Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Yesterday Jackson and I had a great time playing tug o war, fetch, and chase throughout the house. He was awesome!
At lunch today, however, he was not. He turned his nose up at his banana, lamb lungs, and Frosty Paws. He didn't want to move. Only drink. This is what we were waiting for. The signs were there. I phoned the vet and luckily someone was available to come over.
When they arrived just perked up, ran down the stairs to the entry and lost his balance. We had to rescue him. He couldn't get up. My husband carried him upstairs and placed him back on his nest, his favorite spot. I cradled him in my lap. We stroked him, kissed him, hugged him, and told him many times over how loved he was, how thankful we were, what a good boy he was... and that was his last breath. It was peaceful. It was beautiful. It was awful.
Jackson joined our lives at 7 weeks old, just 11 lbs. He made my husband marry me! We had an epic life with Jackson. He did some awesome, pawesome things. To this day, it wasn't his OSA that took him. It was HSA on his heart. It's just not right. I'm so angry that cancer ruined him. Ruined us. He had so much life ahead. I'm angry.
No regrets, though. I'm feeling so at peace for the awful decision we made today. It was only going to get worse, and in fact, his episode this time was worse and faster than the first. It wasn't traumatic and he passed to the Bridge surrounded by love and at home. I could only be so lucky.
So that's it. It happened so fast. So fast. And now he's not here. But his fur is. His toys are. His water bowl still has water in it. There are poo bags waiting for his next walk. A kitchen floor to guard while we cook... He isn't here. He's been here for 10 years. We're empty. We're lost. We're quiet and lonely. I miss him terribly! Where is he?!
We'll get him back in about 2 weeks and we'll have a paw print, too. He'll forever rest in New Hampshire, at my parents' home. That was his joy. And he deserves that.
I work at home and the emptiness is scaring me. I'll go to the library and work and then I've thankfully got some major work trips planned.
Oh, the loss. The hole. It's gaping, it's noisy, it's painful. I feel like a huge part of me is now gone. I'm incomplete. I'm destroyed.
I miss you, Jackson. Run free and fast! Roll in that grass. Eat some of it too. Bark at the spring peepers. Get those tennis balls. Raise ruckus with squeaker toys. And enjoy all those veggies.
~ Katy & her Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Katy,
I am so sorry that Jackson is gone. You will meet him again at the Bridge. This part of the journey sucks so much. You know that grief is each of our own journey. It will be raw for a long long time. He is whole and healthy now. He is running with all the rest of the Warriors & Princess Warriors. My thoughts are with you and your husband. Tears streaming down my face for our Winter Warrior.
Jackson Run Free. Enjoy running after all those furry little animals and playing ball.
Thinking of you
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."
Katy,
this moment is very hard, and I am so very sorry for your loss. Keep yourself busy, but also allow yourself to grieve.
We are here for you.
hugs,
Daniela & Johnnie
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
I was just thinking about you guys earlier. My heart is aching and I am a sobbing mess. Cancer didn't ruin him....it may have taken his body but his spirit, his love it will never ever touch. He had a great life, with people who LOVED him to pieces. I can see his happiness beaming through his eyes and smile in that picture. You guys gave him more than any dog could ever ask for, and you gave him the last selfless act of love you could possibly give him, peace. Sorry for my language but F you hemangiosarcoma!! HSA took my Jake and it's taken some of good friends on heres pups, and it may have taken their bodies but their souls are free. I just know the gang welcomed him home, tails wagging.....Jake had the tugawar toys and party favors laid out, Hannah had cake and ice cream, Shelby had the party hats ready, Ty and Polly had the music blasting and Jerry was making sure everything was perfect. The whole tripawd gang was gathered around waiting for him and oh what a party they must be having!
Run Free Jackson and many many hugs to you today Katy
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”
I agree with Elizabeth cancer didn't ruin J. It took him from you but he fought a great battle up until the end. Never forget he won. This is an evil evil disease and Jackson did his best. Thinking of you.
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."
