Hi All,

Update on Wally:  his heart scan was for the most part clear.  They did find a mass that the believe is a chemodectoma, which the oncologist said are common in Boxers (and other short nose breeds) and at least relative to the HSA isn't concerning.  So the recommendation remained to amputate his leg, which they were able to fit in the schedule today.  So Wally is now a tripawd.  I talked to the surgeon about an hour ago.  Everything went fine and Wally's doing well.  As long as he's doing ok tomorrow then I'll be able to bring him home later in the afternoon.

Thanks again for the support and pawsitive thoughts.

Rich and Wally

Hey guys.  Thanks again for the support.  You really have been a huge help!  I did a little bit of googling and the chemodectoma could be a long term concern, but the recommendation from the cardiologist is to monitor for issues and have him rechecked in 4-6 months.  So I guess it's not really a near term concern (at least compared to the HSA).

I did get some rest last night, so that's good as I'll need it.  Lots to do today to get ready to bring Wally home!

Good morning and Happy New Year!  

Wally seems to be doing pretty well.  He did "talk" me into letting him up on the couch last night, which is where he rested most of the night and slept. Figure as long as I'm there to pick him up onto/off it that it'll be find. I (very uncomfortably) slept on the couch with him.  I might need to figure out something else here today b/c it was a pretty bad nights sleep for me.

Wally actually started eating last night (yay!).  I had some wings and a Papadia delivered and some bites of chicken were too good to pass up.  After that I fixed up his dinner and he ate his moist food (I mix in some moist with his kibble to wet his appetite), and this morning he ate pretty much as normal.  He's also taking his pills with cream cheese fine.  

He hasn't been drinking a ton, but he has been drinking some water.  He hasn't peed since right after getting home, but it's raining (of course) so when we've gone out he just wanted to turn around and come back in.  He's always been able to hold it for a long time, so hoping that's what is going on.  I'll try to get him up to go out again before too long.

Well I have to get cleaned up and get some things done around the house.  Wish me luck that Wally doesn't freak out too much when the cone goes on........

Hi guys,

I tried to upload a selfy I just took of Wally and I on the couch but couldn't figure out how to upload it (looks like you have to post it somewhere and link it??).  If I get it figured out I'll post it.

Anyway, we had a positive day.  Wally's eating and drinking well and has been hopping along pretty well.  I'm still supporting with a sling but for the most part he's been bearing most of the weight.  He also peed a couple of times (both outside) so good news there.  

We did have a little incident as when I was in the shower upstairs (I have an older cap cod style home with the bathroom upstairs) Wally got up from his dog bed, walked to the steps (~15 feet), pushed the laundry basket I put in the way of the steps out of the way, and was about to give the stairs a go when I got out of the shower.  So I had to rush down the steps, get him back in his bed, and took the cone off wearing just a bath towel, lol.  I have a pet gate up now that a friend brought over, so I don't think I have to worry about the steps but I'm going to have to do a better job of making sure he can't go climbing on things if I leave the room.

Also, I did drag my guest bed mattress down the living room, so hopefully I'll get a better nights sleep tonight.

Thanks again for the help and advice and have a great night!