I think we can all relate to the questions you are asking, since we have all thought the same thing at one time or another. I too, struggled with the decisions and at first did not want to amputate. After much soul searching and talking to our orthopedic surgeons (one who called me at night and talked for an hour) my husband and I decided to give Max every chance we could.

The oncologists will tell you what the median life expectancy is, but remember that every dog is different. Look at Jerry…2 years! Our Max is only 19 months old and we have been told a year, but he has no lung mets yet and is taking his chemo well, so who knows what the future holds. Its all about quality of life and not quantity. I for one have started making sure I am in tune with what Max wants to do. If he wants to go out and play, then thats what we do. Live in the moment for them. As for regrets…..I personally have absolutely none. Im at peace with my decision and its been a ruff road for Max. But looking at him now…he is happy and pain free and I wouldnt have it any other way.

Whatever decision you make will be the right one for you and your dog. No one can make that decision for you and everyone on this site will support you in whatever you choose to do.

When we looked at Wrigley's xrays and  we were told Wrigley most likely had cancer,  I don't know why, but I said "we can amputate can't we"- didn't even hesitate. It wasn't until the drive home that I really started to think about what I had just considered- then I doubted-  I called my friend at the our regular vet, and she told me " by all means if amputation is an option , take it- Wrigley will do fine as a tripawd".  I kept thinking and thinking though. Would that really be the right thing to do?

Then when the orthopedic called with the biopsy results, and confirmed that Wrigley did indeed have cancer and the only way to relieve her pain was to either amputate or put her down my head started spinning. I was out of town and had to make decisions over the phone-  called my husband, called the vet back, called an oncologist.... called everybody. My sister was with me out of town, and looked at me and said "I don't understand why you wouldn't amputate- what is your other option". This was 3 days before Christmas- she was right. my other option was to put her down. Everyone but me at that time felt that Wrigley  would be OK.  I was reacting to doubt, not what I believed or loved. So I went back to my gut response the first time we heard it could be cancer and my thought then was to amputate ( I believe in the power of the gut) so I called my husband, told him Dr. Richardson ( who also felt very strongly Wrigly was  good candidate for amputation) was available to amputate right then so please take Wrigley up to the orthopedic vet- I'lll be home soon.

I felt guilty for not seeing her before she went to surgery; I prayed, I visualized.... I cried.

We picked her up the next day. She was smiling and so happy to see us. I could tell in her eyes, the pain was gone. She came home and as we sat on the ground she buried her face in my arm and layed there.  The pain was gone-

The next 2 weeks were HELL- no easy way to say it. PURE HELL. I hardly slept, I wondered what I had done, when will this end.... Then we made it past those 2 weeks. We are now taking our walks like we used to, playing like we used to; Wrigly once again is a happy dog- and it is because we made the decision to amputate.

We have been to the oncologist and they did not give us a very good prognosis for Wrigely. They give you the median survial times. But the bottom line is no one really knows for sure- except the greater being that put this plan in place for me  and Wrigley right now. There is a cancer center commercial on TV and the woman says how  the DR.s at the cancer center tell her "when you came here, I didn't see an expiration date on the bottom of your foot" ( or something like that). That is the bottom line. None of us know our expiration date. So why do we worry so much about it. My husband always tells me " if I can't control it, why worry about it".

So, to sum it all up. Absolutely no regrets whatsoever. I suppose it was for me, when we first did the surgery. I  wasn't ready to say goodbye, ( nor were my husband and kids) but I don't think Wrigley was either.  I don't know if I have 1 day, 1 month, 1 year with Wrigley, but I willl take every second I get.  I do believe that Wrigley did not want to go yet- especially in the condition she was in prior to the surgery. I think she wanted to enjoy life to the greatest just a little bit longer - and that is what our decision is giving us.

Do what is best for you and your dog- do ask your dog what he wants to do.  Follow your heart and what you feel is the right thing and know there are not right or wrong answers. Whatever decision you feel is best, will be the best decision for you and that is all that matters.

Seanne and CA Wrigley

Hi Zacman,

If I had to choose, I will make the exactly the same decisions I did with Dee. Most people in South Africa do not choose amputation, but Dee is an example of how your beloved friend's quality of life could improve.  He even picked up weight after his amputation! It is now just over 8 months, and even with lung mets, he is still a very happy and playful dawg.

You have made the right decision.  I was very teary on the day of the operation, but when I saw what an improvement there was to Dee's general health and quality of life - I knew I made the right decision for my canine friend!!

Good luck on your journey and big hugs to Zac, the brave...

Lots of love,

Ansunette & Dee

PS- IAM SORRY THAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH THIS . I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL . THAT IS WHY I FOUND THIS SITE . I NEEDED ADVICE TOO. WHATEVER DECISION YOU MAKE WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU. I WILL SAY A PRAYER FOR YOU AND YOUR BABY ZAC.