Liz and Richard.
Please get a second ( neutral ) opinion regarding an amputation.
We all know the vet is probably right but if the cancer is not into the lungs, etc., there is a reasonable chance of recovery. I would take every step possible to make sure the vet is giving you all the reasonable options.
Many vets ask people if they can amputate a dog's toe if he has a corn !!!!
All I say is please check out any possibility of an amputation being a lifesaving option.
Jimmy.

Thank you Jimmy for the information about getting another neutral opinion. I am really worried now that we may be doing the wrong thing. I don't think our vet would say that amputation would not be suitable for Squeek if she was not sure, but we will check with her again tomorrow, when Richard is going to phone her about how Squeek is.

The vet thinks the world of Squeek and is always so pleased to see him. He is also very happy to be with her and runs into her surgery, wagging his little half tail.

I think from the way she described it, the tumour has already spread, but I do not think Squeek's lungs were x-rayed, but we will certainly check with her. The cancer is also in his shoulder, so I do not know if they could amputate his shoulder, as well as a leg. It is such a worrying time Jimmy, but we want what is best for Squeek. We don't want a few extra months with him, if it is going to cause him any more pain, or disability than he is aready in. We will keep you informed of what happens.

Hi, so sorry to hear about Sqeek. We just lost our greyhound Jenny on Tuesday due to osteosarcoma on her rear leg. She suddenly developed a limp and swelling on the leg and the vet gave her an x-ray, suspecting that it was bone cancer. Poor Jenny seemed to be in a lot of pain so we had to say goodbye.
It is heartbreaking and Our thoughts are with you all.
Xxx

Oh dear, you must feel that you are between the devil and the deep blue sea. Dogs do survive cancer and go on to have years of happy life but every case is specific and it is not possible to generalise based on isolated cases with good outcomes. Osteosarcoma is mostly lethal. All you can do is what you are doing, taking professional advice from your vet, who also appears to have a special interest in him. Most vets are happy for owners to have a second opinion in such emotional circumstances and will cooperate fully if that is what you want, but time may not be on your side. You love him and you will make the right decision for him out of love. So sad for you.

We are so sorry to hear the sad news about Squeek ,we know exactly how you are feeling just now , it will be one year on 12th July since we lost Sandy to cancer of the blood vessels which was cutting the blood supply to his back legs.We know that you will make the right decision for Squeek because nobody knows or loves him better than yourselves. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both at this time.

Thank you Carole and Ronnie for your thoughtful message. We are so sorry to hear about Jenny too, poor girl. It is the most heartbreaking time for us all just now. I just cannot get my head around how quickly the bone cancer affects them. It is only a few weeks since we noticed Squeek was limping, then on x-ray, just like Jenny, it showed he had osteosarcoma in his right front leg. He seems to be in a lot of pain too. I am so scared about doing the wrong thing, but I just cannot stand seeing him in pain. The vet said his leg could break at any time, so we are having to be very careful with him, until he goes back to the vet on Monday. I am dreading it so much. Our thoughts are with you too at this very sad time.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful message Marion. I agree with you that osteosarcoma is lethal for dogs. It is a very aggressive and painful cancer and not one that is usually cured. By the time the limp has developed, the cancer has usually spread to the lungs, liver, or kidneys. Even if the leg is amputated, then followed by chemotherapy, or radiotherapy, the outcome is usually the same, the dog only survives for a year, or less at most. I think that very few dogs can survive osteosarcoma, as it spreads so quickly. I have seen my son's dog go through all the treatments available for cancer, at the Dick Vet Hospital, which did extend his life by a few months, but what a horrible, bad time he had with every part of the treatments given. It was heartbreaking to see him go through that.

So I do not think I could ever put Squeek through all that. He is such a big, beautiful, loving dog, who deserves quality, rather than quantity of life, but it is a very hard and very painful decision to make for him.

We have great faith in our vet, who loves Squeek to bits, and has treated him, Carrie and Spot all the time we have had them, so I am sure that what she has told me is the truth. I am quite sure that if amputation had been an option for Squeek, that she would have said so, but she did not think it was. She has his best interests at heart and so do we. We are so, so sad about what is happening to Squeek and cannot bare to think about life without him. The pain of losing a Greyhound does not get any easier with each one, does it Marion. Thank you for thinking about us.

Thank you for thinking about us Bert and Irene, you know only too well what it is like to go through the pain of losing our beloved Greyhounds, to the most horrible illness.

We remember last year, how sad it was for you to lose Sandy. We seemed to read about the loss of such a lot of Greyhounds last year on the forum, which was so sad. It breaks my heart to read about any of them on the forum, as each one passes over the Rainbow Bridge, even ones I do not know. I know just how their owners are feeling, having lost our Leo to the same horrible disease that Squeek has.

