Hi Everyone,  What an emotional rollercoaster we are on, but what an amazing site to find and heartwarming stories to read.

Our beautiful Lucky boy is an almost 15 year old Black and White Kelpie/JackRussell/Corgi cross, named Lucky almost 14 years ago by our then 7 year old son when he was adopted from the RSCPA - named as such "because he is lucky to be rescued, and because we are lucky to have him".  

Lucky was diagnosed with a tumour in his front right leg 9 days ago.  He had been limping on and off for 2 months, which was thought to be arthritis, and was on and off Meloxicam anti-inflammatories during this time.  A visit to the vet one night after coming home from work and finding he wouldn't put any weight on the leg led to the x-rays 3 days later.  The vet called us while he was still anaesthetised to give us the news we never expected.  We thought a fracture or muscle tear.  We opted not to do a biopsy, as the vet was pretty sure it looked like osteosarcoma, and after bombarding him with questions we jumped straight away at having amputation - in our eyes removing the source of pain, cancerous or benign, would be the kindest thing for him.  Our main concern was his age, but Lucky is a very active senior, loves his 10km walks 3 times per week (even if he sleeps for 6 hours solid when we get home!), is otherwise very fit and healthy, his heart is 100% fine, and his blood work was 100% fine.  The vet said he wouldn't hesitate in doing such a radical thing for our boy, and age wasn't an issue at all due to his health and fitness.  

Of course, the first thing we did was hop online to check out other pooches and amputations.  There were some fantastic videos on You Tube and of course we found this wonderful site.  It was all very encouraging and we were happy with our hasty decision.

Lucky underwent his surgery 2 days ago and came home yesterday.  The vet carried him out to us, he was happy and his tail was wagging and of course he was showered with hugs and kisses.  She popped him on the floor and he stood, and we squealed in surprise! Then he took 2 steps, and sat, and we squealed again.  I was so nervous going to get him, thinking I'd burst into tears when I saw him, but all I saw was his happy face, and how well he seemed to be coping.  I wasn't prepared for the amount of fur that was shaved, and it looks like his shoulder has been taken as well, but overall he looks good though.  He came home only on the anti-inflammatories, and we were told to keep him quiet and contained (whatever that means).  He let us know when he needed to go outside and toilet, and I carried him out.  He now squats to wee.  Surprisingly after he did, he turned himself around and went for a little wander through our garden - I let him, and hovered just in case he fell, and he hid and did a poo.  A poo!  Then he turned around, climbed over a 1ft high wall before I could pick him up, then jumped down 2 steps and had a rest.  I couldn't believe it.  He is trying so hard to be normal, and fiercely independent.  He is progressing along so quickly (too quickly I think).

Today is Day 2 post-op.  We had a restless night last night.  I took him out to toilet at 2am, and at 3am he wandered down to our room, crying, whining, like he wanted something, but not yelping as if in pain though.  We let him sleep beside our bed and he seemed to settle, although he licked his wound vigorously for an hour, with intermittent heavy panting. I'm thinking he was in pain.  I'm an emotional wreck today, can't help second guessing our decision, even though I know it is early days.  I wonder if we should have just gone the pain-relief option and let nature take its course.   I feel so sorry for him, it breaks my heart seeing him hopping along, trying to do everything he used to (he definitely doesn't want help) and he is much quieter than yesterday.  I'm wondering if he needs a collar to stop the licking.  We're scared he will chew the stitches off.  He's sleeping a lot today, which I guess is good.  

Michelle