Gus is six weeks out this week, and I too wonder if it will come back. His biopsy came back negative, and even though he took samples in 4 spots, both our vet and the vet at ohio state felt we were dealing with cancer after looking at the x-rays. After ALOT of soul searching and sleepless nights and considering what experiences people from here who did and didn't, we have opted to not do chemo, and I am comfortable with that decision. Gus has been doing so good these last few weeks, and is so happy right now, I felt I didn't want him to have to deal with any side effects, if he were to have some, and enjoy his time to the fullest. He is climbing up in the hay mows, roaming the fields,  perks his ears at any noise, jumps into the calf pens and makes sure everyone is ok as much as he ever has, and that to me is making me feel he is enjoying life again. I have also noticed him licking his other front leg a fair amount, he had his left front amputated, and wondered if that meant anything, but he seems to have no pain with it, and boy can he run if he wants, so I don't think there is anything happening, at least I hope not. The way I am dealing with it is that Gus is himself again, he's happy, wags his tail full force,etc. I can't control what will happen down the road, I feel I have given him the best life he can have, since if we hadn't done this, he wouldn't be here right now, so I already have six weeks more than I would have had with him, and you know what, these guys don't know what cancer is, what it can do, how long they have, they don't know anything about prognosis or death, they just know that today is another day to eat, sleep, play, make trouble, and for us to serve them as they wish, so I just know today is a good day for him, and try not to worry about the future, can't say I don't think about it, but I don't let it control me. Hope that helps, paws up, Gus and Dan

Congrats on Max's 4th week ampuversary!

Oh yes, for a while I worried it would come back...fearing what if it comes back in ther other rear leg???  What then?  She only has one rear leg!??! 

Maggie has many lumps and bumps appearing here and there - they are small but they are there...more than before.  I choose to ignore them for the most part because really, what can I do?  She has so many little area's it's impractical to have anything done.  I told her NO MORE surgeries.  I am holding up to my end of the deal.   No regular x-rays either...

She isn't having chemo either.  It wasn't recommended for her and truthfully, I just couldn't fathom putting her thru it if she got reactions to it...she'd already had a tough time recouperating from amputation.

Now, I'm OK with my decisions.  Like Gus's Dad said....living in the moment, my dog is happy and pain free and we're enjoying each other and that's what counts NOW.

Savor your moments NOW with Max!  Try not to worry too much!  Yup...I know, better said than done at times! 

Tracy, Maggie's Mom

 Happy 4week Ampuversary, Max!!

Happy, hoppy ampuversary, Max!  You are pawsome and most certainly deserve extra treats... and we'll sing along with Comet - we all scream for ICE CREAM!  (oh - and Holly said cheese would do nicely in a pinch).  We're going to have some extra treats in our house in your honor!  And as for the fears - we all have those to some extent.  Coming here and writing them down helps tremendously, and seeing what everyone has to say helps even more.  So keep doing what you're doing - love Max and celebrate his life!  

Hugs,

Holly and Holly's mom

WOOOOO HOOOOO!!!!!  Ampuversaries are da best!  As far as the cancer coming back...I was just thinking about this yesterday.  I think I think about cancer every day.  It doesn't bother me anymore, but it's still always there in the back of my mind.  I had a really hard time when we first got the diagnosis, but the help of the people on this site and coping links I was sent really got me back to "normal".  The two things that helped me the most were 1) realizing that our dogs don't know they have cancer and just want to go on being dogs; and 2) our job as pawrents is to make sure our pets receive all the love and attention they can get, and if we satisfy their needs, we have done our job.  Max is no longer in pain, and that is a success.  You provide him with affection and a home, and THAT is a success.  After a while, the cancer just becomes something that is just another part of what makes Max...Max.  Take this opportunity to learn all you can, provide information to others, and show that being a tripawd is not a disability, but an insanely profound statement as to the drive and life of our furry friends.  Yes, it is hard to think about the cancer coming back, yes it is hard to realize that the cancer might take our dogs away from us before WE are ready, but at the same time, the lessons you will learn about yourself, the compassion of other people, and the contentment of a dog that just wants love and doesn't care if he has cancer or not, three legs or four legs...these will stick with you forever.  Don't worry about the future - it makes living now a little harder.  Love today, love tomorrow, and worry about the rest when it comes.  When I get upset, I look at my dog (who is either shredding a toy or doing something naughty) and think that, well, he's not going to die today, he probably won't die tomorrow, so what am I upset about?  Then I leash him up and take him for a walk because, you see...he's just a normal dog.  Best of luck and here's to many more ampuversaries (and ICE CREAM!!!!! YAY!!!)

<3 Laura and Jackers