Pooch hadn't been able to keep up with me on my mountain bike for a couple years and even lagged behind when I jogged. I went to a couple vets after he wouldn't come out of his dog house. My regular vet said he was old and needed to switch to a lower protein food. Finally went to another highly thought of vet, found a "mass", I didn't know what he was talking about at the time. Got a referral to UC Davis, they said it was too large, chances of making it were pretty slim. Kept him overnight, almost lost him, gave him a couple transfusions. Spent a months pay for the trip, but would have kicked myself if he had gone and I had done nothing. At least I know.