Well, things have finally started to settle down so I am finally getting a chance to introduce Gaby.   Gaby is a 10 yr. old (Nov. 1st was her big birthday), 70 lb. (now 63 lb.) Golden Retriever/German Shepard mix.  The past 2 weeks have flown by (most of the time).  Lets see, where to begin.  I'll start with Sept. 20, 2011.  I let her outside to do her business and there was a fox in our yard.  Well, she doesn't really like other critters in her kingdom, so she chased it out of the yard.  The next day I noticed she was limping so I thought she had jammed a toe (which she has done before) or sprained her leg.  I took her to the vet a couple of days later and she was diagnosed with the beginning of arthritis.  At that time, they wanted to do a senior blood workup.  Well that came back with the onset of kidney disease.  We were told to change her diet and we put her on Prescription Hills J/D and was told we would see improvement in 21 days.  Well, those days past and she was still limping so back to the vet we went.  Due to the possibility of kidney disease, Rimaydl was not an option so she was given Tramadol.  My husband and I went on vacation for a couple of days as she went to her own vacation to the kennel (which she loves).  We figured that would give her time to rest her leg as we told them no activity for her.  I had decided that if we pick her up and she is still limping, I was taking her back to the vet.  Guess what...she was still limping.

So, Thursday, Oct. 20th I get her into the vet the first thing in the a.m.  This vet was able to locate where here pain was coming from right away and wanted to do an xray.  Sure, we had a feeling we would have to do that to determine what was causing the pain.  I never expected it to show with bone cancer.  So in for a bone biopsy she went.  The vet explained to me what our options were.  I sure had alot of research to do.  One of the nurses there recently went through all of this and she recommmened the Tripawd website to me. I bought her home, did my research, and supervised Gaby as she was now in so much pain.  Sunday she went downhill really quick.  I actually called in to talk to the dr. (who didn't make it), but whoever I talked to on the air that night, I want to thank you for your time and support. 

We went to the vet fixed thing Monday morning as she was in sooo much  pain.  The vet was able to get us in on Tuesday, Oct. 25th to do the right front leg amputation.  This was are only option due to the pain and we decided this dog still has alot of life in her.  She did have blood work done again before the surgery and that came back perfect (no possibility of kidney problems), chest x-rays came back clean as did her ultra sound of her stomach and spleen. 

We picked her up on Wed., Oct. 26th.  We are now 12 days post amp. and she is doing well.  She has been off of her meds for a couple of days and sleeps through the night.  She has gone on a couple of 2 minute walks and has been able to sit in her favorite chair.  My only concern has been getting her to eat.  For a couple of days it's been a real struggle, I have tried everything.  Today I put turkey in her kibble and she gobbled it up so quick.  So hopefully the eating issue is under control.  Her staples are coming out this Tuesday, so hopefully she will start to get back to her normal self.  Oh, and Chemo starts this Friday. 

Well, that's enough babbling for now.  Even though this is my first time making a post, I just want to thank everyone as reading all of the posts on this website has really helped me these past two weeks.

Joanie and Doug