Today is one heck of a tough day.
Today my vet told me that my doggie’s hind leg needs to be amputated or if that’s not the route to choose, then her time is limited. We think it’s synovial cancer, but the biopsy came back inconclusive. She’s been living in a leg brace for 8 months with little progression of the disease, but now she won’t put weight on her leg and X-rays today confirmed it’s gotten worse.
I’ve been struggling with what to do all day.
All I want is for her to be comfortable, pain-free and happy. She’s still lively, eating great and happy, so that’s a no-brainer right? Have the leg removed- the vet says she’s a good candidate – she’s healthy and it would give us another year or maybe even two! But she’s also about 12 years old and she’s a big dog…life expectancy isn’t much more than this, but she still acts like a playful, contented middle-aged dog. You’d never know she was over 8ish!
My brother is against it saying it’s not fair to put her through this surgery and recuperation. My sister, husband and vet support the surgery; My mother is flip flopping.
But what is Gracie for? What am I for? I will live with the decision either way since it is mine alone to make. I’m terrified, I can’t quit crying and worrying and I’m so scared. I wish she could tell me what she wants. How do I make this decision?
I love her and she seems to be doing fine as a tripod doggie as it is. This will just remove the pain she’s in. But is this for me… or is it for her? Well, I’ve made the appointment to have the leg amputated in 4 days. Will I change my mind? I doubt it.
So I think the journey beings and I’m terrified……
