Dear Tonka's Mom: We will be sending you good thoughts tomorrow. As everyone has said, the first two weeks are difficult. And for me, it was heartbreaking when I first saw Romeo (front leg amputee) after the surgery. In a couple weeks, however, we will celebrate Romeo's sixth month ampuversary! And we just celebrated his tenth bday! Romeo runs, jumps, plays in the snow, holds his bone, hogs the bed—everything he loved to do before the surgery! He has even cleared our garden fence in pursuit of a squirrel! We decided not to do chemotherapy. We wanted him just to enjoy his regular life, day by day, and he has been doing just that. We just had a checkup and he is doing great.

We were so moved by your post because many family members and friends also thought we we were being cruel by amputating Romeo's leg. Interestingly, none of them were "dog people." And many of those critics have just been amazed by Romeo's energy and joy! You know in your heart what is best for Tonka. My partner just kept saying to me, "We're not taking away his leg, we're saving his life." The people and pups at Tripawds are amazing. They were a lifeline for us in those early days.

Hang in there. Give Tonka a little time and he'll bounce back! Take care, Eve and Romeo   

Best of luck tomorrow, the next two weeks might be hard but then things will get better, so much better.  Tasha is celebrating 4 months post amp today, she has never been so happy and loving, you will be surprised by Tonka. All the best.

Jo Ann & Tasha

Tonka and Mom,

I once told Cherry's breeder that I still had difficulty saying that I willingly allowed them to amputate her left fore-leg. Boy did I get an ear full. She told me in the most loving way possible, that not only was Cherry still alive because of that decision (and the chemotherapy) but that she was enjoying a great quality of life in the process. Enough said about the decision – you have made the best one for Tonka and now we must move forward to making the best life possible. As you can see from above, you have found a great community filled with wonderful people who will share their diverse experience base, give advice, and provide enormous support. I would not have any sanity left had it not been for them.

A few things that may help you prepare for Tonka’s return from surgery.  Stealing from a recent Jerry posting, I would suggest:

What to Expect Part 1:  http://tinyurl……tToExpect1

What to Expect Part 2:  http://tinyurl……tToExpect2

Also, there are my usual suggestions:

1)  Remain as positive as possible around Tonka.  They will pick up on your feelings and if you are down, it will only make it harder.  I have often left Cherry, left the house, and then totally lost it before regaining composure and returning with a smile.  It will make a difference.

2)  Remember to treat the spirit as well as the body.  Find something that they love and can still do during recovery.  Then exploit that love to give them purpose.  For Cherry, it was her trips in the truck/car.  It was the first and for a long time, the only place that she would willingly take food when offered.  As the time when she thinks that she is going for a ride approaches, you can see the excitement grow.  Jake's mom would probably tell you that for Jake it was the swimming pool.  Once Jake saw the pool and was allowed back in, the improvement appears to have been remarkable.  View the Fun!  Doug and Heidi will tell you that for Molly it continues to be canoe trips.  Watch her celebrate her one year anpuversary!  Finally there is Calpurnia who loves the life filled with the outdoors and sledding and has survived the amputation for more than two years.  View the fun!  Help them find a purpose to fight.

3)  Consider keeping a journal.  I kept a journal and posted much of it on-line.  It allowed me to go back days/weeks/months and make a good comparison.  The detail that you keep in this journal is more than I would ever put into a blog ,which is also a great idea.  This very detailed journal really helped to make honest assessments of Cherry's progress during the ups and downs of recovery.  Our oncologist actually used these journal postings to keep up to speed on Cherry's condition.  She was even reading it as Cherry approached her one year ampuversary.  I have a page of thumbnail photos (with links to larger versions) covering from just after the diagnosis, first days home, chemotherapy treatment, through recent days.  View Cherry’s TriPawd photos.

I hope that this will help as you as you plan for Tonka's home comming.  Emily's mom, Debra, also likes to add – consider raising their water and food bowl.  This will help them balance. Cherry's first chemotherapy treatment occured just hours after amputation, and her first two months, which included all the chemotherapy, were to toughest. However, it was a wonderful trip filled with fabulous memories.

Sending positive thoughts from the San Francisco Bay area.

Spirit Cherry's Dad – Bob

Hi Tonka,

We're sorry you needed to find this site, but have to say that this site has been the best place – full of supportive people and lots of good information. We'll be thinking about Tonka today and hope all goes well with surgery. Holly's surgery was just over a month ago and she is doing great! The first 2 weeks were hardest, but give Tonka lots of love and time to heal and these next 2 weeks will be behind you before you know it… and Tonka will be happy to no longer have that painful leg. Like Tehya's mom said – we didn't realize how much pain Holly was in at the time but can now look back and see how much more active she has become again. Best of luck today!

Holly and Holly's mom

I have a lab who was diagnosed a week and a half ago with Osteosarcoma in her left hind leg, and like you I chose amputation and chemo because of the degree of bone degeneration, pain and risk of fracture. I was so nervous that it was going to be a long road to recovery and would take her a while to learn to walk as a Tripawd. I am elated to tell you that when I went to see her this morning she was up and walking around like she'd never had four legs to begin with. I was so blown away and relieved I couldn't help but cry. Good luck on your surgery and I'm sure that Tonka will be hopping around in no time!