Hello everyone.

I have recently joined the tripaw community. My dog is 6 years old and is a blue and white Staffordshire bull terrier x lurcher. Hes my best friend and comes everywhere with me, we are joined at the hip. I have had him nearly 5 years as he is a rescue and came from an awful home who abused and neglected him. It took alot of patience, love and cuddles for him to trust that he will never be hurt again now hes with me. Once that trust was there he became a totally different dog. Hes a big cuddley softy who is very attached to me. He is so loving and gives the best cuddles and kisses. He is truly amazing and we are totally in-sync with each other.

Bailey suddenly became lame on his rear left leg. He had no accidents or injuries and was still in good spirits. I took him to the vets who, after giving him a good examination, booked him in for xrays the following morning. The vet phoned me after viewing the images and told me the devastating news. Suspected osteosarcoma. To say i was heartbroken is an understatement. I immediately threw up. I must have shed 2 stone in weight with the amount of tears i shed. The vet explained the options to me, which were either put to sleep, amputation or bring him home and make him try make him comfortable with medication, which was out of the question in mine and the vets eyes due the amount of pain and suffering bailey would be in. After talking me through everything the vet and I decided that amputation was in Baileys best interests as it removes the source of the agonising pain.

He was booked in for emergency surgery first thing the following morning. The surgery went well and Bailey spent the night in hospital for 24 hour monitoring. The vet said Bailey was in high spirits while there and was walking unaided a few hours after surgery which she was really suprised with. He had to spend a second night in hospital due to the wound oozing but she re-assured me it was nothing to worry about and they just wanted to keep an eye on it.

I picked Bailey up the following day and he was so happy to see me, i burst into tears to see my boy and was laid on the floor in the vets with him giving lots of cuddles and kisses. Bailey usually sleeps in bed with me upstairs so ive brought my mattress down into my living room for us while hes in recovery so its low to the floor to prevent jumping and to rule out tackling the stairs until he is fully healed. 

We are currently 6 days post-op and i have not left his side. My daughter has sat with him for 10mins if i need the toilet/shower so he is never alone. He is doing brilliant mobility wise and is quite confident walking and toileting on 3 legs. As each day goes by a bit of his cheeky personality is comes back. I have been a bit worried about the fact that he is not eating much but the vet explained that its normal after major surgery and that his meds can also suppress his appetite. He is eating bits out of my hand and is taking the meat with his meds in luckily. His appetite is very slowly coming back and as each day goes by it is getting a bit better but hes not eaten a full meal as yet. How long did you wait before trying to learn to do stairs?

I know that it is likely that the cancer has spread but as of right now he is tumor and pain free. It could be weeks or months when the secondary tumor comes up and thats when the horrible time has arrived when its time to say goodnight for the final time. The last thing i want is for him to suffer and its very selfish to keep him with us in pain for my own feelings.

If you dont mind me asking,, how long did it take for your babies secondary tumor come? How long after amputation did you have together? (I know each case is different). How did you know when its time to say goodbye? I want to be imformed enough to make that decision before he starts to suffer. Its so awful isnt it. Its the most horrific decision anyone  has to make. As soon as he has recovered properly we are going to live life to the fullest and make lots and lots of memories inc lots of treats and his favourite foods.

This website has been a god send for learning all about being a tripaw mummy and i thank everyone for sharing their stories as i have read alot of them.

I look forward to reading your replies and learning more about osteosarcoma and having a tripaw

Thanks,, Jo.