I think ive only posted once or twice right after Wilsons surgery, but still come on and read all the inspiring posts almost daily, on the 23rd it will be 3 months. Here's a little refresher, Wilson is a 12 yr old husky X, and he had a mast cell tumor referred to as a Neoplasia on his left front ankle/paw area, this was his 3rd surgery in approx 5 years, first two were just tumor removal, but the third time it came back there was no choice but to take the whole leg, as tumor was wraping around the whole ankle/paw and starting to grow inbetween toes and coming out the bottom of paw, so he was starting to walk on the tumors, wasnt till then that he showed even the slightest bit of a limp, or pain from it. It would have been 2 seperate surgeries to remove the tumor, the amputation made much more sense, as it would have just kept coming back. All blood work and chest xrays came out clear, so opted not to do a biopsy, as funds was an issue, and vet said really no need, as outcome would be the same, leg had to go regardless, he is not on any kind of chemo, or meds, and we plan to just truck along, and live the rest of his life, i would be so thrilled to get another year, but keeping fingers crossed for many more, he has no signs of arthritis or any other health issues …Happy Dance !!!!

He has adjusted very well, and im pretty sure we are almost at our new normal, we had a few good and bad days, but now looking back, im pretty sure he sailed through quite well, he peed and pooped at the vets the next day after surgery before even coming home, and continued with no issues from day one, and his appetite didnt waver. He did suffer from phantom pains which i think was the hardest part, for me at least, but hasnt had any for a couple months now, almost put him on Gabapentine -sp?, but luckly went away right after i got the perscription.

I still have people say to me, "oh, he is just a puppy, how old ?", which i just love, he hasnt lost that happy puppy spirit that he's had going strong for 12 years, although he definitly tires alot easier now, but after a little rest, he is back up smiling and raring to go, we dont really go for walks around the block, he pretty much gets his excercise just following me around the barn doing my farm/horsey chores through out the day, with short spurts of play, and ball throwing etc, thrown in here and there.

One thing ive been noticing though, and am a bit concerned about is after 3-4 good runs chasing the ball, his back legs will sometimes quiver a little bit, he is still raring to go and jumping around like a fool, but has a slight quiver in hind legs, im not sure if its fatigue or excitment (he never used to quiver no matter how excited), i really dont push it too far were i feel he is fatgiued, but im just not sure what causes the occasional quivering ? Im guessing its just that he is using all his muscles differently and his hind legs still need strengthening ? Another thing is his slow walk/hop, he is fine when he gets his speed up, which has turned into his usual gate, but the times he just putts slowly to get a short distance 4-5 hops, from A to B his whole front end seems to dip down really far with every step/hop, he will usually not do this gait for more than a few hops, but when he does, it kind of breaks my heart a little, he seems fine and not bothered by it, just more a nuisence not to be able motor along smoothly at a slow pace.

One of my big concerns at the time, and huge surprise after the surgery, was the vet opted to do a mid humeral amputation instead of taking the whole scapula, i was told prior to surgery it would be the whole scapula which i highly agreed with, so was a bit of a shock when i went and picked him up, as all the reasearch i had done steered to taking the whole scapula being the best way to go …but he seems to be doing just fine, and his little stump actually seems to be benificial to him, he uses it a lot for balance when lying down, and probably when moving as well, and he now does shake a stump, its only a couple of inches long, and grows on me everyday, lol !!! Ill have to try to figure out how to post pics one of these days, have millions.

Well seems i can never keep these things short, but i see there are a few on here right now with older dogs, and some that sound similar to Wilsons case, so thought it might be a good time to give an inspirational update !!! Best of luck to all that are starting there new tripod journey, the best is yet to come, i didnt even know it was possible to love my dog anymore than i already did, but i do !!!

Brenda