Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Murphy crossed the rainbow bridge today. It was the hardest decision I have ever made. He was 11 months post amputation and seemed to do great. He had a check up on June 26th and it looked like we would make it to his ampuversary, no problem. But he was having digestive issues no they found it. Hemangiosarcoma on the spleen. And there were a lot of test and ultrasounds and CT scan... And waiting, so much waiting. I had always been concerned about his lungs. I never considered another type of aggressive cancer. He went peacefully, but it's hard to live with the decision. I wanted to spare him pain, and it's so new, but I keep second guessing myself.
Murphy, I miss you.
Murphy, became a tripawd on August 17, 2015. Went to the rainbow bridge on July 5, 2016.
So, so sorry you had to make that difficult decision. I adore Murphy's gorgeous face and smile and my heart breaks for your loss. But I am glad he and you had 11 more months together.
Sweet dreams, handsome Murphy. Dearly loved, deeply missed.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Oh, I'm so sorry! Of course I have a special place in my heart for all of the other Murphy's out there 
11 months is like, what, 5 years for a dog, so that's a long time to him. I know he was truly loved and will be missed.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Ohhh Murphy, dear sweet Murphy. You melted My heart from day one!
This was not a post I was expecting. Then again that's what this piece of crap disease does, it does bad things when you least expect it.
My heart is breaking for you, and with you. As soon as I saw the title to the thread my heat sank. I must now we t back and looked at your pictures you have the link to at the bottom of your posts. I wanted to visit with him awhile before posted.
I'm glad I did. I was able to smile through the tears. I smiled because each ohoto showed a very happy Murphy living in the moment and enjoying being dog...being YOUR dog...being loved and spoiled by you! The look on hks face in the photo where he had gotten some trash...yeah, a little "ashamed" AND proud of himself too! And looking sooo stylish in his red harness...such a fashionista! The two close-up of Murphy...yeah, melting my heart all over agai
For what it's worth, seco d guessing is what you'll do for awhile, but you'll get further a d further away from that waste of energy. With this stupid piece of crap disease, when we knkw we've gone as far as we can a d thi gs can only start goi g dow hill, we owe it to our dogs to not let them suffer IF we have any co trol over that. We vow in the beginning of this journey that we won't let them suffer. Then, as we get closer to keeping that vow, it gets harder and harder. But your love for Murphy was strong enough that you were able to give him the gift of release from an earthly body that was beginning to fail him. Murphy knew he could count on you.
The sad ess you are feeling right now is suffocating. It is taking you to your knees. You don't know how you'll get from one moment to the next. But you will. It will hurt like hell, but you will.
The intensity of this journey is like no other. The care, the devotion, the 24/7 focus...And now the void...And now the loss of routine...it's gonna hurt so badly for so long.
One thi g each of us who jave endured this part of the journey...The grief WILL lessen. It will never go away, but it will.lessen a d the happy times you and Murphy shared will come to the forefront more and more. And all of us can tell you that Murphy will make his presence known...he will! Look for signs!
Murphy will ALWAYS be with you. You can never lose what has never really left you.
Murphy jad a lpt.of hurdles duri g his recovery and he sailed through each hurdle. He NEVER let anything interfere with gettin' on with living life to the fullest! That sweet Murphy made every second count!
He will furever be an inspiration to anyo e starting this journey, especially anyone with a challenging recovery who has their pelvis as well as leg removed!
Stay connected, okay? We understand like no others can. We are here for you and with you.
MURPHY IS A TRIPAWD HERO! A d he's close enough to a one year ampuversary for us all to say HAPPY ONE YEAR AMPUVERSARY MURPHY!!! We celebrate you! We honor you! We will never forget you!!
Surrounding you with our love and Murphy's smile and eternal grace
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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!
My heart and condolences go out to you, I'm so very, very sorry to read this. That sweet, adorable boy of yours was such a fighter and had so much spunk. I know you'll miss him soooo much.
It's never easy and it takes so long for your head and heart to connect and realize you did right by him. He never suffered and he left this earth knowing he was surrounded by love. No dog could ever ask for more. What a lucky boy to find you when he did.
The video you shared of him back from 2012, when he was looking for his furever, home really made me smile. I hope that watching it can ease your pain just a little.
Never forget, his sweet soul will always be part of your life.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for shari g that video again Jerry. It just confirms the whole time Murphy was waiti gto for the perfect home...And he found it! A very well loved boy!
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!
