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.
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April,
So sorry to hear about Luna. Milo's day was last Thursday, just a few days after Luna, so I'm right there with you. The silence gets to me, too. And absolutely, the not seeing him when I get out of the shower. He was always there. Actually, the first time he did the stairs after his amputation was on Day 4 when I went upstairs to take a shower -- and when I came out he was there. Silly boy. The others are locking the door at night and not putting him out one last time; locking the door when I leave in the morning and not rubbing his head and telling him to be good; doing yoga and him not lying the on the floor nearby stretching his paws to get in my way and force me to pet him.
Hopefully, our newcomers have met at the Rainbow Bridge. Sally started a thread a while ago under Tripawd Alumni regarding what your Angel's job is at the bridge. Milo's certainly a chauffeur giving car rides to all takers, with no rules about the head out the window! Maybe Luna's riding with him. He always liked the big girls.
Again, so sorry for your loss. We're lucky to have this group of dog lovers who helped along the way and who understand. Now if only the people at the office would quit staring at me when I cry at my computer....
Peace,
Jenifer & Milo
April, my heart aches for you, I'm so truly sorry beautiful Luna got her wings way too soon. That is such a difficult decision, it's very, very hard to prepare for it, there's just no way. As you know we've had many losses lately, a whole new group of angels and many shattered hearts here in the community. It's so hard, we all root for every new member's cat or dog and when we lose one, everyone here mourns.
And I agree, she is still around, you are totally hearing her send you signals that she is near. We heard them with our Jerry. I have no doubt that when a life transitions to spirit, the energy keeps swirling around us, trying to comfort our broken hearts. Luna's gift to you is her lovely angel spirit sending little signals that life at the bridge is beautiful with all her pals.
You are always part of this family here, so please, lean on us and know that we surround you with love. I'm so sorry.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello April,
First off, from one Newfie owner to another, I am deeply sorry about your girl. We had a Landseer Newfie as well and they are just such wonderful dogs and companions. Our scenario was the one you had previously read about that we ended up having to put her down after the amputation. It took me some time to come to terms with our decision but as we look back we wouldn't have changed a thing. Sure, all of that stuff went through my mind... What type of quality of life will she have? Will she not be normal again? How long will we have her around if we do this etc? Ultimately it is the owners decision to do whatever they think is best for their fur baby. I thought it was best to do as the vet recommended and relieve her of the pain. Was it the outcome we had hoped for? Not at all, but at least I know we tried for her. My point is that you should not regret your decision either way. I did at first but then I realized we did the best we possibly could which only indicates how much love we had for her. I am sure it is the same for Luna. 8-9 years is a blessing for dogs this size. I would have rather had the 8 years we did with her than not have any of those years at all. I tear up a lot still and probably will for a long time but then I remember the day I brought her home and what a poofy goof ball she was and it makes me dwell on the good memories instead of the bad.
This site has been excellent for me and everyone on here is excellent and very supportive. I hope it helps you find some comfort. 
Ohhh April, we are all so very, very sorry to hear that your beautiful Luna had to go the Bridge. We, your family, all cry with you.
Your love for her was so pure and so selfless. She told you her earthly body was no longer serving her. She told you she was ready for her Soul to be set free again so she could run and frolic pain free. You listened. She knew you would. She knew she could count on you to love her enoigh to set her free.
For whatever it's worth, and not really sure how to say this. Obviously amputation was never in the cards. This is proof that the piece of crap had already taken over her body in more ways than were visible. Even if she survived the urgery, she never would have made it long enough to get through the painful part of the recovery. You made the RIGHT decision on so many levels!
The grief will continue to seem unbearable for quite awhile. Even when you do have a day, or maybe even two, where you feel you are moving through the pain a little bit, the sadness will hit you out of the blue like a ton of bricks. It hurts. The happker memories do eventually push the hurt further in tne background. We all PROMISE you that. Luna wants you to be happy. She wants you to focus on all the thousands of delightful times you shared.
PLEASE stay connected and let us know how you and Dexter are doing. This is not easy and we all understand.
When you can, we would LOVE to hear more about your magnificent gentle giant Luna and Dexter too! We would LOVE pictures too!! She had a beautiful life of love and spoiling with you and we would love to hear more!
Pay attention, she'll send you a sign she's still around! She may even send you and Dexter another pup to put color back in your days!
Surrounding you with Lu a's eternal grace and wagging tail!
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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!
Asti's Dad....I must want to acknowledge you for your incredible courage, ki d ess, compassion and grace for taking time to respond to April.
You had NO reason to believe Asti would get out of surgery and sail through recovery. Yet she didn't. More proof that this viscous and brutal disease charts a course that none of us have control over.
I just want you to know we all care so deeply about your beautiful Asti. I do hope, when you can, you'll share more about your delightful poofy goof ball!
It's clear that, through you, she's still here with us all reaching out and touching lives as she must did today.
Thank you...thank you so very much
Love to all
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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!
I would love to share some things about Asti as well as get some pictures on here also!
April, do you have any pictures of Luna we may be able to see? I would love to see some! Her and Asti look like spitting images of one another! I have met quite a few Newfs and it is just so funny to me how every single one of them have the same mannerisms... When you feel up to it, please upload some pics of your Luna. We would love to see her!
I'm so sorry for your loss of Luna. There just aren't any words to comfort your broken heart, just know that we're all here with you throughout your journey.
Peace be with you.
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
So deeply sorry Luna's time came and you had to help her leave her pain behind. She was as lovely as she was loved and that is an incredible thing, really. You did all you could and kept her needs in mind throughout this ordeal.
Wishing you the comfort of knowing you gave her a wonderful life. And wishing Luna the most amazing dreams of a happy life as your beloved companion.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
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