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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Grief with all the losses
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Los Angeles, CA
Member Since:
13 June 2013
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19 April 2014 - 8:39 pm
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Michelle said
Alison,

Cancer didn't win.  Shelby fought a good fight.  I do not believe that this nasty evil disease ever wins.  Our babies grow tired of fighting.  So I believe that Shelby won the battle no matter how hard she fought.  She gave it her all.  🙂   I like to think positive and know you do too. 

 

Hugs & love

Michelle & Angel Sassy

Thank you Michelle! you are right. I need to change my mindset and be the positive person that Shelby knew and loved and that you all came to know!! Hugs and love! 

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

Los Angeles
Member Since:
30 December 2013
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19 April 2014 - 11:13 pm
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Thanks everyone, for your support!

Michelle - You're so right, I would never knowingly let my pup suffer.  Ever.  Jersey Girl was my first pet ever so I can't compare this experience to anything else but I suspect I'd have had an easier time if she died of old age.  Her vulnerability is what eats at me (from cancer).

Elizabeth - YES, I worry that it's the food!  Especially sugar, there's so much info about the negative effects on people it just seems logical this would apply to k9s as well.  Interesting that I want to protect my dog at any cost but I haven't reduced my own sugar consumption!!

Lori - Ty just sounds hilarious.  Seriously, sleeping in the bathtub?!  Burying a live chicken?!  "Rescuing" a kitten?!  It sounds like he was endless entertainment.  YES I also worry about the remaining dog, in my case that's our black lab Hitch.  He's had a few ticks get embedded and once we've gotten them out I find myself constantly rechecking and rechecking and rechecking.  Then there's panting.  Normal dogs pant but when Hitch does it I find myself watching his breathing to see if his lungs are strong.  

Gotta go...

Claudia and Angel JG

Member Since:
13 November 2013
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22 April 2014 - 1:16 pm
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Michelle, thank you for posting this.  It'd been a while since I was on the forums (consumed by school) and am just now catching up and am finding myself struck by the recent losses here.  Losses for people and their dogs who are "fixtures" here, who have supported me a lot over the last 5 months, seemingly out of the blue.  I had a sobering conversation with my vet today myself, and as Dieter and I were leaving the vet's office, a couple were coming in with a standard poodle for amputation surgery.  I knew exactly the look on the poor woman's face; it was heartbreaking to see.  But she saw how energetic Dieter was, and the ladies in the office were pointing him out.  Who knows if it will help her.  All of these things are swirling around in my mind, and I can see the whole process lay out, and it's so saddening.  Diagnosis, amputation, chemo, monitoring and trying our best to keep up the quality of life for our beloved companions.  It just seems to go on, and on, this cycle.  I'm sorry I can't be more positive right now; I wish I could, but I can express my love and gratitude toward this community.  

So, thank you all, and with love,

Jennifer

 

On The Road


Member Since:
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22 April 2014 - 1:35 pm
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Jennifer that is so sweet of you to add your experience here, thank you. Is everything OK?

Nobody can be pawsitive all the time. But that's OK. Dieter was pawsitive for you and helped to spread the love to that woman in the waiting room. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. What a gift. I hope the poodle does great.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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28 April 2014 - 8:20 am
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You are my soul, my heart...truly my everything. Missing you my Happy Hannah...missing you so.

IMG_20140318_190558_zps3b3acc97.jpgImage Enlarger

IMG_20140408_183001_zps11d5796f.jpgImage Enlarger

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!

New Jersey
Member Since:
27 December 2011
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28 April 2014 - 8:32 am
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Sally,

What precious memories and so much joy and laughter. Thank you so much for sharing-we love you!!

Thinking of you,

Joan and Lily

Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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28 April 2014 - 8:37 am
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True love forever.

We miss you too Hannah.

Sally, you are in all of our hearts and minds. We are sending you lots of love and strength for the week ahead.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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28 April 2014 - 8:40 am
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thank you Joan and Jerry...you guys are quick...I just added another ne up there if you can find it. I appreciate ANY stength you can send....I'm very receptive to it and I'll be looking for it, okay? Love back toyou...to everyone.

Love, Sally and Happy Hannah

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!

Southwestern Ontario, Canada
Member Since:
22 November 2012
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28 April 2014 - 8:47 am
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Sally.. that is a beautful picture....  They are ALL beautiful pictures... 

It's hard to be positive when your heart has been ripped out of your chest, twisted in a knot, torn in half and stomped on..   cause that it what it felt like...   when your nose is so full of snot because you have cried... and cried..  till you can't cry anymore.  It's a great weight loss program.. I will admit that.   But it was worth it.  It is worth the years of snuggles, ball throwing, belly rubbing, cheqing squeakies memories that are in my heart.  You never forget them..  And yes... the pain does lessen... I can say that..   but even though it has been almost a year.. the pain is still fresh when you read of another pawrent going through what you went through.

