Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It is amazing to me how quickly this has gone. Last week, it seemed like Luka made the decision himself, first by stopping the gaba, then by stopping food. He has been giving me long, extended eye contact like he wants me to get what is going on.
Because of his lack of eating and lowness, I took him into Dove Lewis, our wonderful emergency animal hospital, this morning to see if they could offer him some sustenance until the internist's appointment on Tuesday. They did more tests and also an ultrasound and found that the cancer has spread to both kidneys and the liver. Their conclusion is that the most we can do is to keep him as comfortable as possible, and the peak of that comfort will be within the next 24 hours. They have given him an IV to hydrate and bring up blood sugar and they are giving him some pain meds. Then I'll pick him up tonight and take him to the river to walk and hopefully be able to give him something special he will want to eat. Hopefully the same routine tomorrow. Then late tomorrow night, when he is normally sleeping anyway, hopefully they will be able to give him a quick and peaceful send-off. This is my rational understanding of what is happening. The emotional piece is a whole other thing.
Lisa
I am so sorry to read this. I 100% identify with separating the rational and the emotional. It's how we make the right decision, even when it's the hardest and it hurts. Sending you and Luka lots of love; I know how surrounded by love you will make him feel tomorrow, and I hope that you can find and share a feeling of peace when you spend time with him. I'm so sorry that you are going through this, but you are doing the brave and right thing. Thinking of you and sweet Luka.
Oh Lisa....I'm soooo very, very sorry to hear this. This explains all of Luka's recent issues and clarifies what's going on. And yes, it feeds your "ratiinal" mind with what Luka was trying to tell you. Emotionally your heart is breaking. One thing we know though, as hard as it is, you will hold things together for Luka. Your love for Luka has come shining through with every lost you have made and with every wonderful video and photo you have shared.
Luka will feel better with the fluids and now he can enjoy the most loving send off a dog could hope for! You've always made everyday be Luka's day, and you aren't about to stop now. We are celebrating beautiful Luka with you tonight. We'll cherish every treasured moment you shared with us...chewing his bone.....posing like a Hollywood Cover Model in front of the Redwood....and romping on the beach like a puppy!
We're going to stay stong with you and for you. There will be plenty of time to grieve, but NOT while he is still with you. Tonight, we celebrate the amazing senior Luka who showed the world "mature" dogs can enjoy life on three legs without missing a beat! You gave Luka extended quality time loaded with more spoiling and loving than most dogs ever get in a lifetime!
Luka has been your pal and you jave been his. Luka knew you would pay attention ro him when he told you he was ready to head to the Bridge. Actually, he's probably pretty excited about his new adventures at the Bridge feeling healthy and whole! And Luka KNOWS he will ALWAYS be with you! Luka KNOWS his earth time here mattered a d he KNOWS you will share his legacy of hope and inspiration for senior dogs facing this journey! And Luka KNOWS he is loved bynyiu and he KNOWS you feel the same love from him in return. Nothing can evsr separate you two!
Surrounding you with love and peace...
Sally and Alumni 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!
Hi Lisa 🌹
I am very sorry to read your update but there is a moment when our babies have had enough fighting done and all they want is to be released so they can fly from cloud to cloud flapping their wonderful silver wings 🕊🕊
Luka knows how much you love him and knows you've done all in your power to keep him with you ✊🏽💕
He will be forever free and in his new happy existence he will never be too far from you, all you'll have to do is open your heart and you will feel his loving presence surrounding you 💕🐾💕
You and him still have time to build up wonderful memories and stay together, two hearts beating in one 💘
Enjoy your day with your baby boy and please know he (and you) will never, ever be alone.
Luka will be welcomed by Eurydice and all the the other beautiful, loving Angels who are now very busy preparing the biggest Pawty for your baby 💕🐶💕 and you, sweet friend, have all of us to support and love you and celebrate Luka's life and loving memory 💕💕💕
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Lisa I'm so sorry, this happened way too fast. I can't imagine how difficult this is for you right now. Please take comfort in knowing that you are so in tune with Luka that you knew in your hearts what he was saying. You heard him and he didn't even need words to tell you. That is the kind of love that lasts forever.
