Introducing Mika the Wonder Dog

Here's our beautiful Mika, still with all four...for now, that is

If anyone had told me a decade ago that someday, I would give birth to twin girls AND been the owner of a three-legged dog, I would have told them they were full of you-know-what! I suppose strolling through the neighborhood with three girls under the age of three (I have a preschooler, too) and a 100 pound Doberman mix wasn’t enough of an attention getter!

In all honesty, I think hubs and I are still in a bit of shock since learning last Saturday that our darling first child is joining the tripawd club. We were scared, we cried, we felt guilty…and then, it all became so clear that this will be the absolutely right thing to do for Mika. She’s had a granuloma for years on her right cankle that has been bothering her. Lick. Swell. Cone-head. Repeat. So what started out as a not-so- unusual trip to the vet for her hot spot, ended up being a cancer diagnosis and recommendation of a full leg amputation. Damn!

But I’m good now. I had my day of tears and fretting and have moved on, knowing with all my heart that she’s going to be just fine. Most importantly, I’m looking forward to having my sweet pup pain-free and happy again.

Now I just need to figure out how I’m going to tell her…

~ Mari

12 thoughts on “Introducing Mika the Wonder Dog”

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  2. Hi Mari,

    I’m so sorry to hear about Mika’s diagnosis… Doing the amputation will definitely help to get rid of her pain… and hopefully, she will recovery quickly and get back to enjoying her life! She is so adorable!! I hope that you post more pictures of her… and I look forward to reading all about her progress!

    When is Mika’s surgery scheduled? You are all in my thoughts and prayers!!

    Angel Jake’s Mom

  3. Hi Mika,
    You are beautiful! When is her surgery scheduled? Keep us updated…

    If you would of told me 15 years ago, I’d own dogs over horses – I would of told anyone they were NUTS. Then that same dog that got me out of horses – is now 3 legged… If someone were to tell me I’d have to amputate my first dog’s leg at age 9 1/2…well, I never dreamed that would happen!

    What an education I’m getting…. 😉

    Tracy, Maggie’s Mom

  4. You will be amazed at how well Mika will take the news she is a tripawd! She might be a little confussed at first, but she will thank you once she is healed and running around like she never lost her leg! Tripawds are truly amazing! Good luck and keep us posted! When is her surgery???

    Mika you are a beautiful girl!!!

  5. Love the attitude! 🙂

    Thanks for joining. We’re sorry to hear about Mika, but glad you found us. She is indeed beautiful, and we look forward to following her three legged adventures.

  6. Hi Mari,
    She is a beautiful girl. I am one of the Bay Area crew. I saw your post in the forum about not being able to make the party Saturday. Well, take the directions with you just in case…
    You have found a great community here, lots of knowledge and support. You will probably be able to find the answer to just about any question in the forums.
    I am looking forward to meeting you and Mika and the family at some point.

    Karen and the pug girls

    Maggie’s blog is at:
    http://maggiesjourney.tripawds.com/

  7. Thanks for all your kind words, everyone! We have blood work coming back tomorrow, more x-rays on Wednesday and then the surgery is scheduled for next week Wednesday.

    Seems like so many people have taken their pup to specialists and oncologists, but we haven’t (and it’s making me second guess, just a little). However, we completely trust our vet and my hubby saw the x-rays showing that there’s no real “bone” left in her leg, just a big blob. Owie!

    More to follow…

    Thanks!
    Mari

  8. Mari-
    A huge part of this journey involves the vet you see. If you are comfortable and confident in your vet that is huge!!! You guys will be able to cope so much better with confidence in your vet, and therefore Mika will cope better because she will take her ques from you.
    We went to an concologist and surgeon because my vet didn’t feel like she could handle the surgery and treatment- I really appreciated her honesty. Both my girls still see her for almost everything.
    We are lucky in the Bay Area to have so many options to choose from.
    Karen and the pug girls

  9. We share similar stories. My Morgan had her hind left leg amputated on Jan 20th because of a primary bone tumor/osteosarcoma in her “cankle”. She is three weeks out and doing great!

    You can see the before and after pics on my blog, if you like – they aren’t graphic at all. I also have two small children that I had to consider and include which was difficult, but the kids and dog did better than me.

  10. Mika is beautiful! You’ll be amazed at how well these tripawds do. We’ll keep you in our hearts next Wed, Mika! And keep our fingers and paws crossed that your surgery and recovery are smooth sailing for you!
    Holly and Holly’s mom

  11. Thanks, for your replies!

    Karen, our vet is very confident and explained that she’s smart enough to know when a surgery needs to go to a specialist. 🙂

    Glad to hear, Cate, that Morgan is doing so well!

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