Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Today marks 2 months since Tahoe's crossing, as it does not seem possible. The sadness, void and gutwrenching feelings are ever present as if this terrible nightmare occurred yesterday!! Some days are "ok" while others are just lousy!
I have tried to stay true in honoring my best buddy, by giving back to other needy tripawds and other animals as Tahoe was all about giving. So far, we have found a great home for Tahoe's life vest (tripawd Haiku), his vehicle ramp and raised bowls (to our vets to give to needy pawrents), leftover food, dishes to SPCA. Tahoe wanted me to create some customized note cards which we gave to all his care providers to say "thanks for everything". My next tasks are to go through all the thousands of photos, videos and create some other memories we can have around the house.
I know you guys "get it' but this stuff is soooo damn tough!!
Thanks for always being there!!
Stirling and Guardian Tahoe
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
Yes it is very hard. Just like you had up & downs while fighting you will have ups & downs while dealing with the grief.
I've been through it enough times to know that it does get better. Learning to "let go" is tough. You feel like if you do then it means you didn't love him enough. That, of course, is not true. But what is true is that those of us left behind must keep on keepin' on. And as you do move forward the hurt hurts less and the warm feeling from memories become more prominent.
Definitely do the picture thing. You will cry a lot while making it, but later it will bring you smiles & laughter.
Sonya & "Millie"--born Feb 1999, diagnosed with OSA 8/27/14, set free 9/27/14
(RIP baby girl)
Those milestones are really, really sucky and really hard! I know how you feel... It WILL get better (as you said) and you know that but your heart will take a while to catch up... I hope your mind is filled with more happy memories and the wonderful times you all shared together!
Sending you love...
Alison with the Spirit of Shelby fur-ever 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
Yes, it is so stinking hard. This week was 6 months since I lost TY. Definately not as gut wrenching as the first few months, but still sad. Still wish he was here, health of course. I had a day last week where I started all the second guessing again. Started reliving all the bad stuff. I made myself stop because that is not what TY was about at all. Two months, yep, the hurt is still new. The tears still so close all the time. I was able to remember some cute stuff he had done . That is how I honored him on his 6 month Angelversary. You will get there, it just takes time. Tears are ok. They are cleansing, healing and a necessary part of this journey. Thinking of you, 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.
Stirling,
I can't believe its been 2 months. I know Tahoe is watching over you. Thinking of you on this journey.
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."
Such a beautiful way to honor "our boy"! . You've put a lot of your heart into the donations you've made in Tahoe's honor and I knownit was very bittersweet.
Yes, Tahoe is all about giving...and he learned that from his human!! Great legacy for a great team......a team who will always be connected!
As Lori mentioned, we quite often end up focusing on the "bad stuff". That is not what Tahoe wants. Try not to focus on the "blink of the eye" transition, but rather the thousands and thoisands of wonderful memories of you and your special BFF! Easier said than done, huh my friend?
Two months sweet boy...doesn't seem possible because you still feel so alive and here with us touching lives!! Hmmmm...how do you do that Tahoe?
You've been your Dads best friend for ten years, and he has been y o urs.. I think you've both had a glimpse of Paradise as a result of your loving and soul deep bond. What a special gift you both have been to each other and to this community. We have all benefited in so many ways because you and Tahoe are here with us. Thank you.
Tomorrow II shall have a blueberry bagel AND a blueberry muffin for Tahoe! 
Sending love and hugs to all!
"Your girls"
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'm sorry for your loss 
Tahoe looks to have been a handsome and special boy. I lost my greyhound about a month and a half ago when he slipped out of my apartment and got hit by a car. The grief hits hard in the most unexpected moments. The one thought that has helped me push through the pain is both simple and cliche...'this too shall pass.' I think it's wonderful that you're proactively trying to help other animals in need. Going out and doing good in the world is the best way to honor our angel pups.
Wishing you the best,
AJ, Jaime, and Spirit Peace
Stirling- We were with you when Tahoe crossed and we are still here! It is horribly difficult but you have found a pawsitive way to keep the Tahoe light shining.
Laurie
It's so hard to believe it's been 2 months. I know the hurt is still very present in your heart as it still is for my husband and I. We're coming up on 4 months since having to let our Leland go. I'll let you know that we both still shed tears for our boy but it's not everyday like at was. The gut wrenching pain has subsided some but we still miss him terribly.
