If you’re like me, you’ve probably wondered how Coco is doing. We last heard from her back in October right after her right front leg was amputated. Just yesterday, I thought how I was missing her guest posts on Say Hello Spot – and within an hour, I opened my mail and found this update from Coco. I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I did. She’s one amazing dog. Read on…
Sorry I haven’t posted in a bit…I am trying to get into my new routine… I feel pretty good and will try to post weekly after vacation.
Last week, I went to school with Mom on Monday and Friday. For those of you who may not know, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the fall and had my right front leg amputated in early October. I have been going to work with Mom once a week since two weeks after my amputation, but last week, I went two days. I also visited the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke on Saturday.
I can walk on three legs, but Mom bought me a large wagon so she can pull me around when I have long distances to go. My wagon has been a hit at school with the students.
While at school, I spent lots of time in the behavior specialist’s room working with students with anxiety and depression, and keeping students calm while they completed work and received counseling. Lots of students stopped in just to see me and my wagon. The custodians and many teachers seemed pretty impressed with the idea of using a wagon to transport me.
Friday, Mom and I left school early so I could go for chemotherapy. At my appointment, Mom and I were told that I had a small tumor on my lung – it was not there before we started chemo, but it is what it is. Osteosarcoma is a very aggressive cancer, so finding a treatment that slows the progression of the disease is important. The doctor switched chemotherapy treatment, and we are hoping for the best. I feel fine, and I still enjoy working and making people happy.
On Saturday, when I went to the Soldiers’ Home, residents, staff, and family members loved my red wagon. Interestingly, many of them did not notice that I was missing a leg – they noticed that I was in a wagon and that I was wearing antlers and wagging my tail! That just reminds us that it is important to continue with the things that are important to us even when things change in our lives. Having three legs has been a dramatic change for me – I am ten years old and I had four legs my entire life. I cannot walk as far or as fast as I once could, but Mom has found a way to help me continue doing what I enjoy most – making people happy and providing comfort to them.
Visiting with all the people at the Soldiers’ Home made me very happy. Seeing how everyone responded to me despite my handicapping condition made Mom happy, too. And it reminded us both what Christmas is really all about.
Happy Holidays, Everyone! ~Coco