This is my first post to introduce my 11 (almost 12) year old Yellow Lab, Sully.  Sully had cancer (fibrosarcoma) in 2007 followed by radiation treatments 2-3 times/week over a 6 week period.  We live in Vermont and the closest place to take him was New England Veterinary Oncology Group in  Waltham, MA.  It was a 3 hour drive one way!  My son, Arnold, had to do most of the transportation since I worked full time.  Some background that might be helpful....Arnold had a kidney transplant in 2000 and became disabled during the time he waited for a kidney on dialysis.  We got Sully at 8 weeks old.  Since Arnold was home, he became Sully's "dad".  Sully and he became inseparable. 

Since I don't want this to become a novel, I'm going to skip to June, 2012 when I lost my job for the second time in 3 years.  It became a blessing in disguise because Arnold became extremely ill after two heart attacks which resulted in a triple bi-pass.  Things deteriorated over the next year and Arnold passed away on December 27, 2013.  I was able to stay by his side through all the office visits and hospital stays.  In January, 2014 Sully was diagnosed with osteosarcoma.  Now I was faced with the possibility of losing Sully right after losing my son.  Sully's right front leg was breaking into pieces so after about 3 weeks of splints, Sully had to have the leg amputated in May, 2014.  They had to go all the way up and take the entire leg.  That left him without the hope of a prosthesis (so they say--I'm still hoping I can find someone who thinks "out of the box' and has found a way to do something). 

I've read many similar stories on the blog about the process of making the agonizing decision to amputate and then deciding about chemo.  It was the same for me.  I chose to go ahead with the chemotherapy last year.  We traveled to Mass. Veterinary Referral Hospital in Woburn, MA (another 3 hour drive one way).  He finished the chemo about 4 months ago and now we go every 2 months for blood work and a chest x-ray.  We are scheduled for his next visit next week so I'm keeping my fingers crossed and holding my breath!  Sully hops around pretty well now but his nature is not assertive so he is quite fearful and cautious about moving.  The worst has been getting him in and out of the car.  I can't lift him and he is terrified of a sling.  I doubt he will use a ramp.  Oh, the stories I could tell!!!  Being a "Vermont girl", I used a hay bale through the summer and fall.  I try to take someone with me whenever I travel with him.  If anyone has solved this problem, I am all ears!!  About 4 months ago, I took him to Eddie's Wheels and purchased a cart for him.  Unfortunately, Sully is having a terrible time with it (and so am I).  I found a physical therapist who started work with him (only 1 1/2 hours one way....HA); but winter has really put a dent in this work.  I can't wait to start again.  Sully loved to take walks and I feel bad that he can't do this now.  I have ideas about using a wagon or saucer to pull so he could get on and off as his stamina allows.  Whatever it is, it has to be low enough for him to get in and out easily or I doubt he would try it.  Again, if anyone can help with this invention, I would love to hear from you.

I guess that's enough for a first introduction.  Sully has been through so much.  In spite of his quirks, he is one brave guy!  The last thing I would like to say is that I have been very fortunate to have incredibly wonderful, talented doctors and staff at all the facilities I mentioned in this story.  I didn't mention my regular Vet who is my miracle person, Dr. Andrea Neiley in Westminster, VT.  She has been my rock.  She and her staff love Sully so much.  He has had the same cancer specialist at NEVOG, Dr. Rosen, since his first cancer.  She, too, is so very caring and knowledgeable.  I even found a surgeon closer to us in Lebanon, NH at SAVES, Dr. Kelly, who has expertise with amputations.  It's been hard, hard work with so many emotional days since this all began.  Through it all, Sully is full of life, loves people, and is such a gift to the world.  If we get some of these mobility issues resolved, I am thinking of returning to therapy dog training with him.  We had to drop out when he got cancer the first time.

I look forward to visiting the blog and reading and learning what other 'tripod parents' are discovering.