We’ve always assumed we’ll live longer than our pets. It’s just the natural order of things. But we also hope with all our hearts that they’ll live out their full canine lives happy and painless.

And when you least expect it, someone drops the C-bomb. Our Leonberger Phoebe has been diagnosed with canine osteosarcoma in her left metatarsus.

There are only two options: amputation or pain management.

We’ve been told that with pain management, she’ll be with us no longer than 3-4 months. That’s a tough pill to swallow given that she’s otherwise healthy and happy in every way. With an amputation and a little luck… okay, maybe a lot of luck… we could have her as long as 18 months — IF the cancer doesn’t come back somewhere else.

They say that God doesn’t give us more than we can handle. At this point, I have to have faith that they’re right and that we’ll make the right decision.