Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I hope no one is offended by my posting this .... My mom and I aren't particularly religious but she has heard me say a million times since April that I can't wait until I can go to heaven to be with Shelby again and sent me this article last night that offered me a lot of peace and comfort.
It helps me heal to think that Shelby is in heaven (or some other special spiritual place) and that she is guiding me and her spirit is with me all the time and that we will be reunited again when the time is right.
And last night I had to laugh as Jasper was playing with her tennis ball (naked since she pulled all the fluff off) when out of the blue, she started whining and crying at it. Almost as if she was scared of it. I checked the ball and there was nothing sharp on it but she wouldn't stop crying at the ball on her bed so I moved the bed - nothing there. I looked for a mouse or a bug or something then it hit me ... Shelby Lynne.... I said outloud - you kids need to play nice and share those toys! 
The whining eventually did stop but I am convinced Spirit Shelby was visiting and tormenting her little sister. It is unconventional and probably a bit crazy but having my two "kids" in the house last night brought me a bit of holiday joy!
Hugs!
Alison with the Spirit of Shelby fur-ever in her heart (and little Jasper too)
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Alison,
At least for myself I was not offended by this article. I heard it mentioned on the Today Show this morning but I didn't get a chance to see it.
Actually I find it quite comforting knowing that Leland and Lucky are waiting for me and my husband and will be there to greet us when it's our time to leave this earth. I found it amusing how people are debating what the Pope said and whether animals have souls. I believe they must have a soul because they feel emotion. They can feel sadness, happiness, and recently I thought it was learned that they feel jealousy. They're a living creature and not some inanimate object but hey I'm not a theology student.
Oh and sweet Jasper....I think it's cute that she and Shelby are having issues not sharing the ball. That would have made a fun video to watch...
Hugs
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Yeah...if "heaven has no dogs", that's not heaven to me...that's hell!!
LOVE how Shelby and Jasper pkayed last night! And love that your figured out what was going on!! Makes PERFECT sense tl me!!
You've got to video this type of stuff and start chronicling how often it happens, etc. I love that Jasper "sees things"Love you!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
And as far as the man who kills pigs and justifies it as "dominion over" does not mean you can torture,, slaughter, treat animals brutally etc. Pretty much every human being over the age of tw understands the interpretation to be "stewradhip of"..."caring for".....living in harmony with"....Okay, putting the soap box back in the closet!!!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Thank you all so much for understanding and 'getting' it! There are days (like yesterday) that knowing that I will see shelby again is the ONLY bright spot in my day and the only thing that keeps me going. Rough day (wrong forum but I'm just feeling the holiday blues and doing my best to make it the BEST holiday for Jasper).
I'll try and video Jasper's low-growl at 'air' in the future. I had some construction workers in my apt yesterday and she sat w/the low growl for an hour ... My landlord met her for the first time and was like, she has such a sweet face and I was thinking, OK, if you think resting bitch face is sweet! She doesn't appear to want to nip she just likes to growl and let the world know she's uneasy...
Here's to a better day! Maybe I'll find Jasper her own Xmas ornament (not that I even have a tree)... Shelby had one from her first Xmas from my mom.
Hugs!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Thanks for posting this Alison, I had read about this on fb, and as a person fairly filled with faith, I was happy to read this. But, I do have to say, I have ALWAYS been a firm believer in our beloved pets going to heaven.......how could they not?? They may or may not have the same souls as we humans have souls, but they surely have something a lot of people do not, and that is pure hearts, with no malice or imperfection......Even so-called "mean" pets, most likely became that way due to human evilness, or disease, which is no fault of their own. Just like babies, all pets are born with pure hearts. I love Sahana's thoughtful post on this subject, I think a lot along the lines of what she said.
And Alison, I know the blues this Christmas got you by the heart, I am feeling it quite a bit as well, but try not to give in to the melancholy too much.....go out and get a little table-top tree, and put Shelby's ornament on it, and then find the perfect ornament for Jasper and put that on, then put a little star on top. It will be your fur-love Christmas tree. I have Polly, Maggie, and Duchess ornaments, stockings, and mementos everywhere in my Christmas decorations, and still hang their stockings on my fireplace mantel......they are always with me as I know, Shelby is always there with you and Jasper.
