Sorry y you find yourselves here, but you are DEFINITELY  in the right place for support, information, and an understanding  of all the emotions involved in making a decision  on a treatment plan.

I'll share my experience in making a decision  to amputate  when my Happy Hannah (a 125 lb Bull Mastiff, 8 1/2 yrs) was first diagnosed.  Keep in mind, I had NOT found this wonderful  community until day six AFTER her surgery .

When my Vet first mentioned the word "amputation ", I said absolutely  not!!!  Besides, she  was doing "okay" on some pain meds....until she wasn't .

So, at his suggestion I went  ahead and spoke with an Orthopedic  Surgeon.  I could not imagine  that  a vig chunkmpf a firl like mu Happy Hannah could handle walking on three legs.  And, like so many others, I was grappling with "would it be worth it" to "put her through that ordeal".Long story short and after non-stop  tears, I went ahead and set up the surgery .....and then cancelled  It!  But once she started holding her rear leg up, that was it.  I proceeded.

My other dog Bodie and I stayed in the waiting room  all day and into the night until I was certain  she was out of surgery  and handled it well.  I got to go back  (with Bodie in tow) amd kiss her good night.  Of course, she was completely  zonked out!!

The next day I went to pick her up and she WALKED OUT ON ALL THREE WITH TAIL WAGGING!!!

Basically had some pain meds and no guidance  from that point forward.  Didn't  know squat about traction ,  what to expect during recovery, etc.

Those first days and nights were rough!!    Lots of whining and restlessness.  No sleep.

I joined Tripawds on day six scared out of my mind I had made a HORRIBLE  mistake!!!  They threw me a life line and pulled me back from the edge.   I gained knowledge and support from invaluable  input  from people  who had invaluable  first hand experience!!  INVALUABLE!

LOOONG STORY SHORT.....BEST DECISION  EVVVVER!!!

After recovery  (which was no picnic), I was able to say without hesitation  I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her!!!!   And you WILL be able to say the same for your sweet pup too!!

Probably  one of THE most important love lessons  our Dog Soulds teach us on this journey  is to Be More Dog .   LIVE IN THE NOW, IN THE PRESENT. 

Dogs do NOT count days on a calendar.   No dog, even big Great Danes, have a time frame stamped  anywhere on their butts!  And they sure don't  care about "statistics" or "prognosis "  That doesn't  mean squat to them!!    All they care about is being loved and spoiled and being by your side WITHOUT PAIN!!!

One of our Great Dane Warriors is Eurydice.  She is an Angel now, but she lives life to the fullest and never  had a "bad day" as a tripawd.  And she is one of the most inspirational  stories  of a Dog Soul and her human living  in the NOW making  every moment count!  Sje was a front let her too.

Another Great Dane hero was Atlas.  She lived life large for two years AND had Wobblers too!!   And that was after two Veterinarians said she was not a good candidate  for amputation!  Had his owner given up, she would have only had a few more weeks with Atas as opppsed to two years!!!   STAY CONNECTED!!!!  ASK ANY QUESTIONS  YOU CAN THINK OF....most likely  we all asked the same things!!

Keep is updated and let us know how we can help.  YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!

Hugs

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too