I know that in time, the pain in our hearts will ease, (hopefully), but at the moment, I just cannot stop crying and cannot bare to think about life without Squeek. He is the most loving boy we could have ever hoped to have, (although a bit wild at the Greyhound events!! He loves to bark and wag his little half tail at all the non Greyhounds he meets, which is so embarrassing. We have tried to calm his prey drive down, but he is just not interested in socialising with non Greyhounds. He would rather be with his own kind, or humans.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for us and Squeek, we need all the help we can get in the next few days. Give Lady GaGa and Billy a big cuddle and kiss from us. xxxxx

We're all devastated in our family to hear about Sqeek. Our thoughts are with you and we know whatever you decide you will do the very best for Sqeek xxx

so sorry to hear about Squeek, I remember him well from the kennels

Oh Jenny, you have made me cry by reading your post. I am so glad that you remember him, as he is so special. Do you know him from the kennels? We were told that everyone loved him, but because he had a very high prey drive, that he had been in the kennels for quite a long time.

I fell in love with him when I first saw his photograph and I just loved his name. He does squeak at our bedroom door every morning and when we come out, he wags his little half tail - still does, even though he is very ill. He sounds like a little mouse when he does it.

We have given him the best 4 days that any dog could have, rides in his own van, on his memory foam mattress, which belonged to my late father. He loves going out for a run in the van, as do Carrie and Spot. We had to buy it to transport the 3 of them around in, wherever we go. They go everywhere with us. They will not let us leave the house without them! He has had lots of cuddles and stroking and we have been lying beside his bed, keeping him company, most of the time he is in it.

We took the 3 of them last night to Port Seton, where there is the best fish and chip shop around. We used to go there on a Saturday evening occasionally, to buy ourselves fish and chips. We would park the van in the car park next door, overlooking the Forth and the sunset.

The 3 of them shared a fish supper between them, for a treat. Usually they just get a few of our chips each and a bit of our fish, but as we were trying to pamper Squeek, they got all of it between them. Squeek really enjoyed his fish and chips.

He still loves his food and his very short walks, although he does want to go further, even though he cannot walk very well, but we were told by the vet, not to let him walk very far at all, as his leg could break at any time, due to the cancer. It is very worrying. He still would love to go with Carrie and Spot on their usual long walks and stands in the garden watching them go, which is very sad to see.

We have taken him out to the front garden, where he loves to be, which we have just had decked for them. They can now lie out there in the sun, under their umbrellas when it is nice weather. It used to have grass before, which all died because their mats were on top of it and also Spot liked to dig big holes in it, until there was no grass left!

Thank you Jenny for remembering our beautiful Squeek. We are finding this time so distressing to go through, but with the support of people like you on the forum, we hopefully will get through this horrific, painful time eventually. How can this happen to so many of these beautiful, majestic creatures, it is just not fair. This is our 2nd fur baby out of the 4 we have had so far, to get this horrible disease. We are broken hearted. Sorry these posts about him are so long, but it helps me to talk about him, as I love him so much.

Thank you so much Ann for remembering him, I know he would appreciate being loved by so many people who knew him at the kennels. He is a most loving, beautiful, majestic boy who does not deserve to have this horrific illness, none of them do. I will keep this short, but you can read more about him in the very long posts above. I just need to talk about him all the time to get through this, between the thousands of tears we have both shed since Thursday, when we got the most dreadful news about our big boy. Thanks again Ann.

Oh Liz and Richard,

We are devastated to hear your news. Squeek is a gorgeous boy with a fabulous temperament and, as you say, he and Bootsie like to make themselves heard!

You, and your vet, know him best - you will know what, and when, the time is right.

You are all in our thoughts and prayers - BIG hugs to you all, especially Squeek.

Love from Susan, Mo and Bootsie xxx

Susan, Mo and lovely Bootsie, Thank you much for your kind thoughts and wishes for Squeek. We really appreciate the support and kind wishes that everyone on the forum are sending us. My God we really need it at this very sad time.

Squeek is still enjoying his little walks, but his limp has got worse over the last few days, but we will not let him suffer.

We have read so much on osteosarcoma over the last few days and even considered taking him to Professor Fitzpatrick, the Supervet, but having read all what he and his specialist oncologists have written about the subject, on this cancer, the best we could expect, if the cancer has not spread already, is 8 to 12 months and that is only if Squeek had the major works done, including removing the bone inside his leg and putting in a prosthesis, which is the alternative to amputation, with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Both though give the same time limit of 8 to 12 months survival.

We don't want Squeek to go through all that pain with the major procedures he would need to have, just so we could have him longer with us and only for a maximum of 8 to 12 months at most, and only if there is no spread of the cancer already. We love him too much for that. All the other alternatives offer a lot less survival time, of just a few months. As we regard Professor Fitzpatrick and his oncology team, as probably the best and most knowledgeable vets in the country, we believe what he has said about this horrific cancer and its survival rates.

Squeek has spent today with us in the garden, lying on his mattress in the sun, under his umbrella, being fed lovely snacks, so I hope he has had the best of days today. We will give him a big cuddle from you all and a kiss. Please give Bootsie the same from us and a big bark from his friend.
Thank you again, love and best wishes to you all xxxxx.

I don't think there is anything more that we can add which hasn't already been said far more eloquently than we could. But Kai and I are thinking of you and sending so much love at such a devastating time for you xx

Sending loads of love your way through this difficult time xxx

Thank you very much Sarah and Kai, for your words of comfort. We really appreciate it at this very sad and difficult time.