Much Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Alison,
Your posts are so inspiring to me. Going through the cancer battle right now with my dog, Eddy, I have loved reading your posts. In the works before Eddy was diagnosed, we had signed on to get a new puppy, a Golden Retriever named Millie. Eddy was diagnosed on 7-23 with OSA and Millie came home to our family 8-27. I love Millie with a lot, but I have come to the conclusion that Eddy truly is my "heart" dog. I know in the depth of my heart, I will never have another connection with a dog like I do with Eddy. So, in other words, Eddy is my Shelby. As he continues to decline, I look at Millie and wonder if I will ever truly love her in the same way. I told my husband the other day that it is lucky Millie is already here, because I don't think I would be able to get another dog after all I have been through these past 5 months. So, thank you for sharing your stories....I appreciate them! And, I DO believe all dogs go to Heaven! How can they not?
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
Thank you everyone ... Bonnie! I did get a little tree (I haven't done a tree in years but in an effort to make it Jasper's first and most special holiday ever - I did. I couldn't find one of those kiosks in the mall that does the personalized ornaments but I got a blank one for her name. You can't see but it's next to Shelby's ornaments. And boy oh boy is Jasper spoiled like Shelby was ... ton of toys for her already!
And bjilkgolden - my heart goes out to you! I saw your other posts.... Shelby had mets too (she had a different cancer as I am sure you have seen) but the mets were manageable. Many dogs live for months with mets. Cancer is really evil. I never knew what a 'heart' dog was before this site. I've always referred to Shelby as my 'soul mate' but it really does make sense now. I do love little Jasper and it's been a rough journey for us (mostly me) but she's carved a little spot in my heart. I know Millie will be a great support for you when your dear Eddy goes over the bridge. And know that Shelby will be the best welcome wagon ever! Hugs and love!!!
And for some "jasper photos" ... modeling her new collar and w/the "tree".... it's the best I could do. And she tried to eat it when I first brought it home!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Jasper is SO cute, Alison! I love her antlers! What a hoot! And, your precious tree is beautiful!!!! I am glad you got one and put your ornaments on it! I SO understand the "eating the tree" comment! Millie eats EVERYTHING! I had a really nice runner rug from Pottery Barn that she devoured in our back entry...I replaced it with a cheap rug from Target, and she ate that, too. We have tons of bones, chew toys, bully sticks, you name it, but she prefers to eat my rugs. So, now she is sitting on cold tile! No more rugs for Millie!
I hope you and Jasper have a great holiday, I can see her getting more and more into your heart with each post!:) Thank you so much for your kind words. God Bless!
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
I love the Jasper pictures!! She's definitely modeling her new Christmas collar and thinking "yeah I know I'm a cutie!"
And the Christmas tree pic...just adorable. She looks so entranced by it...she's probably never seen anything like it until you! I forgo the Christmas tree and garlands this year in an effort to save my sanity with Lucian. I put up a large tree with LOTS of ornaments (most of sentimental value) along with tinsel, ice sickles, and blinking lights. I have no doubt he would have thought the tree was a big toy with all the shiny decorations and destroyed it. So in an effort to not lose my mind or Lucian's life...we will hold off on doing a tree till he's older. Next year he'll be a year and a half so I'm hopeful for next Christmas.
Hugs
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
I was lamenting at work yesterday that I couldn't find a kiosk with personalized Christmas ornaments and look what a co-worker had done for me?
So sweet!!!! Jasper's first TREE and her FIRST Ornament for her FIRST holiday w/her forever home. I know she's a dog and Christmas will be "just another day" for her but I so wish she could understand and know how special she is and that her holidays here on out will always be filled with love and joy.... unlike wherever she spent last Christmas which I suspect was either on the street or in a random home.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Oh that is adorable! This is another example of how you build that bond with a new pup, one howliday at a time. Enjoy!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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