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.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Sue - There is not much to say - just "sorry" although that is not enough.  You son should take comfort in knowing that he has given Leroy a quality loving life and Leroy has returned that love to all.  I don't know how to express my sorrow to your grandson but I am sure you and your family will give him comfort.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I wish them peace this morning in whatever choice they have to make for Leroy. I feel very sad for all of you, especially your grandson. Love the picture of a boy and his dog.

[L.M.]

Sue, you and your family are in my prayers.  That is a beautiful photo of Leroy and Ethan....made me cry.  This is one of those things that we can't make sense of, but I hope everyone eventually finds peace in the fact that Leroy had a beautiful life and will no longer be in any more pain.  Hugs and doodle kisses to you all.  

[Brittany, Wilson & Chloe]

This made me cry :( its the hardest thing in the world to make the decision on when enough is enough and you need to put them to sleep. We had a chow/lab mix that was a stray we found in WI and she became our pet/best friend for the next 15 years. Her hips got so bad to the point that she couldnt even hold herself up anymore. We would make appointments to bring her in to the vet to put her to sleep but we would always put it off because she would have a "good" day. Finally enough was enough and it was too hard to watch her suffer. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Just know that your son gave the pup the best years of his life.

[Gail and Bailey]

So sorry for your heartache. You and you family are in our thoughts and prayers.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

What a beautiful photo.  This was hard to read - sending our prayers.

[BG and Gavin]

What a wonderful dog.  We will keep a good thought for all at this difficult time.  Hugs to you and yours Sue.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Sue, that picture tells the whole story.  I'm sad right along with you. 

[Cyndi, The Boys & Callie]

I am so sorry for your family and Leroy.  Even though it is clear that Leroy had a life filled with love, it does not make the parting any easier.  Thoughts and prayers are with you, the family and Leroy.

[shelly]

Oh, Sue - I am so sorry for everyone involved. He sounds like a WONDERFUL dog, pet and family member!   My son was just about 3 when we put our GR down.  He saw him fall down the basement stairs as he tried to climb up to go to the vet to re-check him. He couldn't make it and my FIL and I carried what used to be 125 pounds up the stairs on a sheet.  That's a sight my son never forgot and that's the last time he saw his dog. We should have done something before my poor son had to see that- but we were holding on for a miracle maybe we got a small one... He swears to this day (and he is almost 15)  that a man in a white truck came and took him to God.... maybe he did...I had this whole speech worked out in my head as to what I would tell him as to why his dog wasn't coming home, but I never had to use it.  Kids usually cope better with these things than adults.  (I don't know if you ever read about a little girl who wrote to god about her dog that had died... it's such a heart warming story! http://www.petplace.com/dogs/a-little-girl-wants-to-be-sure-god-wil...)  My prayers and thoughts are with you all!

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

I just got a chance to read this story. Thank you, it was very sweet.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I'm so very sorry. Thinking of you and your family.