To my friends at Club Titan,

If you have noticed, I have not been on the board lately. My partner has been ill and I have spent all my free time with him.

I put up a post last Wednesday with pictures, but I guess they were lost when the site went down.

Anyway, today was a very sad day for the Russell family. While Titan is still with us, he is not well. We anticipate loosing him tomorrow.

I have attached an email that was sent to all our family, friends, and officers and wanted to share it with my new friends at Club Titan. I will also attempt to put pictures up tonight.

Thanks,

Marc Russell


To all our family and friends,

Today, 10-4-2004, K9 Titan was medically retired as a Police K9 by the state. He has been struggling with a tumor in his nose and has been unable to work for a week now. Unfortunately, the tumor has grown to the point that Titan now labors to breathe. This, of course, is a concern for us.

Our vet, Dr. Coon, has agreed to perform the surgery to attempt to remove the mass. This is a very risky surgery and the probability of Titan surviving it is extremely low. We feel we owe this chance to Titan, as he has been a loyal and loving friend.

Dr. Coon has been a great vet and has even elected to perform the surgery at no cost to us except for any supplies he uses. This is a great savings to us as now the burden for Titan’s bills are ours. Unfortunately, once surgery is complete, Titan will require several weeks of radiation treatment.

This is another concern as the treatment has many side affects and may cause the loss of his left eye. This is a hard decision, but we feel if he has a chance, we want him to have it. We only want what is best for Titan and do not want him to suffer.

Titan is scheduled to have the surgery at 0730 tomorrow. Haven Lake Animal Hospital is starting to raise funds in the event that Titan survives the surgery. The radiation treatment will be expensive and that must be done in Gaithersburg, MD. You may reach Haven Lake Animal Hospital at (302) 422-8100 if you would like to make a donation.

Titan is a wonderful dog and has been a great partner to me. He has always listened and never complained. Regardless of the outcome of this endeavor, Titan will always be in our hearts and thoughts. No words can ever express the bond between us.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers,

Marc, Wendy, Cody, and Titan

Wow what a horrible thing to happen...

My condolences as I had to put our 13 year old lab to sleep last year because of a tumor in her shoulder. Which was by far one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life.

Just remember sometimes what is easier for us may not be in the best interest for the animal we love.

I hope all goes well in surgery and hopefully he can make a recovery.

Wow man I knew you had said he had some problems but I didn't realise how serious. Man I will really be thinking about him I know how it feels to lose a pet that you are really close to. I haven't owned another Dog since I lost my Golden Retriever when I was in high school. His same was Siege (pronounced seeg). I had adopted him from a German couple. I had him all through middle school and high school. In my senior year though I went to Football camp out of state and when I got home my dad picked me up and told me he had some bad new. They didn't tell me while I was away cause they didn't want me to be miserable at camp. Well I never got to say goodbye to him or anything he was just gone all the sudden. It really never felt right. I hope for the best in your situation. Remember God keeps his eye out for even the sparrow. I know he is taking care of Titan.
Good luck
M4ck

k9mrussell,

I make this post with much hope for K9 Titan and I appreciate you sharing his situation and your feelings with us here. As you stated, no words can express the bond betwen you and him, so I will not try. I am sure that being his closest companion, you will find the wisdom and courage to do what is best for him.

It's a hard thing, My uncle wrote "my partner, my friend" when Twist, His K9, went down. It has all the feelings he felt and was published for him. I use to have a copy but haven't seen it in a long time. It's hard to have some one who is both your partner and best friend go through something like this. I feel for you and your family. I do hope Titan pulls through and you will have more time to spend in his retirment enjoying the time you have with him as a part of the family. Which ever way this goes, my prayers are with you and your family.

Tom

k9mrussell,

Words can not express the sorrow I feel for you! Know my thoughts and prayers are with both Titan, and you. Good Luck!