I also wanted to say thank you so much!! I don't know what I'd do without this support. My friends and family are very supportive and comforting, but knowing that others have been through similar situations and have a lot of knowledge on amputations is comforting. I always look forward to your comments. 

Duke is an amazing pup.. doesn't even look 12..lol wish he wasn't. time flys. he's been a joy to love. he's survived so much, hope through some miracle he will through this too. 

When he was younger he got mixed up with some fire ants, I came home to a very bloated Duke his poor muzzle was inflated, I was freaking out, not knowing at the time what was happening. So I drove franticly to the closest clinic that just happened to be a shelter, and in that town you couldn't have pit bulls. so the lady I ran into was trying to get my info to turn me in. however, I had a friend that ran their foster program so I called her and she fixed that situation and the lady gave me some Benadryl. lesson learned to not bring duke there ever! I moved out of city limits soon after. 

then maybe 4 yrs ago Duke liked to play escape from the front door and play chase and not come when called. he would usually come back when I got my vehicle and he'd jump in and go back to the house, one day as I was letting him in the back door, my nephews had the front door wide open, out he went. long story short, he got hit by a truck. he knew he had messed up then, bc he just looked at me from the road and starting running towards me with this oh crap expression (at least thats what I thought it was) he only had a few scraps and bruising, stayed over at the vets just to be sure, hooked up to some fluids and morphine. had some road rash that I had to nurse him back to health. but soon he was back to running around. He got out a second time, I can't even remember how. but ended up getting hit again, only had a chipped tooth. So I swore this dog had 9 lives. 

He's protected his sister Rosalie, a potbelly pig, from an aggressive foster who had wanted to eat her. was very proud of Duke. now he just barks at Denver and Rosalie when they harass each other. He's tolerated so many fosters animals from puppies to older dogs to a pig. He was never short of a play mate, thats for sure! 

He's been a great dog to have and I really hope our story isn't over. But I do know he's 12 and regardless of cancer or amputation it is coming closer to a close. its too bad dogs don't like as long as humans!! 

Thank you all. We went and had a consultation at an orthopedic surgeon hospital today. Basically same Information that I received at my vet. But they will do the amputation tomorrow morning. They say he’s healthy for surgery. Heart and lungs are good and based on the last X-rays there are no signs in his lungs yet.  I don’t think I can afford chemo. So hopefully he’ll just last longer after surgery than expected. I am very nervous for tomorrow I just want him to make it through and recover so we can enjoy the time we have left with out him in pain from a broken bone or the cancer/tumor. But I think he had a good day he loves visiting people. I brought him to my work afterwards bc I had to stop in and sign something. And he seemed pretty excited to see people and smell new smells. He walks so fast on a broken leg. Idk if it makes it easier to balance but he was going. Hope it wasn’t too painful and a nice visit for his last day with 4 legs. Anyone have any advice for dogs during recovery when you have other animals. I’m afraid my puppy will accidentally knock Into him. He loves duke and gives him kisses all the time and is in his personal space. Was thinking I’d have to rotate them in and out. Or maybe put the puppy on a leash inside so I can control where he goes near duke. I feel bad for him too. He just wants to play and I don’t think he understands duke can’t. When I say puppy he’s a 9 month old German shepherd who is already bigger than duke. I’d weight him but I can’t pick him up and hold him long enough to do so. He’s a sweet dog too. Just doesn’t realize his size and to be gentle. 

Thank you so much Lynda. Hope all is well with your pup. Great Danes are amazing dogs I’ve fostered two before. Both got along great with my Duke and pig!! I hope dukes recovery is as successful as yours. 

Thank you Jerry. I hope duke last that long after surgery. I may be naive but I feel like he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. We’re not done yet. I do not have a x pen. I may need to invest in one bc Denver was trying to give Duke lots of kisses tonight and duke was not reciprocating and didn’t want them. I’m sure it’ll be worse with limb lost and a poor cone on his head.  

thank you. He will definitely be spoiled. If not by me (by me too) my neighbor is like a second gma to him and she definitely will. She checks on them for me while I’m at work and always gives Duke some extra attention even before he was injured. He is one loved dog. 

ill keep you posted as time goes by. Again thank you all for your kindness and encouragement and support. It’s greatly appreciated. These are some hard decisions and I think through the support of this group I’m making the right ones for duke.