Meadow's Amputation

Meadow is getting her leg amputated.

It was love at first sight when I saw little 6 week old Meadow (then named Pantera) all dressed up in a sweater. She nuzzled into my jacket to escape the cold and quickly burrowed her way into my heart. She has improved my life beyond measure, filling it with tennis balls, licks, love, cuddles and hair. She's truly my best friend and I'm excited to come home to her every single day. I could not imagine a better dog. 

Meadow has been limping recently and it has gotten progressively worse. This morning Leigh and I took her in for an x-ray, after a few weeks of vet appointments and failed attempts at curing her limp with pills and medicine. We expected a sprain or at worst a torn ligament. Turns out Meadow has a bone tumor in her leg, also known as Osteosarcoma. I could not imagine a worse diagnosis. While Leigh and I absorbed the news, Meadow just smiled right at us, wagging her tail, spilling her love when we needed it the most.

The immediate action is to stop the pain, which will ultimately get worse until the tumor causes her humerus to fracture, sending her into searing pain. The only option in this case is amputation. Fortunately, the procedure is relatively common amongst dogs and their surgeons so it has a great success rate, but unfortunately that doesn't mean it's cheap. 

After the amputation, the decision of chemotherapy comes up. That's a whole 'nother discussion best saved for another day. I can only handle so much. 

Today has been miserable for me, but all my efforts are directed at Meadow to ensure her the opposite - to ensure she feels no pain, has the highest possible quality of life and is fiercely loved.

So here I am, open hands and an open heart. Help me help my best friend. 

Thank you.