Titan's Story: More News

(Keeping watch over the house together)

Another day starting with another call to the vet. This time for an update on how Titan was doing with his tests. The kind receptionist told us he only had his xrays so far but was doing well. He even managed to make a new best friend with the office cat and the two were cuddling nicely on the bed of blankets. His ultrasound was booked for 1pm and things were moving along. I went to work later that day thinking positive.

As soon as I got to work there was a call from the vet that I missed, so I eagerly called back only to hear that vet who wanted to speak to me was in surgery. I left my husbands number and although a bit concerned went back to work hoping it was just for an update. A few hours later I got the call from Mike that the news was not good. Titan had heart issues. First, they found a small mass on the heart which was putting slight pressure on it. The cancer had spread. They also found an edema and a murmur in his heart as well. The diagnosis was CHF (Congestive Heart Failure - early onset). This was causing swelling and therefore we had no chance to move forward with life saving surgery. As soon as I heard the news I knew he had been though enough and we agreed Titan would just come home and be kept comfortable for his last days surrounded by family.

"Congestive Heart Failure is a chronic progressive condition that affects the pumping power of your heart muscles. CHF specifically refers to the stage in which fluid builds up around the heart and causes it to pump inefficiently."

"Edema happens when your small blood vessels become "leaky" and realease fluid into nearby tissues. The extra fluid builds up, which makes the tissue swell. When the heart weakens and pumps blood less efficiently, fluid can slowly build up, creating edemas."

The next morning we set off to pick him up. True to all things with Titan this wasn't made easy because we just happened to get a lovely snow storm. The roads were awful and we passed a few cars in ditches on the way but Mike was determined to bring him home that day so he was driving carefully. When we finally made it (one hour late) I was feeling sad, of course, about the future but also taking comfort in the fact that he was able to come home with us. He isn't happy unless he is near his couch, and I knew this time was no exception. We spoke with the vet about his new pain meds. Back on the Meloxicam for anti-inflammatory (once every 24 hours), the Tramadol for pain management (once every 12 hours), and now on Gabapentin a nerve blocker to help with pain ( twice every 12 hours). The vet was very nice and took her time explaining everything to us. I asked about when we would know the time was right and she said "You know Titan best, you will just be able to tell." In my heart I know this is true. We did speak about euthanasia and cremation. Caven Hills does not normally make house calls but they said because they know Titan so well and all about his case they would make an exception for us. All together we were looking close to $600 for the procedure and cremation and an urn would be included. I never thought I would be talking about this kind of information so soon and it still sounds weird talking about it now. I am also looking into another vet my aunt used when her sweet boy Finn passed. This vet also comes to the house but helps you determine if you and the pet are actually ready. This makes me feel a bit more comfortable about the whole process but it will be more expensive. That phone call is to happen tomorrow when me and my husband are both available.

Finally after all our information was gathered we we able to see Titan. He came out and again there was tail wags and I even got a cuddle. I was so happy to just have him in my arms again. I don't like knowing he isn't close and I know what is to come will just break me. But like I said, for now we just are enjoying the fact that he is here with us and we cuddled him right up. He even tried to take himself for a walk around the clinic before we left, he's so determined to show everyone he can do what he isn't suppose to. The drive home was better and he spent it with his head in my lap for the most part, however this time he seemed to perk up and would try and sit out to see out the window.

Once home we did our usual loop around the yard and Ares walked along beside him tail wagging and lots of sniffing. The two have bonded so well and I really appreciate them also getting some more time together. I feel like Ares knows what is happening and he is being so good with Titan, walking with him making sure he's ok and watching over him in the house, making sure he gets cuddles. We also went out and picked up food for Titan we thought he might like to eat to make sure he was spoiled with meal times.

(Chicken, liver, steak, beef cubes, pizza, and beef liver treats)

(Ares wanting to do everything his big brother does)

(They have each other's back)

When you look up information on this breed everything tells you they have short life spans. You go into owning a dane knowing that. You read all the time that the top 3 killers of this breed are bloat, bone cancer, and CHF. You hope you get that full life span but I have read many people going though the same experience as us, often with danes even younger. It is a hard breed to fall for, but the years you do get out of them is full of adventure and laughing and happiness and so much love. They touch the lives of everyone they meet and I've had so many people tell me about lovely memories and share photos. Titan has left a mark on many hearts and he will be so so missed. Believe me when I say how worth it owning a dane is. I would not change a thing. I just wish we were able to have a few more adventures together and a lot more cuddles. We will take what we can get for now.