The worst for me after Franklin passed was coming here and seeing everyone celebrate their 6 month, 8 month, 1 year ampuversaries...   I felt cheated... sad... and pissed off.  I wanted to type those posts!  I wanted to have a 1 year ampuversary!!  But then I would read about pups who have not enjoyed the tripawd life very long after their operation, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months.. and my heart would break again.. and I would feel guilty for feeling those emotions of being cheated.  I can only imagine how those pawrents felt... because they dealt with the emotion of guilt.  

Guilt is not a nice emotion... it eats at our heart and it eats those great memories that are there and replaces them with.. well.... guilt.  Then after a while... all we feel is guilt.. and that does damage to our hearts.  It took me a little bit to kick guilt to the curb, but I did it.  If I had amputated sooner, would he have lived longer?  Why didn't I insist on xrays sooner?  why didn't I do chemo?  Yup.. and many more.. but I kicked them to the curb... I have no guilt now.. 

And I felt no guilt about getting a dog soon after Franklin left us either.  He was not replaced... never will be.  I am a dog person... I will always have dogs.. and I hope that I am trampled with lots of muddy paws, sloppy kisses and wiggle butts when my time comes to arrive at the Bridge!!  I can't wait till I retire.. because.. when that times comes.. I will have more more time at home which means.... more dogs!!  Crazy dog lady in training here!!  lol  You should never feel guilty about getting another dog or kitty, and never listen to others that say to you "oh it's too soon".  What do they know?  There are so many spots open in our hearts for more fur love... I know that mine will never be full!!  I have lots of space left for future furry love!!!

Well.. I should get back to work.. but wanted to share a picture as well... 

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Christine... with Franklin in her heart♥

Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012.  Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013.  Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack...   You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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28 April 2014 - 8:49 am
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benny55 said
thank you Joan and Jerry...you guys are quick...I just added another ne up there if you can find it.

Love, Sally and Happy Hannah

You mean this one? Love it.

IMG_20140321_115554_zpse12a1e9b.jpgImage Enlarger

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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28 April 2014 - 8:53 am
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Oh Christine, Bravo! Your honesty and description of life after such great loss is right on the nose, just like that smooch. Thank you for showing others that you CAN overcome such awful grief and guilt.

xoxo

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Los Angeles, CA
Member Since:
13 June 2013
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42
28 April 2014 - 9:10 am
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I have nothing really to add except my love and heart .... Christine stated exactly how I feel right now... week one - heartwrenching and rough ... week two ... found my strength ... week three - ready to throw in the towel and get off this ride. Does that mean reality is kicking in? That my baby is really gone? I don't know ... starting off this week on a low note but hoping that Shelby will send me some strength... it isn't easy. this is brutal. I am trying to "Be More Dog " .... but I am without purpose right now but thankful for the love and devotion of this amazing community. Lean on us Sally ... we are ALL here for you and love and hurt with and for you!!! 

one of our last photos together Image Enlarger

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

Orrtanna Pa.
Member Since:
25 January 2014
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43
28 April 2014 - 2:05 pm
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I agree, lean on us. We can help each other though this awful time. I am now in week 2 and also seem to have calmed down a bit. I kind of feel a sense of unreality.I went out and called the other dogs inside this morning and started with my usual order. TYsad Chan, realized what I had done before I got to Lucy. So then Chandler starts looking down the driveway. I also agree that it is not disloyal to get another dog. They can never be replaced, they each have their own personalities, temperaments, etc. I am with Christine in that I have always had a dog, with the exception of after 2 losses and a few months after I first got married. I also think that the timing to get another dog is varied by the person. Some are ready sooner than others. Sometimes it just takes you by surprise. Circumstances just work out. I was not actually looking for a dog when I got TY or Chandler. Sally the pictures are so priceless! Such love! Christine, you have hit on pretty much every emotion I have been feeling. Especially the one of feeling cheated. I really thought we could beat it. Really did. Just every step forward for us was accompanied by 2 steps backwards. That is why I am trying to keep up with the good memories, so they are not overshadowed by the last 3 months. Alison, Sally, know that my thoughts are never far from you right now. Lori and TY GUY 

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. 

Member Since:
9 June 2012
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29 April 2014 - 7:39 am
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What wonderful pictures all of you posted! The love is just glowing around them! Sending healing thoughts and love to you!

Gunilla, Wilbur, Bellis and angel Penny

Virginia
Member Since:
26 January 2014
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30 April 2014 - 4:36 am
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This was the week last year that I found out my Jake had cancer. Its hard to believe that this Friday marks the 1 yr anniversary of his amp. He was my super dog, I never thought for a moment that he wouldn't be here today. Sally asked me last evening, and I haven't made him a memorial video yet. I'm having a really hard time doing it. I tried some of it last night and it just ruined me. Once the tears start they don't like to stop. Im hoping I can have one done by Friday in honor of his ampuversary. 

Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”  

      

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