ok- just got the bad news from the vet, and our 85 lb, Norwegian Elk Hound, Baer, has a huge tumor in his left leg- not removeable. In the muscles, up to the bone, etc. Blood work indicated likely not metastisized elswhere. With our recent past dogs, we always felt- can't do an amp on such a big dog, AND we are being selfish to have a 3-legged animal around- better for the dog to say our goodbyes.  So we have a week before the lab results are back, BUT will someone objectively let me know if it is better for the dog to have it amputated, or have their life ended?  Terrible time- and we want Baer around, but don't care to have him suffer.  Thanks.

Bud is a very tall and large golden. He started this adventure at 103lbs but is now a lean 85lbs. We had a femur fracture that was infected and that was the reason for the amp. He doesnt have his left rear leg any longer.He was immediatly able to stand up and walk outside without the sling to potty after the surgery. He had never been kenneled before and that was hard on him.We spent visiting hours with him to reassure him.His personality really wasnt the same for the first 3 weeks. He did alot of sleeping and was not active due to an upper respitory infection. However, the tail was always wagging and he still wanted to be right there with us!

 Bud had some other health concerns and it has taken him about 3 months to recover and get back to all that he enjoys. We are a pretty active family, Bud has two kids and a young dog to keep up with.He does pretty well! The mailman stopped me just last week to ask me what had happened to Bud and tell me how GREAT he seems to be doing! He had a St Benard whom he put down rather than amputate and I think he was second guessing the decision he had made.

 We did move our daughter from downstairs to upstairs so Bud doesn't have to tackle the 12 stairs  and risk injury to his remaining leg anymore in order to sleep with her nightly.He does go up and down the four on the porch all by himself. We added rugs to wood floors and carpet to the deck stairs. We have a ruff wear harness and I use it on him when we got the vet, park or lake to give him some more stability.

I wish all of this would not have happened to him. Bud is only 7 yrs old. We feel he has alot of life to live and love to give. He is a member of our family! We have made some minor adjustments but it is definately worth it to have him hopping beside us on his three legs.

Okay, first off, I do not condone this!!!

Most have already seen this video, but this is Charlie and his 2 month ampuversary. He was about 96 pounds in this video.

Best wishes to you and Baer!

Thanks to all for the thoughts. Terribly long night and day- after 10+ years.

I am not sure that Sammy qualifies as large breed, although he is a newfie mix pre-amp 117 lbs.

how you felt and acted as you recuperated from amputation surgery?  "Sammy was quiet, needed lots of sleep, didn't vocalize like he used to."

- how you felt and acted when you learned how to live as a Tripawd? "He was a  little awkward at first, unsteady on his feet, but willing to try, then after a few weeks, his voice returned, his tail wagged like before, and he is hopping and happy."

Is your life much different now or same as it always was? "Sammy was never really up for walks anyway, he likes bursts of speed and small runs which is just like before but for sure he can't handle long walks now.  There is nothing different except we are emotionally closer than ever and I have to help him in and out of the car."

I hope this is what you were asking.

To Dave, I am so sorry about Baer.  You did everything you could, we are sending prayers your way.

Elizabeth and Sammy