Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I'm so sorry Lori. But like Alison said, they DO know how much they are loved, Ty knew. And even though he had a ruff time when he was home he still did have good moments with you, quality time that you spent together instead of in the hospital. He got to be with you in the end and that's what matters. As hard as it is, try not to let the ruff times overshadow all of the good years you spent together, they were far too important to be erased by his last few weeks of life.
{{{{{hugs}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Epic meltdown today 
I got my boy's ashes back today. The boxes are beautiful. ( I did get a second one for my daughter) His name is etched in the wood. I also got a card with a piece of his fur in a blue ribbon. it has the rainbow Bridge poem on it and could actually be framed if I wanted. I have sobbed all afternoon. It just seems so wrong to bring my beautiful shiny boy home in a gift bag. He should be riding around in my back seat. His fur was still as shiny as a new penny even on his last day. I used to always tell him that, especially when I brushed him. "you are as shiny as a new penny!" I can smell a smoky smell when I hold his box. I am pretty sure that it is from the etching on the front as that is where the smell is coming from. I smelled it as soon a s I took the boxes out of the bag. I still have such mixed feelings on cremation. My husband thinks that there is something a bit wrong with me that I am still so upset. Maybe he is right, because I fell just about as bad today as last Wednesday when I let him go. The years ahead just seem to stretch insurmountably. I started his little garden yesterday. Ordered a marker stone even though he is not buried there. It is still "his place". I cannot let my family know how bad I still feel because they also will think there is something wrong with me. I don't know what I would do if I did not have this forum to come to and pour out my feelings. My husband does not understand my trepidation with cremation as several of his family members have been cremated. I don't want to put the boxes away, but every time I look at them and know that my boy is in there and not coming back to me, I get that kicked in the belly feeling again. I feel like someone has taken out my heart, stomped all over it and then stuffed it back into my body. I am worried about my border collie. He seems off the last few days. Maybe it is just my being sad. I think he misses TY though. They were pretty inseparable. I just cannot "feel" him. No dreams, no pennys lately. my shoe was moved again the other day though?? Think I will plant some flowers in an old shoe and put it at his garden spot.
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.
Hi Lori
You loved Ty - so of course your heart is broken - and no one here thinks there is something "wrong" with you. The epic breakdown when Ty's ashes came home - well - that just solidified the reality.
I love your idea of planting flowers in a shoe - that would really be an appropriate tribute to Ty.
Give yourself time to grieve - even if it is only in this forum for now - and I hope that the many wonderful memories of your beautiful boy Ty will eventually bring you peace.
Love and hugs
Linda and Tucker
Lori,
Bringing home their ashes is very difficult. We've been through this with so many..... For me I made a garden, where they have gone to rest. The flowers there are the most beautiful on my property. It's a testament to their lives and for all they have given to us. Their energy continues, renews every year and becomes more beautiful.
I don't think anyone in your family thinks anything is wrong with you. Everyone is so different in working through loss, some cry, some scream,some are just quiet. No right no wrong way. Coming here helps for sure. Do what you need to help you.
In our thoughts,
Esther and her Snoop
Lori,
I'm so sorry. Grief is so overwhelming. Some people are able to shut it off so they don't feel sad, but others...most of us...feel it so deeply and it's so painful. And I'm sure your border collie is missing Ty as much as you are. Can you try to spend some extra special time with him? It might help both of you feel better to comfort each other.
Ty is there with you, even if you don't feel him right now. I think the shoe was definitely a sign.
We're all here for you. Please try to take care of yourself.
With love,
Carol
Lori ... I wish I had the right words.... I understand your grief and your pain and it's still so early... someone gave me great advice here and in my local world ... be kind to yourself. take care of you. Ty would want that. Grieve how you want/need to grieve. There is no time frame. Sending you lots of love ... always!
Alison and her Shelby fur-ever in her heart.
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
Lori: reading your pain (and the flood of it elsewhere here) is hard. It's hardest for you. And to keep some of it locked away from the family makes it worse. I wish it didn't have to be that way, but we all know there some extreme lengths any family member (2, 3, or 4 legged!) goes through to keep the peace and health.
I think you're doing great. I'm thankful this is an outlet for you. We understand. Boy, do we. I love the memories of Ty you're sharing and the ways you're coping with it, even as tough as they are. You are doing great, Lori. Keep sharing. Keep remembering! Ty will never be forgotten and you bond will remain.
~ Katy & 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!
Bringing home ashes makes it all so real, it's very difficult and your feelings are quite normal. Of course you can come here, we understand. Many people don't but that doesn't make you crazy, it makes you a mom who loved him very much.
