It has been almost one year since Bozzie was diagnosed with osteo sarcoma.  It was not the typical osteo.  It went to another bone, and also was in the soft tissue.  One Vet recently told me that this is so rare, there are not many cases reported like this one, and the life expectancy was only about 6 weeks.  Well, Bozzie has been doing great until this past friday.  He started to cough up blood.  We were able to get the blood to stop, thanks to our newest Vet who does mostly herbal therapies and accupuncture.  Although Bozzie did not respond well to the herbs in the past, we had to do it for the bleeding.  Lung x-ray does show a growth in one lung which is very frustrating to us because we thought he had beat this thing!  Now the question is how long do we let this go on.  The bleeding has stopped which is amazing.  He is still coughing but nothing comes up.  He was fine on friday morning, eating, and even wanting to go for a long walk, but by 11:30 he was not.  He is weak, lethargic and not eating very well.  We are taking it day by day.  Any thoughts?  The vet does not think he is suffering with pain, but he is certainly not living the quality of life that he has been, but he is still surrounded by his family and he receives more love and attention than most dogs.  I don't regret anything that we have done.  We had a great year and he has been happy and healthy up until now.  I hope and pray that when it is his time, he is able to let go so we do not have to make that dredded decision.

I am more than sad to write the news that yesterday our beloved Bozzie lost his battle with cancer.  Against all odds, he lived for 13 months post diagnosis, including 61/2 weeks post coughing up blood.  Bozzie was an amazing chocolate lab with a heart so large he couldn't give up.  He did not seem to be in pain, but for the last 2 days he deteriorated quickly.  We have no regrets.  He was able to live a wonderful life for the past 11 months as a tripawd, and only within the last month did it become difficult.  There were rocky times, but all in all, it was a nice year.  We will miss him terribly, but will never forget him.  We know he is in a better place, and now he is whole again.  Some people say rest in peace, I say run and play hard!!!

I am so sorry to read about Bozzie.  He sounds like he was an amazing tripawd with so much love for life.  I can only magine how very sad you must be losing your boy.   I hope you find peace and comfort in knowing that he had a great life with great pawrents who loved him very much.  Wow – 13 months post diagnosis - that's pretty amazing – you were given the great gift of Bozzie who will always be forever in your heart.  Our thoughts are with you…

Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)