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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It does look like that is what she's saying Kerren lol. Too sweet Miss Darla!
Sooooo cute!!! Comfy and cute!!! 🙂 And yes! MORE!! 🙂
Thanks for the smiles!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
That is too cute! Clearly, we are disturbing her in some way. . .
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
You guys are soooo funny. She's being cat...like, cleaning her face. She's happy to have her stitches out, so am I. It was good to be able to leave her, and not fret myself into a frenzy about her stitches. I had only done that in very short spurts before, like a few minutes taking the garbage out, or whatever.
I didn't get a chance to ask the Doc about the follow up screening, an intern took the stitches out. They're very busy, and I didn't want to pester them. I'm very lucky to have them as a vet, for Darla to be their patient. They basically have a waiting list to become their client, I had to wait 9 months for them to have them first see her. This was 5 years ago, it was just a meet and greet appointment, but then I was their client. They are highly coveted business, extremely caring and reasonably priced, a 2nd generation owner. From the prices they charge, you can tell it's not about the money, it's all about the love of caring for the animals. It's very refreshing in this age!
I'll try and get some more pics up, it's a sunny day here. After our naps (LOL), we'll be heading out for some fresh air! 
Day 36, post amp update.
Darla graduated to shirtless for the 1st night, I wouldn't say her licking days are over, but I think the intensity has subsided. I'm not sure that this is forever, I'll probable 'shirt' her when I leave her alone, for a while yet.
Still okay, good, and better days. It was said here, that it's a roller-coaster ride, that's a mouthful. When our beloved family members have an outstanding day, or even a moment, you expect them all to be that way. But it's just not so, but I don't think that's any different than any other recovery. Or day, or dog, cat or person, for that matter.
In these past day since the amp, I've had very few moments of, "Oh goodness, what did I do to her", but I knew going in this was going to question my character. I knew Darla would have enough heart, I don't think she's the exception, for the stories I read, our animals are incredibly resilient. And I'm grateful for that, or my sweet girl would be gone to the gardens in the sky. Thank the Lord, I've got some extra time with her, however long it is. Until our next visit.....
Those thoughts can be difficult to control but remember you didn't do it TO her, you did it FOR her. As you said, Darla is showing you how incredibly resilient she is. It's good to hear there are good and better days and congrats on Darla going shirtless! Milestones are to be celebrated!! You love each other and are together 
Tracey & Tai
Otis loved it when the T-shirt came off! I saw a real improvement in his activity level. A silly thing, but he clearly liked to be "naked."
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Darla, RIP.
This happened way quicker than anyone expected, the Vet included. So quick, that I didn't even get to say goodbye, it rips my emotions to shreds. (EDIT) It took all day to type this, I just couldn't stay composed long enough to articulate.
She was fine up until the 5th, not getting around like the tripawds in youtube videos, but moving fairly easily. I had a FL trip scheduled from way back before the diagnosis, I was leaving on the 8th. She was sluggish before I left, not much of an appetite, I was hoping she just wasn't feeling well. Kris (my roomate) called Sunday, said she looked in pain, was having trouble breathing. I knew it was lung mets, but had her take her to the vet to xray them, to confirm on Monday. The vet showed Kris and my Friend Tim, both xrays, just before the amp, they were clear, and then on Monday, there were large quantities of cancer. They gave her prednisone, a steroid, I believe, to open up her airways, to try and get her to make it without suffering till I got home early Saturday morning. On Wednesday night she called and said that she's suffering more than I wouldn't want her to, so it was time. Thursday around noon, a vet came to the house and stopped her suffering and pain.
She only lived 51 days after her amputation, what a horrible decision I made in her behalf. Too many of those days she was in pain, for the amount of time that the amp bought her. If only I had a crystal ball, well, you know. I understand, you never know with these things, but it doesnt make it any easier. She deserved a chance, it's all I can hold onto right now.
This is gonna hurt a long time, I'm afraid.
Sniffles and sobs,
Kent
Darla born on 9/20/07, forever immortalized on 4/13/17,
Ohhhhh Kent I am so very, very sorry. That is shocking and such a heartbreaker, I can't even imagine how awful this feels. My heart and deepest condolences go out to you. I know this won't make things better but please, please know that you have all of us here to lean on.
Cancer is such a mean, awful disease. Even the smartest scientist in the world couldn't have predicted what would happen. You did the very best you could, please know that. We sure do. It's just awful that there is no way to know what would happen had you not amputated. I wish we could have a crystal ball, because although this happens so rarely with members, when it does it's devastating. I can't imagine and am so sorry.
And while all of this doesn't matter right now because she is gone and you are in pain, in time I hope that you can find comfort in knowing that you were the very best pet parent Darla could hope. Her life amounted to soooo much more than the time she lived after the disease. It's those memories that will stay with you forever and some day, help you smile again. But until then, remember we are here with you and if you want to talk, the Tripawds Helpline is there OK?
Some day when you're ready, please share photos and stories of happy times with Darla. We want to celebrate her life and remember the good times with you, when you're feeling stronger.
{{{{hugs}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Kent, we are all shocked and stunned to read this. I'm just sitting here shaking my head in disbelief. We cry hard with you tonight.
No, nothing is going to make any of this any easier right now. Your heart is broken and you are gutted. Your rarional mind has taken a backseat for now.
