[warrior1]

First, let me say it is not my intention to give anyone false hope on what is or is not. Whether or not my Warrior had Osteo is anyone's guess, without a bone biopsy nothing can be 100% definitive. I was not doing that to him, he was a senior. That being said, regardless of what anyone's thoughts were, I handled him as if he did ,in fact, have this dreaded disease. By that, I mean, there was no running, he was leashed walked even to go outside to potty; basically, he had a very cushy life. My biggest fear was that his leg would break so I took every precaution to lessen those chances. I would never presume to tell anyone what to do with their pets, but if I may offer some advise, I would limit the squirrel chasing. Though I am sure he enjoys it, it may not be in his best interest. With regard to the tumor size, yes, it did keep growing, very rapidly. By the time he was PTS, I would have estimated it to be the size of a small orange. It was rock solid but touching it or applying pressure to it, never bothered him.

Believe me, I know we all want that 1 in a million chance that the diagnosis we are given is a mistake. But, the fact of the matter still remains that our animals don't understand that they have this thing called "cancer". They live in the moment, and believe it or not, that was one of the great lessons he had taught me. There was absolutely nothing I could do for him but just live in "his" moment. You have to be able to read your dog and respect what it is he is showing you, good or bad, and when that "bad" moment comes, you have to find the strength within yourself to set him free. But, until that time comes, enjoy them, love them and spoil them rotten.