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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Valentina Angel Dane
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Member Since:
22 December 2013
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1
4 February 2012 - 1:49 pm
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Yesterday was one of the worst days of my life. I had to make the hardest decision that I have ever had to make. I decided that the time had come to put Valentina to sleep. She went downhill very fast and her quality of life was a huge issue. She had become completely unable to get up off of her bed by herself. Even with my husband and I both helping her it was still very difficult. Once she was standing we had to support most of her weight under her waist and under her chest or she would fall over. She was only able to pee about once or twice a day and she couldn't even get it all out then. She had not pooped in almost 3 days and she had begun pooping and peeing herself in her sleep. The poop was hard  and strangely colored. She could not even stand up to eat her food even though she wanted to eat. I had to hold it under her while she was laying down and bring her water also. It was so very hard to see her struggling. What I needed to do became very clear to me. With every cell in my body I did not want to let her go but I had no choice. She was not going to get better and she was not happy and she was in pain. I did not want to prolong her suffering. Today I am in shock. This came on so suddenly and now she seems to have just vanished. How will I fill this hole where she had once been? I really don't know. The impact that this Dog has had on my life cannot be put into words. All I can do is remember everything good and positive about Valentina. Everything wonderful about her can surely overcome the pain that comes with losing her. She really was an amazing and wonderful Dog. I have been so blessed to have had her in my life. Valentina was my dream come true and I will be forever grateful for every minute that her and I shared. Especially the time after her amputation. We became so close and I will never forget the kind of truly magical love that we had for each other. 

Valentina Angel Dane diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in front left leg May 21st 2011. Amputation July 5th 2011.
DOB:11/3/03 DOD:2/3/12 . Valentina was the Love of my Life!!! There is nothing like a Dane!!!

St. Louis, MO
Member Since:
16 September 2011
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2
4 February 2012 - 1:56 pm
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I'm so sorry that it was Valentina's time to journey to Rainbow Bridge.  You gave her the most unselfish gift of love...you gave her wings.

Godspeed Valentina.  Run free with all of the tripawd heroes that have gone before you.  Send pennies when you can!

Hugs and chocolate labby kisses,

Ellen & Charley

Charley's Blog:  CHOCOLATE KISSES


DOB: 3-29-08, male chocolate lab  
Dx: OSA L proximal humerus 10-19-10

Amputation: L front leg & scapula 10-28-10

Chemo: 5 rounds of Carboplatin

Video (12 weeks post amp):Tripaw Charley Playing

♥♥♥ Lots of supplements and love!!! ♥♥♥

Member Since:
27 May 2011
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4 February 2012 - 1:58 pm
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I am so sorry you had to make this decision for Valentina, but you made the kindest decision for her that you could ever make. You are in my thoughts it is so obvious how much you love her and you always will. Sending you transatlantic virtual hugs

Dizzy diagnosed with osteosarcoma 24 may 2011 amputated same day doing fine hopping around on three legs giving the neighbourhood cats what for

New Zealand
Member Since:
6 November 2011
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4 February 2012 - 2:04 pm
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Fly free Valentina fly free.

So sorry to read this but know that you gave her the ultimate gift of love when she needed it the most.

Hang on to those good memories and happy times they will help you through this hideous time.

Lots of hugs and our thoughts are with you.

Sarah, Kayla and Sarge

My heart lives at Rainbow Bridge
Member Since:
28 November 2008
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5
4 February 2012 - 2:21 pm
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I am so sorry. This just broke my heart. I was so scared after Valentina's surgery when she was having so many major issues. When she finally began to heal, I was so proud for the two of you.

We share so very much with these warriors. We learn so much about life, about fighting, and in the end we learn to determine when the fight is over. It is by far the hardest of the lessons. But we are all lucky to have found a family here of caring folks who do their best to support us through the journey and beyond.

One day the happy memories will be the ones that sustain you. For now allow yourself to grieve and heal at your own pace. Sending you hugs, and holding you in my heart.

RIP sweet Valentina. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.

Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul.  Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.

Rock Hill, SC
Member Since:
28 November 2011
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6
4 February 2012 - 2:24 pm
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Oh, I am so very sorry to hear this.  She was such a beautiful girl and she fought so very hard.  I will pray for peace for you and your family in this difficult time.  May hugs to you...

 

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/

San Diego, CA
Member Since:
29 October 2010
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7
4 February 2012 - 2:47 pm
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Oh, no. I'm so sorry to hear this. It is SO hard to let them go - but you did the right thing and I hope you'll have peace in that and also in knowing that you two fought such a brave fight together.

She will always be with you in your heart!

Hang in there. We are here for you!

Jackie, Angel Abby's mom

Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!

Las Vegas, Nevada
Member Since:
14 August 2009
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4 February 2012 - 2:50 pm
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Oh!  I'm just sorry!  You and Valentina had struggled so much in the beginning but you got through it and she was so brave through it all! 

I know this had to be so hard for you. I'm just so very sad for you.  But you gave her so much and this final gift of letting her free of pain is the most wonderful thing you could have done for her.  It hurts something awful, we know.

Throughout this horrible grieving process, always remember that your magical love you shared will be what keeps your heart full of happy thoughts of her.

Many hugs and comforting thoughts coming your way.

Her Retired AvatarComet - 1999 to 2011

She departed us unexpectedly  January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.

She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.


Member Since:
22 August 2008
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9
4 February 2012 - 2:53 pm
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I am so sorry; I know how much you will miss your big girl!  You did the right thing for her.

Pam

WYO
Member Since:
10 February 2011
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10
4 February 2012 - 2:59 pm
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I am so sorry, your love for Valentina was so very clear throughout the journey!!

I know that your heart is broken...sending heart healing wishes until you meet again.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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11
4 February 2012 - 3:13 pm
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Angel, our heart goes out to you, we are so, so sorry. Your girl fought incredibly hard, and was so courageous during her life on three legs. And you showed just as much bravery, by releasing her from her pain before things got worse.

The last stages of life are such a difficult thing to go through, but we hope that you can find some comfort in knowing that Valentina will always be remembered here, and bring inspawration to pawrents of big dogs who are new to the cancer journey.

We send much love and sympathy to you, now and always. Thank you for sharing her amazing life with us.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Linden, MI
Member Since:
11 November 2008
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12
4 February 2012 - 3:27 pm
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Angel, I just logged on to check for a Valentina update and I was so very shocked and saddened to hear about her passing.  I admire you for having the courage to help her along on that last oh-so-difficult leg of her journey.  It's something we all dread, yet we all will face it sooner or later.

Spirit Tripawds, make some room on the couch there for Heaven's newest "Dane-gel".... run free, beautiful big girl!

 

(Tear-licking) Licks and (comforting) Dane Leans coming your way from the Queen.

 

Hugs,

Sue

Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!

In your heart, where I belong.
Member Since:
9 February 2011
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13
4 February 2012 - 4:25 pm
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Angel, like everyone else I am so sorry that things went downhill so very fast. I hoped Valentina would be with you for much longer and I'm sorry it wasn't to be. You listened when she told you she'd had enough and you helped her into her wings, and then you launched her off to her new adventure. It was the loving thing to do.

Shari

From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.

Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/

knoxville, tn
Member Since:
12 February 2010
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14
4 February 2012 - 5:19 pm
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we are so very sorry that valentina lost her battle.  you gave her a final, selfless act by helping her begin her next adventure.  hopefully the wonderful memories you made together will help to eventually dry the tears that now flow.  love never ends.

 

charon & spirit gayle

Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included).  She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.

Love Never Ends

http://etgayle

krun15
15
4 February 2012 - 5:42 pm
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I'm so sorry you reached this day with Valentina. It is not easy to let our companions go on to their next adventure, but it is the right thing to do. And although you have parted ways on this earth, Val will always be in your heart.
Hold on to all the good memories, they will help you through the next days and weeks.

Karen

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