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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Oh wow. I waited all day to read your update because I wanted to savor every word once my mind was quiet and ready to take it all in. Thank you so much for finding the strength to write, that couldn't have been easy.
It's been such a journey for you, Bud and the many ways that you pawsitively affected our community that I cannot imagine his time might be near. I'm so sorry. If it's any comfort, please know that you and Bud have become a woven into the fabric of Tripawds. Even though time has passed since your last visit, there are so many ways that you contributed to this community and the collective information and knowledge we all share. The biggest example of course is Bud's victory against MRSA , as we wrote about here:
MRSA Prevention in Canine Amputee Patients
and
Get the MRSA Facts for Dogs, Cats and People
You both opened our eyes up to this danger and we can't thank you enough for that.
It's been so amazing to see how Bud has gloriously bounced back and gone on to live the best life a dog could ask for. As you continue on this part of your journey together, please let us support you as you have supported everyone here with Bud's amazing, inspawrational life. We are here for you OK?
Many, many hugs coming your way.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I've only been with Tripawds for a little over 3 months and this is my first reading of Bud and I'm totally floored; both impressed and empathetic to your journey. Four years is quite the blessing. So much love in every minute. So much to be thankful for.
I was completely enthralled with your latest post and I love the saying, "There is no end, just a change of address."
Peace be with you my new-found friend: Hugs and kisses to your Bud.
Pam
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
I apologize for not offering my support here sooner. Reading about Bud brings back some raw memories for me, but makes me know how important it is to reach out to others at these times.
There isn't a tripawd forum member ever that has to face any part of the journey alone. We are here for the good times and the bad. Bud has been such an inspiration for 4 years. A true warrior hero for all to admire.
I am sorry you find yourself at this crossroad. Know there is love and support for you and Bud. And in true tripawd form, NEVER lose hope. There is no time stamp on their butt. You never know which treatment will turn the cycle around. But most of all, embrace each day. Live it as if it is the last one, and make a special memory.
Hugs to you and Bud.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
We have been out of yown and i am just starting to get caught up with the news here.
I am so very sorry to hear about your precious Bud. You have been through so much together, which makes it doubly difficult to come to the approach to the Bridge. Our Goldens have had a difficult January, but we can just see them getting together and waiting patiently for their special people to meet them agsin.
Please know that our thoughts are with you and Bud as you travel this part of your journey.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
I am so sorry about Bud. What a beautiful dog he is! Sadly, Murphsmom is right. January has been a tough month for our sweet Goldens. I want you to know you and Bud are in my prayers. I feel for you. Just know you are not alone. The Tripawds community is ALWAYS here! 11 years is still not enough, I know because I lost my previous golden boy, Goldy, at 11 years. It sounds like Bud had a great four years post amp, though! That is something to CELEBRATE! Hang in there and know you are not alone! God Bless!
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
Thanks everyone, for all of your sincere support and outpouring of love!
I know you all know how difficult this is and miss your fur angels so deeply!
Rene and Shanna have been there since day one and I heart you guys!! Rene, you are amazing and all of this that you and Jim have built is a incredible labor of love, we are grateful to be part of it.
Yesterday was Bud's appointment. It was with a veternarian that I knew on a personal level for many years but hadn't seen. Boy, was she was surprised to see it was us! She wanted to know what had happened and I gave her the short version of our long story. She asked what my goal for acupuncture was? I told her that I would really like Bud to have some pain relief and increase his mobility so that he can have one last good summer, doing the things he enjoys. She is hoping that maybe we will be able to cut back on some of the pain meds he is currently taking also. She wants to continue the acupuncture with medication regimen. She hasn't had a patient in this ruff of shape with this many issues, so the plan is to come every week for 6 weeks and evaluate how effective the treatment is for him. He had electric acupuncture on his back (she said the muscles in the lower lumbar are in bad shape and have to be terribly painful) dry acupuncture on his hip and will wait to tackle the knee. She didn't want to over do it the first time. When she turned the current on to his back, easy going Bud swung his head around and looked at her like "WHAT are you doing" He panted some. I held his paw but he kept his eyes on her. He let her know that she was in charge of the petting also. He was very alert after the treatment and has been very sleepy today. We have to nudge him to wake. I guess we will see how this goes.
I had a good cry after the initial news but the next day I put my big girl panties on!
We are gonna do this and see where it takes us! Here are some photos....what it looks like, Bud's what are you doing to me face and his alrighty then face.
Oh Bud, you are a sweetie! You look like I looked today. I had some electric wires on my lumbar region also. I fell a couple of months ago in the wet grass chasing Daryl. You all were such a support to me when TY was fighting his MRSA infection. Thank you again! It is so hard to watch our guys and gals grow older. I am sorry you are going through this with your Bud. He is definately a fighter. I am hoping the acupuncture treatments help him. Hugs from, Lori, Ty, Chan, Lucy and Daryl
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Paw shucks it is stories like this that make everything we do here all worthwhile! So happy to see that the vet is optimistic and going to be able to help Bud with that pain. I LOVE vets like this!
That second photo of him has him showing an expression like "aaaaah!"
Did you happen to hear last Sunday's podcast with Dr. Petty? We talk about pain relief and acupuncture for senior dogs, be sure to listen when you can.
Let us know how the acupuncture goes. Remember it can take up to 6 sessions to see pawgress so don't give up if you don't see anything right away.
Give that boy a big ol smooch for us!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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