I’m Colby (named for the handsome australian guy on the 1st Survivor)

Colby is a 9 1/2 yr. old yellow lab.  He came to heal my broken heart from my previous heart dog, another yellow lab, Benny.  He is (was) a ferocious ball chaser (ball chasing days are on hold during healing) who loves the chuck-it, swimming, catching the flippy-flopper in mid-air (pre-arthritis days), hiking, his little (adopted) sister–Piper, and his Mom and Dad–Jill & Doug.  Five years ago, my husband–who never had a dog–came into my life, and they were immediate best friends–Colby was always a man’s dog.  He also has a very strong bond with my father (whom he knows as Pop), since we lived with my parents while building a house when he was about 8 months until he was 3 yrs. 8 months.  Colby developed arthritis in the last several years and was on Deramaxx and Tramadol, as well as glucosamine supplements.  About two weeks ago, we took him in for a severe limp on his left front leg.  We had this leg xrayed the prior May due to a limp then.  But this time he was diagnosed with Bone Cancer, by x-ray alone.  We were heartbroken.  Amputation was mentioned and it wasn’t until we understood it was done largely to prevent pain, that we made the decision to do it–of course with the hope that it would also prolong his life.  We wanted to prevent what suffering we could, and hopefully prolong his life since we want our friend with us as long as possible.