I am holding you in my heart today and always remembering your sweet boy running on the beautiful Northern California beaches. I'm sure there's some form of them in doggy heaven, where our Jerry will be there to greet him at the surf. xoxoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh, look at that tail wagging and that happy smiley face 
You're the cutest dawg, Luka
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
I am so sorry for your loss of Luka, what a gorgeous boy he was...... I do have to say, that there isn't a whole lot rational about this journey we take with our pups and kitties, but if there is one thing I do know, we are somehow given the rationality at the end to keep it together to make the decisions we need to make for them. Afterward, keeping it together is near impossible, but I can definitely tell you with time, we do reach that emotional peace within our shattered hearts. 💔💜
Keeping you in my thoughts,
Bonnie, Angel Polly, Pearl, and Zuzu 🐾❤️
I can feel your pain and how much you love Luka. I know how precious those last few hours of being with with him will be. You are his true hero in every sense of the word. Wishing you both peace and gentle love in this time.
Holding you and sweet Luka in my heart and wishing him a peaceful and gentle crossing. It is so hard to give them this last gift, our heads know we must do so out of love but our hearts take longer to catch up to that same knowledge also because of love. Fly free new Angel! Sending you light, peace and healing love.
Linda & Spirit Mighty Max
This is the hardest choice we ever face for a dog we love so much. My heart goes out to you. May your sweet Luka rest in peace wrapped in the love you shared. I am so sorry.
Trini, Sketch's Mom
Whew. Well, here we are. It was this time last night that Luka's send-off began. I have begun to write a tribute in which I include details of it, and I'll post it on the blog with pictures of him from over the past few years. I have been crying for three days and can't really see an end to it. All of your replies have sent me off again, but I have learned from Luka that however shitty you feel, there is always time for a walk and some smiling. After his pick-me-up IV fluids on Sunday, he was much perkier, and he was all smiley yesterday when I drove him out to Sauvie Island and he could smell the cows and fields through the open window. If that is enough for him, it can be enough for me, too. Thank you all for your love and empathy.
You can never know how much I have attached to the tripawd family and your stories and words of strength, encouragement, and positive thinking. You gave me the courage to go through with the amputation, and the fun here was all I needed to stay focused on the beautiful things my boy would still experience before we had to say goodbye. Thank you so much. I will post to the blog and then probably disappear for awhile to stanch the deluge. But then I will come back to check in with others who are taking this strange, sad journey, and I hope that I can offer some sliver of what I have received.
God bless--
Lisa and Angel Luka
Darling Lisa and Luka 🌹🌹
We are all here with you and your lovely boy 💕 this is indeed a strange, difficult journey but we weren't given a choice in the first place ...
You are the most wonderful Mom Luka could dream of having and have succeeded in placing your heart and your love for Luka above cancer and by doing that you have been giving your baby but days full of joy and love 💝
That is all one can do and is all our fluffies need to be happy 💕💕💕
Our hearts are one, Lisa and remember Luka is happy and he will continue being happy for ever with you by his side, that's the truth 🌟
Sending you all my love 🌻
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
http://luka.tri.....rospective
Its impossible for me to try and write now....I just read you beautifully written, heartfelt tribute to Luka..
Now I just read your post here. Too much of a blubbering mess right now.
Just wanted to make sure Luka's blog wasnt missed.......soooooo beautifull....soooo poignant......
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, Sally. This might work; it worked from my phone: http://luka.tripawds.com
Actually,the link you provided is also working for me. Thank you for sharing my post.
Lisa
That was a beautifully written tribute to a very special dog. You really have a way with words. Sweet Luka will be missed, but he was so loved during his time on earth. I hope that you can find some peace in thinking about all of the special times you had with Luka, but I know how hard it is. This really is a strange, sad journey.
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