Big fan of the Ruffwear Webmaster harness - Otis is about 100 lbs., lab/Dane mix, front leg amputee.  I actually wish I had ordered it right when he came home, although he wouldn't have been able to use it until the stitches came out.  I slept on a mattress on the floor next to Otis' dog bed (on the first floor of the house) for the first 3 weeks or so.   I am still sleeping there, but added the box spring (much more comfortable for me!).   In week 3, he was jumping up on the sofa (probably not supposed to do that for the 1st month, but oh well).  He jumps easily up and down from the boxspring/mattress,   He started doing stairs to the 2d floor in the second month and now, just shy of 3 months, can go up and down without assistance and in a controlled manner.   He could jump in and out of the car when the stitches came out (which was also our first chemo).   Area rugs are key if you have tile or hard wood - they need good traction - and raised food bowls are really nice.  Sammy will probably come home with the cone of shame and strict instructions to keep it on until the stitches came out.   I was able to be home with Otis, or have someone with him, and the cone was cutting into his neck so we took it off on day 2.  A T-Shirt was a great replacement, but Otis also did not really bother much with the incision.  I also kept a log book to keep track of eating, water, peeing, pooping, and more importantly, when to administer meds.  Otis basically just wanted to rest and move from dog bed to dog bed - the log book helped me to know when I really had to insist that he go outside, and when I could just let him sleep.  A 24 hour vet number is also really helpful if you can get one - I think most of us have had to work with our vet to adjust the meds during the recovery process to best meet our dog's needs.   Rest is really crucial during the first couple of weeks - let him take his own pace, and don't let him overdo it.  (I kept the sofa blocked off with pillows until week 3).  We started walking just short of 1 month out - very short, 5 - 7 houses.   Otis is still not able/interested in walking far - we haven't left the 7 house cul de sac, but some dogs are much more active on their walks - we are looking into a stroller.

The first week will be really hard, but there is light at the end of the tunnel - most dogs really perk up when those staples come out!   And this community is great for questions - I posted a question one night about signs of nausea after chemo and had 4 or 5 responses in 15 minutes. 

Howdy and welcome!

Is that Sammy in your avatar? He's beautiful!!!

Just take things a little at a time and before you know it, you'll be the one here celebrating amp-milestones.

pam