Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It has been one week today since I helped my precious boy to the bridge. According to the poem, they don't cross until they see us. It has been a rough, raw,sad week. Grief is like the bear hunt can't go under it, can't go over it unfortunately, you have to go through it. And that is just so hard. I found a video today from 2010. I don't take many so this is precious to me in more ways than one. Not only was my whole extended family on it, but we were playing this silly game in the kitchen where you try to get a cookie from your forehead to your mouth without your hands. ( my family is a bit crazy) both Ty and Chandler were weaving in around us trying to catch the fallen cookies. So precious, tail wagging and no limp. He looked so good. I was on my way home tonight after trying to stay away for much of the day. I just did not want to be watching the clock. Somehow, as I was on my way home! I was like, can't wait to get home and see him. It was like I almost expected him to be here when I got home. I know better I just think it is hard to truly accept it. Put his shoe in his little garden today. It is an old plastic croc of mine that he had drug into the woods last summer or fall. I knew it was there, but for some reason, never went out and picked it up. Since I have no idea where he may have put the other one, it really did not matter. I planted some cats and kittens in it we will see if they grow. I have put a little spotlight on it and as soon as his marker comes, I will share his garden with you all. So cats and kittens for the kitten rescue, maybe I should put a rooster in there too.thank you all for listening to my ugly, sobby, nasty emotion. I will think I have it under control and then yet another wave will just come over me. Love: Lori and Angel- dog TY
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.
how special that you found that video! I love that Ty loved shoes... my other dog Ziggy cannot get enough of them, he hides them everywhere! Ty is with you and watching over you. Keep trudging through like you are.. one day at a time.
Thinking of you and sending you healing thoughts,
Cody and Family
Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.
Is Ziggy a Lab?
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.
Time moves so quickly and yet slowly, it's weird that way when we are mourning our loved ones. The grief hits us when we least expect it. You can always share your feelings here, we're listening.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Haven't been in here for a while. I'm so sorry for your loss. There are no words really to comfort now when it happend for just one week ago. The pain is so strong, but as you write you just have to go through it and you will. After some time you will be able to think of the memories of your wonderful lab with a smile on your face. But now you just have to let yourself be as sad you need to be. But it will be easier. I think you know that deep inside. And Ty's sole will always be with you and he will help you and comfort you when you need it. Sending lots of thoughts and hugs!
Gunilla, Wilbur, Bellis and angel Penny
Oh Lori, that's wonderful about the video. I don't believe it was coincidence that you happened on it at this time. You needed to find that and there it was.
Jerry is so right about the grief coming unexpectedly. I can think I'm just fine and something (and I'm never sure what) triggers my emotions and I bawl like it was just yesterday.
You're right too, there's no way around the grief. None.
I hope you share a picture of his marker when you get it?
Hugs,
Amy & Spirit Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Lori,
I agree with Rene & Amy. You never know when grief will hit you one minute you can be fine the next not so much. I am so glad you found that video and must have needed the sign that your baby is ok.
We are here if you need us
hugs
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."
Sending love to you sweet Lori.
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!
the sadness just keeps hanging on
Sally thank you! Thank you for reaching out through your own grief to me. Love back at ya! I am having a problem that maybe some can relate to. I feel so bad to be feeling like this. At my husband's request, we got a Corgi some time back. this was all before TY got sick She was to stay at the barn (inside) they are herding dogs and we have horses. That did not work out as she got stepped on a lot. My Father in Law took her home as he had lost his own dog recently. He brought her back about 4 months ago. Said she kept running off. So I had 3 dogs in my home. I am a Large, male dog person, so I am having trouble bonding with this poor dog. I miss the cuddling that Ty would do. My Border Collie will occasionally cuddle on his own terms, but with TY, it was anytime. Lucy just will not be still for one minute. My husband said I cannot get another Lab because I have 2 dogs and do not need more. I know another Lab will not take TY's place, but they all do have a sweet disposition that is hard to beat. anyway, it is definitely hindering my trying to bond with this poor girl that he wanted this dog (who by the way, he does nothing with) and now I cant get another Lab. I love her and would never do a thing to harm her. She is also a bit nippy which is common to the breed, so I don't let my Granddaughter play with her. TY would have laid down his life for that child and I trusted him completely with her. Maybe this is the pain talking. I feel like I am such a bad person. I think that TY became such a focus for me, that I have not really taken the time to spend with her. I even feel I have lost a bit of the bond I had with Chandler. I have had him longer than TY. He will be 11 this year and I think I am afraid of losing him. My daughter says I need to focus on him right now and she is probably right. Chan sort of got the short end of the stick for the last months. I have made a deal with myself. We go on a 2 week vacation every July. so a puppy is not a good idea before then. My birthday is in August so I have told myself that if the pain is still so bad and I still want a Lab puppy, then maybe I will get myself a birthday gift. Ty will send me the right pal, if it is meant to be. please do not think I am an awful person. I am not callous and cruel enough to think that TY can ever, ever be replaced. I just miss the Lab goofiness in my home. I truly don't know if I will ever bond with another pup the way I dog with my TY Guy. He would not take a step away from me until he looked back to see if I was coming behind him. I miss him so much.
