Hello, my name is Scamper. I am a very handsome yellow labrador retriever and extremely lovable to say the least.

My Dad (Ken) rescued me from his son's home where I was very mistreated and lonesome. Since then, my Dad has given me a very beautiful home on a farm with cows, chickens and Mary Jo who is now my mother (Ken's wife). My Dad asked his son if he had provided me with all of my shots and if they were up to date and his son stated that all were up to date. Please allow me to give you a brief history of my life prior to being with my new Dad. I was run over by a car when I was puppy and had a steel plate put somewhere. I accidentally got under my owners truck and was drug down a very long hill while under the truck and I have been seriously injured many times by Saint Bernards - life was hard to say the least.

Shortly on arrival to my new home, my dad noticed me limping on my left foot. He also noted a swelling. The first vet he took me to told my dad that it was not a cancer because cancer only develops in old dogs (I am five). That particular vet put me on some pills and after a month, I continued to limp and I also continued to have a swelling to my ankle joint. My dad wanted the best for me so he took me to a vetenarian surgeon and was told that it could in deed be cancer and that I needed a biopsy. My dad agreed to the biopsy. The bone biopsy was $780.00. I had the biopsy and my foot was wrapped and my dad took me home.

When it was time to take the wrapping off, my foot was swollen like a watermelon and blood gushed out of the biopsy site. Dad rushed me to emergency vet where I suffered immensely and was on a morpine drip for 72 hours due to a reperfusion injury or plainly stated THE DRESSING WAS TOO TIGHT. Dad did not know what to do. He came to emergency vet to see me with intentions to euthanize me but could not do it.

The pain was finally controlled and my new family prayed and prayed that my foot would survive. After antibiotics, pain meds, and debridement, the battle was lost. Gangrene set in. My dad was faced with another choice - amputation or euthanasia. He could not euthanize me. He felt that he could provide me with many more years of happiness.

The left leg and shoulder were amputated. My aunt Kelley has been visiting me daily and she is the author of my story. She came to see me today and brought over my friend (CJ - her dog). For the first time, I tried to greet aunt kelley by attempting to jump on her and for the first time since my amputation 10 days ago, I barked when I saw CJ. I also ran and my balance is getting much better. My sutures were removed and everything looks well.

I am so thankful for my Dad (Ken) for giving me another chance at life and am so thankful for all the love and care that my mom (Mary Joe) has given me (she can't fool me by saying that she is not really an animal lover - I know she loves me with all her heart).

I have a few questions:

1. I use to love to take polar bear plunges in the river - will this come natural to me and will I need a life vest?
2. I am a pretty big guy and have to loose 19 pounds to have the best outcomes - any advice?

By the way, my bone biopsy for cancer was negative. The emergency vet did blood work which showed lymes disease. The surgeon that wrapped my leg too tight never did any blood work and we learned that my former master had not provided me with any vaccines since 2003.

Again, I am so thankful that I am now in good hands and will be taken care of for the rest of my life. My Aunt Kelley is very thankful for finding the tripawds site - she was able to share stories and information with her father (my dad) regarding my care and other success stories. Thank all of you who have read my story. Love Scamper.