When I first heard Gus had Cancer I started Crying. I cried non-stop for 5 days. I did not let him see me crying, I wanted him to know that I was going to be strong for him. I know that sounds stupid, but I also didn’t him want to think anything was wrong with him or I am going to give up on my Best Friend.
Several things went through my mind. Will he be the same dog? Will he still love life? How will he adapt? Will he be depressed? He already peed like a female dog so surprisingly I was not worried about that.
We went to the doctor and waited for the Big Guy (Which is what we call Gus, after all he was a 108 lb Golden Retriever) .
All the nurses came out to say how much they loved him.
Gus came out bolted out the door dragging the 100 lb nurse behind him. He was shaking his body happy to see his family. We quickly went outside so he could go pee. We went outside and walked around for a bit.
We made an appt to come back a week later to check how he was healing.
We took our boy home.
One thing we where concerned about is he kept on having to pee a lot. They did not tell us that so we got worried and after 24 hrs of him peeing and sometimes not making it outside we took him to the ER. We wanted to make sure he did not have an infection. Well after being significantly in debt with the surgery and all the ER visits we made them run a couple of test and come to find out he just had discharge.
A week later past and I took Gus back to his surgeon and she thought he looked good. I asked her whats next and did we get all the cancer. She confirmed Gus did have osteosarcoma and without treatment he only had 3-6 months. I blacked out and I didn’t remember anything else the doctor said. I replied “I thought we beat it!! You mean there is more!!” I felt so defeated. My whole body went numb. All I could do is look at Gus who was just happy as can be looking right back at me.
We scheduled an appointment with an Oncologist in Gilbert.
The Day we came Home
The Monday after Gus had his bandages removed. They recommended we put tee shirts on him to keep him from licking his wounds. My wife broke out her sowing machine my grandma gave her a few years back and learned how to sow real quick, anything for her big guy. She sowed all of the arms shut from his missing leg.
Gus’ first time outside in awhile. You could see how tired and how much pain he was in.
January 2018
Awwwwwwww Gus! I can totally see the improvement by that last photo. Look at the sun in your gorgeous face, you are feeling so much better there eh?
We cried buckets too. That prognosis, the treatment, it’s all so overwhelming. But you did such a great thing by holding it together in front of him. That is not stupid at all and it’s what we suggest to people. We set the pace for recovery, and attitude is everything.
You did it all perfectly, kudos to you and your wife. What smart pet parents you are!
Would love to get in touch! Our 8 year old golden just became a tripawd March 25. Same leg too, and they look a lot alike š
Congrats! Please reach out if you have any questions or would like any advice or help. I am here for support! I am sorry it too me a awhile to respond I am still trying to figure out how it work this. Iād love to see a pic of your fur baby !