Here's my Brownie's story. He is about 11 years old and diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2015, front left leg amputation October 20. He looks like a St Bernard X, but a DNA test claimed he is giant schauzer/rottie, lol!

10 years ago, I was finishing up nursing school and working at the Spag. Was living with my ‘rents. I had my beloved first dog, Baylee, at that time, and regularly took her to the park. I would pass a house on the way in which I noticed a beautiful, sad dog always chained up to a dog house at the side of the house. He was out there rain or shine, winter and summer. It made me so sad.

I wasn’t as ballsy as I am now those days, but finally couldn’t stand it, and decided to knock on the door. I offered to walk him. They replied that not only could I walk him, I could have him. They said that they only fed him scraps when they remembered. He had no food and his water bowl was dried up. God knows how old he was and how long he lived like that. I’m so glad I saw him. I only regret it wasn’t sooner.

My mom later went and got him, but man we didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into! Brownie was pretty much feral from his days of neglect. He was afraid of anything and everything. I always remember how he was like a bucking bull in the house, lol. And the first time he saw a TV, he jumped back in horror!

But in time, with lots of love, Brownie grew into the best dog I’ve ever had. He is like a wise old lion. He is incredibly tender and loyal. He’s so funny too as his bark sounds exactly like “Woof!” and he howls to soap opera themes! He has been my rock through the hardest days of my life. From my mid-twenties to my late thirties, which as for most people is such a period of growth and establishment and change.

He was there the day I brought my daughter Juliette home. He has loved and protected her from day 1. To this day he toddles in the bathroom and stands over the tub during her baths.

He was there through a bad marriage and subsequent divorce and custody battle. I so regret those days. I wasn’t emotionally there for him as I was sidetracked by my own issues.

He’s also sure gone through the women. First, Baylee, of course, then Annie, then Winnie, then Ciera, and most recently, Bella.

Brownie has been very spoiled. He has stayed at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane, WA 3 times, along with many other hotels, has ran on the beach on the WA coast, has gone on countless hikes with me over the years all over the area, and taken many a dip in my dad’s pool. He goes practically everywhere with me in the car, weather permitting, always has. I’ve given him the best life possible, for which I know he’s so grateful for.

Now together we are faced with his Osteosarcoma diagnosis. I am devastated that my constant companion has gone through so much pain and suffering, but I vow to continue do all I can for him and be by his side every step of the way, just as he always has done for me.