A picture is worth a thousand words

When my dog Raven was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer), I posted a note to the Deerhound-L email list.



Within hours, my mailbox was full of notes of sympathy and concern, and stories. Stories of dogs who'd beaten the odds, stories of dogs who hadn't but who'd had good quality of life after amputation, whose owners offered me a shoulder to cry on and hope, too.



And one special email from Jean at Circle of Grey, an email support list for the owners of greyhounds with cancer, mostly osteosarcoma. Attached to her email was a picture that changed how I felt about Raven's amputation and, in a way no words could have done, gave me hope.



This is a photo of a much-loved and much-missed greyhound named Lucky, used with the permission of the photographer, Gretje Ferguson, and Lucky's "mom," Meredith Holderbaum.



For all who think that a life on three legs will be hell for their hound -- who don't think this could be worth it, even to stop the pain and give them more time -- and for those few who, through ignorance I'm sure, wrote begging me not to "mutilate" Raven by amputating her leg, this image is why I didn't listen to any of them, and why I encourage those with a dog with osteosarcoma not to rule out amputation without good cause.



I maintain a page on my website with information about canine osteosarcoma, and there you'll find a link to Raven's story, the stories of other dogs, and also information on how to join the bonecancerdogs email list, which was the single most useful resource I found during Raven's illness.



And if you are hesitating about amputating your dog's leg, please read this, and then look at that photo again before you decide against it.

Comments

[Katie]

It is amazing how animals do not judge one another on how they look, or if they have two eyes, three eyes, no eyes. One leg,two legs,etc.



I remember when a vet told me my Irish Setter would need her leg amputated - my first reaction was one of horror. He told me she will have no problem, life will be the same. He was right! She lived for several years pointing rabbits, chasing a ball, swimming and being my best friend.



Katie

[Evelyn]

Well, I was going to give up on one cat because she was diabetic and I felt incapable of inserting needles in a cat quick to bite.



I was shown by someone with patience how to insert a needle, over and over again. Cat now stays still while I insert the needle as long as she has something to eat to distract her.



That was 2 and l/2 years ago.



My boy cat would not be alive if I was not persuaded to get him liquid radiation treatment for his hyperactive thyroid, which I did not want to do. I was afraid of the radiation danger.



It makes a difference if one is shown the way.



Now he is enjo

[Evelyn]

(continuation)



Now he is enjoying life just as he was before, and seems so happy to be alive and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

[Linda]

So nice to hear Arlene - glad it was a good year. Nothing is better than having your beloved dog back to normal, energy, happiness, eager to please - a gift from heaven. A year is a new life

[Arlene]

I just want to second this! My dog, Sierra, a golden retriever, also had bone cancer--at 13 years old. The vet recommended amputation of the front leg, both for pain management and to stop (or slow) the spread of the cancer. Despite her age and some other infirmities, Sierra did great on three legs! She still ran a bit, "chased" her beloved red ball, even managed (with just a little bit of help) to get to the second floor of my house. We bought a padded "hoister" to help her up, but only needed to use it a few times. She even managed to figure out how to get herself up and down a ramp over the steps from the back yard to the back porch. Sierra lost her battle with the cancer after a year--but it was a good year and I have absolutely no regrets about the amputation.

[Trudy Jackson]

We have had 2 cats with amputated legs and they do just fine. you wouldn't even know the difference. They do everything.

[Linda]

I was afraid to give my Angie Chemo - afraid it would maker her worse. She now wags her tail and seems like her old self. It's a gift from God.

[Evelyn]

In today's Fort Collins Coloradoan, in letters to the editors, this plea appears:



Don't exploit dog



Sally, the saluki from Kuwait, deserves better than what is being considered for her. I have seen dogs with a missing leg getting around just fine. Unless Sally is unable to do so, she doesn't need to suffer more trauma.



What she really needs in a loving home, not exploitation--John Bower.

[Diana Guerrero]

My pal recently made the decision to amputate the leg of her young Golden...he is an inspiration to her now...didn't miss a beat and is off romping around and having a ball just as if nothing had happened.



Good teachers those animals...