This is a long story, sorry...

Schlomo started limping about 4.5 years ago. It was a slight limp and I couldn't localize any pain. We had just returned from a trip to CA but there was no injury or moment that I could recall where anything out of the ordinary happened. I took him to his regular Vet, who couldn't find anything. Pain meds didn't work, he took x-rays and couldn't see anything.

I took Schlomo back to his surgeon who performed his bilateral patellar luxation surgery when he was 3. He took additional x-rays etc but couldn't find anything. He thought the injury to be his shoulder rather than the paw. He also said if not treated immediately shoulder injuries turn chronic. It wouldn't be painful but it would impact his range of motion in the right shoulder. He got a couple of cortisone injections directly into the shoulder . 

The limping got worse and he started lifting up his paw as if it was cramping. We went back. Many, many times. No Vet could tell me what it was. My surgeon said "sometimes we have to wait for a disease to reveal itself". So we waited and I checked in with him every couple of weeks.

Finally, about a year into the initial limping, it could be localized. It was a small, tiny bubble below his big paw pad. The surgeon even suggested it could be a ganglion cyst (I had one removed myself years back). After surgery was done he told me it was a tumor, which turned out to be a hemangiopericytoma/fibrosarcoma. A low grade tumor found in the connective tissue of the skin and beneath the skin. They are almost impossible to remove completely and still leave enough skin to close the site with sutures. The tumor has tentacles, that was the easiest way for me to imagine. They are locally invasive with a low percentage to spread anywhere else but they come back with a vengeance, very aggressively. Radiation was recommended. It didn't feel right. Schlomo is a really sensitive dog, he's so nervous going to the Vet. 18 consecutive radiation sessions, anesthesia, it being below his paw etc. 

I took him to Smith Ridge to get another opinion. Everybody seemed to agree but it didn't feel right. I know him better and I really think it would have crushed him. Apart from all the poison that is in his body then. 

3 months sharp he started lifting his paw again. I took him back, they couldn't see anything yet. He had another surgery 3 months later. And after another 3 months he lifted his paw again, the cramping got worse. And another surgery 3 months later, really every 6 months. Last year I was at my wit's end. Schlomo's surgeon retired and I felt abandoned. I went to 7 different doctors to see where to go from here. It was awful. I felt like everybody wanted to put their own twist on things, like a signature making them a better doctor, even coming up with high tech solutions that didn't entirely address the issue . It was discouraging to say the least. I found a new general Vet whom I love, she believes in a holistic approach and referred me to an Herbalist that also works with animals, he worked with her dog. This felt right. If anything to boost his immune system and keep him as healthy as possible. We incorporated cancer fighting regimens, homeopathy, we did acupuncture, I tried to learn how to do acupressure on him, but nothing could relieve the pain. 

In December I decided it was time for a more drastic route. It had been 4 years of constant doctor's visits and Schlomo turned 11. He is in great shape and very youthful otherwise but it needs to be about his quality of life and being pain free. The new surgeon whom I liked suggested removing the entire paw pad. My gut told me to amputate but I also wanted to believe and try to save his leg. The recovery took almost 2 months, longer than amputation. He was fine for a month and then it came back right about the infamous 3 months mark. I was so angry. I was angry at myself for letting them talk me into it. 

So looooong story short, Schlomo's appointment was this past Wednesday, Sommer Solstice. It was gut wrenching. They typically keep patients there for 2 days following the amputation. I was able to visit him on Thursday and it was awful. I kept asking myself "What did I do?". I wanted to know what they did with the leg. I felt like I wanted to thank it or 'bless' it. It is a bizarre thought to toss it when it is part of his body. 

I brought him home on Friday. He didn't utter a sound. He does not like a sling. He was hungry, thirsty and pooped (yay!). I didn't sleep much the first night because I kept checking on him when I heard him breathe harder or moving. Then Saturday he was all tail wags. He came out into the living room by himself; he hopped over to the door when people came over; he was happy seeing some neighborhood dog friends of his... I live in a 3 story walk up and I've carried him downstairs for about a year. I carry him up now too, way slower than down but we got this!

He is still figuring out coordination with his back legs, but it is amazing to see how much better he is already. So we're taking it a day at a time. I can't wait for him to be able to got back to the beach, his happy place. 

I will post some before and after pictures and videos as we go along. 

The information and the support in this community has been invaluable. It is really good to be able to talk to people who also have been through these decisions. You don't quite know what this means until you do it...

Thank you!!!

Mascha and Schlomo (the handsome devil)