Last Modified: April 3, 2025 by Sylvia Silverstone | This post may contain affiliate links for products we love and suggest. The views expressed in the article are solely the author’s opinions.
When Libby, a 5-year-old pit bull, arrived at The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, no one could ignore her sweet personality—or the massive tumor on her front leg. The tumor, which was roughly the size of a volleyball, was the largest the shelter staff had ever seen.

The team fell in love with Libby almost immediately despite her condition. A spokesperson from the shelter recalled, “When we laid eyes on Libby, the first thing we noticed was her sweet face and kind eyes. The second thing we noticed was the volleyball-size mass on her shoulder.”
An examination confirmed their worst fears. “There was a massive tumor in the bone of her upper right leg, causing reactive inflammation that swelled her leg to the size of a volleyball and made her almost immobile with pain,” the shelter reported.
Libby was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer.
The only way to save Libby’s life was to amputate her leg. This decision wasn’t taken lightly, but the shelter knew it was her best chance of survival.
With help from donors in the community, the shelter raised the necessary funds for Libby’s surgery. The expert medical team at Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners successfully removed the 10-pound mass and her right leg. Their efforts gave Libby a new shot at life.
“During recovery, her loving and kind spirit shone brightly,” the shelter noted. Despite losing her leg, Libby proved just how strong and resilient she was.
Also read: Pitbull Mom Can’t Hold Back Tears After Being Abandoned Without Her Puppies
A FOREVER HOME, FILLED WITH LOVE
As Libby recovered from her surgery, she made a lasting impression on one of the veterinary technicians who cared for her. The vet tech was so moved by Libby’s spirit that they decided to adopt her, even after learning that Libby’s cancer was aggressive and her time may be limited.