AHHH!!!  She's too cute!  (and so is her brother!).  Well, cancer sucks and is really scary at first.  I probably cried every day for the first month or so.  The things that helped me the most were to realize that our dogs don't know there's anything seriously "wrong" with them!  They have no idea was cancer is.  All they care about is that their food is there, their mom and/or dad is there, and their toys are there (and maybe treats and a cozy bed or two…).  Just keep treating her exactly the same, because she has no idea anything has changed :)  It also helped me to realize that we as humans are only so limited…we can't guarantee anything.  As long as we have done what we feel is in the best interest of our dog, we have given them the ultimate care and love…that's all our job is.  It is not our responsibility to cure anything, to fix anything, to blame anybody, to be mad, to feel guilty, or to demand certain answers – our job is to love our doggies, to treat them as though nothing has changed, to offer them the world, and to allow them to take as much of that world as they are able.  We can't do anything more than to let our dogs be dogs :)  Best of luck in your upcoming appointments and decisions!!

<3 Laura and Jackers

UPDATE

The biopsy came back NEGATIVE for cancer.  The vet said that he still thinks we're dealing with cancer – but does not want to be too quick to amputate and he recommended a 2nd bone biopsy.  (That conversation came about after I said "If this was your dog, what would you do" he then asked if Denali was still using her leg or not – she is still using it.)

My game plan:  Denali now has an appointment for MONDAY at Ohio State University Vet clinic for a 2nd opinion on what's going on with Denali.

My vet can get Denali in next day for an amputation.  They're a little less expensive than OSU and they're WAY closer.

Still the waiting game!!!

My regular vet said that they keep 1-2 nights for an amputation.  The vet I was talking to said he just did a front amputation on Monday and went over the medicines and the procedure that he did and that if I wanted the medications for the phantom limb or anything it would not be a problem.

When he called me back to find out what I decided to do – I let him know I made an appointment at Ohio State for a 2nd opinion.  His exact words were 'That is probably the best thing you can do for her'.  He's ok with Ohio State doing the amputation and him doing the after care – or he can do the amputation.  He seemed pretty excited that I opted to go to OSU for their opinion and then admitted that he's shown Denali's X-rays (mind you he's the 2nd vet in the office to have Denali's case as the first one is out until tomorrow) to a few of the other vets.  All feel that I'm dealing with cancer, but they're not sure which one.