It has been a while since I have updated you all on Duchess. Unfortunately the news is not good. She seemed to be doing well. Eating was better and walking around the yard for long periods of time. Right before Christmas I was noticing she seemed to be having a hard time with the back end moving around. Not sure of herself and whatnot. I brought her in for a session of acupuncture and that seemed to help. The vet and I assumed the stiffness in the back end was possibly from the added pressure of the front amputation and just getting older. This was 2 days before I left to go to family for the Christmas holiday. I hired a dog sitter that used my house as a 'base' so she was with Duchess the majority of the time and could watch her (she has stayed with her before whenever I am out of town and they love each other). Well, 4 days into my 'vacation' I started receiving texts that Duchess was having a hard time getting up and around. And then she started not using the bathroom. I sent a couple of my close friends over to the house to get there opinion on what was going on and they said I should probably come home early. So, I got a flight out the next day. I listened to my girl for that weekend and we talked together and Duchess let me know she was tired and ready to go. Atleast I had that weekend with her. 

Afterwards, talking with the vet, we concluded that the pinching in her neck was the culprit. That we didn't realize how bad it was (even with Rimadyl and acupuncture) and the pinching of the nerves is what eventually took the back end and made life very difficult for my girl. The cancer had not 'spread' to her body cavity and didn't show any signs to be anywhere else.

I can't say I regretted doing the amputation - as I felt it was the right decision at the time, but I can't help not to think that if we knew how truly bad it really was, I probably would not have done it and kept her pain free as long as possible without the added stress of the amputation put on her back end.

My heart is completely broken. The house is way to quiet. I find myself working late and delaying coming home to an empty house. I know she is at a better place, whole and pain free, and that is the only thing keeping me going at this point - and that I will see her again. 

Anyway, thought I should let you all know. I am still on your facebook page and telling everyone about this wonderful community. I mentioned it to all the ladies at my vet office and just told someone on a Dobie page - who just received her awful news of bone cancer. I hope she checks you all out for support. 

Thank you again for all the wonderful support and information you were able to provide for Duchess and myself. We learned a great deal from you and will keep passing on your site to all that need it.