Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat. Explore 17+ years of forum archives for stories and answers to questions about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery. Enjoy fresh discussion and connect with members in the new Tripawds Support Circle.
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7:07 pm
11 November 2008
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I wasn't sure where to post this, so I am guessing this is the right place. After nearly two years of not working (I used to be in real estate... enough said), I spent the last few years going back to school to get into a more stable career. Since everything pointed to health care as the "safe" place to be, I pursued a degree in Health Information Technology, which is the degree one gets to become a Medical Coder. I graduated this past June, yet all summer I applied to job after job after job, but didn't get a call for a single interview. No bites whatsoever.
Back when I was in school, I started to learn about Cancer Registry, and became fascinated with it, particularly because of the journey I traveled with my Tripawd, Queen Nova, and her (stupid) Osteosarcoma. A Cancer Registrar must have a very in-depth knowledge of anything and everything related to cancer. Even though I hate cancer with a passion, I want to learn everything I can about it, its causes and treatments. I wanted more than anything to find a job where I could learn more about what my sweet Nova was up against.
In September, a job opportunity came up at the University of Michigan Medical Center, pretty much the most prestigious hospital in the State of Michigan, and pretty much the "ultimate" place to work in my area when it comes to benefits, pay, etc. It was a long shot, but I tossed aside my "usual" cover letter and wrote an impassioned one, talking about my journey with Nova and how it led me to abandon real estate and helped drive me into healthcare as a career path. It was a big risk to send what I did, because I knew if the person who read the letter was one of those "a dog is just a dog" type of people, they would have tossed it in the trash and declared me a freak. Either it was going to inspire someone to call me, or inspire someone to think I was a total whack job.
Yet, after several months of constant job hunting, that one single letter generated my one and only interview. And now, a month later, after being up against dozens of other potential candidates for this coveted position, it has resulted in a wonderful job offer. I am proud to say that I am finally employed, and my new career path was TOTALLY inspired by the one and only Queen Nova, my sweet, cancer-butt-kickin hunka burnin' love Great Dane. This November she will reach her 3 YEAR ampuversary. Just thinking of it brings me to (very happy) tears.
Thank you, Big Girl, for being my inspiration and my good luck charm. All Hail the Queen!
The "Queen Mum", Dane Mom Sue
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
7:21 pm
29 October 2010
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What a pawesome story! Congratulations!!
Hope you love the new job!
All the best,
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
8:53 pm
12 March 2010
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Hail to the Queen indeed. And you too, for following your heart!
Go forth and make a difference.
Congrats!
Rhonda and Lincoln
Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall – Confucius
http://credocan.....pawds.com/
8:58 pm
12 January 2010
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Sue - congratulations! Great, simply great story!
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
9:16 pm
24 January 2009
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Sue--
A totally wonderful and inspiring story! Congratulations for landing the coveted job, and to Nova for the inspiration.
Cemil (also still kickin' cancer's butt!) sends his love...me too!
Mary
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
9:43 pm
That is an awesome story Sue! Congratulations on the new job.
Maybe that's why none of those other jobs came through- this is the one meant for you!
All Hail the Queen indeed!
Be careful about touting Nova as a good luck charm though. Everyone will want to rub her head for good luck- she could go bald 
.
Karen and the pugapalooza
10:49 pm
29 November 2008
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Amazing story!! You will have to bring the Queen to your new job one day, to show everyone your "good luck charm"!!! Congratulations!!!
11:28 pm
14 August 2009
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That's terrific! Congrats!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
4:42 am
28 November 2008
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That is pretty much the best story I've read in a very long time. Nova just keeps bringing the good things to your life. How very lucky you are to have her guide you. Congratulations on your new career. You will ROCK!
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
7:00 am
25 August 2010
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Sue,
It brought me the best of goosebumps to read your story! That is simply the job meant for you. Queen Nova being on this journey was meant to be your girl, and your part of this road, I have no doubt, is your love, your support for each other and it has brought the best for you.
Queen Nova does Rock!! Great things are happening, congrats and I am sure you are going to rock too 
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Way to go. I am one who thinks everythiing happens for as reason, so, when looking back at all the frustration of no calls for intervies, you wouldn't have been available for this opportunity, congratulations. I've been around long enough to know the people most happy with their life are those doing something they have a passion for, and sounds like you might have fallen into a perfect fit. Big Paws up to the Queen and yourself, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
7:42 am
12 February 2010
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good karma, indeed!! all hail the queen.
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
The Queen, Sue, and all the family,
Enjoyed the story completely and it was well worth the nearly half an hour that it takes me to get into Tripawds.Com these days. However, I do not understand why you are suprised that Nova's journey opened this door. This journey speaks to the extreme dedication all of you possess, the love you share, and how you are NOT willing to submitt to the raveges of Cancer. Yes, Nova's journey has pointed you in a much more rewarding carreer direction, but it is only natural that anyone hearing of your combined journey will see what this community has grown to love and respect over these three years together.
Long Live the Queen!!
Spirit Cherry's Dad
8:14 am
17 January 2011
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Congrats to you Sue!! I am so happy for you - we need more compassionate people in this world !!!!
8:15 am
23 August 2010
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Sue- you and Queen Nova are truly an inspiration! We are SO HAPPY for you!
Daisy earned her wings on Oct 22, 2011 at 14 years old
She is now the official greeter at the rainbow bridge
Everyone is guaranteed a welcome sniff and Dalmatian smile
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