I thought I’d start this blog to share our journey with others.
In November2006 we lost our Chocolate Lab to Osteosarcoma. He was 12, arthritic and not a good candidate for surgery. It was offered but as hard as it was we decided to give him the best quality of life we could in the remaining life he had. Ultimately we had to make that most painful decision (for us, probably not for him though) and let him go.
After Hershey died, the house seemed eerily quiet.It was just my daughter Elizabeth and I. Oh, we had 2 cats but it wasn;t the same. I told my daughter that I did not want another dog. It was too much, too expensive, too this, too that, you know how it goes…:)
Then in August of 2007 in a moment of weakness Elizabeth asked me to ‘just go look’ at the dogs in the shelter. “Just to look, mama, nothing else.” I said, “Okay, I’m holding you to this, nothing else.”
We got to the shelter and really it was easy to ‘just look’.As we walked up and down the aisles of ‘cells’ or ‘blocks’ of the new residents of Bangor Humane Society they didn’t speak to me. Well, they did speak…very loudly and angrily and constantly. Everyone one of them except one..Here was this black curly haired, leggy, skinny,homely as all get out young dog shaking and shaking in the corner of his cell. Not a peep came out of his mouth. I walked up and down the aisles..several times,always coming back to this one…I guess you know what happened. Brillo, our labradoodle, was adopted by us.
Fast forward to December 2011.. During Christmas break I had asked my niece Josie if she’d watch Brillo while my husband ( I had remarried in Oct 2010) and I went to Ohio to visit his family. She happily accepted and we dropped our Brillo off in her capable care. When our visit to Ohio was over we went to pick Brillo up. Josie told me that when she was patting Brillo she noticed a large lump on his right hind knee. I palpated it and sure enough there it was. Brillo hadn’t been groomed in a while and it was hard to notice anything different just by looking at him. He wasn’t limping or favoring it.He ran and played like always. He didn’t seemed bothered by it. When we got home I called the vet and they took him right in.
They took a biopsy and the results came back as a soft tissue sarcoma, the kind that travels through the nerve sheaths. When I took Brillo in the mass was 15cm large.When we went in a second time about 3 weeks later it had grown to 20cm and there are more smaller ones now. We have a chance to save Brillo. He’s young, in very good shape, active and happy. If we choose not to amputate this cancer will take him soon.
I made an appointment for Thursday March 8th to do the surgery. I am really nervous about this. My husband Chris and I were told that the leg up to the hip would need to go in order for a good chance for a longer life. I hope we are making the right decision. I can’t help but be sad.
Welcome – Glad you found us (sorry you had to) Of course you’re sad. Nobody like to see their dog suffer and cancer is scary! Remember, though that Brillo isn’t sad. He’s living life one treat at a time and doesn’t worry about the future.
Download ‘Three legs and a spare‘ It has lots of good info and pictures that let you know what to expect.
Baby had her right rear leg amputated about a month ago. She’s jumping into the car for rides, jumping on the couch for cuddles, and going for short walks. She’s a happy girl.
I have noticed that dogs that are smaller and younger than Baby (155 lb mastiff) do even better.
The first couple weeks are tough because it’s such a big transition and you’ll worry about everything. Get lots of rest before amp day. Then breath and take it a day at a time through the healing. You’ll all be fine.
Best of luck. Keep updating – you’ll get lots of advice from tripawd pawrents. It’s a very supportive community and very non-judgemental. (we love pictures!)
Hugs and Wags,
Judy and Baby
sorry to hear about hershey, but sounds like you gave him a full life, and let him go in dignity. how many of us have said ‘no’, only to find our heart opening to another pup. we too found a soft tissue sarcoma (right front wrist), amputated and did five rounds of chemo. gayle was 10 at the time, and did very well. our demon turned out to be oral melanoma which metasticized and took her in december.
please keep us posted on how brillo is doing, how the surgery goes, and such…we love pictures (hint, hint) too!! please come to the forum pages when you feel like it – a great place for info and support!!
charon & spirit gayle
Hi Brillo & Family! Oh my gosh we are so sorry you are dealing with cancer, especially a second time, that has got to be worrisome! But as you can see here, life on three legs can be great and you’ll get back into the swing of things in no time. We’re so glad you found us.
What a great story about how you came into your pack’s life. It was destiny.
You’ll have to meet Tripawd Maggie if you are still in Bangor. She is up at Portage Lake but I’m sure she would love to meet you sometime. Maggie is AMAZING and has been living life on three legs for a long time now.
Welcome. We are here to help you every step of the way (though something tells me you won’t need much help kiddo!).
Thank you for blogging about Brillo! Best wishes for a perfect procedure and speedy recovery.
We’re sorry to hear about his diagnosis, but glad you found us. Everyone here loves to see pictures! There is a tutorial video for uploading photos if you need help with that, or feel free to ask in the forums.
Please keep us posted.
Welcome Brillo! Looking forward to reading about his speedy recovery! Admin is right- we LOVE pictures! (and videos). We are all here for you!
Thank you Judy, etgayle, Jerry and admin for all your words of encouragement.It means so much.
We went to Petco this evening after Mass and bought a firm egg crate mattress to fit inside Brillo’s kennel for when we bring him home next week. He hasn’t been in a kennel for about 3 years now so that will be an adjustment.It was recommended to have him in it for the first few days post surgery to keep him as still as possible. No couch lying for Brillo! 🙂
I will post pictures for everyone to see.Thank you so much!
I think you have made the right decision. It will be different and take adjustment for all. I am here for you.
Thank you my sweet! I love you. I’m still trying to figure out how to post pictures..xx
Welcome Brillo and family!! Sorry you have to go through this but you have a great support family in the Tripawd gang now. Sending lots of hugs and wags – thinking of you lots thru this time
joanne & lylee
Thank you Joanne and Lylee! I’m loving this site already!
My girl didn’t want the kennel, so we gated off the family room (really the dog’s room, they let us watch tv in there) and lined it with sheets, towels and puppy pads. Some dogs have some leakage for a little while, some don’t. Baby was very drippy and the towels and pads really helped. It’s normal for fluids to collect and they will either reabsorb into the system or drain out. If he’ll tolerate the crate it may be easier for you. Best of luck!
Judy and Baby
Thanks Judy and Baby! When we brought the egg crate mattress in last night Brillo thought it was another stuffed toy..He tried to play with it. Oh boy! We have a spare bedroom that Brillo has adopted as his own that we’re thinking of doing what you did-lining with sheets and puppy pads.
I’ll take any advice at all!
Chris, Chris and Brillo
The Media Library video tutorial should help. Feel free to ask in the forums if you need more assistance, or we can schedule a time to meet in the chat room to walk you through it.
Welcome to the club that nobody wants to join but everyone is glad they did! Cancer sucks, but if you have to go down that road, Tripawds is the place to do it. The people here are wonderful. I don’t know what I would have done without them. Make sure you get rest this week, because the first 2 weeks after the amputation are the most difficult. Hang in there, we are here for you!
Jenna & Spirit Chili Dawg
Thank you Jenna and Spirit Chili Dawg,
My condolences for your loss. I am finding this club and site is wonderful!! Lots of great stuff and great support.
Chris, Chris and Brillo
Brillo is so very lucky to have found such good guardians. Sending strong calm thoughts for the surgery.
Meg (and Gandalf).
Thank you so much Meg and Gandalf..Someone said to me before, “When I die, I want to come back as your dog.” That made me feel really good. I hope I’m doing the right thing.
Chris, Chris and Brillo