You made THE most slefless gift of reease you could possibly give her. You did it with only her well being in mind and did not ask her to suffer any longer just so you could be there. That would have been for you and not for her. I did that one time. His crisis came unexpectedly. I basically asked them to do everything possible to keep him going and I did everything possible to get back home asap...but it still took two more days. My heart told me I needed to be there....he needed me by his side for the release. I "caused" him to suffer longer than he needed because I was thinking with my broken neart and not my logical brain. He needed to be out of pain and could care less who was with him and probably wasnt even aware who was with him.
Im TRYING to say that EVERY SINGLE DECISION YOU MADE FOR DARLA WAS OUT OF LOVE. EVERY SINGLE ONE. You put her first and foremost. You gave her the gift of extended time, which is EXACTLY what she wanted. You HAD to TRY!! To not have tried, even if it meant the same result, woukd have left you second guessing and wondering if things would have been different only if you had tried. You gave her the ultimate gift of love when you released her from a body that no longer served her. Just as she showed you she was still full of life to help you follow through on her decision to do the surgery (yes, she told you she was not ready to give up at that time!), she let it be known she was ready for transition.
Darla didn't count the number of days with you. Darla counted the continuous moments that blended in from o e to another as you continued to lpve her and spoil her with a depth that is deeper than anyone could ever have imagined. Darla didn't think about her future, or her past. She doesn't live in a world of regret or guilt or second guessing. She wouldn't want you to either. And you KNOW that's true.
As hard as it is to focus on this right now, DARLA DESERVED A CHANCE and you gave that to her! DARLA DESERVED MORE TIME TO BE LOVED and you gave that to her. DARLA NEEDED. MORE TIME IN THE SUNSHINE and you gave that to her. DARLA DESERVED MORE TIME TO SMILE and you gave that to her. DARL DESERVED MORE TIME WITH YOU AND YOU WITH HER and you gave her that and she gave you that.
I continue to ramble as though I coukd say something to help and I know I can't. All we can do right now is let you know we understand like no others can. We understand the love behind every single decision we make and the hope that spurs us on. And we understand the gut wrenching devastion when it's time to help them head to the Bridge. We understand that sadness that seems like it even gets worse bedore he gets better. We understand the void and the break in routine after the 24/7 care we give our tripawds. We all want to comfort you and we can't.
But we can all promise you this. There will be a time when one happy memory at a time will help push the sadness a bit further into the background. There will be a time when a day came and went and you didn't cry. Maybe you will the next day, but the days will start being further apart.
Jerry always reminds us that the last days are just a blink of an eye compared to the thousands and thousands of happy memories that you and Darla shared!! And make no mistake about, Darla is at the Bridge right now bragging about having THE BEST TIME EVER with you as her human!!
Darla is now whole and healthy frolicking at the Bridge with all her new friends. She is now one of April's Angels, eating ice cream and cake and even chocolate! She WILL connect with you through a sign that will clearly show you she is still with you!! That brutal horrid piece of crap disease could not touch her Soul and could never, ever break the bond you two have!
Please stay connected! We would love to hear more about your precious girl. Your girl who knew how to smile. Can you close your eyes for just a moment now...just for a few moments. Now visualize a rime when Darla's smile made YOU smile! What was she doing? Was her tail wagging? Had you just given her a great? Maybe she had just gotten a "treasure" out of the trash and that made her smile. Darla wants you to remember those happy times...she sure does.
Surrounding you with Beautiful Darla's eternal grace
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 am so sorry I am so late arriving here and to find that your beautiful, sweet Darla is gone too soon. My heart aches for you and for her, Kent. I should have been on this thread earlier as a parent of an angel also lost too soon to a high grade STS. I am sorry I wasn't here earlier to cheer her victories.
Wishing you the comfort of knowing you did all you could for your dear girl. And wishing Darla the sweetest dreams of the happy life she had in your home.
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.
I am so sorry to read these posts. So unfair, especially that you could not be there with her. She did deserve the chance, and none of us know how long we will have. I wish you could have had more time together!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Oh Kent my heart breaks reading this! I'm so sorry you lost beautiful Darla. Cancer is evil and has its own timeline. We start this journey full of hope and faith that ours will beat the odds and get quality extended time. Sadly you, and somewhat like our own journey because we only got 4 1/2 months with our Max, we drew the short straws and didn't get the "more" of this journey. So of course the first place our minds go is did we do right by them? Being over one year out from loosing Max I can now look back and know in my heart that I am glad we tried. I can find peace and closure in that I know we did all we could we gave him that chance. Had we not done this journey I think I would've always regretted it and felt I didn't give him that chance. I know none of this is going to be any help right now to help heal your broken heart. You are at the absolute hardest part of this whole journey and we can only grieve with you at this time. Know we certainly are doing that. Your beautiful Darla knew such love in her life. "Loving a dog gives you the best days of your life and one worst day of your life". Hold on to those "best days" in your memory for there were many I know. Darla will be in your heart always. Fly free new Angel! Sending you healing light and peace.
Linda & Spirit Mighty Max
Oh Kent, I was just reading through this thread from the beginning and then came to the 15th and my heart stopped. I am so sorry that Darla had to leave you. Please try not to second guess your decisions, you did the best you could with the information you had and each decision was made with your love for Darla first and foremost.
Run free sweet Darla
xoxo,
Martha, Codie Rae, and the Oaktown Pack
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Oh Kent, I'm so, so sorry. What an awful shock!
Please do not second guess your decision. You always had Darla in your heart first and foremost, taking the medical advice and making your decisions out of love, thinking of Darla. Remember that she loved you and wanted to be by your side, and that when the time came, you made the decision to let her go even though you couldn't be there.
All of that is because you love her.
My heart goes out to you. Wishing you comfort now, always.
Tracey & Tai
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