HI!

First - Shelby/Cheri - I sent you a note re: chrondrosarcoma, Jerry's right, I think there's a lot of info in my prior posts.  Compared to what some others are going through on this site, it's a pretty good diagnosis ...

Second - I haven't been on in a while - I'm going to your posts by I am terribly sorry to hear about Fortis and also to hear about lung mets for Xander.  I followed you both while Ajax was recovering and am sending you my thoughts.

Third- THANK YOU to whoever dealt w/ my technical issues and put up the videos and pics for me.  So much better than if I had done it!

Fourth - update:

We're doing great!  Well, Ajax is doing great, his humans are tired ...He is 99% his old self, as you may be able to see from the videos.  The snowy ones are in Central Park this week - 9 inches of snow on top of the Christmas blizzard, so he is zooming through the powder.  I think it gives him quite a workout, but he loves it.  Last week he jumped a (short) fence and also onto the bed.  We had a discussion about not doing that again, but it was cool to see.

I think I posted in September - his amputation was July 19, we went September 19 for a lung xray and all was clear.  I think I may have also posted when we unwittingly took him on a hike up a cliff.  Since then, he has been to Boston for a Harvard reunion, to the beach several times, to Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving and in two blizzards.  I was terribly worried about the snow/ice/slippery but he seems to be navigating it perfectly.  When he doesn't like something he goes around, or sits down until I come get him.  He still won't wear shoes.

In Boston he was a big hit - the lawyers at the reunion demonstrated their keen powers of observation by repeatedly sharing with us the fact that "your dog has three legs".  Brilliance abounded.  I used some of the answers posted on this site.  Also one of them challenged my husband, which resulted in Ajax learning how to go through the revolving door at the hotel.  He did fine.

In PA we went to a great place for Thanksgiving - the Sweetwater Farm Inn - GREAT dog friendly place in the Brandywine Valley if you happen to be near there. 

We have passed our therapy dog class and are in the process of figuring out where we can go.  Ajax would like to be part of the kids reading program (we can walk to that) and also we are looking for a program with the disabled.  We've been a little slowed down by transport issues - 3 legs, no taxis, feet of snow, etc.

We had our yearly checkup in November with Ajax's regular vet; all went well.  The answer to my question - should I feed him less, since he will move less - is a resounding "no" - he is exactly the same weight.  We have reduced his off leash exercise by about 1/2 hour each day, because he doesn't need it, but that still means an hour in the morning with us, and 1.5 hours with the dog walker, so he's good.  

For those of you in the early stages post op, please don't be discouraged.  Just when we thought Ajax had recovered as much as he was going to, he would surprise us - we saw "new" things up until this month; I think seeing him in the snow was the last challenge to getting back to "normal."  We also know things are fine b/c crabby New Yorkers' aren't giving us sympathy anymore - unless they look closely, they don't notice that he is missing a leg!

I am late have to run - thank you again for getting me posted, and I apologize to everyone for the quality of the videos.  They involve me, with iphone, trying to keep it dry, trying to throw frisbee so that Ajax will run when I have video on, as opposed to sitting still and demand barking.  (It seems I now have a very vocal and very spoiled doggy)

What a great video!  And what a great update!  Thanks for posting!

He shakes that frisbee just like Holly does - she loves to "kill" things with that shake.  Especially my mittens after a big snow storm.  It was fun to watch Ajax do the same thing!

Hugs,

Holly, Zuzu and Susan

Congrats on the 7th month ampuversary.  It sounds like things are going very well for you and Ajax.  A comment to the vocal spoiled dog - we experienced the same thing.  Our normally quiet Trouble became a vocal Diva after her surgery - and spoiled beyond anything imaginable.  And ya know what?  I don't care!  As a dog surviving osteosarcoma, she is on borrowed time and she can be as spoiled as she likes.  Yes, I know, I am pathetic.

Thank you for the wonderful update on Ajax- he looks fantastic and it sounds like you are all living a very full life!

This can be so comforting to anyone new to the whole amputation process.

Best wish to you and congrats on the seven months!

Deborah

Mom to Spirit JD and the quadpaws Serena & Maya

Thanks everyone for your great wishes, and most especially to those of you who helped me out from the beginning -- it's great to hear from you!  Ajax is having a blast!  I am happy that we can bring some hopeful news to others who might be in the beginning of the process ...

It's great to hear from you Ajax!!!!  Have been wondering how you're doing!  You're looking fantastic!

Tracy, Maggie's Mom