Nope… they are incredible in their final glory aren't they. Thanks Jerry for showing us  that its better to hop on three than limp on four. Couldn't have done it without you!

I like this idea of a tribute wall to our fallen heroes.

Wrigley – March 28, 2009

With great sadness, I had to put Java to sleep early Thursday morning.  She was such a trooper, at over 13 years old my precious Rottie endured the front leg amputation and bad back legs and fought osteosarcoma to the end.  This site gave me such great support as I found it when I  first bought her home from her amputation and I thought she was never going to be the same.  This site gave me such comfort when i read that others went through the same ordeal after their pet's amputation.  She bounced back well from the amputation and lived another 5 months.  The decision to put her down still haunts me.  The cancer had spread to her lungs and we had exhausted every chemo alternative, we were at the point of trying CCNU, an experimental chemo option.  She was getting progressively weak over the last 2 weeks but hanging in there.  On Wednesday at about 10 pm she had very labored breathing. I thought she was going to die at home in bed.  I rushed her to the emergency room to have her put down to put her out of her pain.  The emergency vet confirmed with her low red blood cell count, pale gums and lung tumors, she just wasn't getting enough oxygen and his opinion is that she would need to have 24 hours of oxygen and he beleived that she should be put down. I made this heartwrenching decision and then they bought her in the room so I could be with her during the procedure. When they bought her in she looked great because the whole time that I was talking with the vet and while the vet examined her in the back, she was in a pure oxygen cage.  He again assured me that without constant oxygen she would be in bad shape.  I went ahead with the euthanasia but in my mind I can't remember how weak she was the last few days and how she couldn't breathe on Wednesday night, only I remember her after the oxygen cage and looking better – so of course I keep questioning maybe with her prednisone she could have been comfortable for a few more days and then I would have had a few more precious days with her to day goodbye. Again, at my worst time, this site gave me comfort as on the site I read the following quote which made me feel better "Better to say goodbye a two days too early than two weeks too late".   I miss her terribly. 

Thank you. Best of luck with your dog. I took Java to accupuncture and chiropractic care once a week and that really helped. She was diagnosed back in December, 2008, probably had cancer for a few months before that as it took a bit to discover why the prednisone wasn’t helping her limping, we did not amputate until she fractured her leg in April, 2009, because we initially did not think she would handle the amputation well. I adopted her at 2 1/2 as a rescue dog and she was my constant companion for 10 years. I will just say my house and heart are very empty today. I wish I had just a few more days with her but I feared if she had another breathing episode she would die alone at a timie between when I was at work and when her pet sitter stopped by for her twice daily visit. Take care and thank you for sending your best wishes.

One year ago tomorrow, Oct 2nd, our sweet Abbey stepped into eternity. I still miss her so much although Layla is now almost a year and we love her so much.  (They are their own beings and I'll always miss Abbey).  I was so shocked last year when I learned that Jerry was released the very next day than Abbey on Oct 3rd. I will always feel a special connection to Rene and Jim and all of you guys here at tripawds. Nobody really can understand like others who have been through the same. So THANK YOU ALL and press on. Life goes on but the heart will always remember and the tears still flow.

love, joy, peace~

diane riley