pictured at 6 months

2nd generation RA-CA dog. He is a true 38in. at shoulder and weighs 225 lbs. Microchip #4251562328 Avid. DNA profile # V113141

Rain was lost on 10/26/04 after a 3 day leg infection. Rain had swelling to his left knee on 10/24/04. My first thought was he had torn his ACL. We called our Veterinarian who recommended ice, duramaxx 300mg for pain control/anit-inflammatory properties, and bedrest. Within 12 hours, Rains leg had swollen to 3 times the size it should have been. Dr Langford came to our home and helped me get Rain in the Van. When we arrived at the Vets, we performed an ultrasound, which showed a large black mass around the knee. Needle biopsy was attempted with ultrasound guidance. The smell that came out of the needle was horrible, I told them the only time I have ever smelled that odor was when I had a patient with gas gangrene. I also pointed out that the leg had crepitus, this is when you apply pressure and can feel "crinkles or crackles" under the skin. We got Rain onto the x-ray table and the film revieled a large mass by the knee but no knee involvement. It also showed gas bubbles from thigh to hock. We were given a grave prognosis at that point and the decision to start IV antibiotics was made. Rain came home with me medication on hand on October 25th. He slipped away on October 26th in the morning, with his big head in my lap, while I talked to him, closed his eyes and cried. Rain is buried here at RA-CA Ranch. Rain was my big man, he loved his boy Alex, who would play "go get your ball bubby" for hours, always trying to trick Rain on where the ball was hiding, but Rain always found it. He loved to sit on your lap and pin you down with his 220lbs. He liked nothing better than to wressle, and let everyone win everytime. His last days showed what a love he was. He never once growled even though the pain must have been horrible and the treatments less than pleasant. He fell asleep with his head in one of the techs lap and snored like he was home. Just like the big boy angel that he was.

Swelling to knee

The day before Rain died

pictured at 1 year

pictured at 4 1/2

Rain almost 6 years old.

Rain sleeping after playing with his buddy Autumn