Well folks, we were given an absolute gift.  As I left you all, I had decided on a different doctor to do the amputation.  When I showed up for my appointment and showed him all the xrays, ultrasounds, lab reports, etc. etc. he was less than convinced that an amputation was teh way to go.  Based on how little pain Annie appeared to be in and that the original biopsy said "possible" synovial cell sarcoma he recommended a deeper biopsy.  This cost $700 so of course doubt slipped into my mind thinking he was just trying to milk me for more money.  But when he laid out all the info, it just seemed like the logical thing to do.  So we did a biopsy two weeks ago and he said he got a "cornucopia" of tissue samples.  Deep, near the bone, directly from the synovium capsule (I may have butchered that one), etc. etc.  He then sent the samples off to A&M and the results came back 100% clear!!!!  I almost cried!  What a roller coaster.  First I thought bone cancer, then synovial cell, then amputation...and it ended up being a fibroma (I think?) basically a fiborous tumor that was merely a cosmetic issue unless it grows to the point that it affects the mechanics of the joint.  It's amazing to me that a benign tumor could come up as fast as this one did, but as an Aggie, I'll trust the great Aggie pathologists that say it's all clear. 

Thank you all so much for your support.  We'll treat this time with Annie as a second chance and spoil her more than we already do!

There is a lesson learned in all of this stuff.  I went to three doctors, I read as much as I could, I asked a gazillion questions, and I trusted my gut when talking to these docs.  Each consultation was $100, but in the end it saved my dog her leg.