Zatoichi (Zato) is a sweet boy who is having his front leg amputated next week because of Osteosarcoma.  He had been limping off and on since May 2016, and we kept taking him to the vet.  He acted like it was his paw and he would get a little better and then worse again. Finally at the end of October, we got the crushing diagnosis :(.  They said he had about 2 weeks to live without amputation and chemo.  Devastated, we researched other therapies and decided on palliative radiation along with Zoledronate treatments.  We figured by the time the pain relief wore off (and he got really good pain relief and the use of his leg back), that the cancer would have spread and we would let him go.  But now his poor shoulder is ready to fracture and hurting again – and the cancer is not showing on x-rays, so we are not ready to say goodbye to this sweetheart!  As you can see, he always has a smile on his face.  We are looking forward to the next phase in Zato’s life and are grateful to have found such a warm and supportive community.

Tracy & Zatoichi