[Marley55]

My beloved Jaxx was just diagnosed with osteosarcoma on Tuesday. What started with a limp on his right front has turned into the worst news we could have gotten.

He is nine now and has had the best life a dog could have. Trips to the beach, camping, hiking, swimming, his own comfy sofa, lots and steak and all the love hugs and ears scratches he could want.

Since he had ACL operations on both hind legs and has mild arthritis already we decided to manage the pain and add rymidal to his daily supplements and let him tell us when he is ready. I understand amputation is a successful treatment but based on his age and other issues we felt is best to take the path we did.

I am so crushed and this is just so hard. He is eating just fine, is ready to chase the squirrels and rabbits and was crazy excited when we pulled the camper into the driveway from winter storage cause it means the start of summer fun.

He is without a doubt the best dog I have ever owned. With me through a divorce, a 5 state move, renting, and then buying our own house with a huge fenced yard just for him. I can hardly think of him being gone.

I suppose he does not understand cancer and all that comes with it, but I do and I am really struggling to do the right thing and find the right time and not hold on to long for selfish reasons.