Thank you Tanya, thank you for your lovely comment. He is such a special boy, always showed for me in the ring but whenever a dog growled at him he would quickly turn his whole body away from them and would never even look a dog straight in the face unless the dog showed that he wanted to be friends. He is completely overshadowed by the girls, in fact, if they start to play rough he will often just back away a bit until the play became less rough. He is such a sweet natured dog and I still cannot believe this diagnosis even though the evidence is there in hard facts and I saw the tumour on the scan. Having my Vet in UK confirm that this would definitely not be a) operable and b) not respond at this stage to chemo was just the straw that made me realise that the battle was already won. He is still eating wonderfully well and in fact is first in the queue when the bowls are brought out, he is still enjoying long walks and he is still showing signs of plenty of body weight. As much as I want him with us forever, it is also torture watching him for any change, listening out and checking he is still breathing and just knowing how quickly things can go downhill without warning. Last Monday the Vet even gave us an indication that he could go in the night so at least we are now 9 days on from that  and he is looking as though he has more energy than he had that day. We had cancelled Christmas but Luke did get 3 christmas dinners. This is unbearable and am still hoping for some miracle. It is however, wonderful knowing that other people understand our pain. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

So sad to hear about Luke, it's just not fair is it.
Even though he's had this terrible diagnosis, dogs can be surprisingly good at kicking the odds, when my bitch Celeste was diagnosed with an extremely aggressive cancer many years ago, she was given no hope, it was so aggressive there wasn't even the option of treatment, but, she went on to have 7 months of very good health, even the oncologist commented that she'd never seen anything like it, as she had given her weeks to live. So you never know, you may have longer than you think.
Wishing him good health in the time he has left xx

Thank you Celli. I would really like another 7 YEARS, but will be grateful for anything at the moment.

Hi Alison, just checking in to see how Luke is doing and pleased to read he sounds like he is doing well and still enjoying life. Life seems so unfair at times and it often seems to be the nicest people and dogs that are taken from us the earliest. I remember the first time he trotted in to Bob's, totally unfazed and taking everything in his stride, it really doesn't seem five minutes ago.  I hope he continues to defy the odds and enjoys every day one day at a time. Will be thinking of you though this sad time.

Oh Jenny thank you. It is just horrendous. We have just come back from a three quarter hour walk and he is fine. He has now got a good body covering and is eating so well and looking for food that it is so so hard knowing that his time is so limited. Still pumping all sorts of immune system tablets, salmon oil capsules and this powder which has been recommended to me. He is looking good and yet all the time it is with us that he soon won't be, feel so helpless that we can't do anything to actually help this gorgeous memeber of our family, wish someone would throw us a lifeline for him.

Flaxseed oil is supposed to be good for combatting tumours, as is turmeric. Friend of mine had great results with the flaxseed on her dog who had a tumour on the back of her thigh.  I hope you have a long time with him yet.

Thanks, will get some ordered

Do you have him on a high protein, low carb diet yet ? It's well documented that cancer cells don't do so well on high protein and fat, where as they love carbs.
I had Celeste on this along with Grape Seed Extract, Flax Oil and Hemp Oil, if your giving the oils they need to be fed with cottage cheese which aids in absorption.

Hi Celli

Yes, he is mainly on meat with very little carbs. His daily meals (am feeding him 3 times a day) consist of chicken, fish, sardines and raw beef. I supplement with Salmon oil 1000mg, two different immune system boosters and a powder called Zeolite which I have been recommended and he is getting that every two hours.

Hi Alison
Just checking in on Luke, really hope no news doesn't mean bad news. Thinking of you. Have you seen the news about Roy, so very sad and such a shock.

Hi Jenny, thanks for asking about Luke. Very sad news about Roy and also Carol and even worse that this all happened around Christmas (it is ever a good time). We have had a hellish time over Christmas and New Year and it is almost torture as when we take him on his special river walks he is so alert, moving around so freely and looking the picture of health. He is still eating, still toileting okay and still playing with the girls so today we decided to go to the Vets again and ask yet again more questions. The Vet couldn't believe how well he was looking and so we asked why Chemo couldn't work for him. He has made an appointment for us to go to the Vets hospital in La Rochelle in the morning. While he was making the call Luke was bouncing around Mike mouthing at his wrist like he has always done and the Vet was astounded and said that he shouldn't be looking so good and healthy. His weight is now up to 40.4 kg ( at diagnosis he was 34.7 kgs). I know we could be in for another knock down tomorrow but we have had the worst news imaginable so it can't get worse and who knows we may get some positive news. He is on all sorts of supplements including a powder which we have to give him every two hours and who knows whether that has been helping, I don't care as long as we have our Luke back as his normal self and hopefully for some time yet. Keep everything crossed. I am sure the prayers have helped.

Wow that's brilliant news, but it must be torture watching him and waiting for the downward turn. I will keep fingers crossed that the news is positive and they feel chemo may help. Give him a kiss from me and let me know how you go on. xx

Alison, good to hear such a positive update on Luke. I'm amazed that his weight has come back up & heartened that the vet is being more positive too. Must be torture though knowing what is wrong.

Praying for a miracle for your boy, each day is precious and am so glad he seems to be rallying.

Tanya

Can I add my very best wishes and positive vibes too?

I smiled to read your news, and have every high hope that they can help in some way.  It must be so lovely to see him acting like your beloved boy.

So glad he is doing well,fingers and paws crossed and  best wishes to you all.

Sheila

aww bless him, hope you get some good news today.

Locked so it subject is continued in the updated thread rather than hopping back and forward between two