Many of you follow my blog often & probably recall all the problems we've had with Jake, my yellow Lab this past year. He's been through quite a lot with medical procedures and unknown problems that have caused everyone much stress in my household. From January to March he endured 3 surgeries and the end result was an intestinal tract that is less than normal. He has had to eat soft, wet or canned food only as his intestines just won't take anything else. A bit over 6 weeks ago he began to lose weight pretty dramatically and as of today has lost a total of 12 pounds. He eats the same, probably more, he has no diarrhea or vomiting and seemingly acts "normal". However he's far from it. If anyone were to see him they would fear I was an abusive and neglectful doggie mama. Every bone in his body shows. He's lost muscle and he looks horrible.
We've been to our regular vet for tests which came up inconclusive as his blood work seems very normal. He was somewhat diagnosed with a malabsorption issue where he very obviously isn't absorbing any nutrients no matter what we feed him or add to his diet. He's wasting away. 
This past Friday we went to see a diagnostic specialist to get an ultrasound on his abdomen to see if we could get some better answers. We didn't. Sadly, Jake is not going to be with us much longer. We are enjoying his last few days, maybe weeks if we are lucky. There is nothing we can do for him. He has developed scar tissue in his intestines again and there is nothing we can do for him. No one can explain why he's lost so much weight and continues to do so. We've had a great bunch of vets trying to help us but we are just having to face the facts that there is nothing anyone can do.This has been a horrible weekend for me. I don't know how much longer I'll have him and I cannot bear to think of that horrible day that is soon to come for us. I know I'll have to make that decision no one ever wants to make with their ever so loved companions.
Anyone who has met Jake can tell you he is one remarkable boy. He just turned 8 this past August. He's the sweetest thing on the planet. He lets my 2 year old daughter pet his ears and back while he lays sweetly by my feet. I've never heard him utter a growl at anyone or anything. I rescued him from some past clients of mine that couldn't handle his annoying Lab antics at the young age of one year. I took him in with the hopes of re-homing him because I didn't want to train this unruly dog at the time. Days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months and as time went on I trained him. He turned out to be the best dog in the world. He'd never put a paw on anyone, he's never tried to jump on any furniture and he was used in many of my doggie cases for training. He helped me with many of my aggression cases because he was so mild mannered and other dogs never phased him. He's a true gem. A diamond in the ruff and I'll miss him more than I care to think about.
Keep your doggies safe and give them all the love they deserve. You never know when you won't be able to rub their ears any more . . .
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