Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Haven't been active on the site lately as I have been spending as much time as possible with my 15 year-old Standard Poodle, Elliott, who has been my best buddy for so long. He was the one who helped me get through the loss of tripawd Lily at the end of last year, despite being mostly blind, deaf, incontinent and having mobility issues due to a spinal stroke. He loved Lily as much as I did and was such a comfort to me. On Saturday, I had to make the awful decision that it was time to let him go. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do as he wasn't suffering from from any debilitating disease or injury. He just didn't have any quality of life anymore.
I'm so thankful that my Ellie got to just fall peacefully asleep in my arms with the smell of a half pound hamburger patty still on his breath, surrounded by loved ones and having had some great final days with me. I don't have to live with the awful guilt, as I do with Lily, that his life was cut too short or that his passing was horribly traumatic due to inept doctors. It does make it easier....but wow, it hurts so much losing him! Especially being just one day shy of six months since we lost our little Lily.
RIP to my sweet guy....I hope he's up there chasing Lily right now, both of them running at full speed, mouths hanging open to catch the wind, mind and bodies restored.
Lily the Great Dane (she was actually a lot more than just "Great") joined our family as an ornery puppy on December 20, 2005 and changed our lives forever. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in early May of 2014 and her right rear leg was amputated on May 8, 2014. She sailed through 5 rounds of Carboplatin and 15 weeks of Pallladia. She hopped on 3 legs like she was born to it and continued to fight cancer with grace, valor and an abundant sense of humor...and always a *giant* smile on her face. Lily had two small nodules on her lungs but was brought short by a brain tumor in late December, 2014. Lily earned her wings on December 28, 2014 and we miss her terribly every day. http://lilyt.tripawds.com
Oh I am so sorry.... for your loss.... there are no words of comfort but I am glad that Ellie was able to transition in your arms and that he was a source of comfort after the loss of Lily. I know they are indeed reunited again...
hugs and peace
alison with spirit shelby in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Ohh what a sweetheart. I'm really sorry to read about Elliott's passing, I can't imagine how hard that was especially so soon after losing Lily. 15 years is amazing but it's never long enough. When you have such a long life together it's very difficult to part ways, but I hope that the beautiful thoughts in your mind and heart of Lily and Elliot together again will sustain you in your grief.
I'd love to see photos of Lily and Elliot together if you have any and feel like sharing.
{{{{hugs}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Another sadnesss for you to have to endure. I'm so very, very sorry.
We didn't get to know Elliott as well as Lily, but we do know he was loved and spoiled and had the happiest life possible with you! And we do know that he was just as privileged to have you as his best buddy as you were him.
And that picture.....I'm in love! I can just "feel" how you enjoyed nuzzy that soft curly fur...a d he enjoyed it too! Even as a very ".ature" fella' in that photo, his handsomeness comes shining through! Is Elliot as "gentlemanly" as he looks? He just looks like he has very Regal manners.
My Bodie also crossed over at fifteen six months before my Happy Hannah. Nkt from any horrid disease like Lily and Hannah, just "couldn't be Bodie anymore". Like Elliot, it just wasn't quality. No, that doesn't make it any easier. We are grateful we were graced by their presence though.
I'm sorry to hear from you u der the circumstances. We all cry with you today. But I'm glad you shared this with us. We are all family, whether we are in the site often or not, we all care deeply about each other and want to be here for you during this rotten time of grief. It feels like you've lost Lily all over again. The gut wrenching void starts all over again. It hurts so badly for a long time.
Just like Lily, Ellie wants you to remember the happy times...the thousands of days of nappy times.
I DO know that as Ellie transitioned, Lily came running towards him. He was not fearful, he was happy to be returning home with Lily by his side! She must have slobbered him with kisses! Sure, out of love... ut mostly becae she was licking the hamburger off his face!!!
Bonnie started this thread is for everyone. But it's especially for "us"....those of us who have co e through the darkest hours of grief and have survived. It is a place to share memories of our loved ones, to introduce the new "selections" our Bridge brigade picked out for us! I hope you'll do both! Oh yeah, Lily and Ellie will indeed send you someone...or two or three!
