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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Register your free account to join the Tripawds Support Circle. Connecting with members and getting the support you need is now easier than ever with the Circle app!
Easy Photo Upload
Private Messaging
Subscribe to Topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Forums Locked: Search archives for answers & join Tripawds Support Circle to keep discussion going!
Log In
Members
Offline
oh the pain in your post had me in tears - especially the bits about your girls, we have two boys around the same age but it sounds like they are handleing it really well. It does get better with time it just takes ALOT of time, hang in there. You really did give her the best gift you could and she will be forever grateful to you for that.
Fly free Ava fly free
Big hugs
Sarah
I just wanted to thank everyone for their words of support. I am lucky to have a great group of people surrounding me that understands the loss of a pet. To everyone that knew her personally she wasn't "just a dog". She was a huge personality, full of love, individuality, compassion and silliness that only she possessed. She was a best friend to my girls, a babysitter, a pacifier, a couch. She never once complained when the baby screamed too loud, used her as a walker, or a step stool. She kept a watchful eye out for the whole family. She was a constant source of enjoyment for me and always knew when I just needed her to "be there" for me. She changed so many people's perception of her breed and dogs in general with her loving, goofy attitude towards everyone she met. It just hurts so bad that she was only on this earth for 5, almost 6 years. She could have done so much more I always think. She was one of those dogs that you could take anywhere, do anything with and not worry. I quite honestly, would have been more comfortable leaving her as the babysitter most times than leaving my girls with the human variety. 
Even in her last days she would come with me to the girls' school and say hello to all the children marveling over her missing leg. She was always a crowd pleaser
She handed out kisses to all of them regardless of how she felt physically because she knew that was her "job". To make people happy.
Oh, sweet girl, I guess the saying is true "only the good die young". It's just not fair...
I know it will be a long time before the pain lessens, but I can find comfort in knowing that I wasn't the only one who loved her dearly.
Goodbye baby girl, you will be missed, but not forgotten. Ever
I'm so sorry that you had to say goodbye to Ava.
Although you can't see her now, she lives on in your heart and so will always be by your side.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
We are so sad to hear this, and send our love and condolences to you and your family. You made the most compassionate decision, and the hardest, but you did right by your girl. Like your son says, she has all four legs now and is having a ball somewhere with our Tripawd angels.
As you can see, you're not alone, and we stand by you during this sad time. Everyone here knows firsthand the magic that dogs bring into people's lives, and that they are so much more than a "pet" or "just a dog." What a gift to be so enlightened! To have been blessed with a dog like Ava is a once in a lifetime opportunity to grow, learn and share what you know with others. As you cope with your grief, try to find comfort in knowing that Ava's brief struggle was not in vain, her life's lessons will go on forever as you and your family live by her example: Make the most of every day no matter what kind of adversity you face, and always do your best to live in the Now.
Please know we are thinking of you, and are very, very sorry.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am sorry about your loss. Ava was a beautiful baby, and I can almost picture her huge head going in for sweet kisses. How she must have made you smile!
It is hard to describe the grief we feel after losing our beloved furbabies. We spend so much time with them and they are such an integral part of our lives that their absence is felt with every fiber of our being. It really does get easier, but nothing will convince me that I will ever stop missing my Sammy, who died Dec. 5.
When you described Ava as your once-in-a-lifetime dog, it made me cry. One day, as our vet was examining Sammy (pre-cancer) and Sammy was staring at me, she commented on how strong our bond was. She called him my "once-in-a -lifetime dog."
While I hold that memory dear, it also makes me a little sad. I hope she is not right because I want to believe I can feel that way again with another dog. Sammy lit my days with fun and laughter, and loved me as much as I loved him. His intelligence astounded me and his sweetness humbled me.
Now, as I process the information that our new puppy was born yesterday, I think about the future. I know I will love "Wrigley." I also know that he will never replace Sammy — and perhaps he doesn't need to. If we can love more than one child with all of our hearts, I suspect the same is true of our furbabies.
While you will never forget Ava, I hope time fills the hole in your heart with happy memories and future joys.
— Beth and Spirit Smilin' Sammy
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
2 Guest(s)
