've all been there. :)

I know what you mean Val, I've found myself proudly telling people about my boy's poo being nice and firm and easy to pick up, then suddenly realising they were eating a bacon sarnie and didn't really want to know - oops! :-D

Glad Shadow's hanging in there, we're all keeping our paws crossed!

You're doing great Lynne - and I'm sure Shadow knows he has an extra special day ahead :)  I hope you all enjoy it!

{{{hugs}}} 'n stuff to all of you and of course Birthday wishes to your son.  Keep strong.  Luv Teri xxx

So sorry to hear of your sad times.  Shadow is such a lucky dog to have you and to have lived with your family.  Sometimes we don't have much control over the quantity (length) of life but quality is certainly what we make of it and it sounds like Shadow has had the best possible quality of life you could give him.  I will have a little cry for you and Shadow.

Got home from work today to find out (from hubby who is full of flu) that Shadow had not been downstairs all day.  I gave him his medication this morning along with some cooked sausages to hide it in.  He has not eaten all day since then. He is pretty restless too.  I even tried cooking gammon for him (yet another new food) but as I brought it over to him he got up and walked away.  Had a houseful for an hour or two this evening as it is my sons birthday - but all I've wanted is to be with Shadow on my own.  I managed to persuade Shadow to drink a bowl of milk. He's still drinking tons of water.  Cannot get him to take any tablets this evening.  He's been outside in the rain squatting to go the loo but I don't think he managed anything - maybe he hasn't the energy left - he's just gone downhill so quickly.  After the squatting attempt he has just been sick in the garden.  He's back downstairs resting now. Seems to be saliva-ing alot too.  I know he's now on borrowed time. 
I really can't face having Shadow PTS at a vets (been there and done it - not pleasant for dog or owner). Our vets only do home visits Mon-Fri.  I'm going to call them in the morning and see what they suggest we do - or whether they will come out as an emergency.
Not thinking straight today - but alot calmer than I thought I'd be.

Shads - my heart is breaking for you and Shadow. I've been exactly where you are now about 5 years back and I think you're going to be in for a sleepless night.

I'm so sorry, my heart is breaking for you, your family and Shadow.

You're all in my thoughts and prayers.

Lisa x

Tomorrow is Shadows last day.  The vet is coming to our house after his morning surgery.  Shadow has not eaten since Friday morning. He is still drinking.  He was unable to wee yesterday. I phoned the emergency vet who told me to give him a massive steroid tablet dose and this should help relieve the problem.  Crushed his tablets and dissolved them in water. Then syringed them into Shadows mouth last night. He still didn't wee.  Did the same dose again this morning and it has worked.  A very tired but relieved looking Shadow headed into the garden and pee-ed to his hearts content.
I feel like Shadow has already left me. He doesn't want cuddles or kisses - he just rolls over to keep his face away from mine. Its heartbreaking - but now I know the only true and kind thing I can do for him is for the vets to come tomorrow.
I've never had a dog PTS at home before. Has anyone got any experiences of this.  We've also asked for him to be cremated and a gentleman will come and collect Shadow a little later on in the day.  Not sure how they will lift him to take him away - would not be able to help them - to distressing. I think I would have to stand in the garden while this is done. Again any experiences may help my anxiety about tomorrow.
Lynne

I'm so sorry. I know how you are feeling I lost my boys last year to cancer & although it is the hardest decision you have to make, it is made from love for your boy that you have. I cuddled my boys until they had gone

They used a blanket to lift my big dogs when I lost them & I asked for it to be cremated with them. The people from our Pet Crematorium are lovely & are so caring I do not know how they do it.

{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} to you & your boy & your family

Keep him safe in your heart

I'm so sorry for you. It certainly sounds as if Shadow knows the time has come too.

Having him put to sleep at home is the kindest thing you can do, in his familiar surroundings where he feels safe. When I've had it done to mine I've sat beside them and cuddled their head and shoulders, and stroked them, and told them what good dogs they were, and how they'd made us very happy. I just talk absolute nonsense to them, all the while reassuring them that they were very good, clever dogs - then as they drift off I tell them to sleep well and I'll see them in the morning.

It breaks my heart every time, but they slip away so gently.

For some reason, I hadn't read your thread until just now, Shads - and I am so sorry.   Earlier in the year we too had to go through a weekend, making it as good as possible, for one of our dogs.   It is hard - but it is the most loving thing that you can do for your poor boy.

Our vet was so lovely when she came (and it was the first time we had actually met her, which added to our nightmare), we had Purdey on her duvet, and we just cuddled her as she went.    Thank God, it was a peaceful send out.   I hope and pray that tomorrow goes kindly for you all.

{{Hugs}}

Margot

Sorry that the day for Shadow to go to the bridge has come so soon but it really sounds like he is ready to go. Please try to console yourself with the happy memories and the fact that you have given him the best life possible. My thoughts are with you all.