Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Cassie,
You are giving her the most selfless gift that you can give Bounder. I know it will be hard and my thoughts & prayers are with you & your pack. I know Bounder will be greeted by many and shown the wonderful spots to play and wait until you meet her again.
Love on her the next few days and hug her a lot
xoxoxo
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."
My heart aches for you, Cassie. I know how difficult this has to be for you.
If I may be so bold as to make a suggestion for Finn...let him see her afterward to say goodbye. Dogs have a really special way of dealing with death. We found that out several dogs ago when we brought one home to bury him. The younger dog just looked at him, sniffed and walked away. He knew. Before that time, the other dogs always looked and looked for the missing one and mourned. They couldn't figure out where their buddies had gone. When we lost Gus last year, Murphy kissed him once and walked away. When we got home, he went around the yard and peed on all of Gus' spots. He did not get depressed, but instead helped us through our own grief.
We will be holding you and Bounder in our hearts.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Thanks Everyone.
Kathi, I have considered taking Finn with me to the appointment on Saturday, but I just can't decide. He really isn't fond of vet clinics, and I'd rather be focusing all of my attention on Bounder instead of wrestling with him :/ I really want to take him, because I do think it would help. If I didn't live so far from the clinic I'd have them come to the house.
“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 :)
We are with you...we want ro physically with you and hug you and applaud yoj for.doing what's best for Bounder. Right now we are crying with you, all the while finding comfort in KNOWING no dog could jave been more loved, more adored and now we have the privilege of celebrating her home.
No sweet Cassie, waste.no time second guessing. Not now. Not in this case. There is no reason to (well, other than we are.human and that's the kind of stupid stuff we do). Bounder has been preparing you for this with these recent weeks. She's added more "issues" to her repertoire of "why old age sucks"! She's shown you more PROOF that she's ready to run free and fast and young towards the.Bridge.
Now, like never, ever before, live.in the present. And now, like never before, will it be really, really hard. YOU WILL BECAUSE YOU LOVE BOUNDER THAT MUCH!! Your love IS that strong! Your willingness and selflessness to give her this gift is just another testament to yiur deep bond...deep UNBREAKABLE bond!! She KNOWS you will help free herself from.jer earthly body that TRULY no longer serves her.
When I "set the appointment" for my Happy Hanna (only to jave the vet cancel and reschedule and then be several hours late for the next appointment), I LITERALLY had little notes all around the house...STAY IN THE MOMENT...Be More Dog ...WE ARE TOGETHER NOW....SAVOR EACH SECOND.....YOU CAN GRIEVE LATER...NOW IS THE TIME TO CELEBRATE HER....STAY IN THE MOMENT....DO NOT WASTE ONE SECOND WORRYING ABOUT THE NEXT SECOND....RIGHT UP UNTIL TRANSITION, VOW TO LET NOTHING INTERFERE WITH OUR TIME TOGETHER!!! Sorry, got a little carried away reliving it...but you get the point. I also ut a rubber band around my wrist. I snapped the heck.out of it if I found myself thinking about ANYTHING other than staying present with her in a happy, celebratory state!
And to still see a twinkle every now and then in Bounder's eyes...yeah...she's excited about heading to the Bridge fit and whole and young! At rhe Bridge, all the junk food she wants!! And you already know the Team.of Angels.and Chunky Spiritual Beings who will be there to greet her!! The pawty will last for days! She can hike again! And she doesn't have to play dress up...unless she.wants to!
Cassie, I...we...are surrounding you with so much love and strength and peace and hugs and then more of the same.....
So.much love
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
PS...Don't hesitate to use the Helplinee..it's staffed by all your friends...friends who have been "there"..
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!
Cassie, my heart is hurting for you. I have not dealt with Doggie Demantia either. Having a senior dog myself, I always wonder if I will have the strength if I need to decide. My dogs have left me pretty quickly. My childhood dog was 16, but my Dad made that decision. My next 2 were emergencies, no real time to think. Ty was just so sick. I regret not giving them that final week or even day of celebrating them. What a gift you are giving Bounder. What a life she has had! 16 wonderful years. 16 years of being loved, spoiled and cherished. That final unselfish gift will make her young and whole again. Thinking of you, Lori, Ty and Gang
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.
Enjoy this time with her. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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
Cassie, I'm so sorry. Please don't be mad at yourself for being so cautious about the appointment. Nobody can blame you, it's a difficult thing, and even more when the decision is for a dog who's been a major part of your life. So few of us have had that privilege, you're so fortunate.
You are a wonderful mom, giving her the best life right up until she gets her wings. Yes, it will be hard to say goodbye, no doubt, for all of you. But in time you'll look back and the gratitude that fills your heart when you think of her will outweigh the sadness. In time. For now, love love love that pup and remember that your bond can never ever be broken, it just changes form.