I'm so sorry for your loss of handsome Murphy! You guys started your journey just a short time before we did and I always looked to your posts to see what to expect for Max. Murphy was such an inspiration for us. Please don't second guess yourself. We too worried about spread to the lungs when in fact it was spreading to his spine. Cancer is evil. It does what it wants. You gave your boy the gift of release when it was the right time for him. We can do no more than loving them enough to let them go. It was your last and your greatest gift you could give him. Fly free Prince Murphy! All the mighty Warriors who went before you were there to greet you where you now run healthy and whole once again.
XXXOOO
Linda & Spirit Mighty Max
Oh my heart breaks for you ... stupid cancer. I hate that disease and I really, really hate hemangiosarcoma... it took my sweet girl too and it is simply so unfair! Thank you for sharing the video, Rene.
Murphy was SO lucky to have such a great life with you!!! He did so well and I will always love his ears! His ears were simply the best and along with the rest of him.
He will always be with you and always a warrior here ... his story will live on forever!
Hugs and love and peace in your time of intense pain and sadness...
alison with spirit shelby 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
Thank you for all for your kind words. You have no idea how much it helps to hear from all you, who have been through this. ❤️
Murphy, became a tripawd on August 17, 2015. Went to the rainbow bridge on July 5, 2016.
My heart just breaks for the loss of your sweet Murphy.
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
I am so very sorry. Murphy was a special dog and I have cried about this since I saw it posted on the PAWS site. See, I know what a wonderful soul this dog was because I spent many nights with him as PAWS was the shelter where we volunteered after Zeus passed from OSA. Three to four nights a week for two years we spent walking dogs, one of them being Murphy. We loved him so very much and seriously considered adopting him, but it was just too soon after losing Zeus. I was so excited when you adopted him! If I may, I would like to share a Memory that I hope will bring a smile to you in this sad time.
Murphy had this special way about him - kind of like an Old Soul, but he also had a very silly side. If you scratched just the right spot on his back just in front of his tail, he would get really still. Then he would start this little dance. His back side would start to bounce up and down, his back foot would start to tap. Harder and harder. Then the other back foot would start tapping. He would alternate back legs, the whole time with his hind end twerking. Eventually, Greg added a song that we would sing as Murphy danced. And Murphy was so happy for that moment, and so were we. He helped to heal our hearts and we were honored to know him.
I wish you peace and strength during this difficult time.
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
zeuspod said
Murphy had this special way about him - kind of like an Old Soul, but he also had a very silly side. If you scratched just the right spot on his back just in front of his tail, he would get really still. Then he would start this little dance. His back side would start to bounce up and down, his back foot would start to tap. Harder and harder. Then the other back foot would start tapping. He would alternate back legs, the whole time with his hind end twerking. Eventually, Greg added a song that we would sing as Murphy danced. And Murphy was so happy for that moment, and so were we. He helped to heal our hearts and we were honored to know him.
I know that dance very well! When Murphy was first diagnosed with osteo, and when I had decided on amputation, it made me so sad to think I'd never see his wiggly dance again. But of course, after he healed and was feeling better, his dance came back but instead of a wiggle it was an up and down bounce, like dribbling a basketball! I'm so very glad you got to know him at PAWS, he loved people so much and I know it is because of volunteers like you and Greg.
Thank you for sharing your memories of Murphy, it's been hard without him, and while I wish I more time with him, I'm thankful for every moment I spent with him.
Murphy, became a tripawd on August 17, 2015. Went to the rainbow bridge on July 5, 2016.
Oh Lisa, I just saw this beautiful remembrance of Murphy. Talk about a dog who had a lasting impact on lives...WOW!
Add to his repertoire of living a life of meaning...healing hearts
I'm so glad you were there for him, and he for you. What a beautiful contribution you and Greg were .aking to these special Souls at the Shelter. Zeus is sooo proid!
I have a feeling Zeus was right at the forefront greeting Murphy when he headed to the Bridge! And I bet all the Angels are giving him the best butt scratch ever! In fact, I bet the whole Bridge was doing the MURPHY TWERKING DANCE!
Sending love to all
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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!
Oh gosh! I'm sooooo glad you saw this!
We all know your heart is still shattered. Staying connected with those who TRULY understand can help give you strength to get from in moment to the next.
Keep sharing these memories. Thi is what .urphy wants you to remember! He loves it when you smile thinke about all his antics!
Lots and lots of love
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!
I am so sorry to hear about Murphy. He sounded like a wonderful boy. It will take time to heal and watch for Murphy's wonderful signs.
Run Free Murphy
xoxoxox
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
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