I too created a photo album of Leland through the years. I even went to a Things Remembered store and purchased a photo album just for Leland and had it engraved (I spent around a $100 on it but no price was too high for him). It was tough going through and creating it but I'm so happy that I did because I can go back and flip through and see what a wonderful boy he is.
You'll get to where the pain won't be so extreme it will just take time.
Keeping you in my thoughts and sending a HUG up to Tahoe!
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
{{{{{{hugs}}}}} Stirling it's good to hear from you.
Two months flies by even though our hearts ache and we just want to go back to the way things were. I know that feeling well, and I"m so sorry you are going through it now.
All I can offer you is this; the magic that you and Tahoe had does not fade in time, it is not going anywhere, it's moving around this universe in all sorts of ways, touching lives and making them better. You honor his legacy every day and don't even realize it. So when you think of how much time has passed, always remember that Tahoe's great life spirit is still strong as ever, timeless and beautiful.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you everyone for your kind posts and thoughts. It means so much to know that this community is always here, I guess it is more that I find it difficult to spend much time in here as it is still difficult. I hope over time the intense pain lessens to a manageable level. Each day seems like a challenge of late. Tahoe was my life in many respects (don't tell my wife or daughter), as each day provided a sense of purchase and meaning when Tahoe graced u. Now, that is all changed and the world seems so upside down…I know many of you know what I mean.
Instead of several email posts of PMs, I thought I would recognize those kind folks who posted….
Sevydots - Thank you
Alison and Shelby - You too are amazing! Thanks for you support
Lori and Ty - I know Ty is with Tahoe and helping him adjust. It's just tough for us left here...
Michelle and Sassy- Thanks for walking the journey with us! We all miss Sassy very much!
Sally and Hannah - What can we say, Saint Sally and Ms Hannah. You two are the glue that has kept me together throughout this journey, even now when I have those shitty days; you're always there! Tahoe and I are blessed for you two crossing our paths
AJ, Jamie and Spirit Peace - Thank you - so very sorry to hear of Peace's crossing. Never easy
Laurie - Thank you for the support, much appreciated.
Sahana and Angel Leland- What a great note/post. I can feel your pain very much so. I have started my photo compilation and hoping to get things off to printing this week. So many tears during this process…uggh
Rene - What can I say, you are the ever-present coach and supporter, always their with your words of encouragement and perspective. Thank you Jim, Rene, Jerry and Wyatt Ray for providing this amazing community!!
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
Stirling,
I am a bit late to this discussion, but just wanted you to know that yes, we surely all do understand. It will be coming up on 9 months for my own loss of my Polly, and there are still some days that are hard to get through for me. I can say, though, 2 months is not much time, and I know things are still quite raw, and gut-wrenching for you.....it WILL get better, I promise. That pain that feels like open-heart surgery without anesthesia, will eventually fade to a dull ache, and a bit more easier to breathe.
I do believe that Tahoe will always be by your side, just as I know my girl Polly is with me, they will never leave us.
Thinking of you and your Tahoe tonight,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
I too feel your pain. It's been just over 2 months now for me as well since I lost Chance. It has gotten easier, but not easy. Eventually the sorrow fades and only the good memories remain.
Chance is a 10ish Shetland Sheepdog Mix who was rescued from the shelter in January of 2013 and diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in September of 2013. He had a front left amputation and 6 rounds of carboplatin. He had a great 11 months and was diagnosed with lung mets on 8/23/14. He was released to the bridge on 8/28/14.
When you love hard.. you grieve hard...
and time seems to fly by so fast in our grieving period. There are times where the days seem to drag on... and then you wake up and go.. holy smokes.. a month has passed!!!
It does get easier.. we can all tell you that.. and you probably know that. But it still hurts. I don't care if two months have passed, 12 months or even 18 months... I still have a moment where I feel a rush.. and I think about my guy and I get teary. And that is ok. And it's okay for you too!
I have friends who have had dogs and cats and once those sweet furkids have passed, they have never gotten another one. They tell me that they can't handle losing them, that it hurts too much. I understand that. But how can you live the rest of your life remember how "it hurt too much" when you should be thinking of those mega millions of hours of warmth, cuddles, head scratching, chin snuggling, belly rubbing, ball throwing, furry smiles and wet nose squealing times?? It's sooooo worth it.
You will have your days.. most will be with smiles... and some days will be sad as you remember things.. and your heart starts waggin. And that is okay.. cause if we didn't have those days.. then we would be just "dog owners".
Christine... with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
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