Sad, sad day for my son and his best friend. FINAL UPDATE

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I have mentioned our son's Ridgeback mix, Leroy, before so some might remember him in some posts. He had been very weak and not eating over the weekend. Our son brought him in to the Vet on monday morning and Leroy was xrayed and blood tested and sent home to wait for results, thinking it was Valley Fever as it is quite prominent here.
The Vet called my son this afternoon to say, it's not Valley Fever, but worse, he has acute Leukemia and at best only a few days to two weeks to live.
As many of you may know this is a fatal disease and there really is no use prolonging the inevitable. Tonight he is very weak and having a very difficult time breathing. He can barely walk to go outside to go potty, so he is going downhill very quickly.

They are hoping he doesn't die at home as their 3 year old would certainly not understand why his "Bubba" won't get up and play with him, so they are considering taking him into the vet in the morning to help him pass without any suffering.

UPDATE: Sat. morning
My son and DIL are just in shock and feel this is just a punch in the gut, as Leroy is a strong, 98#, muscular, fit, running, hiking machine and we all expected him to live forever! He is only 6 1/2 yrs old. My son rescued him from someone who was on his way to bring him to a kill shelter when he was just a pup.
Leroy is his first dog in his whole life, as we never had dogs as the kids were growing up. He was his dog as he moved from apartment to apartment, as a single guy, as he met and then married his wife, as they had their dear little boy and woke up every single time that little baby cried and went to lay down by the rocker as my DIL breastfed, anytime, day or night. Leroy always lets my DGS crawl, grab,pinch, pull, poke, and play with him like the big gentle giant that he is. and because of how much my grandson loves his "Bubba" we used him as the theme for his 3rd birthday party in July. So we had a "Bubba Birthday" party.

 

Our son and wife are taking Leroy to the vet at 10:30 arizona tiime and unless the Vet can give them some time and Leroy can be very comfortable during his last days, they will put him to sleep today. I am getting my grandson this morning and saying my goodbyes to Leroy and then try to help them explain to this sweet 3 yr old, where his "Bubba" is. 

This is my favorite picture of Leroy and my grandson. Leroy weighs 4 times as much as Ethan and walks right by his side.

I guess I just needed to write this to make it seem real, and ask for prayers for Leroy and his family, at this difficult time. Thank you.

FINAL UPDATE: Leroy passed over the Rainbow Bridge at 11:20 Arizona time. Less than an hour ago. They are sad and going to miss him terribly for a very long time. Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts and words.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sue, I am so sorry to read this about Leroy. Makes me want to cry. I will be saying a prayer tonight for your family.  He sounds like an amazing dog.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Thank you. He is just the best dog.

[F, Calla & Luca]

What a sad shock. Bubba will be missed but he had a good life loving and being loved. I am so sorry.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Thank you F, yes he is very loved, especially by a very dear little boy.

[Leslie and Halas]

I'm so sorry for all of you. Leroy is a wonderful boy, and based on your description, they'll have lots of great memories of his too short time with them.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Thank you, and yes, we have lots of fun stories about our Leroy over the years.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Sue, I am so sorry and I know what a difficult time this must be for your son and his family. That this came so suddenly does not give them the time they need to make peace with what is happening. I hope they can find some comfort in knowing that Leroy's life was a good one and he is blessed to have been so loved, as your son had been blessed by having Leroy in his life.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Yes, it is something we will all have to deal with at some time, but to loose him so quickly is more than they can wrapped their heads around right now.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I am so sorry, Sue. I hope Leroy has an easy and peaceful journey to the Bridge, knowing how much he is loved. Hugs to you and your family.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

The vet has mentioned prednisone, but I just don't see what good this is going to do at this point. His spleen is so large already, he is getting weaker by the hour and being 98#, it's not going to be easy to even move him around if he can't walk. But my son is grasping at anything that sounds like he could get more time tonight.

[Carol and Banjo]

Oh Sue.....how terribly sad to see your son go thru this.   ((((Hugs))))) to you.   

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so sorry to read this.  Bubba is way too young to have this happen to him. I know age is not a factor in the real world, but no one expects their young dog to be terminally ill.