u/Lojito4891

We went in for X-rays to get ready to start chemo, and Archer had developed a very mild cough just the day before. Our oncologist decided to include a chest X-ray, and unfortunately, the osteosarcoma had already spread to his lungs.
His chest X-rays were clear in August, so this has all happened incredibly fast. We’re now shifting to palliative care and focusing on keeping him comfortable, happy, and making the most of the time we have left together.
I’m trying so hard to hold it together, but some days I just can’t. Archer has been my best friend for 10 years, and I honestly can’t picture my life without him. I know my job now is to make sure he has the best days possible for as long as he’s comfortable, to give him all the love he can handle, and to let him tell me when it’s time. But knowing that day may be coming soon is absolutely heartbreaking.
Thirty days ago, we were focused on helping him adjust to life as a tripod and looking forward to what came next. I never imagined we’d be here so soon.
I’m so grateful for the time we have, but I’m not ready to say goodbye. I don’t know how you prepare yourself to lose a best friend who has been such a huge part of your life for a decade.
Thank you to everyone who has followed Archer’s journey, shared your experiences, and supported us through his amputation and recovery. This community has meant more to me than I can put into words. ❤️

This little dude is adjusting REALLY well to getting around on three legs. When the trazodone isn’t kicking in, he has his normal energy and personality, which is honestly amazing to see.

He gets super claustrophobic in a cone(even with the sedatives), so we’ve been using onesies at night to cover the incision, and he sleeps in his crate. During the day, he hangs out in his bed right next to my desk. Someone is always with him, so we’ve been able to leave the incision uncovered and just keep a towel nearby to cover it in case him or his brother decide to mess with it. So far, he’s been really good about it!

My only concern right now is the trazodone. When it starts to kick in, he seems to breathe/pant REALLY heavily. Has anyone else experienced this with trazodone? I know it can make them sleepy and a little weird, but the heavy breathing has me wondering if this is normal? He is on a combination of meds (he also has a seizure disorder), so he’s on daily phenobarbital. He also takes amantadine for pain and is typically normal on those meds alone.

Overall, though, he’s doing way better than I expected and I’m so freaking proud of him. ❤️

Hi everyone! New tripod fam here and looking for ALL the advice.
This is Archer, my 10 year old Aussie. He’s been dealing with an adenocarcinoma that we’ve been able to keep pretty well managed. He tore his CCL last winter that was doing better but about a month ago it started giving him more and more trouble. We tried laser, PT, acupuncture, etc., but nothing was really helping. After more testing, his vets found a different new cancer in that leg and suspect osteosarcoma.

So yesterday, my little dude had his back leg amputated.
He’s doing okay, but getting around is definitely going to be a challenge, especially since he already has some weakness/issues with his other legs. To make it more difficult, we have stairs everywhere. I’m trying to figure out how to make things as easy and safe as possible while he figures out his new normal.

For all you Aussie/medium-large dog tripods, what helped the most? Harnesses, slings, ramps, flooring, boots, mobility aids, exercises?... Especially anything that helped support/protect the remaining legs.

And what’s something you wish someone had told you before your dog came home from surgery?