Thank you. You understand Nicholas so well. This forum has helped me to think through what would be best for his life and I really appreciate it. I'll continue the updates to August 2, 50 days, then turn it into a Newfie blog or maybe just change the title on this forum and insert some photos.. 

Bo could very well have been a Newfoundland only, you know. They are breeding them with more mastiff like heads these days. That lean sounds pure Newf.

July 17.  I watched a Newfie underwater online and she kind of churned her good leg in a circle, somewhat like her old breast stroke, not a dog paddle.  It seemed to do the job. We took Nick to the river, a pebble beach and rather slippery, but he did well in the shallow water and swam a few feet.  I was afraid he would have trouble with the current so didn't throw a stick any farther. He was delighted to be back in the water. 

Nicholas has been invited to our annual Newfie swim party on the 23rd, so I wonder how he will swim. His party is at a man-made lake with a sloping entrance. Lots of expert swimmers will be there - 20 Newfs. I hope he can keep up with his friends. They aren't competitve with each other, just trying to get stuff out of the water that doesn't belong there, like sticks or bumpers or drowning people.

He continues to be very bouncy and active but stays near me all the time unless my husband or daughter are near. At some point soon I may have to give him some purposeful alone time, but not until we see about the chemo.

Well one of my tasks today is to learn how to work the video on my phone and post it.  I think I have lost or misnumbered a day somewhere, but anyhow:

Sunday July 16 31 days add on. We have a music jam every week and it gives me a chance to look at Nicky's movements with new eyes. Looks good. He sits by people he thinks need cheering up.

Monday July 17 32 days post op I think I have lost or misnumbered a day somewhere, Who knows what happened Monday

Tuesday July 18, 33 days post op A loud whistle from the side field which Nick and I thought odd, so stood we went out front and there was the sheriff. Nick stood between me and the sheriff until he saw we thought he was a nice guy. Then he went over and gave the sheriff a warm welcome. Our cows had got out and crossed the highway. They didn't want to get in the trailer, so that took up most of Tues and today.

Then OSU called and said because of the carboplatin shortage, they would be using 5 doses of doxorubian for his chemotherapy. I was barely going to agree to the carboplatin anyway, so a drug that has been linked with heart problems in 15% of giant breeds, plus the fact that they could not be somewhat sure of the condition of his heart without further testing, plus the fact that his full brother Sam had died of heart issues two weeks before, plus the fact that they gave me two days notice and I am a little tired of them.... I am so glad I wrote out my intentions for Nick's quality of life on this forum!

Then we went to our rehabilitation therapy with Nicholas's new friend. The feeling is mutual I think. She wrote: "Also, I had the books for you to look at in my car the last time you were here.  I forgot to get them out!  I get distracted by the enormous loving spirit in Nicholas. " He feels so good after each visit.  Nicholas has lost over 2 pounds of the target 9 pounds to be an agile tripawd! YAY! Same daily diet as usual, but no treats and no pan licking. She said he's had excellent nutrition at meals all his life, just a few too many extras.

Wednesday July 19 34 days  It is now almost 5 and I have been making arrangements all day and Nicholas has not had fun at all. He can do a great exasperated groan when he's bored. I used to tell my kids to go read a book... Anyway, I cancelled the OSU chemo, and took another look at metronomic therapy. This was my vet's suggestion before the amputation, knowing Nicholas so well, and I had hesitated about daily medication, but considering that it's more gentle with almost no complications and is administered at home (but no more cream cheese coverings, just dog food) we'll see. I first called my vet and he is checking to see if they could deliver it, which would be perfect. Otherwise it's back to the OSU phone tree. The problem of course is that it takes about a month to take hold, just like Yale. So we'll just cross our fingers for the next few weeks.

The swimming therapy worked out easily. We have an appointment at Bailey's Journey on Friday morning. It's a pool, I don't think he would put up with a tank,  and there will be an old lab and a corgi there too, so that will be a just fine. We'll be able to see how the swimming stroke goes and get an idea of his stamina. Looking forward to it!

We went to the dog park in the evening and he had a long chat with  his human friend who has a pack of huskies Nick has grown up with. We skipped that encounter. I was afraid they'd start wrestling, maybe later. Then went to a little music store and waited while Truman played. Nicholas takes up a lot of room these days, less able to fit in a corner. He met a new baby. He loves the way they smell and the baby had no problem with a giant hairy dog as big as an elephant.

If there is any way for you to nail down carboplatin in advance by being pushy, probably a good idea. I got the feeling that this was a last minute decision on OSU's part, not to start any new patients, just to continue the ones in mid treatment, because they called me  two days before a long scheduled appointment.

We are doing Yale, have done the first shot on July 12 see above, and have one more scheduled. Yale is an add on, not a solution, but it has been conducted with more that 600 dogs, minimal to no side effects, just a subcutaneous shot, can be at the same time as chemo. It may be very effective and outliers get complete remission, but it may be ineffective. So for us, basically, why not? For you I know it's a long drive , twice, and hard to get appointments. Here's a link if you can stand looking at any more information and research!!  https://www.ccr.....gLfYvD_BwE

Recent updates re requirements ets. https://www.ccr.....uly-6-2023