Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well, this will probably be my last visit to the Tripawds site.
After all Sasha has been through in the last 3 months we finally had to say goodbye today. She won the battle with cancer but lost the battle with life. You see Sasha had her leg amputated in April and sprung back very quickly but over the last month she has had some "disk" problems. She has been in pain for the last few days but this morning I had this "pit" in my stomach that I knew "it was time". I saw it in her face and I knew I was holding on for me, not her. I have been bursting into tears since I signed that last piece of paper at the vet. I think, no I know that was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. But now I know she will not be suffering. My mother and I have been out of the house all day and I just returned. Once again I burst into tears, sobbing and having anxiety attacks. I know myself that this will be a long road but I must say that if it wasn't for this site and my fellow tripawds pawrents I don't think I would have made the decisions that I have made and for this I want to thank everyone. People keep asking me, if you had the chance would you have done anything different. I just want everyone to know that I wouldn't have changed one thing. For anyone that is debating on amputation, if you can afford it please do it. It only bought me another 3 months with my beautiful girl but I cherish every waking moment of that time.
Sherry and Sasha (on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge)
skinney said:
... I knew I was holding on for me, not her.
I know Sasha thanks you for realizing this. And I thank you for sharing your experiences caring for her with all of us here. If it helps at all, please know that the thoughts you have shared will help others who haver to make the same difficult decisions someday.
If it is difficult to continue joining us here in the Tripawds Discussion Forums, we totally understand and we will miss you. But if it is at all therapeutic to continue providing insight, please don't be a stranger.
Peace.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I lost a Sasha 10 years ago, and she is with me everyday in my heart. My prayers are with you. It does get easier with time, but I know what you are feeling now is intense. If you need just to talk, please log on and let us help any way we can. Tasha and MB
Tasha
Dearest Skinney
You're very brave and honest and you have all my admiration. If you can, don't make it your last visit to Tripawds; legacies of experience on levels both emotional and practical are what our dogs have given us. They have made us the kind of humans we aspire to be.
All love, Sasha's (human) namesake
I am so sorry for your loss. I know it must have been one of the hardest things you ever had to do. You are in our thoughts. Ansunette & Dee xxx
I'm so sorry to hear of Sashas passing but I commend your courage in giving her the dignity she - and all dogs - deserve.
Visit us if and when you can.
Bev & Darcy
x
Darcy – tripawd since 16th October 2007.
***Darcy would love to be your friend on Facebook - just search for Darcy Deerhound***
You loved her enough to know when to let Sasha go... that is true love. Love never dies, as you know it remains in the heart. Her spirit is always with you. I know you miss her absence along with a piece of your heart. Be at peace knowing she is pain free....and one day you will meet again.
Deepest sympathy,
Kim&Buster
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
Does anyone believe in reincarnation? Well if I didn't before I believe now. Mom and I went the the SPCA yesterday to drop off Sasha's left over dog food and treats and we decided to take a walk through. (My husband said I was crazy to do this to myself but I found it very therapeutic). While we were walking through there was a "little" rottie in cage 8. She looked to be about a year old. Very quiet and calm. Very innocent face. When mom and I went back in to inquire about her they said which one "Sasha"? Well I swear my heart stopped for a brief moment. I said that's not her name! They said yes it is why? I told them my story and they said that she was 5 years old just very small for a rottie (Sasha was a runt too!). The only thing that stopped me from taking her home was that they said she doesn't do well around cats. (We have 2) And I would never forgive myself if something happened to either of them. So with this being said she may not have been the one for me but I belive that it was some type of sign I just can't put my finger on it.
Sherry
Sherry,
Not even two days after sharing my realization in the topic "Processes", I had gone into yet another tail-spin perhaps until late last night when I took the control back.
I share your pain Sherry, as Sasha's case was very similar to Genie's. Just to let you know that you are not alone. What you are going through, I have gone through most, if not all; and am still going through.
Tripawd parents, particularly for those whose three-legged kids were hit by cancer, had a lot more to go through. (don't get me wrong here, I am by no means downplaying the loss of those who suffer from other illness.) Just think of how much more we went through from diag, amp, chemo (for some), and the fateful decision.
The more decisions we had to make, the higher the chances that we would look back and wonder if there were different paths we should have taken. Ditto here Sherry ... If I were to relive the past nine months again, I would still make the same decisions. Without regrets. You did your best and your Sasha knew that.
I don't have your courage to do a walk through at the SPCA just yet, but I myself have found continue visiting Jerry's site is somewhat therapeutic, except when I heard of sad news (but that is something I force myself to face regardless if I ever wanted to clear the hurdle)
Hope that you will still stick around.
Love, Jessie.
Wow! What a story. Very unusual to find another Sasha, we've never met one.
One time, my pawrents and I went to the SPCA in Virginia to donate some toys. Mom and Dad went to "just look" at the doggies in there, and what do you know, there was a 6 month old Geman Shepherd puppy named "Ben." He looked a LOT like me when I was a kid!
Mom and Dad always thought they would get me a brother, and name him either "Ben" or "Tom" (Ben & Jerry, Tom & Jerry, get it?). They were soooo tempted to adopt him right there on the spot, but unfortunatey Ben was quarantined for longer than we would be in the area. Plus, he wasn't a tripawd, so that was another sign that maybe it wasn't meant to be.
They had to come to terms and tell themselves that there will be a right time to get me a brother, and all signs will point to it. It was hard, but they had to walk away. I was bummed, a little, but glad I don't have to share my RV with another dog!
The sign, Sherry, is that Sasha is looking after you. She will let you know when the time is right.
Be well.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Last Tuesday, June 24th, I had to let my Tacoma go.
Tacoma was a blue merle smooth collie who had been a tripawd since September of 2006. His osteosarcoma finally metasthesized and ended up in his lungs and lymph system.
Here is his website: http://gms57tr3.....com/tacoma
I will always miss him, he was my heart dog.
For anyone experiencing pet loss, go to rainbowbridge.com. There is alot of stuff there for the human survivor.
Well, it's me again...I said that I thought that it would the last time I I would be on the site but I just couldn't bare going this alone. I miss Sasha so much that it hurts. I picked her ashes up on Tues and the girls at the vet had made me a clay paw print with her name on the top. I couldn't help buy lose it. I had to take the week off of work and go away with my husband because I couldn't stand the emptiness in the house. My mom lives with us and she said the same thing.
When we were away last week I went looking for a new baby and lo and behold I found a baby girl rottie that was the runt (just like Sasha). I know I can never replace my baby girl but I just couldn't stand not having the "pitter patter" of little feet in the house. I know some people are going to say that it is too soon but Sasha was my baby and she made me feel like I had a purpose in life. Please do not judge me! I will be picking my new little girl on Saturday and I just hope she is half the dog my Sasha was.
Thank you again for the support.
Sherry
Hello Sherry, congratulations on your new addition. I know it is hard but nothing will ever take the place of the memories you had with Sasha, you will just create some new ones with the little girl. Let us know what you name her and for sure she already has couple of guardian angels looking after her....you and Sasha. That is some lucky rottie girl!
Kellie
Good for you! Whatever it takes to help you get over your grief. Sasha would not want you feeling sad. And your new pup will have a wonderful loving home.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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