We are all thinking of your pack and sending you lots of love & hugs.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Cassie, I'll be keeping you and your pack close to my heart as the days come-and-go. I'll rejoice with you as you celebrate an extraordinary life and Bounder's transition to that higher plane. Please remember that time doesn't exist at the Bridge. You will both be there in each other's loving spirit.
xoxo
pam
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
Oh Cassie I'm so sorry you find yourself at this crossroads. In January we had to send our Tripawd Max to the bridge due to cancer spread, and then just 5 weeks ago I had to let my almost 17 year old love Ollie go as well. I hadn't even gotten over losing Max yet and here comes another life decision. My head knew it was time but it took longer for my heart to catch up to that knowledge. Once it was done there was a sense of relief that my boys were no longer in pain. I still find my heart catching up, for the grief of not having them still hurts so much, but the knowledge that I gave them that last gift of flying free and healthy at the bridge is helping me daily. As people say everyday here we're not doing it to them we're doing it for them. I held on to that during this hard time too. Because we truly are giving them this last gift for them. Our hearts certainly tell us it's for them not for us. Much love and many hugs at this hardest of times.
Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie
Linda,.that's a beautiful way to apply our "mantra" in the time of transition. We are doing this "for" them and not "to" them.
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 to everyone for your kind words, thoughts and prayers. It's been a rough week so far. Sally, I'm trying my best to be in the moment and not look ahead to whats to come. I can do it most days. We spent the day today making memories. I made several clay paw impressions of Bounder's cute little feet. She wasn't super thrilled with the process lol. I now have some amazing keepsakes that I can keep forever. Tomorrow I have several friends coming over to spend some time with her. We're also planning a super fun doggie ice cream pawty 
! I've made some peanut butter and banana doggie ice cream for them to enjoy. As hard as Saturday will be for me, I'm really enjoying these last few precious days with her. She's been allowed to do whatever she wants this week. Here are a few pictures from today. Bounder likes to hide in Domino's kennel when she thinks she's in trouble, aka any time the camera comes out 🙂
Cassie
“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 :)
Your love is sooooo strong Cassie! Your soul deep love you and Bpunder share is what's guiding you now. You are giving her a SPECTACULAR send off and you can bet she is thrilled! Yes, she is Cassie.
She knowssh can transition without having to worry if you'll be alright. You are proving to her you will survive. Oh, she knows it will hurt and you will grieve. Dogs as enlightened as Bounder understand that. But your selfless actions, your ability ro surround her in a celebratory state right now, your ability to spoil her on levels she never even imagined existed, all show her you will get through the sadness. She can go in peace now...and probably with a bit of a tummy ache when she gets to the Bridge from eating all the junk food these past weeks!
You've created some lovely mementos to treasure forever. Yeah, even the one where she's giving you the stink eye for taking more pictures! That gray muzzle...that's such a rarity around here to see such a "seasoned" mug. A beautiful, beautiful thing!
Cassie, we love you dear sweet Cassie. I hope you can feel it.
Sending you peace and love
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!
Awwww, she is soooo fortunate to have so many people who love her so much. Not too many dogs get an opportunity like this, to leave this world surrounded by so many good times and a big fan club too. Bittersweet, for sure, and later it will hurt like crazy, but some day you will look back and be so thankful that you were able to have this time together.
We'll be thinking of you and the pack, and sending all our love.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all so much.
Today was the day. Bounder passed away peacefully in my arms this morning. She was surrounded by friends and family. Even the veterinarian and technician are good friends and grieved with us. I almost feel a sense of relief... relief that she isn't confused anymore, relief that she no longer hurts...
Yesterday a good friend of mine came over to take some pictures of me and Bounder, hopefully I'll have those to share with you all in a couple of days.
I'm actually doing fairly well considering, I'm beyond sad and will miss her dearly, I'm just so glad she doesn't have to live in fear and pain. I do worry about Finn... He's really concerned about me. I didn't take him to the clinic with me, but we did take Bounder's favorite mat with us and that's what she passed away on. I brought it home for Finn to smell. He's sniffed it from corner to corner, then he goes into his kennel and sniffs his bed, then he comes and stands by me. I sat on the living room floor with him and Domino. Finn came over and sat right beside me and put his paw in my lap. He's such an intuitive dog and I know he knows whats happened.
Bounder was loved by so many, and I'll never forget her. Thank you again to all of you for your kind words.
Cassie, Finn, Domino, and my new guardian angel Bounder
“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 :)
{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}
Cassie, we are so sorry. This whole community grieves with you. This is the hardest thing in the world and many of us have been through it. That sense of relief, and feeling guilty about it, is familiar. You are not alone OK?
Finn and Dom will help you through this too, and your pack will be even stronger with Bounder lighting the way in the heavens. She will always be with you.
Much love & condolences coming your way.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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