Hi… I found this site by accident when doing tons of research for my Great Pyrenees male that is newly diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. I'll share my story that unfortunately sounds all too familiar and hauntingly like all of your own.

 My Patou (old country French which means "Shepherd.") is an almost 6 year old Great Pyrenees that was born as the largest in his litter. I remember the first time I saw him, he looked like he should be wearing a 10 gallon white cowboy hat and go by the name of Hoss, which by the way I almost named him. People probably wished I had because no one seems to be able to pronounce or understand why I gave him the name that I did. His top weight was 140 pounds, a true gentle giant. As you all know all too well, he is alot of my own world. He is my sanity away from my work as a nurse, he is my inspiration, and he is creature that unconditionally loves me and vica versa, no matter how I look, or feel, or act. My Pyrs came into my life quite easily and have existed with me quite naturally like I had never ever lived without them. (I'm sure most of you feel that way with your special fur friends) The first time I ever saw  Pryenees was when I was married and we visited some friend who happened to breed them. I will never forget when these beautiful big white creatures came loping up beside us with their big deep low barks and tails wagging. It was as if Angels had been released from the heavens. I was truly in love with them and never forgot that awestruck moment. Not until I had been divorced for a few years did I remember that moment and that is when true peace and serenity began for me. I found my beautiful but aloof Lucy, my first Pyrenees with a reputable breeder that loves these magestic creature.  She is truly what a Pyr exemplifies. She was smart, aloof but gentle, loyal and very protective of all in her care. She is my true guardian and true worker. Both my Pyrs weighed about 15 pounds when I brought them home around 6 weeks of age, cuddly, polar bear cub looking things. I tell people that having a Pyr pup is the easiest thing a person can do. I tell them that these dogs are just born old. They are usually not big chewers, they like to play but love to sleep, they don't fetch, and co-exist peacefully with all creatures great and small. I brought home my beautiful Patou when Lucy was 2 years old. He was huge!! And bonded with me from the very second I took his rolly polly little body up in my arms. He has remained by my side loyally ever since. I always tell people that Lucy guards the sheep and Patou guards me. One time not too long ago, a rather large man came to my door as he was running for some kind of office and was just going door to door for his campaign. Patou was inside with me of course, and I went outside to talk with this rather large but kind man. Patou had a fit trying to get out the door and I finally let him out. He immediately placed his large body between this man and myslelf and would NOT budge!! I kindly explained to the man that this was his way of protecting me and he meant no harm to the man. The man was astounded that Patou was not threatening but passively just remained as a physical 'road block' between him and myself.  I would hate to think what Patou would have done if the man acted threatening to me or anyone else in the house.

My Pyrs have remained my loyal guardians and have protected the sheep and all other animals placed in their care, especially their humans. My Patou started limping this summer in July when he jumped into the back cab of my pick up truck. I took him to the vet and we concluded that he probably strained his ACL and it was also the beginning of hip dysplasia. My vet offered an xray at the time but I declined thinking that we both knew what it was. She explained that the ACL really would not show up much on an xray and usually was pallpated by exam better, but the hip dysplasia would definitely show up but we could wait to xray that as it progressed. We started the usual joint supplements and the NSAID she gave him he could not tolerate so the ascriptin I had at home sufficed for now. His limping became progressively worse when I finally took him into the vet a couple of weeks ago. He was not using his R hind leg at all by this point. She did an xray and immediatly upon entering my exam room I could tell that something was drasctially wrong. I had seen that look on doctors faces at work many time and always knew it was not a good sign. She confirmed that he had a severe lytic lesion to his distal femur. I was devastated. She tried to explain options but my mind was so busy whirling around that only half of what she said soaked in. We had left it at that point that I would have him put down after the holidays, that is until I had a chance to settle my brain and do some much needed research at home. I then called her back after a couple of days and told her that I wanted to do the amputation. He had his R rear leg amputated this last friday. My head is still spinning and it's still hard to get my mind wrapped around the idea of things. She said the surgery went ok, but others had gone smoother, and that his vasculature was as big as a human's. She said his arteries were as big as her little finger and she spent alot of time tying everthing off so there were no bleeds. After I got him home it was hard to believe all he had endured. I am a nurse and can take alot of blood and gore but nothing prepared me for the sight of that stump to my faithful companion. He has done pretty well after the surgery and my vet said he was up not long after the surgery and getting around well. The hardest part has been that dag on cone. He hates it and so do I!!!!!! He will get his drains removed tomorrow and stitches come out after 10 days and that cone can come off… Hallaluah!!!! I am still contemplating chemo as it is still a big financial drain and also the nearest oncology vet is over an hour away. He talked with my vet and said she could give the chemo but she was not really set up staff wise or equipment wise. I could not blame her and did not hold it against her. I have never felt such despair in my life. I could NOT imagine having this happen to my son, but seems the research and advances are more in the human realm than the animal world. I will enjoy the time we have with my Patou for as long as possible whether or not I choose chemo or not. Like you have all said… it's a take it day by day situation. Reading the posts and stories has probably helped me more than any of the cold statistics that I have read about this horrible disease. Thanks so much Jim for creating this site, and thank you Jerry for being his inspiration.  

It does help to share my story and in doing so it might give comfort or hope to another reader. I will keep posting with updates as this whole story unravels.

Janet and Patou  (Patou is the dog on my left in the photo… Lucy is on my right)

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Patou's breed is Great Pyrenees male , osteosarcoma, age almost 6 years, new member