Hi Stacey,

I completely understand where your thinking is at the moment. It is so difficult to watch our loved pets go through surgery and recovery. We can't explain to them what is happening and we can't tell them everything is ok.

I think our pets look at us to be the pack leader, to show we love them and are there for them. My Tess has become basically dormant since surgery and doesn't get up unless I tell her she has to. She has even begun ignoring my son when he tells her to get up or to eat, but when I tell her, she does it, lol. She does fine on three legs (only 10 days post surgery) but gets exhausted quickly. Yesterday I took her outside and teased her with the hose while watering the garden, something she used to go crazy over. She did have a couple of very small launches at it. I think we can show them enjoyment and remind them they have lots of things they can still do, it is just a new normal for them that they have to adjust to. As pack leader, I think they will follow our lead and our moods.

I have read that the pain generated by osteosarcoma is a terrible one. It is better that, no matter how long our pets have left with us, that they aren't in that awful pain. I think they would realise that the reason why the leg is gone is because it was diseased and we took care of that for them.

I too am on holidays right now and am worried what will happen when I return to work. Hopefully chemotherapy goes ok and there aren't many side effects, so that Tess is a bit more like her old self when I have to go back to work. It is quite lucky that we had holidays at a convenient time for the surgery, very lucky!

I am hoping that Tess rests while we are at work and gets used to the routine of waiting till we come home. My son just started a new job and he won't be home like she is used to, so it is up to her to show us she can be good while we are away. All jumping opportunities will have to be blocked, especially the couch and recliners, just as we do every night, she managed to get onto a recliner a few days after surgery and I'm still not sure how she did that, but she cried out in pain getting down! Hopefully it's just a matter of setting a new routine that includes periods of being alone. It will probably be harder for us to stop worrying than for our pets to enjoy some quiet alone resting time.

Please keep posting and updating us on how you and Trinity are going.

Lisa.

Hi Stacey

I know just how you are feeling as I have recently gone through the same emotions with my cat.  He had to have his right rear leg amputated 6 weeks ago and I have faced the same thoughts about guilt and concerns that he will somehow blame me for what has happened and not be the cat that I had built a bond with over 7 years. 

I am still having a few issues with Mr Darcey who seems to be having these 'flip episodes' but what I would say is that despite everything he has endured he still seems pleased to see me every morning and wants to be with me.  He  is still wearing a collar when I am not around, as he had to have a second procedure on the wound with fresh stitches, and although it isn't ideal he seems to be coping very well and finds certain positions on the sofa and bed where he is very comfortable. 

When he first came home I kept him restricted to 2 ground floor rooms, one of which was the lounge where I set up a cage so that he could be with us most of the time.  He would often just sit in there in his basket and sleep, and at night I would close the door so that he didn't move around too much.  He was very agile and wanted to do all the things he had always done and when at one time he was allowed out in the back garden he climbed a tree!  As some of the members here have said that might have been a bit too much too soon.

I too was heart broken about the decision to amputate and felt very guilty but Trinity will get better every day, it's just vey raw for you both at the moment.  I try very hard to be positive around Mr Darcey and I know that works well,  I also give him little treats when I think he is becoming bored or when I have to put the dreaded e-collar back on.  It is very early days for you at the moment and emotions are still running high ...only to be expected.  I too have had to go to work and return during my lunch break to check up on him and he always seems  looks forward to seeing me so am sure Trinity will feel the same.  They do need a lot of sleep to recover so he will probably sleep most of the time that you are not with him. 

This is a very tough time but there are a lot of lovely people on this website who will support you and help you through the worst of it.  Hang on in there.