Hi all!  Sorry I've been MIA for a while.  I got to a point where I realized I was spending too much time online (in general, not just here) and not enough time playing with my kids and dogs.  Plus with the holidays, trips, and other stuff... 

It's hard to believe, but it was 6 months ago that McGwire was diagnosed with osteosarcoma.  Now he is still his same old, rock-star self. 

The only bad thing-He has developed what is likely a sub-q met or some other nasty lump on his left back hip, but we have decided not to put him through surgery since it's on his amp side and he already has some limited mobility (back leg slips a lot).  Plus like the doc has said, "If we remove it and it's cancer, it'll grow back and it's probably other places as well."  If it's not cancer, then we've put him through a lot for nothing.  We noticed it back in Nobember, and it's definitely gotten bigger, (from ping-pong to large orange) but I've become OK with it. He doesn't show signs of mets anywhere else yet.

The good news is that he's getting along great.  He eats like a horse (something to do with the beef liver, and veggies probably), and is actually gaining weight (something he's never done.)  He gets around well, still comes upstairs with us unassisted every night.  He LOVED the snow we had before Christmas (nearly 2 feet in VA, and some of it's still here!) 

We have started taking him once a month (it's all she's here) to a vet who specializes in accupuncture and eastern medicine.  He really seems to respond to the accupuncture and the chinese herbs he's on really help his skin and allergies.  He has also started getting canine massage.  The dog has it made! 

In other news, we have decided to bring another golden into our lives and are getting a puppy sometime this spring/early summer.  (One litter would come home first of April, the other mid June, though neither are born yet-one actually just got bred today).  It was a hard decision to make, but I know that we are happiest with 2 or 3 dogs and McGwire wants us to be happy.  If we were to wait until he is gone, we will have a sense of urgency that might lead to a decision we regret later. (Obviously, health and longevity are major factors in our search.)  McGwire will also LOVE having a puppy around!  And the puppy will get a chance to learn from him. 

Hope everyone is doing well.  I promise to check in more often!  ((HUGS)) to all!

Amy