Sending you all the love in tne world today,
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
PS....I shall cook some hamburger for all my dogs to ight a d tell them it's to honor Elliott!
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!
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Elliott, especially so soon after the loss of Lily. The days will seem so empty for a while, but you do have the comfort of knowing that they are playing together at the Bridge.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
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!
Thank you all. You guys were so supportive when I lost Lily and it's so good to hear your comforting and understanding voices again.
Ellie was every inch the gentleman! Such a sweet, kind soul always...never met a stranger, always stood back to let the other dogs pass, absolutely adored small children. His tag on his collar said "Best Friend" and that is exactly him to a "t". I am having that engraved on the plaque with his remains.
Sally: Elliott would so appreciate your hamburger tribute! I love the thought of Lily licking his face to get at the hamburger! I was so lucky to be able to spoil my little carnivore with lots of those (and chicken and hot dogs) in his final week.
Do I ever have photos of Ellie and Lily together 🙂 Those two might be some of the most photographed dogs of all time. I find great comfort in watching old videos of the both of them....it is especially nice to see videos of Lily all-out running on four legs and Elliott before the spinal stroke when he was his young agile, goofy self. He had the spinal stroke 4 years ago and we were so lucky because the initial diagnosis was malignant spinal cancer. He never completely recovered his back leg mobility but he got around pretty well and we immensely enjoyed that extra 4 years. I know we're lucky - his doctor said several times that she had never heard of a Standard Poodle that old - but it is never enough time. Especially when they are my only children.
Thank you again for your support. I am going to work on getting back to passing it along to other tripawd members. We do hope to fill our home again at some point in the future after we've had some time to heal. Fortunately, I will be pet-sitting my Mom's crazy AmStaff for several weeks (longer if my Mom has her way) mid-July so keeping her active enough to wear her out will keep me busy 🙂
-Kerry
Lily the Great Dane (she was actually a lot more than just "Great") joined our family as an ornery puppy on December 20, 2005 and changed our lives forever. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in early May of 2014 and her right rear leg was amputated on May 8, 2014. She sailed through 5 rounds of Carboplatin and 15 weeks of Pallladia. She hopped on 3 legs like she was born to it and continued to fight cancer with grace, valor and an abundant sense of humor...and always a *giant* smile on her face. Lily had two small nodules on her lungs but was brought short by a brain tumor in late December, 2014. Lily earned her wings on December 28, 2014 and we miss her terribly every day. http://lilyt.tripawds.com
So sorry to hear about Elliott! Does not matter how old they are, it is still not ever enough time. What an unselfish gift to him, to let him run free at full speed for the bridge. thinking of you, Lori, Ty & the gang Run like the wind Elliott!
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.
These poctures are PRICELESS!!! Truly PRICELESS! No way we can't smile through the tears when we see how happy Elliott and Lilly are. I know it's bittersweet to be posting now, but I also hope it brings you comfort being surrounded by the.love of a community who understands like no others can!
The one with Ellie letti g puppy Lily lay all over him...sooooo sweet! And those blue, blue eyes of Lily in the "pprtrait" with Elliott...stunning.
You shared some wonderful memories of Elliott and the type of gracious gentleman that he was. I LOVE "Best friend" on a plague to honor him. I know he felt the same way about you too!
Suggestion...give Rene a shout...she can make THE most treasured "jewelry" in the world...and its always made with love.
Unfortunately you know the grief lrocess all too well. It sucks!! Do not EVER spend one second focusing on one moment in their lives when there was a momentary rough spot. THAT would make LILY and ELLIOTT very, very sad! They knew they were loved a d that is ALL that mattered! Stay connected and share more when you can.
And ya' know what? I wouldn't be one bit surprised if little kids who have become Angels drop by the Bridge every now and then just to play with Elliot! Win/win for all!
Surrounding you with Elliott and Lily's eternal grace...
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
I am so sorry to hear about Elliott. RIP and run free. He had a great long life. I know that doesn't make it any easier at all.
I am so sorry
Michelle & Angel Sassy
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."
Awww . . . what beautiful fur-babies!!! I'm so sorry about your Elliott. My heart breaks with yours.
xoxo
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
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