Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Friends,
Today marks one year exactly, that I have become a member of this wonderful community. It is so hard to believe my journey seems so short, but when I actually think back to how things really started, it's not so short....
I almost became a member in February 2013, when we were well into a month of our initial journey with precious Polly... I found that ugly tumor on her front right leg Jan 10th, 2013, and things spiraled slowly in every direction. While I knew in my heart, she most likely had cancer, everything kind of continued in slooowwwww motttiiiooonnn.....I was googling around for every kind of canine cancer and dogs possibly losing legs, and Tripawds popped up.....I said, no way, I can't possibly become a member till if and when Polly may lose her leg. She finally had her first surgery in early March, (I wish I had made a better decision on this sooner), and we all, including Polly's surgeon, prayed for hemangiopericytoma.....it wasn't.....hemangiosarcoma, again....Most of you know I had already lost my sweet black Lab Maggie to this horrible cancer only a year and a half before, so when my surgeon called with the results for Polly, I happened to be outside walking one of my pet sits that morning, near a bus stop for little kids and their moms, and I fell to my knees in complete sobs and extreme gut-wrenching anguish. My surgeon was so wonderful though....through my sobs, she told me her heart was hurting with me, (she knew about Maggie), but we were going to fight this, and Polly was doing great, and we will take one day at a time.
And we did.....Polly did fight this, we did do all we could at the time, and Polly lived way past her prognosis with many, many great days of fun and feeling fantastic. She ultimately had another surgery on her front leg, and then her amp surgery after that, but she did good.....
I want to share 2 videos, one I found on one of my facebook pages, it had me in tears but hits right in the center of your heart....The second one is one of my favorite videos of Polly, about 6 months before I found that crappy tumor on her leg....the good ole' days.....
Love you all,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
https://www.you.....Z1CgV7MX4w
Bonnie, I wasn't able to watch the videos, my internet is acting silly. I will have to try again tomorrow. I saw Polly's banner earlier today. You have been through so much, losing not 1, but 2 of your precious girls to this piece of crap disease. And yet, you continue to press through, giving advice, helping others as they try to make their way through this. What a special way to honor both Polly and Maggie. Thank you! Love from, Lori and Ty
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.
Awwwww, sweet beautiful, beautiful, gentle soul Polly! You even play ball with a gentleness! Although with that last throw, you made it veey plain with greatdetermination that you were taking YOUR ball and NOT btinging it back to Mom, but tak i ng it in tne opposite direction!! ADORABLE! And the way n y i u made your little path around the swing with suchpride and joy....sooooo darn cute! Would lo v e to have known your thought bubble on that!!
The memories are bittersweet but always with a smile in your heart, right next to the hurt in your heart. T o jave endured everything y i u went through withyour lovely Maggie...and then to have this happen to your beautiful Polly......too much.
You have persevered though. You have done it with grace, warmth, compassion, courage and with a resilience that reflects back the essence of who Pol k y and Maggie are and the gifts they have given you.
Your Dad, Maggie and Polly will all be there to hand you your own Purple Heart when you reunite with them at the Bridge someday.
Sending you love wrapped up in a blanket of gratitude for all you do for us.
Sally and My Eternal Light Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
PS... Couldn't quite bring myself to watch the first video...but I will...with a box of kleenex I'm sure!!!
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!
That first video is SO true. I wish every person on earth would watch it. Who cares about getting dirty?!! I love that part. Polly is such a cutie! While we never wished to have had to find this site, what a relief to have it. You found your way here for so many reasons. You have given so many people a reason to return. Friends who once felt like they no longer belonged here because they didn't have a tripawd (silly friends)...they now know they do and can all because of the alumni group. I just know Polly and Maggie are SO very proud of you!
HUGS
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Ok, I cried watching both videos. I am a sap I can't help it but the first one was so true then watching Polly so happy.
Awesome videos Bonnie.
Hugs
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."
I loved both the videos... I"ve been having a really hard time lately but it's probably because the first week of most months mark an anniversary for me (5 months is coming up)... I've been having a hard time sleeping again and I can't get Shelby out of my mind (as a result, I push Jasper a little bit further away) but I always come here and see happy memories and they make me smile!
