Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi guys,
Jaime's mom here. I'm in a little bit of a whirlwind right now - I feel like too many big things are happening at once. Jaime's surgery has been scheduled for the 15th and is unmovable and I just found out my parents are going on vacation for a week and leaving the 90lb greyhound at my apartment. While he has been living with them for over 6 years, he was originally my dog so I am obligated to take him. I live in a 300 square foot apartment with Jaime - so I don't even know how I'm going to fit him in there. And being a devious little puppy, its going to be a week of constant vigilance to make sure that Jaime doesn't push old man Peace too far because at 90lbs it would only take one snap for Peace to seriously hurt Jaime. Luckily, they are getting home the day of the 15th so hopefully he shouldn't be there when I pick Jaime up from the vets.
Also....I was just offered an amazing new job. While I am very excited about this, they need me start on the 22nd, so I need to give in my two weeks notice at my current job TODAY. That means that I will probably not be able take off the few days I was going to during Jaime's recovery because I'll be in the middle of that 2 weeks and I don't get PTO. Maybe my boss will be understanding and still let me take a few days, but I don't even know if I'd feel right doing that to them.
I just have no idea how to handle the next few weeks. Can a puppy even be left alone 8 hours a day after an amputation? I usually stop home at lunch but I don't know if that'll be enough. I may be able to get my mom to take a day or two off to pet sit, but its unlikely and I really want to be there for him myself. The amputation is scary enough without having all of this going on at the same time. Sorry for the rant, needed to get that out.
Those eyes!!! He's so handsome! I don't have much advice, but I can give you some. Is your vet close enough that you could maybe day board him in the hospital if you have to work right after his amputation? I had to do this with Domino for several days after surgery and with Jaime being a puppy and a bit more hyper and likely to chew, that would at least ensure a pair of eyes on him all day while you're not there, and most vet clinics don't charge much for it. That way you won't be too stressed or worried not being with him. As far as him being with your parents greyhound, I'd just make sure you keep a good eye on everyone. If Jaime gets too rough or annoying put him in puppy time out lol. So glad to see the little guy is doing so well. Keep us updated!
Cassie and Domino
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Domino had his left front leg amputate on May 13th 2014 after being hit by a car. He's now living a happy healthy life on three legs :)
Ok first b r e a t h e !!! Life is so crazy when things hit us all at once. Yikes! But you CAN do this. I agree that day boarding is your best bet, especially for a puppy who is likely to overdo things and just get into mischief in general while you're gone. Chances are he won't hurt himself but why risk it?
Love love love the pics!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the advice! I'm going to look into boarding! Also, I talked to my last night and we're thinking about boarding the greyhound. I just don't think it's a good idea for a puppy and a 9 year old dog to have to share such a small space. I may at least take him for a couple days to see if it works out, but I'm gonna keep boarding in mind!
I don't even know where to post this. Apparently, my misgivings were right. I had Peace for about 5 hours before I got distracted trying to wrangle Jaime and Peace got out. I called the cops and reported a missing dog and drove around for 20 or 30 minutes looking for him, asking everyone I saw if they'd seen a dog. Nobody had seen a thing. I got a call from the cops that they found him and he'd been hit by a car. He was already gone by the time I got there. I've never felt so guilty in my life. Taking care of his body is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I'm a 22 year old girl with no experience with this kind of thing and my parents were out of town, so I just did the best I could. Everyone keeps telling me it wasn't my fault, but honestly...it was. I'm the one who was supposed to be taking care of him and it was on my watch that he got loose. People can say it's not my fault all they want, but its more a question of whether I can just accept that its my fault and move on I think.
I feel like I don't even deserve Jaime anymore. What if I hurt him too.
Not expecting this kind of post at all.
I'm so very, very sorry to hear about the passing of magnificent Peace. This is a tragedy...and yes, an accident but, for now, that does nothing to diminish your pain.
Peace (I love his name) was enjoying his freedom run and had no intention of letting anyone stop him from gettingnout! He saw his window of opportunity and took it! I bet he is quite the strong-willed character!!
This accident has NOTHING to do with the fact that Jamie belongs with you. Jamie needs yoo now more than ever...and you need Jamie now more than ever. And Peace wants more than anything to see you happy. It would hurt him so to think you were filling al l your thoughts with guilt. Peace wants you to fill your thoughts with the wonderful happy memories the two of you shared.
When you can, I do hope you will share pictures of Peace and tell us more about his journey with you and your parents. For some reason, I'm thinking he was quite a clown, always making you laugh.
We are all here for you, okay? We cry with you today over this tragedy. Remember, Jamie needs you now more than ever.
Surrounding you with Peace's eternal grace.....
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
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 for your reply, it made me cry (in the kinda sorta good way). Tonight has just been such a whirlwind of emotions and adrenalin that now that I'm finally sitting down it's all coming out and I can't stop crying. I adopted Peace when I was 15 years old and he was 2 and a half. Adopting him helped me through a really tough time when my best friend passed away. I went to college when he was 4 and he stayed with my parents. Even though he loved my parents I always felt bad for leaving him because I was his favorite. He would sleep in the living room when I was home and wait for me to come downstairs in the morning. He'd get so excited when I would come home and start running in circles. I lived with him for a year again after graduation. I just feel like I never game him enough attention. He was a quiet, sleepy boy and sometime it was pretty easy to forget he was there. Except at dinner time at course, when he would start making these funny talking noises until you had mercy on him and put food in his bowl. Everyone always said he looked like a deer, being all brown and about the right height. In fact, the man who hit him reported it as a deer collision. He was just about to turn 9. I just can't help but feel like I failed him. It was so weird too, earlier today I had him outside playing with Jaime and I let go of his leash just to see what would happen and he just stayed right by my side until I told them it was time to go in. When he got out though, i was letting him and Jaime out after dinner. I was holding on to his collar so that I could put his leash on and he got out of my grip.
