Hi LoveJake!  What a handsome boy!
(though, I might have a weakness for big red retrievers.  He and Samdog look like they could be brothers)

I'm sorry that you are dealing with this, but believe me - you have come to the right place to be supported by people who understand.  Samdog is just past his first week of becoming a tripaw and he is surprising me everyday.   He too is a front right amp, osteosarcoma.  He is also my constant companion - we hike and camp and do everything together.  He has been my SAR partner his whole life and most of the adventures we have, we have together - just us.  (hunny works a lot).  I credit his enthusiasm for giving me the courage to try things I would have never done alone.  There is no way either of us were ready to say goodbye, so we said goodbye to his leg instead.

Some days are better than others, but each day is a little better than the last, even if there is an hour in there that isn't so great.  He is finally off most of the pain meds, now he is on rimadyl regularly and tramadol when he needs it.  I watch him each day to see if he could use it.  This morning he is out on the porch enjoying the morning sun, first time out there alone since his surgery.  It makes my heart smile.

The people here at tripawds are amazing.  I think I have read and reread every single blog and forum entry.  Every time I ask a question - I get immeadiate responses from people who have "been there".  While friends and family think we are crazy for going through the time, pain and expense of what seems drastic to them - the people here have made the same choice for the same reasons.  It is the right thing to do for our furchildren with whom we share unconditional love.  We get it and, so far, are just as willing to give what ever is needed - just ask.

I am so looking forward to seeing Jake heal and progress. 
Hugs to you from your new friends in Arizona!

-Samdog and his mom.

Hi and welcome! Some of your questions have easy, quick answers that will help you right away. All the answers are on the site, but you had no warning so couldn't go find things out in advance.

Getting in and out of the car: You may benefit from a harness. Many of us here use the Ruffwear harness and our Angel Exchange forum often has them for free. Take a look at photos all around the site and you'll see dogs in the harness. You can grab the handle and give Jake the boost or support he needs. They're helpful for all sorts of terrain, getting in and out of the car, yanking a dog quickly out of danger, and making sure an escape artist does not actually go through the door he's heading for. 

Floors: Two words; "throw rugs". We just buy cheap throw rugs or yoga mats (about $10 at Target) and put them where they're needed. Thrift stores have tons of ugly rugs nobody loves and they're cheap. 

Weight distribution: Jake will adjust. They really do become tripods or tripawds because, with time, the remaining front leg shifts toward the middle of the chest and takes more weight. Go look at some more pictures of our dogs, especially outside standing around. Those front leg amputees look like their ankle is under the center point of their chests. Jake will do that, too, but it is a gradual process.

Don't overthink this. Right now you're blindsided so only deal with the pressing issues. Getting the meds in, monitoring the incision, keeping Jake calm and quiet. The other stuff will happen. Rejecting meds is common and I think a sign of personality returning. Most of us have tricks for that, if you need them.

What about your kids? If you need to talk to people who've gone through this with children, there are a whole bunch of us here. Toddlers to older teens, we have them. So if you need to ask about your kids and Jake's recovery, ask away! (Many of us have had a child accidentally bump the recovering dog, and usually the dog makes a lot of noise and the child is guilt-stricken and everyone is upset. If you experience that, don't freak out. The dog gets over it very quickly but the child can take a long time to feel comfortable around the dog if you get angry or upset. Just plan that it'll happen and you won't wig out.)

You're doing fine, and Jake sounds like he's doing really well. Keep us posted and ask any questions you need.

Shari

I am so glad today is a good day.

Samdog was 86lbs before the surgery - we have instructions to get him from "fluffy" to skinny.  They say dogs carry about 60% of their weight on their front feet.  Sam is so big in his chest, I think it is closer to 75% - so we have to get that weight off of him.

It is funny you mentioned the car...  I was so fixated on getting him in the car after his surgery!  He's so big, how am I going to help him?!?!  Oh, to get him in the first time was a disaster!  But, we lived through it and both of us survived.  I don't think we have figured it out yet, but sam is getting better at getting his front paw up - even if he can't jump that high and I have been lifting his hips up.  

As far as floors - we have concrete floors and they are very slippery.  We bought some carpet runners off of craigslist and created "runways" through the house getting him from the front door to the living room to his food bowl.  He took to using them right away, even if it takes him out of his way.  We also have a network of strategically placed bathmats in all of the places he likes to spend time.  It is hard for him to get up when his feet slip out from under him.  So, now he chooses to laydown on a bathmat.  Even so, he is getting stronger and it hasn't been as hard.   We tried a paw wax called "musher's secret" and have trimmed all the hair around his toe pads and that has really helped too.  Some folks here have used booties, Sam wouldn't tolerate anything on his feet - I didn't even try, but maybe Jake could be a good candidate.  

I'd also suggest you consider a harness - there is a blog on this site where people review any piece of tripawd gear you could imagine.  We have a ruff-wear webmaster, but I haven't used it much yet as it rubs on his incision.  I suspect when we start adventuring out of the house again, it will help us on all sorts of terrain and slippery floors.

We are only one dog and one story - I think you will find that everybody finds their own way of doing things, but at least it gives us all a place to start. 

Keep it up Jake!  Samdog is rootin' for you!

Welcome-I am so sorry for the circumstances. My greyhound, Lily, is also a front leg amp. Like Jake, Lily was diagnosed on Wed. and had surgery on Fri.(very quick). It was all so shocking, but I am so glad I have Tripawds. Instead of going all over the internet; I come here. Such a wealth of knowledge!!

I can relate to the "fluffy"--the vet tech the other day said Lily was a "stocky" greyhound. So the reducing "diet" begins...

Lily and I have been going out every night around 9-9:30 to run for about a 1/2 of a full block. Running seems to be easier for front leg amps-walking for a distance (at least for Lily) seems to be more exhausting. It's cooler at night, and it's a nice time for the two of us. 

Rugs, rugs, rugs--we even put them on our back deck steps-the stick-on stair pads so she doesn't slip. She has no trouble getting in the car, but it took awhile. Jake looks looks he is navigating well-his leg also looks like it's starting to move to the middle.

I got the Ruffwear harness just in case we need it.I think a lot of people use it for hiking also. I did see some on Ebay also-maybe that's an option. It's very comfortable, but Lily just doesn't need it now. 

We're all here if you need anything--please give your handsome Jake a hug from Lily and me!

Joan and Lily