How do you start writing about something so painful, but know in your heart that it is absolutely the right thing to do? How do you write without crying? And yet in the back of my brain, I know that everything will be okay? That is what I am struggling with right now.
Harley has been with us since January 18th, 2002, after he picked out my husband Jim while we were looking for a pup at the SW Washington Humane Society. A constant source of joy and love…what more do you say?
Tomorrow, Friday, April 12th, he will be come a Tripawd. And I know he will pull it off without a hitch. He is going to be so graceful and excited to not be in pain.
3 weeks ago today, Harley was playing with Jim in the back yard, and of course being in the Pacific NW, there is more mud than grass right now. He twisted his leg and instantly fell. We took him into our vet to discover that his lower left back leg was broken. Unfortunately, the X-Ray showed that he has either a terrible infection or the Big “C”. What do we do now?
We speak with a vet about doing a biopsy on the bone to see what is going on. Get that scheduled last week, take him in, and boom…not going to do the procedure…the X-Ray suggests highly that it is cancer and rather than put Harley through 2 major procedures, we wait. We talk extensively to our vet, we cry, I get online and google pet leg amputation.
I am of course led to Tripawds and information. I download the e-book that night. I also download to Jim’s Kindle so he can read also. We read, we talk, we ask more questions of the vet. We talk and we decide together that Harley doesn’t deserve to be in pain. We opt for surgery.
And here we are, the night before, and I am again wondering if we are doing the right thing. And then I look at his beautiful face, and yes, I know we are. He is an overachiever…he will survive and be so happy to not be in pain. I have hope and look forward to everything going well…but of course I am human, and I always have the doubt.
I am going to have a heart to heart tonight with Harley before we go to bed. I am going to explain the surgery, and how this will alleviate his pain. And explain that no matter what, he is our first son and he is so loved.
Wish our family luck, strength, and prayers! Ilene
Ohhhh boy…there isn’t a soul on this site who can’t relate to what you are feeling. This is such a scarey, confusing doubting time and just know you are not alone! If you have to go through this, there is no better place to be than tripawds.
You are making am informed decision out of love for Harley and that is a right decision!!
For me, no matter how much I ‘thought’ I was prepared for thesusurgery and recovery—I wasn’t! I stayed attached to this site 24/7 for my strength, my sanity, my source of information and a place that kept me centered. Please know we are all here for you to help in anyway!
Harley WILL do well and you will e so glad you made the decision to eliminate the pain of bone cancer. For some first several days or even the first couple of weeks can be pretty tough but recovery does, indeed, take place…..when you first see Harley’s spark to come back though you will be filled with so much joy!
Please keep us posted….we love updates around ere!
Now, get ready……here comes soft squishy blanket of calm and serenity that’s wrapping all around you and Harley keeping you both safe from harm. Nice and fuzzy, huh?
Sally and Happy Hannah
It is scary but I’m sure Harley will take it in his stride. We humans really do think too much!
Try and keep busy tomorrow. It can be hell sitting and waiting for the phone to ring.
Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Here’s something you may not know: since you’ve started Harley’s blog here on Tripawds, Harley will now have positive thoughts flowing to him from the entire Tripawds Nation! And the Tripawds Nation is one of the strongest in existence! We will be thinking of your sweet boy tomorrow. He is strong, and you are doing the right thing for him.
Welcome and thank you for sharing Harley’s story, we look forward to following his progress, Best wishes for his speedy recovery.
Good luck today, we’ll be thinking of you. Drop by the Forums or Chat room if you need some support! Please keep us posted.
All I have to say is this—when I started reading your blog I thought, oh no, we are about to lose another one……as I read further to see that Harley is only losing his leg today, I was immediately relieved! Guess I have been hanging around Tripawds too long!
I know it looks scary from the outside but rest assured that you are doing all you can do for Harley and, as Maximutt said, you have a world of support right here any time you need it.
Sending you and Harley all kinds of Tripawd Power from the Oaktown Pack!
You and your pack will be fine, I promise. This is VERY scary but it’s not the end, as you’ve seen there’s hope after a cancer diagnosis and we have our paws crossed that Harley will beat those odds!
If you’re in SW Washington you are in a GREAT place for care! We also have other members nearby, so don’t hesitate to come to the Forums and wrangle them up for a pawty once Harley is all recuperated.
Thanks so much for joining us and sharing Harley’s story. Every one that’s shared ends up helping others later on down the line, I know they’ll appreciate your blog.
We’ll be waiting for updates!