Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
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Hi! We have a lovely six year old springer spaniel girl called Moby. She has recently been diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma. She is booked in to have her front right leg removed next Friday. We've got a whole week to dwell on it 
It has been lovely to read all the positive stories on here and glad to know there is support out there! Still, it's a big unknown to us and we're worried how she'll be after the op.
Curlywurlymoose.
Welcome to the club nopawdy ever wants to join! Your future posts will not require moderation.
Maggie had an amputation from soft tissue sarcoma and she is still doing amazing nearly two years later. The vast majority of dogs cope with amputation, much better than their people do! Remember to be strong for Moby, she will follow your lead so if you want life to be normal you must act as though life is normal. She will adapt. Dogs are amazing that way.
You'll find lots more recovery and care tips in Jerry's Required Reading List, and for immediate answers to the most common dog amputation questions download the new Tripawds e-book Three Legs and A Spare.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
welcome moby!! such a beautiful girl, she will make an excellent tripawd warrior princess!! my gayle had a sts in her right front wrist, her leg and scapula were amputated in february 2010. we did five rounds of chemo and she lived almost 22 months, passing from a different (oral melanoma) cancer that invaded her lymph system. maggie moo is also a sts pup, who is about 2 1/2 years post amp - her mom tracy went a more holistic direction with dr. loops who works with patients over the internet.
i'm sure you've perused the required reading list, we were helped tremendously by rubber backed rugs over our wood and tile floors, a raised food/water station, building a ramp to allow easier access to our back yard, and the ruffwear harness to assist with stairs and getting in and out of vehicles.
please let us know how moby is doing, and we'd love to see some more pictures. we have quite a few tripawds in the UK, so hopefully some of them will be in touch here on the forums too.
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
Thank you for the welcome! Sorry to hear your lovely Gayle has passed
The raised food/drinking station is an excellent idea. I think our floors and stairs are going to be a problem as we have no carpets anywhere, and our staircase is open straight into the kitchen. I'm thinking of borrowing a crate for Moby to sleep in at night so she can't attempt the stairs (she normally sleeps outside our bedroom door).
I'll get some more pics up when I work out how to upload on here!
Curly and Moby 
Welcome Moby! We are newbies ourselves - Wolf has been a Tripawd for only a week but I can tell you this support group has helped us so much. Wolf has done fine without carpet actually but really wants to be in his crate so that is a good idea to borrow one. As a matter of fact, we've had a hard time getting him out of the crate because I think he is comforted by it. We were trying to get outside the other day and he actually tried crawling into the shoe basket! Anyway, I'm not going to pretend that this is not going to be rough for Moby or you - it's been a pretty awful week for Wolf. BUT, today he seems like he might be on the other side of the bad patch. He really doesn't want to get up or walk but his phantom pains seem to be tapering. So, just be prepared for some sleepless nights and know that it's going to be bad before it gets better. But you have a lot of support out there. Take care! Eileen and Wolf
Hi Moby and Curly. I agree. Once the decision is made the waiting for the big day is difficult. Try to remember that Moby has a wonderful pack that loves and supports her. She has you 
. After the surgery she will astound and amaze you with her spirit.
Heather & Spirit Shadow
Welcome to you and Moby - sorry you had to find us here. Try to not fret too much. Most dogs do really well on 3 legs and since Moby is still pretty young, she'll do great. Once you are over the hump of the recovery, she'll begin to amaze and inspire you.
Rest up before surgery! It is very tiring when they are first home. You will listen for every sound, whether she needs you or not. And then when you are tired, everything seems worse. But once she is off the pain meds and her staples are out (usually about 10-14 days) you'll start to see your old girl back. And she will indeed make a beautiful Tripawd Warrior Princess.
You'll see... it's an awesome thing to be a Tripawd Pawrent. You will be entering a very special club...
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!
Thank you all so much for your support! It really is hard waiting and thinking about it. Moby is well in herself, eating well and is her usual naughty self. She has stolen two socks and tee shirt today! I keep welling up thinking about what she will be like next week 
Moby ate a stone a few years ago that got lodged in her intestines and a grass seed in her paw last year that needed cutting out, and being spayed.... so we've seen the sorrowful face after an op at the vets...but this really is the big one for her. I know I'll be in floods of tears when we pick her up.
I am trying to be positive and imagine her running around with a tennis ball in her mouth in a few weeks!
Curly and Moby
As Moby's 'dad', I can honestly say this has been one of the hardest decisions of our lives.
At first I wanted her put to sleep, however on reflection and after reading posts here, I now know this was an initial (possibly wrong) hasty decision.
We (Curly and I) are the ones in limbo waiting for the day of which Moby knows nothing fortunately; we're upbeat but distressed for her. Emotions are high I guess...
Thank you all for your lovely messages which have helped us no end; it's a cathartic experience putting in words what we feel as a family - Moby's family, in reply to all you lovely and experienced people.
I do still wonder whether we are doing the right thing however that is my (not our) insecurity and I also know that this will pass, as will our girl's recovery, followed )hopefully) by many happy continued years of love and enjoyment of 'our girl'.
Thanks again,
Stu. x
hey stu, you will need moderator approval unless you register as a user. i say, register, and put your two cents out there. we know the worry, fear, and gut wrenching anxiety associated with this type of decision. my older brother gave me the best advice: if you make your decision out of love, then it's the right decision. this has proven to be my best compass through the storm.
hang tight, and know that your love for moby will get you through this.
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
Welcome Moby girl and family! You are a cutie. Waiting is the worst because it allows time to play the what if and second guessing game. Stay on course and Moby will be on her way to recovery before you know it.
Julie
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
We definitely know how overwhelmed and scared and confused you are right now. We were the same - kicked in the gut when we got the cancer Dx. Our pup was only 15 months old - and we'd just lost our beloved 12 yr old beagle to cancer the year before. We couldn't see at the time that there could still be good times ahead - but there were! There were amazing times! I can't tell you enough how great the "extra" 15 months post-amp that we had with our girl were. Sure, there were some scary, worrisome times sprinkled in there as well, but for the most part it was wonderful to be a Tripawd pawrent. She really did inspire us and we were so proud of our beautiful Tripawd Warrior Princess. You'll see - Moby will be one too.
Hang in there!
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!
Sorry....I was trying to embed a pic and it didn't work! How can I delete the post?
Moby as a puppy, the next one I think she was about a year and the last pic was camping a couple of years ago
moby is beautiful!!!!!! love that face and the flying ears!!! thanks for sharing pictures!
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
Oh, oh, oh! What a cute, cute face she has!!!
We all know how incredibly scary it is! But gosh, she's so young and there is so many more memories to make! She is going to be a beautiful Tripawd Warrior Princess! And she is going to look even more beautiful without that nasty leg!
Moby's dad - we understand how you *felt*. Glad you see that 3 legs is normal! I totally understand your reservations. But as one that had a 3-legged dog for 12 blissful years, I can tell you first had - you won't see her as 3-leggedness within 48 hours. You will see her as "Moby". And she'll be your special princess now now more than ever. I promise.
Keep busy this week so you don't start having panic attacks! (it's happens in all of us!)
We'll be here if you need us!
Comet - 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.
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