Thank you so much Gill, John and Willow for your kind words of comfort. We really appreciate everyone thinking about Squeek and supporting us through this very traumatic time.

Hi again Liz & Richard,

You ALWAYS have our support, and our friendship. We are here ANY time you want to talk (you can e-mail me at bobbynetherland@dsl.pipex.com).

You are SO selfless putting Squeek's well-being before your own happiness - it must be so difficult, and we know that the temptation would be to keep your beloved pet as long as possible - the HARD decision is to let him be at peace.

You have CLEARLY done your research, and it is interesting to hear Professor Fitzpatrick's views - he is an inspiration.

You have, sadly, been here before and you know Squeek best ... trust your gut. We were discussing this today, and we don't honestly think that we would put Bootsie through amputation / prosthesis at his age - he will be 9 on Sunday, so there is little between him and Squeek. 8-12 months is not long enough to make the pain and recovery worthwhile FOR THE DOG - it might be for us ... you have given Squeek SO much love & happiness that he would never have known, had it not been for you two.

Whatever the coming days and weeks hold Liz & Richard, we are here for you ....

BIG hugs,
Susan & Mo xx

Hi Liz and Richard.
I am forever the optimist and hoped that I'd read a post stating Squeek was improving. Sadly, this does not seem likely now.
All I can say is that Squeek was very happy indeed with life alongside his loving family. He could not speak so I'll say what he would have said if he could have spoken.
He'd have asked you both not to cry because you had made him so happy. He would have told you to remember all the happy days you had with him and Carrie and Spot. He would tell you not to dwell on the bad time that you both did not deserve.
Squeek is ending up with something few greyhounds get - - - total happiness - - - and it is thanks to you.
You have our very best wishes.
Squeek's auntie Celia and uncle Jimmy.

We absolutely do remember Squeek from the kennels. All the dogs are lovely but you seem to gravitate to particular ones. In my case ones with high prey drive and bags of character. We loved seeing Sqeek and a trip to the kennels was not complete unless we had a lap with him. If he'd been walked we'd be disappointed but I would say go grab him, then oops! Had he already been walked. Oh well he's had a double walk! We loved how handsome and he has a lovely coat. We heard him at the Christmas fair in Kinross shortly after you'd adopted him and we said "I recognise that bark. It's Squeek!" It was great to see him in a happy home at last but we often spoke fondly of Squeek. He'll be well missed

Dear Susan, Mo and Bootsie,

As you will see from the forum, our big boy has gone. We are really heartbroken, but appreciate what you have said in your kind message. We will be contacting you very soon by email, probably at the weekend. Richard and I have cried constantly for the last 5 days, which of course non dog lovers can understand why, but they are not worth talking about are they!

The love we have for our dogs is so great, it would be unnatural not to cry for them. We know that kind Squeek would not like to see us so upset, but I hope he understood that it was only because we loved him so much.

Thanks again Susan and Mo, we will be in touch soon. You said such wonderful things to make us feel a bit better about our decision.

I hope Bootsie has a lovely birthday on Sunday and continues to bring you both joy and happiness. Give him a big cuddle and kiss from us and Carrie and Spot, who are very sad and lost looking today. Lots of love, Liz, Richard, Carrie and Spot. xxxx

Thank you so much Auntie Celia and Uncle Jimmy,

Your words have been a great comfort to us.

I know Squeek would not want us to cry over him and to be happy, but we are finding it very hard to stop, as we love him so much. He has licked away our tears over the last few days, so I hope he understood that they were just out of love for him.

He was the most beautiful, loving dog that you could ever hope to have, if a little noisy at times with his barking at other dogs! We are going to miss him so, so much. The house feels so quiet and still without him, even though there are still two dogs in it. I think that Carrie and Spot know what has happened and that they are sad too. They have both been very quiet today and just lay in their beds, so we will have to give them so much love and cuddles to help them come to terms with their loss too.

Thank you so much for the chance to have the most wonderful gift in the world - GREYHOUNDS. We love them to bits and both of you for caring for so many.
Lots of love, Liz, Richard, Carrie and Spot xxxx

Oh Jenny, as you will see from the forum, our beautiful, handsome boy has gone and we are devastated and feel so lost without him. Even Carrie and Spot seem quiet and lost today and are just wanting to stay in their beds.

What you have said about Squeek has given us so much comfort, to know that someone else loved him as much as we do. He was a beautiful looking dog, with a wonderful coat. Just before we took him to the vets yesterday, a little tuft of his coat was lying loose on his back, as if it knew I would love a bit to keep, to remind me of his beautiful coat. The vet also shaved a little bit more for me, after he had gone, so that I could keep it forever with me. I will treasure it always.

Thank you so much for your kind words about him. We are so happy that someone else saw what we saw in him. He was just so special and a great joy in our lives. He is greatly missed already, but your kind words brought a little smile to our faces, even through all the tears we were shedding at the time.

Thank you so much.

Lots of love, Liz, Richard, Carrie and Spot xxxx