Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat. Explore 17+ years of forum archives for stories and answers to questions about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery. Enjoy fresh discussion and connect with members in the new Tripawds Support Circle.
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11:20 am
22 November 2012
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You know me... I find comfort in poems, readings, stories, blogs that express our love for our furbabies.. and when I find one that hits home to me... I like to share... grab a tissue.. this one is good!!!
Take Joy in Old Dogs...............
Their joys are simple. A soft bed. A scrap fallen from the table that the younger dogs missed. The memory of a treed squirrel. A stormless night.
White whiskered faces and legs crooked as question marks.
Old Dogs…their sweet Buddha bellies hang over crossed legs as they fall asleep in a coveted patch of sun. Dreaming of out-racing their shadows down long, shady lanes.
Once they danced by your side. The very definition of joy unleashed. A perfect poem caught in shining eyes and wagging tails. They have followed you faithfully for years. And would plunge into fires, untamed wildernesses, raging waters if you asked.
Now, they struggle to catch up. Their pace slow but their hearts still valiant.
Their cloudy eyes are starting to dim and go distant, tuning in to some invisible world. Just beyond your reach.
Don’t go you say, as you scratch the tender part between their ears. Stay longer. I can’t imagine a world without your fur pressed close to my cheek. There are still so many roads we haven’t explored.
And they look up at you with a wisdom that just slays you.
Their backs are bent, not from the weight of years, but from the invisible wings they are growing
That will soon take them to a place where once more they are warriors of speed
Drunk with the sights and scents of a thousand meadows.
Able to leap high enough to touch the wing of the tiniest butterfly.
A place where they will now wait for you to catch up.
- Donna Swajeski
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!
11:36 am
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Bucketeers
22 February 2013
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I'm getting ready to go to work, trying to pull myself together, and I'll be all red eyed and teary eyed and won't be able to say why. No one I work with would understnd. I'm in the "service business" so I must remain cheery and upbeat for the customers.
And then I read your post and the tears are flowing all over again!
It's very sweet, really. And I loved the part aout the "backs being bent" due to the wings they are growing. Nice tqke on that.
Thanks Chrisitne, for taking the time to share such a lovely sentiment.
You are a wonderful, caring soul!
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!
7:21 pm
8 March 2013
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That's my favorite part, too! Thanks for the tissue alert; think I'm just going to keep a box near the laptop; save me running to the bathroom snorting and sniffling.
There's a great book called "Old Dogs are the Best Dogs" by Gene Weingarten and Michael Williamson; lovely photos and stories. I bought it after my Spirit Logan went over The Bridge at 14 (not bad for a cranky GSD) and I love to re-read it and think about all the old souls we've loved.
Thanks, Christine.
-Liz and Roxie (who prefers "mature" to "old") Roo Roo!!
7:43 am
Team Tripawds
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25 September 2009
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I agree, old dogs are the best dogs! We hope and pray that we will get to enjoy Wyatt's metamorphosis into old age like your Logan, Liz. Dog knows this wild boy will be also be a cranky old nut even after he gets there!
Here is a link to the book that you referred to:
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