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.

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

Yes, I'm sure Leroy and Penny will be great buddies.

[Cyndi, The Boys & Callie]

The passing is always harder for those left behind.  Leroy was a beloved family member and your family is better for have known him.  I pray that your family will move past the grief and remember the good times. It will take time but it will happen. 

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

Thank you Cyndi.

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

I am so very sorry. How incredibly sad and what a special, sweet dog. Do you have the children's book "Dog Heaven"? It's very sweet and might be helpful.

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

No I don't have that book, yet. But then we weren't expecting this so suddenly. I will look on amazon later.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sue, I have been thinking a lot about Leroy today and your family and I wanted to say that I think this story is remarkable.  You mentioned that this was your son's first dog and I imagine he got him when he was young and first on his own and we have all heard stories about how this doesn't always work out.  A young single man might not realize all that is involved with having a dog on his own and I bet he had to give up a bit of independence in order to get a dog. A dog teaches us pretty quickly about thinking about someone else first, getting home to let him out, giving up trips away every now and then and making changes in your lifestyle to accommodate a dog. Not every young person is ready to take on that responsibility, but your son did. Then along came his wife and she must have fallen in love with Leroy, too, maybe at the same time she was falling in love with your son. Not all people marry dog lovers and again this could have worked out badly. We have seen it time and time again, but Leroy must have worked his magic on your DIL, just like he did with your son, just like a dog can do. Next, along came Ethan and it touches me to think about Leroy getting up with your DIL when she breastfed your grandson and how another bond was forming by such a simple act. It had to be comforting at a time when a new mother is learning how to be a mom. They were forging a family and Ethan has lived his whole life so far with a dog that loves him. Your son and DIL gave Ethan a special gift with Leroy and taught him how special it is to have a dog in his life. Not every kid has a dog, but Ethan did and I bet he spends his whole life loving dogs. The sad thing is there will never ever be another Leroy, but because there was a Leroy in the first place, I bet there will be more dogs that find their way into your son, DIL, and grandson's hearts.  Once you experience something as great as the love of a dog it is hard to be without it.  So, while Leroy did not live a long life, he sure made a difference to one special family and I think that means he had a good life.

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

Laurie- this is so thoughtfully said and so very true.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thank you, Lori!

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

Wow Laurie, how very insightful. Yes, it all was very much as you wrote. And he really did just wiggle his big butt into your heart. He was a "leaner" and just wanted to feel connected to those he loved. As he got bigger and bigger the leaning became a joke as it was more like a truck parking on top of you. He was most precious when he'd get out of bed everytime the baby cried and go lay down by the rocker. He loved my DIL and they became even closer as it appeared he wanted to protect them and keep her company those many quiet lonely hours in the middle of the night.
I feel you are so right about Ethan always having a love of dogs. He feels very familiar and comfortable with any dog he meets. Not all children have that. It's just a natural part of his life, and Leroy helped give him that. No there will never be another Leroy, but I am sure there will be many more special dogs in their lives. My DIL is already thinking about it as she just loves having a big dog in the home, and we talked about calling him "Bubba" which was what Ethan called Leroy from the time he could talk.
Ethan just went home about an hour ago and we are all waiting to see how long it takes him to notice and ask for his "Bubba". Thank you Laurie, this was very very thoughtful of you. You are a very talented writer.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

For some reason, it has been on my mind all day and I needed to write this out. I like the name Bubba and I like the leaning part. Vern is another dog that doesn't accept how big he is and likes to take his big ol' paw and let you know he is there. He barrels through Fudge every single day! I find it endearing, but I am sure Fudge would disagree :) Fudge is the same way at night. If I get up and don't feel well, she is the one who comes and checks on me in her own quiet way. She sits right beside me and watches me. I find that endearing, too, and I can't imagine being without it. I guess the suddenness hit home with me. Hopefully, they can explain it in a way Ethan understands, but I am sure the whole thing is very hard. Sending hugs to all of you!

[Pam and Ginger Snap]

Very kind words Laurie.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Pam!