Oh Katy, I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes, feeling so sad that the Tripawds community has lost such an unforgettable warrior, and so heartbroken for you and your hubby.
Jackson will always be such an inspawration, a dog with a story like no other who will forever be a source of encouragement and hope for new and old members here. Cancer can never, ever take that away no matter what.
Jackson WON, cancer didn't. His spirit, his story, his joy and his life that you shared with us is a beautiful eternal gift that you've given to us and all the folks, dogs and cats who join us after today. Cancer can never steal that legacy.
I wish we could do or say something to take the heartache away, to make you smile the way Jackson did, to bring back the happiness you felt even earlier today. But Jim and I know what that loss feels like, to be going through the motions without your co-pilot. It sucks. And only time can heal. Stay busy. Eat chocolate. Drink wine. Be good to each other. And know that we are here for you.
With all my heart and soul, on behalf of all of us, we are very, very sorry.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Katy,
I am in tears......I am so sorry for your loss of sweet Jackson......he fought until the very end, and he loved every minute of his time with you. He was so loved, and had a life of complete joy......never lose sight of that, or the fact he kicked the "ugly c's" butt.....I love his gorgeous face in the pic you shared with us, so happy and loved.
We understand that gaping, awful hole in your heart and life, and the feeling like you will never be complete again.....in some ways, that is a very accurate asumption, and speaking for myself, I have just come to accept that fact and it is completely ok.....somehow, coming to terms with that fact will enable you to go on and love another pup again and you will eventually also be happy again. Jackson will ALWAYS be with you, and he will ALWAYS be a huge part of your life forever, nothing will ever change that.
Keeping you and your husband in my thoughts tonight, and sending healing {{{hugs}}}
Love,
Bonnie, Angel Polly, and new crew
Katy, I too have tears.mthat feeling, oh how well I remember. You feel that you will never smile again, but you will. Jackson would want you to. Take time to be kind to yourself and do not let anyone push you to feel a certain way. It sounds as if he had a very peaceful trip to the bridge. His life is pain free and he is young and playful again. I am so sorry you had to make that decision today. It is painful, it is raw it is empty. It is also one of the most unselfish decisions you will ever make. Come here and yell, cry, vent or just remember. Jackson will never be forgotten here. Hugs, Lori, Ty & the 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.
Oh, Katy, there are never the right words at a time like this. We were privileged to know Jackson through your messages and pictures, and we are all grieving along with you.
Run free, Jackson. We will all muss you.
Kathi and Murphy
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!
I was so sad to read the subject header on this post. I knew it would eventually come, but it's hard to believe your Jackson has gone on. The love you and your husband had for Jackson, and Jackson for both of you, has always been very evident in all your stories and photos. Thank you for sharing your boy with us. It was a privilege for all of us. Sending healing thoughts to you.
What a lovely post you wrote, Katy. My heart breaks with you and for you. I'm sure Jackson is already racing around with his Winter Warrior buddies.
We are always here for you.
Love and 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
Like e v eryone else, I'm a sobbing mess...I can't even write right now.
Yoy apoke from such a soul deep place in your heart...we are all reliving our own loss again....Jackson was "ours" too...he was everybody's dog here. And I just cant write right now. I hurt so badly for you..for us all.
Love,
Sally
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!
Your post is a beautiful tribute to your Warrior. Even when you know it is coming the silence is deafening.
I hope the strength of the Tripawd Nation can help hold you and your husband up during the next days and weeks. Jackson's legacy will live on here, he will always be remembered.
Jackson lives forever in your heart, he is always by your side.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Oh Katy,
I am so, so sorry that Jackson is gone. I am at a loss as to what to say. Your HSA experience hits so close to home. One thing I can say is that cancer most definitely did NOT ruin Jackson. He lived life to the fullest these past years as a true Tripawd Warrior and his story will provide inspiration for generations of tripawds to come. Thank you so much for sharing Jackson with us.
Sending you peace and love and lighting a candle for Jackson tonight.
Run free sweet Jackson <3 <3 <3
xoxoxo,
Martha, Codie Rae, and the Oaktown Pack
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
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