Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

Sally (and Paula): I know the boots you mean, actually, but they won't be of help for us. Manni has been losing balance (and control) of all three legs. He's been getting wobbly, especially when getting up but also standing and walking and sometimes he also "trips" over his front paw, falls and hurts himself. I believe that it's the tumor pressing on his spine and spinal cord, causing "lapses". He's also deteriorated in terms of muscles. 

All of that is to be expected I guess, I just hope we don't also break a leg in the process. Or then again, maybe that would be preferable to not being able to get up eventually, I don't know. 

Paula, I know you get it. And I wish for you that you didn't. It's not just my body, though, my mind could also use a break because this emotional limbo is very tiring. But I'll manage. For him, I'll manage. And as I said to Stewie and family the other day: if we make it to Manni's 11th birthday the plane tickets for everyone are on me. .. 🙂

Thank you for the support you guys, I know you all get it and it's a relief to know that there are people that understand the unconditional love and the "doing whatever it takes" that comes with it. Thank you.

Sooooo. Another update. There were times when I didn't think I would write any more. Now, how else should it be, it's all different again.

For the past ten days, there were no bad days. As in: NONE. On the contrary, we've had fantastic days. I try not to make anything of this. No: "maybe this is the last getting better before the end" and no: "maybe the tumor is actually shrinking".

I try to just enjoy every day. if only the human mind wouldn't come into play in the meantime I might actually make that work...

I am telling you though: it's amazing, weird, strange, whatever. Hardly any coughing anymore, no more falling, huge distances compared to just two weeks ago, better balance (our physio therapist was pretty amazed, too). Oh, better mood!! All of us.

I changed meds again, well, not meds but the method of administering them. The injections were starting to get painful so we are now trying a liquid, hoping it won't affect the stomach. 

I never thought he'd even still be here now so this, to me, is another little miracle in a sea of bad. Still, I can't help but remember all of those lost recently and I can't even begin to list all the names that pop in my head now. I know that Manni will join them soon, I don't know why he's still here and I feel bad for all those gone before us. And while this up and down is hard on me, I am now adjusting to this new normal again and plan on adjusting to whatever is thrown at us in the near future.

Again, I will leave you with the most recent pics to not deprive you of a little Manni-fix: