She came to us on Christmas eve six years ago, a living gift from our three children as the youngest prepared to leave home for nursing college. She sat on the mat by the door, a tiny fluffy creature, quiet and calm and adorned with a big red ribbon, and looked around her surroundings as if thinking, so this is my house.
Now she’s seventy-five pounds of blond fur with silky ears prone to matts, a feathered tail that oscillates with great vigour when she’s happy and tucks between her legs when she’s scared. Her eyes are the colour of dark chocolate chips. The top of her head smells like freshly turned earth and the smell of the pads of her paws make me think of popcorn. She likes dinnertime and treat time and go-to-the-park time; she likes socks and underwear and isn’t particularly fussy whether they’re clean or not – the laundry hamper is exactly the right height for rummaging.
She has a younger brother named Riley who quickly overtook her in height and speed, who charges through life with rambunctious energy and immeasurable confidence. It is his unquestioning belief – and rightly so – that people and other canines will love him at first sight, in absolute juxtaposition to Catie’s assumption that the world is just a little bit dangerous and strangers are not to be trusted. Her mistrustful timidity has made Catie’s life a lot more difficult than Riley’s.
And now, today, a second biopsy of a suspicious growth on her humerus showed definitively positive for cancer and she is booked for amputation of her right foreleg on Wednesday, January 13.
Welcome to Tripawds, Catie! You are doing the right thing by getting the amputation done quickly. My Great Dane Nova has survived Osteosarcoma for 14 months as of today, so there is hope out there for survival. We’ll be thinking of you on Wednesday and hoping for a fast recovery from the surgery.
Sue and Nova
Dear Catie and family
I am sorry to hear your diagnosis. Most of us on this website have gone through this and know how hard it is. My very best wishes to YOU and your dog and human family. If they have questions or want to talks things out, tell them to check into the “discussion forums”. Lots of people there eager to help out.
I’m sure you will amaze your human family with how quickly you adapt to life on three legs. We all do!
Welcome Carmen! We’re sorry to hear about Catie, but glad you found us. We look forward to following Catie’s progress and seeing some photos.
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Good luck with your surgery, Catie! Holly had her surgery on 12/29 (right rear leg), and is doing really well on 3 legs. It has amazed me how quickly she adapted – so we’ll keep fingers and paws crossed that Catie has a strong recovery and is playing with little brother Riley in no time! We’ll be thinking about you this week… please keep us posted.
Holly and Holly’s mom
What a way with words you have! I need to hire you to write my “about me” 🙂 I’m sad to hear about Catie’s diagnosis, but so very glad that they found it and that you are going to fight this thing! Although I was only diagnosed 7 months ago, it has been almost 15 months since I first started limping (my doctors couldn’t find anything wrong with me for 8 whole months before my tumor grew!!). Today I am perky, positive, healthy (or so it seems…), and ready for snuggles at a moment’s notice…my mom and I wish the same for Catie 🙂 We’ll be thinking about you on Wednesday!!!
<3 Captain Jack (ahoy there, matey!!!)
Thank you so much!
Carmen, Rick, Catie and Riley
We appreciate the well wishes! Thank you!
Carmen, Rick, Catie and Riley
Good luck with your surgery Catie. We send lots of love your way and hope you have a speedy recovery.
P.S. Your Mom / Dad write really beautifully. We can’t wait to follow your Tripawd adventures!
Hello Catie,
I, too, am sorry for your diagnosis but glad your parents are helping you with doing amputation… Stay strong!
Maggie