Poor Casey...

Well, I knew the time was coming when we'd start to have health issues with the dogs, but I didn't dream it would be Casey first. We've been fairly lucky so far, the dogs have been fat- but overall healthy and happy. They are losing weight pretty good here in SC due to the walks two to three times a day, so that was improving as well. But last week Casey started limping. We thought at first she hurt her foot on a walk, but it didn't get better. It soon turned into not putting any weight on that back leg at all.

Tad took her into the vet yesterday to find out what the problem was. The devastating response was bone cancer. Poor Casey has bone cancer in that back leg. It has spread throughout the leg, but has so far stayed contained to the leg. We have to take her to a vet an hour away for a bone biopsy soon to ensure it's bone cancer and how far it has gone. The most likely outcome is we will have to have the leg amputated. How far up? We don't know yet, and won't know until after our appt with the surgeon.

Poor Casey even had the other back foot bleeding on Sunday from having to hop on it while on walks. The nails slightly drag on the pavement, and by Sunday evening's walk were all bleeding. The stress of using only one back leg is causing trauma to the other. Thankfully the vet saw this and gave us an adorable pink/white leather boot. The girls think it's great! It is pretty cute if I say so myself.

So, it looks like soon we may have a 3 legged dog. While I never envisioned this, at least it's just a leg. It reminded us both of how quickly we could lose them now that they are 9.5 and 10.5 years old. It could be any day. We are not prepared for that, and neither are the kids. We can all help Casey get through this knowing it's just a leg. We are just thankful it's not her life. We can enjoy more time with these kind and wonderful dogs before they leave us.

Hug your dog tonight and be thankful for any wonderful ones you have had in the past. They truly leave their mark on us for life.