So sorry about Kona. So far so good with Linus. The tumor is spreading and growing in the hock joint area but still is not bothering him too much. He's on Rimadyl and his liver values are just ever so slightly above the normal range, but steady. Do you have an elevator at your apartment ? (Of course we don't at our house.) I really don't know what we are going to do if we get to the point where he will need amputation. I've looked everywhere for good ideas on how to get a 160 pound dog up and down a full flight of stairs if he's not fully ambulatory. I also worry that if we amputate he may never be able to get up and down the stairs on his own — and that make me scared and very sad.

I have to say that I would not be so worried if he only weighed 60 pounds. There are great harnesses (think it is the AST Get a Grip one) that allow one person to really easily help the smaller dogs. There is a thread mentioned on an earlier post here that showed a great design of an assistance harness.

I'll keep you and Kona in my thoughts and prayers ! If you hear anything that might be helpful, please post and I will certainly do the same.

Best wishes!