We are so glad you are a part of this community - even under these circumstances ... a club no one wants to join but some of the best friendships have been made!
Much love,
Alison with the Spirit of Shelby fur-ever in her heart (and little Jasper too)
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
Love love love the videos their messages are so true, thank you.
Days go by so quickly. I can't believe it's been a year. We can't thank you enough for deciding to join this community and being so incredibly giving and kind even while facing your own challenges and heartbreaks with your pups. Despite all of the ruff times you've been through with your pack, your very big heart found a way to be here, to brighten people's days, to support this community and to cheer newcomers on while rallying the old timers to continue sharing their lives with one another here, where everyone's friendships began.
What a giving person you are! Thank you for all you do Bonnie & Angel Polly! Lots of love & gratitude are coming your way.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Bonnie,
Totally ditto what Jerry said. You have unfortunately had many experiences with cancer with Maggie and Polly. To pass on your advice is one of the best things on this site. I loved the videos and we all need a reminder to love our animals no matter what. At times when I want to throttle Hank I have to remember that his and all our animals lifespan is much shorter than our own and to enjoy every minute. And thank you for starting the alumni club, for those of us that have lost our fur babies it makes it easier for us to feel welcome here.
Penny
Guess who's banner popped up when I clicked into this forum thread?! Yep, my Polly !!!
Thanks to everyone.......I want to say, the collective, uplifting spirit, and just general loving friendship is what makes this community second to none, and I am so happy and proud to be a part of all this. I find myself on a daily basis, talking about our wonderful support group to friends, and anyone in general that gets into a conversation with me regarding their pets, or my Polly, or sometimes I just find a reason to bring up our great community. For being a fairly reserved person in general, I have been able to open up and share my life in ways even I didn't know was possible here with all of you......because I feel very secure in the fact that we all have had very similar circumstances in life, and especially with our fur babies, but, the level of sincere caring and concern, has changed me in so many ways ......I am a much better person for knowing all of you. Lori, (Lori, I do hope you can see the videos at some point), Sally, Elizabeth, Michelle, Alison, Jerry, Penny, and so many others here, have made my journey with Polly so much more bearable, and I can only HOPE to be as kind and loving as all of you.
And Sally, one little side note.....I do hope you will be able to watch that first video.....yeah, I needed a box of kleenex too, but so worth it.....and where you were saying about Polly taking her ball and not bringing it back to me, and going her own way, no, Polly was a very obedient and remarkable pup, I was giving her the hand signal that playtime was over so she always would carry her toy to the bottom of our back porch steps and drop it, then sit and wait for me......she was an amazing, sweet girl. And the swing thing was something truly funny......she ALWAYS used the swing as an obstacle course when running in the yard and retrieving......one of her silly, quirky, habits she started to do as a young puppy.....Lord, I miss her so much.......
Keeping you all within my heart every single day, thanks for all you do here as well....this group would not be what it is without ALL of you....
Much Love,
Bonnie and Angels Polly and Maggie (and silly pup Pearl)
mom2shelby said
I loved both the videos... I"ve been having a really hard time lately but it's probably because the first week of most months mark an anniversary for me (5 months is coming up)... I've been having a hard time sleeping again and I can't get Shelby out of my mind (as a result, I push Jasper a little bit further away) but I always come here and see happy memories and they make me smile!
We are so glad you are a part of this community - even under these circumstances ... a club no one wants to join but some of the best friendships have been made!
Much love,
Alison with the Spirit of Shelby fur-ever in her heart (and little Jasper too)
Alison, funny you should mention the hard time sleeping thing, I have been having the same trouble, and thinking about Polly......and I know it can be hard to love on our newer pups, me with Pearl, and you with Jasper......but there will come a time when that won't happen any longer, we will hug on them so much easier, I am sure of that. We both know that the bonds we had with Shelby and Polly, will possibly never happen again, but that is perfectly ok......I never push Pearl away, but she is a much different dog than Polly anyway......she loves belly rubs so that is what makes her the happiest.
And I completely agree with all the wonderful friendships made here......it has absolutely changed my life for the better....
Much Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly (Pearl too)
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