I love your idea of planting a shoe and flowers in his garden spot, how lovely.
Yes, I agree your other pup can sense your feelings and is reflecting them. It's up to you to show him that you can be strong, spending more quality time together will help ease the pain. It won't replace Ty but it will help you create a closer bond.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Shoe with flowers??? excellent idea!!!! LOVE IT!
When we bring home their ashes.. that is another hill on the roller coaster ride... and a steep one... but a gratifying one.. because we know they are home. They are there with us, and we can talk to them, touch their box, and it helps with our own healing process. I found it a comfort knowing that he was there.
My Franklin's ashes are in a cedar box on my dresser.. along with his paw print, and his collar and his very first squeaky sausage guy... I'm not embarassed to say that when I brought him home, I had to open up the box and look. His ashes were in a baggie.. and I held that baggie to my lips and kissed it... held that bag to my heart and told him how loved he was... how missed he was.. and glad he was home.. yup.. crazy dog lady here.. but I don't care.
I also kept up with Franklin's blog.. and I look forward to seeing Ty's Memories!!! It helps with the healing, and it gives us a place where we can come back and read and smile. And yes, it has been almost a year and my cheeks still get wet from memories...
I do what I do to help heal... and if people don't get it.. well.. that's sad.. obviously they just haven't experienced the love and bond that we have had the pleasure of having.
So do what you have to do.. and smile while you are doing it.. because you have been blessed with some pretty awesome pawprints on your heart that will be there forever!
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!
I also want to say I'm so sorry for your loss. I haven't been at the forum for a while but today I've red about so many losses and I cried so much. Like others here I remember how much it hurts and you think it will never get better. But in some strange way it does. 7th of April it was one year since I lost my Penny and I still cries now and then but I also can talk about and smile at all wonderful memories. One day you will be able to do the same. But now you just have to cry and do what feels best for you in your grief. Sending love and thoughts!
Gunilla, Wilbur, Bellis and angel Penny
Lori,
I am posting here because I was reading your forum topic here last night and realized I hadn't posted here in your time of terrible heartbreak.......I was still in my own fog of grief from losing Polly and did't realize I missed posting on here. Please forgive my absence of mind, and after reading what everyone had to say to you proves how loved you and Ty are, and what you mean to this community.
My hope for you, is that after a year's time, most of your heartache has been tucked away, and mostly happy, joyous memories of sweet Ty remain.....we will all have that certain part of our heart we will never get back, but hopefully we are all able to go on to new happy joys in our life.
Remembering Ty, and keeping you in my thoughts today.....
Love,
Bonnie, Angel Polly, and new crew
Lori.... like others ... I remember this day in my heart and my mind .... it was SO hard to read of this loss (right after Shelby and Happy Hannah)... i like and need to believe that our kids needed to secure that bond in our human hearts for forever ... I will always think of you and Sally as my extended family that I can only hope I will some day have the privilege to meet.
Sending you love and hugs and strength today.... You did it, my friend!!!! We made it and we came out stronger ... a little beat up but definitely stronger!
with love,
alison with spirit shelby (and little jasper too)
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
Bonnie, your compassion knows no limits. And it's k mpossibly hard to be on this site sometimes. You are always here st the right ti.e with the right words. But like this whole journy, it's about quality..not quantity.
LORI, dear sweet Lori. There are so many of "us" from April and around April from.last year. And now sooo many this year. I love that Karen reframed it from Awful April to April's Angels. I know that all our pups from last year, along with all the others, were there to greet all the new arrivals. I know a whole lot of tail wagging, shoe chewing and melting M&Ms were involved in the welcoming pawty!
I'm glad Bonnie opened this thread back up so you could feel the love and see the impact you and Ty made on this community. AND it gives new people an opportunity to know the inspirational story behind the kind soul who is still here lending support!
TY WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!! And we are all jere t o make sure of that!!
Holding you in my heart today and wrapping you in lpve!
Sally and My Eternal Light Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
Lori,
Keeping you in my heart while you work through this hard month. We are so blessed that you continued on with this community after Ty received his special wings. You're an Angel on earth like so many others here.
Hugs
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Lori,
I am thinking of you today. This is going to be a tough day. I know it will. The first Angelversary is the one of the toughest I have done so far. It is so hard to believe Ty has been gone a year. I remember this month all too well... Sucked big time. You have made it through the toughest part.. not saying there still won't be days or events that you just want to crawl into a hole over but the first year is always the worst. Although days like today reliving Hannah & Ty all I am doing is crying.
I am glad you continued on with giving advice and being here for all of us. I am sure our Angels have all met.
Hugs & love
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."
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