Everyday has been an uphill challenge since 3 weeks ago, or should i say maybe since the lung mets were discovered (march but it was more stable then).

Today has been emotional as Titus decided he doesn't want to do the stairs anymore or go for walks. His appetite was picking up since his tummy and foot problems, ate by himself the past few days, but today he was a lot slower and didnt want to stand up to go pee outside. He had a huge bloated tummy and threw up once. I gave him Mylanta and then a Macrolon later on. He hasn't thrown up since, and been drinking lots of water and passing gas. Guess that's a good sign for this problem.

Treats used to work to get him past the door outside but he isn't falling for that anymore. Since my bedroom is on the 3rd floor, he hesitated big time to tackle those stairs tonight.

Since his amputation he had no problems charging up and down because he loves to follows me around the house. Today seemed like reality check that his hind leg is giving him problems (apart from the abscess 2 weeks ago and slowly healing now). Attempted to take him for a car ride round the neighborhood but he missed a step and struggled to get his behind up into the car. He backed out immediately and looked fearful to try again. I tried to help him but he refused to get in, ran back into the house and laid down without relieving himself for the night.

Can I say it's sad that car rides are his absolute favorite activities? I'll need to work on helping him get on it easier, and do work on carrying all 80+ lbs of him into the car.

I contemplated having him sleep downstairs from now on, but he saw me when i went back down and stood up. We took a long time before he felt ready, and he did well pretty much the whole way, stopped for 5 mins on the 2nd level, til the last three steps he gave way and I held on to him for a minute to rest, and carried his behind while he worked with his front legs to get upstairs.

I balled my eyes out thinking about the whole traumatising ordeal for him, and whether this will be the last night he's going to spend with me in my room.

The vet is out of town til the 19th, and we will meet with someone else on Tuesday to get a CBC and new scans done to check kidney and liver functions mainly, as well as the situation with his arthritis.

Things have been good and bad and 21 months have been great, but knowing so is also bittersweet after the mets. Am trying my best to stay positive for the boy, and oh btw before the stairs, he mustered up enough energy and confidence after i gave him another balloon to chase and pop. What a good boy he has been.

Thank you for the advice and very encouraging words, he's completed the course of antibiotics since wednesday, so I keep my fingers crossed that the nausea/upset stomach goes away for good.

Will keep you guys posted and I apologise for this very long post (i think u can sense my emotional rollercoaster here).

Hugs from us both and well wishes to you and your tripawds.

Carol and Titus