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Today.. I'm going to lose my best friend....
My sweet pup Franklin did not have a good day yesterday.. or last night... he has gotten to the point where he goes 5 hops and then he is wheezing bad.... Nothing stops the wheezing.. I wish I could stop the wheezing... and I know how stressful it is when you are struggling to breathe having a touch of asthma myself... I can't have him stressed and struggling any more... He means too much to me to allow that to happen... but FACK it hurts... it hurts to see cancer win... it hurts to see his tail wag a bit less... it hurts to see him lying on his bed looking at me with dull eyes... it hurts to know that we have to make that drive.... yes.. it's time... We are taking him later this afternoon.....
I will miss him terribly... Actually.. I've been missing him for a few days now...
I'm going to go type some more in his blog so I can ramble for a bit...
You all know that I appreciate and am thankful for all your kind words, happy thoughts, and wonderful support that you all have posted here, and on Frank'n'farter's blog... I probably won't be back for a few days... but thank you everyone for being here to listen to me ramble.. and of course, look at my pictures..
Please send a message to all those beautiful tripawds at the bridge that Franklin is coming.. they will know him when they see him. He's the happy one with the tail wagging and the grin on his face... he hasn't met a dog or cat he hasn't liked.. so tell them not to be scared... he is just a big goofball. And if there is a squirrel chase going on.. he'll be right in the thick of it... he'll be snuggling with his sleeping buddy Diesel tonight... so all will be well...
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!
Christine,
I am so very sorry that this time has come. What you describe is very much the way Zeus became at the end and I understand how very hard it is to see Franklin that way. I do believe that it is nature's way of letting us know when it is time. Please know that you will be in the hearts and prayers of this community today and in the very difficult days to come. Also, know that cancer did NOT win. You were provided an opportunity to fight and Franklin won in the end because he was able to fend off the disease long enough to forge all the extra memories that you have shared these last few months and to prepare everyone to say goodbye. Some folks don't get that chance - they don't have "notice" of the end and they are left with things unsaid and regrets. Go sit with Franklin, tell him how very much you love him and how he always made you proud and happy. Sit with him, close your eyes and truly feel the love. It will be hard to do, but I promise you with every fiber of my being that one day you will be glad. Bless you today.
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
I am so sorry, Christine. But please know--cancer doesn't win. You do. Franklin does. You win by having had 14 wonderful years with him. He wins by having had a family that would follow him to the ends of the earth. You both win by choosing your time to say goodbye; by doing it on your terms; and by doing it with dignity, compassion, and most of all, love.
Don't for a minute think this was a battle you lost.
Hugs to you on this very difficult day <3 <3
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
Christine,
I have no words really. I am so sorry for you and I share in your anger and pain. I hope if you can find any comfort in any of this you will keep that beautiful picture of Franklin and Diesel in your mind and know that they will be reunited today and snuggling together while watching over you and your family. I know that doesn't ease the pain, but maybe gives you something to smile for.
I will be thinking about you all day.
Lots of hugs,
Erica
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Christine,
This breaks our hearts, we collectively mourn for all that you are going through today. I'm so very sorry.
As others have said, it's hard to see right now, but cancer didn't win. Franklin stuck around long enough to show you the joy in living in the Now, he made sure his lessons were clearly understood by his pack. In that sense, he won, and you win too because you had such an unforgettably handsome, squirrel-chasin, happy-go-lucky, gassy-as-all-get-out doggie in your life. I know that we for one feel extremely blessed and fortunate to have had you in this community. What a gift!
My heart goes out to you, I know how this day and the ones to follow just hurt like hell. {{{hugs}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm sorry to hear Franklin has reached this point. Franklin (and you) fought a very tough, very brave battle. Sending healing thoughts to you.
I'm so sorry for your loss. It hurts like hell, I know. You both put up a good fight. No regrets.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Nothing separates us from you today..we are all your family grieving with you....we understand like no others can.......my thoughts are too scattered right now to make any kind of sense.....I will write more on your blog later.....we love you.
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!
Everyone said it Christine. Cancer didn't win. I am so sorry you lost your baby this stupid Fing disease. I hate it. I posted on your blog. Just know he loves you as you love him. and you will see him again waiting for you at the Bridge.. I am so sorry.
Michelle & 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."
I'm sooo sorry for your loss. Wish I had the right words but I can't see the keyboard through the tears anyway. Just sucks.
Sending hugs your way in this awful time & wishes for healing when the time is right.
Christine,
I am so sorry that your pup is going through this and I know that its a very very hard thing to say goodbye, even when we know it is for the best. We will be sending you loving thoughts and will be here for you whenever you get back.
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Christine,
Please know that I am thinking about you today. I know all to well how hard it is to say goodbye to our babies. You took such good care of Franklin and showed him so much love. All our furry friends want from us is love and you gave him that and so much more. I do believe that they let us know when it is time to say goodbye. It sounds like Franklin let you know and now you are showing him one more act of love. When we had to say goodbye to Cadence I didn't feel like it was an act of love. Now that some time has passed, I know that it was the biggest act of love one can show. Franklin will no longer be in pain and he will be running free once again.
The cancer did not win. You and Franklin fought as hard as you could to beat it. The time that you shared together has given you a lifetime of memories to hold on to. Those memories, and Franklin's fighting spirit will bring you comfort.
Franklin will be welcomed by a team of tripawds that have gone before him. They will all show him the way and you will not have to worry about him being alone. He will forever be running free, smiling and enjoying his new life. He will give you signs along the way that will let you know that he is ok. Keep Franklin in your heart, for that is where he will forever be.
Sending much love you way.
“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
Christine, I am so, so sorry that you have to say goodbye to your handsome, sweet Franklin. Please know that we are all here for you and know the deep pain of losing our furbabies. You have been such a wonderful mom to him, and he spent his life showered with love. Please know that we are sending love and hugs your way.
So very sorry,
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
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