Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
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We are going through some very tough times right now, but we are receiving a lot of support from Rusty’s many friends, and supporters on this and other support groups . We really miss him! It is hard to accept that he is not physically here, however he will always be with us in our hearts. Since he was a special needs dog for the past three years, our lives were geared to providing 24/7 care for him, especially the last few months as his kidney’s began to fail. Our lives seem so empty right now, but we will gradually return to a normal routine.
I wanted to make sure that everyone on this amazing support group understands that Rusty was cancer free when he passed; he had kicked cancer’s ass! A Pelvic amputation (removing his entire leg and part of the pelvis) and twelve months of aggressive Chemotherapy, along with his amazing zest for life and two extraordinary Dr.’s allowed him to defeat an extremely aggressive form of cancer. For anyone that is hesitant to amputate or treat with Chemotherapy, Rusty is a tribute that it can work.
Rusty was also born with a portosystemic liver shunt; the prognosis for a dog born with a liver shunt is one to three years; Rusty also defeated those odds! Rusty’s liver was possibly further comprised by one of the two drugs used in his Chemotherapy. When Rusty was having so many stomach/digestive issues during his Chemo treatments, it was assumed that it was a result of the Chemo; now we know that it was probably the result of the liver shunt. The shunt was not identified during the Ultrasound and MRI images that were taken before his amputation. When Rusty went into liver failure last fall, we almost lost him then, the imaging center used a new “Doppler” Ultrasound machine which identified the liver shunt. Through diet (Haagen Daz ice cream only) and medications we were able to keep the liver and kidneys functioning at an acceptable level, allowing Rusty to have a comfortable life for the next few months. Rusty started going downhill in mid-March and we had blood work done on April 3rd, which confirmed that he was entering total liver failure. We made the decision that he was not to suffer and put him down this week.
We hope that Rusty’s legacy will help current and future members of this support group deal with this terrible disease and guide them in their decision making.
Chuck & Jan
Rusty is a Labradoodle who was diagnosed with level 3 Fibrosarcoma on January 16th, 2010 and had his left hind leg amputated on January 25th, 2010 five days before his 18 month birthday. Please see Rusty's blog @rusty.tripawds.com. He is putting up one heck of a fight against this terrible disease.
You are the epitome of a selfless soul who continues to reach out to help others even through the despair and gut wrenching grief.. that type of inner strength and compassion for others is a gift we all appreciate and recognize comes from a place that is so pure and guided.
That Rusty is an incredible being of light that will NEVER dim! You can be proud of how well you have I sued his legacy lives on and will continue to inspire and transform lives. The joy he bring to our hearts surfing and playing and loving life is indeed a tribute to a dog who lived his life with passion and playing full out!!
Holding you in our hearts and sending you peace and comfort, 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!
Oh guys you BET he was, and always will be, a shining light to people who are faced with the scary cancer diagnosis. Rusty fought like a champ and he beat the odds, he won! Those angel wings he grew will carry his legacy forever, so that he may continue to show people what is possible even during dark times. I can't tell you how happy we were that you three drove so far from home to be at the last Tripawds pawty.
It's hard to get used to a life without those routines, it can sure feel empty at first, we totally understand. When my people were on their own they were so sad that there would be no more shopping for bison meat, raw bones or stinky liverwurst. They got used to it but Mom got sad whenever she went past the meat aisle for a long time (and she's a vegetarian!).
Well, we hope that Rusty's adorable face is making you smile and wrapping your hearts with all the love that you three grew throughout the years. His time was short but his legacy will last for eternity.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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Rusty's story tugs at my heart. I am so saddened by your loss. What a sweet boy he was. He went through so much in his life. He was very fortunate to have such loving and giving pawrents. You gave him such a great life. You took care of him when he needed you the most and because of that care, he was able to enjoy his life.
Please know that I am thinking of you and because you have shared Rusty's journey, he will never be forgotten. His legacy will guide others as they embark on this journey.
Rusty run free and keep on surfing.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
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