Ben was born in Alto, New Mexico in the winter of 1996. We were staying at a Bed & Breakfast there, and the owner's Golden Retriever had mated with a rottweiler that was running around. We picked out Ben, the biggest one of the litter.

Ben grew up hiking in the mountains of New Mexico, and running in creeks and streams where he could find them. What a great watchdog too.

Right around Thanksgiving of 2007, Ben began to limp. We took him in to the vet. She x-rayed his lower right leg, and said he did not have cancer, but probably a sprain. His limp became more pronounced after that. He did not get up much. I called the vet, and she said maybe it was a tick bite, and she wanted to do more tests. I decided to get another opinion.

The next vet did a full x-ray right away. He immediately told me that Ben had osteosarcoma. My options were limited, but whatever I did, I should do soon. I took Ben to a vet that operated on cancer. This vet confirmed that Ben had cancer, and told me that if we amputated, we could extend his life 6 months. If the cancer had not gotten to his chest, we could do chemo, and extend his life maybe another 18 months.

Ben had his foreleg amputated in December, 2007. He just finished his 6th and final chemo treatment. This whole ordeal was very expensive and draining. I am glad we did it though.

Ben's hiking in the mountains are over, but he still goes on short walks, and enjoys laying in his yard listening to the birds. He still barks at the mailman. This Sunday, he came and got me. We went to the dog park, and there were about 20 dogs running around him in a herd. I was a bit worried one would knock him down, but he was enjoying it so much, I let him stay there. He seems to know it is close to the end. He seems to be looking at sunsets, and talking to me more. I am glad I gave us some more time to be together.