Hello,

  I haven't been to this site in a bit because my Franklin is doing so well.  I wanted to come here today to give hope and inspiration to those who are facing the horrid prospect of having to make the decision to amputate your dogs leg or not. I know right after the diagnosis I was an emotional wreck.  How could this happen?  He's still so healthy. What's the right thing to do? This isn't fair... 

  I remember taking it one step at a time.  First making the appointment to have the biopsy done. My Franklin was lucky in that he had Soft Tissue Sarcoma Stage 1.  Then taking your best friend to the vet hospital which is so hard knowing you're about to change your buddies life forever.  Then the wait...

 I picked Franklin up 2 days after his surgery. I had prepared his bed and blankets and everything he needed ahead of time. He was still pretty out of it on pain medication.  Tha would last app. 2 weeks.  I won't suger coat it the first two weeks post-op can be hard on both you and your dog.  Think of your dog as being in intensive care for the next two weeks and you are the nurse on call 24/7. You may have doubts if you did the right thing or not.  You may wonder what it's going to be like now.  Will he ever be happy again?

 Then the little miricles started to happen.  After 3 days he finally releived himself all by himself.  I was never so happy to see a dog poop. Slowly his strength started coming back. He began to hop and move on his own. I would suggest you get a good harness with a handle on the back to assit your dog when necessary.  You can get a good one right here on this website, I got the Flagline harness from Ruffwear.  Then his stamina built up. Then slowly I began getting used to the idea that things will be OK, they'll never be the same but they will be better than OK. Slowly things become the new normal.  Can we hike 5 miles in the mountains like we used too? Unfortunately those days are behind us.   But we can hike a mile or two in our town's recreational trails. I purchased an electric Bike with a dog trailer and we explored over 300 miles over rail trails and the like from late Aug to Oct.  If you're an old timer like myself an e-Bike will change your life. 

 I also adopted a new dog from Sato Heart Dog rescue where I voulunteer and the two of them have become the best of friends.  My Franklin has a long gorgeous coat and sometimes people at first don't even realize Franklin only has three legs... That's how normal things become.  While there will be some adjusting and maybe some sadness at first in the end it will all be worth it, I promise.  During the hardest times just remember, this too shall pass.   So here we are 14 months post op and I can tell you this, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets... My boy will be with me for how ever long he has left in this world and I wouldn't miss it for anything.  

Best Regards,

Joe, Franklin and Louisa in New Hampshire.