Ohhhhh I am so very, very sorry, I can't even imagine what you are going through right now. I'm really sorry. You must know this was not you fault at all, you did the best you could and you had all the love for Peace in your heart, there is no way he or anyone else would ever blame you for his passing. Please try to take heart in knowing that he did not suffer, that there were good people who cared enough to report the accident and to let you know so you could give him a loving, caring farewell, as terribly difficult as that was. He knows you did your best for him all his life and his spirit will always be in your heart. I'm just so sorry for your loss. What a tough, tough thing to happen.
Lots and lots of love and hugs coming your way. Please, do share more stories about this special doggie. It will help your heart tremendously to celebrate all the love you had for him.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Reading more ab o ut Peace just warms mynheart. What a very, very special relationship you townjave. And I say HAVE because nothing can ever break the bond you two had.
I just want to address guilt a minute. Believe me, it runs rampart on this site. The specifics may be different, butnthat horrible waste of energy "guilt" is the same for all of us. One thing weve al k tried to master on this journey is to "accept" what happens...if for no other reason other than we can do NOTHING to change what happened. NOTHING.
Guilt is like a terminal illness...it tries to rob you of stayingnin n the moment...it tries to rob you of enjoying...in your case...all the wonderful memories you and Peace shared. As long as you put all your energies i nto "guilt", you block Peace from staying connected withnyiu...it interferes with all the happy times Peace wants you to remember.
NAD NO MATTER WHAT....KNOW AT A SOUL DEEP LEVEL...KNOW THIS...LEACE DOES NOT BLAME YOU!!!! If the roles were reversed and something happened to you...and Peace felt guilty about it...you would HATE that Peace felt guilty! Well, Peace knows he was just waiting for the right minute for his little freedom run!!! He knows he brought this on himself. And, because dogs do not fear "death" like humans....because dogs know their energy merely leaves their doggy body and takes on another form...because dogs know this....I'm thinking Peace crossed over to the other side of life wagging his tail thr whole way!
Maybe Peace decided he needed to trasition so he could be a Guardian Angel for you and Jamie!! After all, he can now run free unleashed and still watch over you at the same time,!
I KNOW yout heart is shattered right now and your sobs feel like they are suffocating you...and I also know that, bit by bit, Peace will pjsh the sadness away with one sacred happy memory at a time. Peace needs tonknow you wil l be okay and you will always remember him with a smile on your heart.
THANK YOU so much for taking the time to telling us more about Peace tonight. I know it took a lot of courage...but I also saw soooooo much love in your post...so much love! He didn't feel like you should have paid him anymore attention at all! He thoroughly enjoyed just lounging and not using much energy...until it was supper time!!! You did not fail him at all!!! You gave him the best life possible and showed him what love feltnlike!
Now you are going to carry on Peace's legacy of love by showing Jamie what it feels like to be loved!!! And that makes Peace's tail wag!
Sending you so much love tonight and a knowing that Peace is your forever soulmate who will never leave you...
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry y
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 so much for your kind replies. I'm really glad I found the support of this forum.
I am so sorry to hear this! My heart goes out to you. My youngest daughter is 23 and I was imagining her having to make those final arrangements. You are a strong young lady. Please don't feel guilty. It was an accident. I am not sure that many, if any of us here could keep a grip on a 90 lb pup that wanted to run. As far as you deserving Jamie, well ask him, I bet he will tell you that you are the perfect Mom for him. I wish I could give you a big hug! Peace would not want you to feel guilty. He is at the Rainbow bridge running like the wind. Like Sally said, our dogs don't fear death it is just hard for us human people left behind. Just please know it wasn't your fault. Hugs from, Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Thank you guys for all the support. I'm feeling slightly better. I just keep thinking about how much I'm gonna miss my gentle boy. Peace was the first dog that was actually mine. He was so tolerant, would put up with Jaime and my parent's terrier pestering him all day long. He was the only dog I've ever had that actually LIKED being dressed up. I'm just so glad that I had Jaime to come home to. He's been very quiet and cuddly since I got back, so I think he knows that somethings happened.
I talked to the cops late last night to make sure their weren't any injuries resulting from the collision. They told me that the man who hit him was trying to get my information, presumably to sue me for any damages. However, they said he was a 'knucklehead', so they weren't very nice to him and refused to give him my information. Apparently, NC is also one of the only states that practices 'contributory negligence.' This means that a person can't receive renumeration if they are found even 1% at fault or if the accident was at all avoidable. The police seem to think that Peace was easily avoidable, so it's unlikely he would get anything even if he manages to track me down.The only 24/7 animal hospital within 25 miles of where I live is in a very southern/low income area, so they don't do cremation and I couldn't even get an imprint of his paw. I just wish I had taken his collar before they took him.
OMG ... this is just so sad to read. My heart goes out to you.... Like the others have said, this is not your fault. Peace is definitely over the bridge and now will be your most amazing guardian angel.
Sending you love and 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
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