Update!

Thanks for the supportive responses. They came at a time when we really needed it.  My boyfriend and I were both overwhelmed with anxiety about the whole thing. 

Luckily the SPCA called today and I spoke with the adoption coordinator, who immediately told me that the money that they had set aside for Bean's operation ($500) would go towards the total cost of the amputation if we provided them with the invoice as proof that the operation had been done.

Let me tell you how much of a relief it is not to have to deal with a vet we don't want to deal with!

Now we're looking at vets in not only Ontario, but also Massachusetts (my parents live there and we could stay with them until Bean was well enough to drive home), who are not only qualified, but also have reasonable rates.  It's quite the challenge!

We're going to get another opinion on Monday as to whether or not it's possible to save Bean's leg with extensive physiotherapy and hydrotherapy, but we are not getting our hopes up.  The wounds that he has on his bad paw are not healing properly due to poor circulation, and his foot pad is crumbling as we speak.  We really want to do the surgery as soon as possible, before he gets another infection.

Additionally, we're trying to figure out how to pay for this whole thing!  Ahhh! It's all so overwhelming!

Wish us luck!

- Bean and Erin

Thank you very much for the wonderful information.  It has been very helpful in our quest to find the right surgeon for the job.

This evening, Bean, my better half and I went to a vet close to our house (and known by my sister) for an opinion. 

We are all in love!  He is fantastic: great bed-side (table-side? crate-side?) manner, answered all of our questions and then some, and was very down to earth. He agreed that taking out the scapula is the best way to go, as Bean has literally no muscle left to cover the bone.  We asked if there were any way to save the leg, and he said that unfortunately, the leg would have to go.  No muscle = basically no chance of recovery.

He gave us a fantastic quote, and now we only need to raise (or put on credit) $750, as the SPCA is giving us money to put towards Bean's surgery. We are happy to know that Bean will be in great hands, and we are SO glad that we chose to look around for another vet.  We are confident that we've made the right decision.

Now all we have to do is book the appointment and wait!  In theory, Bean will be a full-fledged tripawd by mid-March at the latest.

Thank you everybody for all of your help, it has been GREATY appreciated during our very stressful week.

- Erin, Bean and the other half

We will absolutely keep everyone posted!

In the meantime, here are a couple of pictures of Mr. Bean that we took a couple of days ago.

Bean says thank you, he thinks so too.

We've schedule Bean's surgery for the 18th of February.  As the days go by and we get closer and closer to the date, my better half and I are getting more and more nervous.  Are we doing the right thing for him? Is he going to recover and be happy?  It's a strange situation for us to be in, and we're both very nervous.  Bean, however, is very happy to be chewing on his lovely new beef hock that we bought him. He keeps looking up at us and wagging his tail happily.

He's such a gorgeous boy, we just want to do what's best for him!

-Bean, Erin, and her other half