Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I am not even sure I have words right now to type how and what I am feeling, but I know so many of you just simply know. I was with Fuzz today as he crossed over the rainbow bridge into the paws of his best friends that passed before him, Baylee his canine best friend, and Moo his best kitty friend. I made the excruciating decision this morning after his steady 2 week decline resulted in him being unable to sit up without falling over, declining all food and some raspy/labored breathing. I wanted to get through the Holiday tomorrow with him but clinic was going to be closed and not sure going all weekend would have been good on him or me.. so I abruptly came home from work and spent the last 5 hours holding him against me. Saying goodbye was the absolute hardest thing for me. Making that decision was even worse. In my 45 years I have never had to do that.. all my beloved pets before have died quickly and either in their sleep or unexpectedly.The guilt I feel is weighing so heavily on me tonight. He was still so alert and I just don't know what to feel that he saw me make decision to quit him. I know that the cancer was ravaging him. This afternoon his weight was down to 6.25 pounds. Prior to his cancer he weighed in around 11.5-12 after amputation he was 10.5 and 2.5 months ago at his last oncology appt. he was at 9.25 and so in less than 3 months he dropped 3 lbs. I literally have so much food of every kind/brand/flavor you can think of. A big shipment of mousse just came Monday. I think what hurts me the most is how he was here and then literally how quickly he was gone. I helped the vet make an imprint of his foot in a nice keepsake box and then my father and I drove him directly to the funeralhome/crematory that has done all my animals for years instead of leaving him at clinic until Monday and then not being returned until the following Monday. I work in the town funeral home is so I will actually be able to pick Fuzz up on Tuesday. My heart hurts. My eyes have cried so many tears. I am so angry at this damn cancer that had no business to take my beloved Fuzz-worm. It is just so unfair. I wish I had one more snuggle.. one more purr.. one more meow...I just wish I had my Fuzz back...
I am so grateful for everyone here... I hope for those that purchased the Tripawd Cat 2021 calendar that you smile extra big on January 1- Fuzz in all his glory will grace those most precious days of 2021 for me.. I hope he does for you all as well. I will begin to gather up stuff.. I know there is a place to donate to others in need.. I have so much including a basic brand new tube of the mirtazipine gel and even pills..so much food, including 2 prescription immediate care canned food from vet... a few jars of baby food and a tube of nutrient gel. I hope I can find a way to share some of this with others on behalf of the best cat ever... Fuzz...
Included are some pictures I took today.. the hardest goodbyes.. the laying with the Christmas tree.. and some recent ones from just a couple + weeks ago when he was seemingly happy and healthy. there is a video of taken on November 11 but I am not sure how to upload.. I will miss that purr and meow.... I love you Fuzz.... I miss you so much my little worm....
I am so sorry for your loss. You gave Fuzz the greatest gift we can give our babies at this time their dignity. No one can say when the hurt will go away. This grieving process is such a personal one. Lean on your friends and us.
Run free sweet Fuzz.
Michelle & Angels Sassy, Bosch & Baby Simba
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Melissa, I'm so sorry to hear Fuzz is gone from you in body but know he is still with you in spirit. He'll always be in your heart and never be forgotten.
It's always so hard to let our beloved pets go when we see so much life in their eyes while they slowly disappear in their bodies. It's clear you did everything you could for Fuzz. He could not have had a better mom!
Take care and please share your special memories of Fuzz when you are ready.
Kerren 
I'm so sorry to hear about Fuzz. I remember when you first joined this community, and you wrote how you could not slow that boy down after amputation. I know it's hard to make the gut wrenching decision to let them go, but we do it out of love. He will always live in your heart❤
Our Thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Just Beautiful Pictures!
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Oh Melissa, our hearts break with you and we cry with you. I'm soooo sorry Fuzz needed to be released.
His earthly body definitely was failing him and his condition could only get worse. With all your limitless Herculean efforts to try and turn things around for Fuzz, the script was already written. It was his time and he was trying to show uiu in his own way he was ready. "Being alert" on it's own was no longer good quality in light of everything else that was preventing Fuzz being able to be Fuzz.
You did not "quit" Fuzz...not in any way shape or form! Because of your love and devotion to Fuzz you gave him extended quality time that was chock full of treasured memories 💖 You continued fighting for Fuzz until Fuzz made it clear to you he WANTED to be free and whole again. He did not need to stay around anymore because he had more love and more spoiling than any cat could ever hope for! The scales had tipped out of his favor and he needed to make the transition before his earth life got unbearable.
As hard as this decision was, you did the most loving and selfless gift you could give Fuzz. Melissa, everyone watching these past weeks with Fuzz, and especially these past days, can tell you with abs certainty, IT WAS THE RIGHT TIME. You put Fuzz and his well being first, just like you have every second of every day. You made the SELFLESS decision to release him now, rather than "wait until after the holidays". That was such an act of love for Fuzz. You pushed aside your desire to be with Fuzz a little longer. That would have been your desire, but not in Fuzzs best interest.
Melissa, we know there are no words. We know we can't do or say anything to ease your grief right now. We can only tell you we understand the joys of this journey and the gut wrenching grief when it ends ike no one else ever could. We can only tell you we are still here by your side just like we have been this whole journey.
Fuzz will ALWAYS be remembered here and he will continue to inspire others with his Warrior attitude and determination to make every moment count.
Fuzz will connect with you, he will, promise. Right now he's enjoying seeing Baylee and Moo again and ce0 like crazy at their reunion. You now have three wonderful Guardians watching over you. We would love to hear more about this trio when you are up to it.
Surrounding you with the eternal bright light of the adorable Fuzz❤
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!
Melissa, I'm really sorry. I wish I could take the heartache away, and help you skip ahead to the part where you know for certain that by setting aside your own hurt, you made the most loving, compassionate decision for your unforgettable, beautiful Fuzz. Some day you will get there, but right now, just know that it's OK for you to feel everything you are experiencing. You have every right to be angry, to be upset, to wish that things were different. You wouldn't be a wonderful pet parent otherwise.
I also hope that you can see what an amazing life you gave Fuzz. He was so loved and cherished! He shared so much goodness with you that life will always be better because he was in it. And it was our honor to have gotten to know him for even a little part of that time you shared. Fuzz made us smile, he showed us and future Tripawd members that life on three legs can be beautiful. He has a legacy in our community that will never fade, and he will always be in our hearts.
Please feel free to share more about Fuzz anytime, and keep us posted on how you are doing OK? Going through the grieving process is hard, and we get it. Lean on us, you are never alone.
((((hugs))))
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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