Welcome to the site and sorry to hear about Alfie's diagnosis.

Personally, I think the big guys do okay (regarding the lifting and the help) because they aren't used to being picked up, thus there isn't that expectation. Charlie is a big guy (was 120, now just under 100) and we have stairs galore at our house. The biggest issue we've had is getting in and out of the car. We have a ramp, which he now uses, but I have to stop him from jumping both in and out. I am much larger than you and there would have been no way I could lift him in and out, but he hasn't needed me to. He did well right out of surgery and just needed some balance support the first couple days, but not lifting or carrying.

Can I ask: why the wait regarding the two weeks?

Oh, Alfie is a big, beautiful Newfie. So sorry to hear of his diagnosis; but welcome to this wonderfully supportive place.

There are some big dudes on this site. Alfie will probably need some balance support but it sounds like you've already thought ahead with using a sling to help him navigate stairs. He'll figure it out. Our Catie still finds going down stairs (after seven months) more challenging than going up, but I think that's the nature of front leg amputees (balance issues).

I don't have a single regret over our decision to proceed with Catie's amputation. Despite the cancer, the surgery, the recovery period, and five chemo treatments her joy in life remains unaltered.

Hang in there. Hoping for a good outcome on the xrays!  

Though I have never owned a Newfie, I have a special soft spot in my heart for them (one day I will be owned by one, one day!).

I'm sorry to hear about Alfie's diagnosis.  Most dogs adjust to being on 3 legs just fine and hopefully Alfie will be waddling up those stairs in no time!!  I'm 5'3" and have been managing with Denali (Great Pyrenees - 80lbs) with little problems.  I did get a ruff wear harness and do see it would be more helpful for a front amp (Denali is a rear-amp).  I tried it mine on Loki (Great Pyrenees - 120lbs) and it worked fine for picking up his front end - he wasn't too happy about me doing it, but he's always a grump.

As far as slings and stuff go - I have one of those 'recycle/reuse' bags that you can get just about anywhere for $1 or under, I cut the sides of it and use that for a Sling for Denali (at first I had both that and a towel on hand to help her so I could just grab what was closest).  She's still not hopping like most tripawds, but doesn't really like help - only sometimes on her ramp - but she can do that ramp no problem most of the time!

It's not an easy diagnosis -- Cancer Sucks!

I am so sorry you had to join our wonderful community....isn't that a contradiction!!!

Magic was 114 pounds at amp and I am 5'2", with torn rotator cuff, artificial knee on one side and artificial hip on the other (and now I find that my "good knee" has been going away and now needs to be replaced..great)....My worry was getting him out of the truck and into the house and I only have like two stairs to get in each door and none in the house.  I asked my neighbors to lend a hand and they were great....I also had the exhusband of a friend who came through like a champ (my husband died two years ago)...and I'm kinda old.

The ruffwear harness was an unbelievable help...I worried that I wouldn't have enough leverage to help him (and I can't measure him because he is running free at the Bridge!) but that harness was a life saver.  Also get non skid runners for any slippery spots in your house.

I also left Magic at the vet for four days and visited for several hours each day...it is just around the corner from me.  Not the ideal situation, but I truly needed for him to be as steady as possible as we started to learn to live as tripawd and helper!!  You might consider that if it is an option....

Keep us posted on how things are going and here is hoping for the clear lungs....

Alfie,

Here is another Newfie lover.  I will be following Alfie's story with great interest.  I lost Oslo, my dear black and white Newfie on June 30th (and we are in the process of adopting an other newfie in a few weeks).  Oslo was a left-front leg amputee due to osteosarcoma too.  We also had to deal with "single suspicious spot" on one of his lung at the begining. But finally it was nothing.  I hope Alfie will get clean X-Rays in two weeks. You will be surprised how big dogs are able to adapt on 3 legs. 

As for stairs…I agree that it is a concern.  How is Alfie doing with stairs on 4 legs??  I think it can give you an idea of how he will manage them on 3 legs. Oslo hated stairs on 4 legs, and hated them on 3 legs too.  I would suggest that you make sure your stairs are not slippery at all.  If you can fix carpet on them, that would help a lot.  The first two weeks can be a challenge in that matter.  If you have a friend to help you getting Alfie in and out, it would be great.  But after that, He should be ok.  Oslo was not perfect, not as agile as smaller Tripawds dogs. But he was able to use stairs (even though he hated them and was hesitant). Sometimes, for no reasons he required our assistance to go up.  But I think it was a "psychological" thing, not a physical one.   Basically, he was able to do everything he did prior his amputation.   

I wish you did not have to ever deal with osteosarcoma.  But  we will all be there to give you support .  Tripawd dogs are a real inspiration.  They have a very special place in our hearts.

Good luck.  I will be looking forward your next updated. big HUGS

Suzanne and Spirit Oslo