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.
Michelle said
Lori,I agree with Rene & Amy. You never know when grief will hit you one minute you can be fine the next not so much.
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Oh my gosh don't watch the ASPCA commercials, that's an instant trigger!
Lori, we could never, ever think you're an awful person for wanting another Labby. All of us can relate to the yearning for more furry love in our lives.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh, I could not watch them before
Breaks my heart. I want them all. There is an ad for them that pops up when I go to get on here.
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.
Lori - I feel your pain so much ... even though I only had one dog in my home it is unthinkable to me that I could possibly bond with another animal in the near future. I trust that my girl will send me the right message at the right time. Shelby was always in control (despite what I tried to tell her).
It's only been 2 weeks and 2 days here and while I have an amazing support system locally, the pain is still so intense. One step forward, three steps back. This week has been MUCH harder on me than last week. But please take the time to grieve how you need to ... no one can rush this. It's a horrible ride but my hope is that TY will continue to send you some peace and tranquility ...
lots of love!
Alison
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
I will share what happened with me. I wasn't ready for a long time. Sometimes I wondered if I would ever be. Bosch & Sassy were pals. Tough on him too. I kept saying I wasn't ready wasn't ready. When the time was right there would be puppies. I knew what I wanted a Rottie again. Just love the breed. I still wasn't ready when there were puppies I didn't think. We came home with 2 that day. Yes, I cried. I felt like I was cheating on Sassy. But she brought Jazz & Snickers to me. Their birthday is August 19th, the day Sassy crossed was August 20. Was it meant to be?? Only one person knows. Don't let anyone rush you or tell you that you shouldn't. Its a personal decision.
Hugs
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."
Of course they go to the bridge... they go to the bridge right away.. and they wait there for us when we arrive. It is only then when they see us that they cross with us.... but, until that time, they have everything they need at the bridge.. mega pig ears, ice cream, and even deer poop! There are streams that have clear, sweet, thirst quenching water because they are all running around like goofballs and that gets them pretty darn thirsty! And the bones.. and the mounds of steaks, and sausages and bbq'd chicken!!! man.. even my mouth is drooling thinking about those platters!!
Don't close your heart to your doggers that you have there... they also have their grief as well.. and they sense yours.. and spending time with your other doggers helps with the healing process as well.
It's only been a week.. and I won't lie to you and tell you it will get better in a few weeks.. cause.. it doesn't. It becomes more tolerable.. and eventually we cope with it.. and eventually the tears will become a bit less.. and the smiles will become a bit more..
You will know if it is right to add another to your pack.... and perhaps it might not even be a lab.. you could come across another dog that needs your luvins.... you just never know... only time and Ty will tell!! ;O)
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!
Lori.. Ziggy is a german shepard mix... but he still loves shoes!
Keep trucking along. Grief is something that affects everyone differently and takes everyone a different amount of time to do. Your other dogs can definitely tell that you are sad, and they are probably sad and a little lost themselves. No one could ever take Ty's place... for dog lovers like all of us there is always a special place in our hearts for the ones that leave us and there is always a place to love others.
Cody and Family
Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.
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