Hallie

Thank you all so much for your support and words of comfort. I spoke with the doctor on duty today and she said that they have Chance on heavy pain meds: IV drip and a patch. She said he was putting some weight on the leg and they'd had him out for bathroom. They hope the patch alone will make him comfortable enough to come home, but something about it only lasting a couple of days. She also said that a surgeon happened to stop in the hospital today and they had him look at the X-ray and he seemed to confirm their suspicions. Thanks Trudy for mentioning the painful bone biopsy. I just put a call into the hospital and I'm going to tell them that I really don't want them to do it unless it is absolutely necessary. They did tell me they would do it under general anesthesia, so I don't know if the pain is in the doing or afterwards. My poor boy has had enough pain in the last few days - I certainly don't want to add to it if it's not necessary. I just can't seem to wrap my mind around this. We were planning to celebrate his 9th birthday on Wednesday 1/23.

Oh, I would be so happy if he could come home and be comfortable for awhile!! I hate the thought of his last days being spent in a cage.

I haven't been posting here in quite awhile, I check in quite often, but I was drawn back to this community in the past few days due to Chance's downward spiral. He started with a little limp 1-1/2 weeks ago, nothing major, it was a beautiful day so we walked a little farther than usual. He'll turn 9 next week, so he's getting a little slower. Anyway, the limp seemed to increase day by day and I took him to the vet on Tuesday. He did X-rays and radiographs - didn't see anything and by manipulation decided it was a sprain in the shoulder. He also did a tick test - he showed positive for exposure, so put him on antibiotics, luckily the definitive test showed negative for Lyme disease. On Friday Chance seemed well, up again and following around anyone who had food. We were relieved and glad to have our boy back. Then yesterday morning I heard him cry out in pain when he got up. He was holding up the limb (right front) and seemed miserable. I took him back to the vet and he changed meds - put him on Prednisone. The vet was very concerned and said he didn't see any OS on Xray or radiograph, but that didn't mean it wasn't lurking. By the time I got Chance home he was in misery. He couldn't use the leg at all and was dragging it. Finally got him out of the car and semi on his bed. He couldn't get comfortable at all. After a couple of hours of this - with no improvement and yelping even when he took a deep breath, I called the vet. Long story short he told me to take him to emergency hospital. We got him there and they had to carry him in on a stretcher. The X-ray showed a lesion in the humerus (sp). The vet said it looked like bone erosion - definitely an abnormality - and when she touched the area he's in terrible pain. There was no way to manage the pain and send him home, so we left him there and they'll keep him comfortable. On Monday the radiologist will read the Xray again and make his best determination....if there's any question in his mind, they will do a bone biopsy. So, I'm heartbroken for my sweet Chance. The thought of losing him is terrible. I suppose I will have to make a decision tomorrow - I've always said that I wouldn't go the amputation route - I've seen too many greys go through that trauma to buy them a month or two. Of course, everyone has the right to make their own decisions, and I'm sure there are dogs who have gotten some good time out of it, but none that I know of personally. So anyway, please keep Chance in your thoughts and prayers; and also my sons and I. Chance has been a beloved member of our family for seven years and it's just so empty here without him. I'll keep you all updated.

My friend Barb emailed me today and told me that she lost her sweet girl Fancy this morning. Evidently she didn't eat yesterday and didn't poop, but drank and just seemed a bit lethargic. This morning she had some weakness in her back end, and Barb called the vet to say she was coming. She went out to put the seat down in the car, and when she came back in, Fancy was gone. We're trying to figure out what might have happened - if it was bloat, I thought that was usually pretty painful and pretty obvious. Fancy was the littermate to my Chance and Seamus, and to ChrisGHDogs' Tally. We had a reunion at Dewey Beach in 2004. Fancy is the all white hound second from the left. My heart breaks for Barb and her family. They are stunned and beside themselves....Fancy would have been 7 next month. Godspeed sweet girl.

Nancy and John - I am so terribly sorry to hear that your beloved Marvin has gone from this world. Please know that my thoughts are with you. Godspeed Marvin....

I was shocked when I received your email, and my heart goes out to you and Austin's sister Willow and brother Matt. I'm glad that I have gotten to know you and your pups, and send my sincerest sympathies on the loss of your beloved Austin. I know your heart is breaking. Godspeed, sweet boy.

I'm so terribly sorry for the loss of your dear grandson. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

My heart breaks for you. I'm glad you were able to be with your beloved grey-boy and see him safely to the other side. :

Sniff-sniff. What a very loving tribute. He must have been one special guy...

I'm so sorry for your loss. I looked at your website and they were beautiful! I'm sure you brought them as much joy as they brought you. Godspeed, sweet Ace!

I am so very sorry for your loss. Rest easy, Miss Shari.

I am so very sorry. Run free Khailah!

Alex, I'm so sorry about Autumn. It's nice that her last days were ones where she was loved and cared for - I'm sure she knew that. Run free, little Autumn.

So sad that this poor boy never had a chance. Rest easy, sweet boy, and know that you were loved by many.

What a lovely tribute to your beloved Cody. He is not far from you...just a thought and a smile away.

About 1.5 cups of kibble and a heaping tablespoon of canned 2x per day. They also get a couple of biscuit treats.

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Rest easy, Shiloh.

I'm so very sorry.....

I'm so sorry....

What a handsome boy. So sorry for your loss. How old was Mack?

That is so lovely! My friend just lost her 9 yo grey to osteo. I passed it along to her.

Has it been a year already? I remember you posting about dear Bo and feeling so sad for you. I'm glad you are able to remember him without so much pain....

Run free, sweet girl.

What a terrible shock for you! My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Rest easy, dear Truman. :

Rest easy, sweet Ailish. Sarah, my thoughts are with you.