Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Heartbreaking as I write this.
She has no feeling in her right hind leg and can no longer stand on her own and frequently falls when she is up. Having to hand-feed her. She is coughing and wheezing. Heart racing with little exercise. Have to carry her outside every 4 hours.
Yesterday-I just 'knew'.
Im worried about how Braden will respond.
Vet coming to my house after work next Thursday evening. Taking Friday off and giving myself the weekend to fall apart.
After awhile I will share more and eventually tell Rosie's life story. She's one special and wonderful dog.
Right now I could use some support.
Thanks family.
Mom Kellye
My heart is breaking for all of you. Know this path you have had to choose to go down at this point in time is "for" her not "to" her. Loving them enough to let them go when we can no longer fix them is the greatest last gift we can give them although it breaks our hearts to do so. This Tripawd nation is holding you all in our thoughts and prayers at this hardest of times. (((((())))))
Linda & Spirit Mighty Max
Oh Kellye, I'm so so sorry and sad. The hardest part of being a parent to a furry or furless child is knowing they are hurting. Rosie is so lucky to have a momma who is willing to break her own heart so that she can be pain free. You are giving her the greatest gift.
Enjoy every minute with your girl, give her extra rubs, special treats and LOTS and LOTS of cuddles. Be sure to take some more photos with YOU in them and maybe get a paw print impression. (You can order a kit on Amazon and have it arrive in a couple days.)
I know how much this hurts but Rosie is clearly loved. Try to remember that dogs never really die, they simply go to sleep in our hearts. And that pain in your chest that you feel after you can't see her anymore, well, that's just Rosie wagging her tail because she's so happy to be with you for always. 
Know that I am thinking of you.
Love and hugs,
Amy (& Izzy, too)
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
I'm just so very sorry to hear this. Our hearts are all breaking along with yours.
As strange as it sounds, Braden will probably react a lot better to her loss if he gets to see her after she is gone, Dogs have a different way of dealing with death than we humans do. If Rosie simply disappears, Braden will keep looking for her and be upset that she is gone. If he is allowed to know why she is no longer there, he will be able to process it better.
When we lost Gus, Murphy came in and said goodbye to him after he was gone. He kissed Gus on the face one time and then it was like he knew. Once we got home from the vet, Murph systematically went around the yard covering all of Gus' pee spots and doing the kick dance. He had dealt with it like a dog!
Please know that we are all here for you and will mourn Rosie alongside you.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
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!
So sorry to hear about your sweet girl. Sending hugs and support your way. Just know you aren't alone and it is heartbreak, but you are a better person for having been loved so deeply by such a beautiful soul.
Our thoughts are with you,
Kat and Astro
I'm so sorry to read this. ugh - this journey is so hard. I will be thinking of you and Rosie and Braden...
Wanda
I am so so very sorry Kellye. It feels like you have only been around here for a pretty short time and yet so much heartbreak.
I enjoyed the pictures of Rosie and Braden so much and I can only Imagine how much you're hurting right now. I am crying while I write this.
Please feel hugged, you're in all of our hearts and thoughts.
Tina
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Oh Kellye, I am so, so sorry to hear this. My heart aches for you. Your love for Rosie, and for Braden, has shone like a beacon, guiding you through all your struggles. Please do share more of Rosie's story when you are ready, I would love to hear more. Right now, please know that we are holding you in our hearts.
Sending love to you all and massive hugs,
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Lean on us, stay connected. We are here for you and, unfortunately, we understand all too well the agony of this phase.
We also understand that your love for our dear sweet Rosie is soooo strong, so unflappable, that you WILL be able to get through this. Because you love Rosie with a depth that is beyo dd words, you will be able to give her the gift of release.
Every single decision you have made for Rosie is, not only out of your love for her, but also because you are so tuned into. In the beginning of this journey she told you she wasn't done yet and wanted to hang around for some more spoiling and loving! Rosie has now told you she's gotten all the loving and spoiling any dog could ever hope for. She's ready for her Soul to be released from her earthly body that no longer serves her. Yes, you are that tuned into her...that connected to her. Rosie knows she can ALWAYS count on yoj to do EVERYTHING in her best interest.
As hard as it is, and it's nust abput the hardest thing in the world to do at this point...STAY IN THE MOMENT....STAY FULLY PRESENT WITH ROSIE IN THE NOW!!! All Rosie knows and all she cares about is being with you in the moment.
Rosie flows effortlessly from one moment to the next with no fear, no worries. And right now, k. This moment, you and Rosie are together and that's all that matters. Continue to ha d feed her, ut mist make sure itsw everything she @oves! No food is off limits! Ice cream, cupcakes, cheese pizza, hit fudge sundae with whip cream!
STAY CONNECTED!! Use our stength and your love for Rosie to carry you.
Surrounding you with love and peace
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being 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!
I can only echo everyone else when I tell you how sorry I am to hear this news. This is truly a heart breaking part of the journey. You did everything you could for Rosie. She loves you and knows that you will always love her.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Kellye, we are all so sorry and saddened by the news. This is the toughest part of the journey. Sure, it's a gift we can give them by releasing them of the pain, but it's the hardest one for us during and after. By working with your vet to keep her comfortable during her transition, you are giving her everything any dog could ask for and more.
We are here for you to lean on anytime. Call the Tripawds Helpline . Post here. You are not alone in this.
{{{{{hugs}}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry. You've made a very tough decision but sounds like it's the right one for your darling. Thoughts are with you all this coming week. Cherish every moment together
So very sorry to hear about Rosie.
It's so heartbreaking each time I see that another fur baby is on their way to the bridge. Then I remember how lovely it will be and how much fun they will have. No more health issues, no more pain.
Otis - 121 lbs pre amp - 114 lbs post amp and now 118 lb Great Dane - English Mastiff X. Started limping on 12/24/16. Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 12/28/16 - amputation of front left leg on 1/6/17. Stitches out and 1st round of Chemo on 1/19/17. 2nd round of Carboplatin on 2/10/17 - 3rd round on 3/2/2017. 4th round was scheduled for 3/22/17 - however due to low WBC postponed - 4th Chemo completed on 3/28/17. Had breathing difficulties, stayed in Tufts ICU overnight. Due for 2 more rounds of Chemo but we are opting to go with homeopathy with Dr. Loops instead.
It is the hardest decision we have to make for our loved furbabies ... but the most selfless. I am so sorry you are here ... sending you love and comfort in the days and weeks to come.
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
So sorry to hear this. Maybe a story about my son's take on this will bring a bit of peace.
Daniel was in 3rd grade when our Golden girl was nearing the bridge. I told the boys it was time. Daniel came to me after dinner and told me he didn't want us to take her to the vet to die. I told him that if we could fix her, we would, but that no amount of money or medicine could do that. And if we didn't take her in, she might die all alone while we were at work and school. A month or so later, after our girl had crossed, we were at a school Xmas function and there was artwork on the wall for "What peace means to me..." Almost all of the artwork was focused on world peace and no war and no guns. And there was Daniel's artwork -- a very detailed picture of the vet's office, with our Golden girl on the table, our whole family standing there, along with the vet -- complete with a HUGE needle in her hand. And he wrote "Peace means taking care of our animals so that they aren't scared and alone."
I made a copy of the artwork and shared with the vet. When we were at the same point with Milo this past October, she gave a copy back to me. Making that decision is so hard, but my son had it right all those years ago, and it was nice to be reminded this time around, too.
Peace,
Jenifer & Milo
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