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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Here's the beginning of the Theodore shrine...My MIL got me the picture on canvas you see for my Birthday, which I didn't mention to you guys before but it was on Friday. Which was a whole other source of anger with the universe (selfish on my part I know), and not that any weekend would've made it better/easier. However, now that I've had more time to think about it, I think it was a way for me to always remember to celebrate Theo and the impact he's had on my life....like I would EVER forget!
What a beautiful picture. You have every right to be angry. Maybe Theo wanted it this way so he could celebrate with you on your birthday and also celebrate his wonderful life with such a beautiful family. You will always feel his unconditional love from heaven, he will send you signs. The painting of Theo is amazing also... you are a artist give yourself credit.
The shrine of Theo is perfect in every which way.
Saying prayers that God wraps his arms around you and comforts. He will hold you up even on the darkest days and TY is also.
Love and tight hugs,
Tracy and Bailey
xoxox
Ohhhhh that is sooooooo sweet and pretty and speaks volumes about your love for Theo. I can't imagine how hard it must have been to have a birthday then, you are not selfish, that's human nature, all of us would have felt the same way I'm sure. I do love how you are finding the Universe's message in all that though, and bringing out the millions of positives of sharing your life with such a sweet, remarkable doggie.
P.S. It's a real honor to have a Tripawds bandana in the shrine. Thanks.
{{{{{hugs}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh how beautiful!!! .. That just breaks my heart that last week was your birthday but what a way to turn it to the positive! You are an amazing person! Theo knew that and we all know that!!! HUGS!!!
I also keep our bandanna (the same one) tied to my bed ... it keeps my girl close to me at night since I can't sleep in jewelry. I know it's nutty but I feel like having "her" there helps me. I also live alone so I also sleep/slept w/some of her toys after she passed ...
So many hugs and love your way!
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 for your loss. I hope all your happy memories make it easier for you.
Keeping you guys in my thoughts and prayers. (((Hugs))
Absolutely lovely...just lovely. Theo is soooo proud!
You have honored him so beautifully. And to find a way to celebrate and remember the amazing life Theo had by marking your birthday that way.....I bow down in awe!! It just proves that Theo had his name stamped on your heart the day you were born.
To think what Theo's life would have been like had you not been born....ugh...loveless and grey. You showed him what love felt like and what fun felt like!!!
Your artwork is a true treasure...and it reallyndoes capture his joy and zest fornlofe. But that one of you two together.....soooo much love! Theo is absolutely one of the cutest pups innthe world!!! He is just ADORABLE!!!!!
B 
e sure and check out the Tribute Leash Karen started. It's yet another way to celebrate Theo's eternal light.
Thanks for sharing this with us today. I know...KNOW....your heart is so broken and it will be for quiite awhile. The happy memories you and Theo shared will eventually glue it back together again.
Sending you love
Sally and My Eternal Light Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too
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!
Snagglemom,
Your painful journey still makes my heart hurt. There will be good and bad days! Today is a bad day for me, reading about how hurtful this ugly disease is. Please allow yourself time to grieve, ignore the morons that "don't get it", they will never understand the bond between a dog and human. Keep communicating with hubby II think the texting is great. Not only were you fortunate to have Theo, but to have a partner that truly gets it is the best. Stay connected, some days it can be too hard to do, but in general it is nice to be surrounded by such a supportive group. We are here for you!
Laurie
Rachel, my heart breaks for you and Evan. Setting them free is the hardest thing we can do...and it was clear that Theo felt so much love from you. You did everything you could for him.
It really is a roller coaster of emotions. Hang in there and know that I'm thinking of y'all...
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
Snagglemom,
I haven't been around much lately but I just finished catching up. I'm so sorry for your loss of Theo. He was a beautiful boy who was clearly loved so much.
We all here understand your pain, it's never easy. We lost our Snoop on July 10th, and there's not a day when I don't think about him. I miss him terribly, but as the time has moved I find there are more smiles and less tears. I want to celebrate his life and what he brought to us. No one knows what each of us has gone through but us. So those that don't, just excuse them, they just don't understand for sure.
In our thoughts,
Esther and her Angel Snoop
What a rough week. The "it gets easier" part definitely didn't apply to this week. Monday night I had a terrible nightmare about Theo. I'll spare you the details, but it definitely shows I haven't quite dealt with my feelings of guilt yet. Although everyone says I should have none, I can't shake the the what-ifs...at least not yet.
Yesterday, we brought home Theo's remains. I cried the whole way home from the vet, but did feel some comfort having him home with us. They included the Rainbow Bridge in the box, and I shared it with Evan. It was his first time ever reading it, and I was happy he felt the same comfort that it brings me.
Last night, Evan had a dream about Theo. They were walking together, and Evan said he had four perfect legs. He said they were walking somewhere he didn't know, and I know it was a special place that he'll be able to always find Theo.
I don't know yet why I got stuck with the nightmares and Evan gets the beautiful dreams, but all I can assume is that I'm not ready yet, that I haven't processed what I need to in order to appreciate those special moments. As I write this I'm dropping big, fat tears...I'm going to speak to a spiritual communicator tomorrow and hopefully that will help me with some of my grief.
WE UNDERSTAND!!!! WE TRULY UNDERSTAND!!!
Thank you for coming here today. For me, just knowing others experienced the same kinds of things helped me feel like I wasntw completely off the grid whacko!!!!
Of course you haven't processed this yet, of course you are stuck in the what ifs...grief is sooooo indiviw for each of us. The loss of Theo has knocked you to your knees, broken your heart and you miss him with a severity that seems unbearable.
For me, I.can only say that you adjust, it's not necessarily "easier" because the void is still there, but you just adjust....ever soo slowly...and NOT very consistently. One step foreard one moment...two steps back sobbing uncontrollably the next. Yep, all "normal"
Yeah, the dream state is definitely showing your subconscious...or probably still very conscious thoughts.
The interpretation that stood out ot me...especially with the dream that Evan had, was that Theo was trying to show you to do whatever it takes to kick those thoughts to the curb! Through Evan he was showing you how he's doing....showing you he's with you
One thing that works for me when those WORTHLESS THOUGHS.....and make no mistake....they are absolutely worthless.....pop up is to remind me that the stupid piece of crap disease is still trying to rob us, still trying to interfere with our connection....and I will be da** if I will let that happen!!! And you MUST live like Theo....must......live with no guilt, no regret...to do any differently would dishonor the incredible example of how to "live like a dog" he set for you.
One thing I can promise, those kinds of worthless thoughts that try and keep you separated from Theo DO dissipate. You HAD to give Theo a chance...to not do so would be very hard to deal with. Theo got more time to be loved bynyou and to give you love back. That made everything worthwhile to Theo!!!!
I wish I had answers, I wish I had solutions, I wish none of this ever had to happen to any of us. It happened. And Theo and all the other Rainbow Bridge residents are watching to see how we become empowered from all the lessons they taught us....how we become more loving and more compassionate...how we learn to live in the now...how we learn to embrace all that was good about our bond with them.
They powered through this journey with grace, courage and acceptance. Now it's up to us to mirror that gift back.....for them and for us. We will never do it perfectly or even consistently, for we are not Dog or Cat. We, unfortunately, have not yet become enlightened enough to be the Soul of Dog..we are still humans. Perhaps on our next journey.........
Sending you love and surrounding you with Theo's eternal grace and outrageously cute smile...
Sally and My Eternal Light Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
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!
1 Guest(s)
