lcuster3189 said:

Any advice or words of encouragement??

Plenty ... you've come to the right place.

Just take a look at Tazzie, a three-legged 175 lb. English Mastiff. And don't miss our giant breed gallery of three legged dogs.

I lived in a two story home when I had my amputation, and my people discovered the Ruff Wear harness helps on stairs, and for getting in/out of vehicles. As Brady is a rear leg amputee, going down stairs should be easier than going up. The opposite was true for me as a front leg amputee.

A soft towel slung under the belly can provide additional support IF needed before the surgery wound is healed and stitches are removed. You might also want to review our answers to top questions about amputation.

Big dogs are strong and very resillient. You may be surprised how Brady bounces back. The important thing to consider is weight management. Keep him at a healthy weight and mobility should not be an issue.

Thanks for asking!

Will he adapt? Yes. Most dogs adapt very quickly. Life on three legs will be different, but in many ways much better ... seeing him out of pain and enjoying life is sure to bring smiles.

There will always be regrets, like did you do enough for him. Truth is, with cancer, you can never do enough. But amputation is the only way to stop the pain and slow the spread.

Many people going through this have found great help with the book Without Regret.