Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Tripawds family! Haven't been around for a while (not that I'm that important), but when we started loosing all the friends I made.... Sassy, Brendol, Roxy, Sam, Shooter, etc.... I found I was going to a very depressed place and living in fear of loosing the Mighty Atlas and morning his future death when all the while he was right here next to me doing great and ready to live life. So I had to make some changes in order to be a better pawrent to him. As we approach his 7 month ampuversary and Thanksgiving, I just wanted to log on and tell all those who were so wonderful to me in the beginning of this journey just how much gratitude I have for you all. Rene, Jim, Karen, Shari, Sally, LouAnn, Erica, Amey, Amanda, Nickylurcher, Michelle, Maximutt, Lisa, dharma, and Pam.........THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH! I went back and looked at my original post and was so touched by the outpouring of support from you all when I was so scared, confused and worried. I can't imagine how our journey would have gone without the help, experience, advice, wisdom and support that I received from everyone on this site. You are all very special people and you make the world a better place. Thank you.
The Mighty Atlas is doing great! He is loving life and hopping around beautifully on three legs, even with the wobblers syndrome. He still gets acupuncture every two weeks or so and it is still proving to be a miraculous physical therapy for the big guy. He absolutely loves getting it and gets very excited when Dr. Williams arrives. The last time, Dr. W and I were having an in-depth conversation about cold laser therapy and I guess we were taking too long for Atlas' liking and he got up, walked over to Dr. W and planted all 130 lbs of himself squarely on Dr. W's lap. He sat right on top of him! It was hilarious! Dr. W loved it, gave him a big hug. He said it lets him know that Atlas likes what he's doing.
The rest of the pack; Sophie and Luba are doing great too. Here is a recent pic of the Mighty Atlas looking perturbed at mom for all the clothing changes and pictures that morning. (still trying to get the dogleggs to fit)
Patricia & Mighty Atlas
Oh Patricia - it's SO GOOD to hear from you and to hear how well Atlas is doing!!!!
I totally understand how you feel and that you needed to take a break. I too sometimes get so worried about Jill that there are days I have a hard time with all the bad news. I am very glad you came back to update us though and it was with GREAT NEWS!
Give Atlas a BIG BIG hug from us!!!!
xoxo,
Erica & Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
OH GOSH!! the tears are flowing...but at least right now.....they are good tears I'M ESTATIC THAT ALLIS WELL WITH YOUR PACK!!
I saw your name earlier today signed o. I leterally..LITERALLY...held my breath hpingit would be a goodpost. And then you logged off and I saw kowpost. I got scared. Heart in m throat scared.
Then I saw the Title to this post....couldn't wait to pullit up as it sounded like it would be good! Then I saw Atlas's avatar and got all scared again......I glanced throughin record speed hoping...hoping....hoping....please let it be good!! P.EASE!
IT IS GLORIOUS
My exhale nearly knocked Happy Hannah down!!
I'm sooooooo glad things are going great! I LOVE that Atlas loves his acupuncture!! YAAAAAAY!
Yes, I understand COMPLETELY your need to pull back!! Every s gle loss.....every sngle one...we all feel so deeply. We grieve for our family. We grieve knowing that someday............. The sadnesses just rip your heart out every sngle time. We feel the loss on so many levels over and over and over.
I bow down in awe at those who stay n the site after their loss. No right or wrong in any way shape or form. I just bow down with the deepest respect, that's all.
We all get it Patricia........no explanation needed. I almost get physically ill sometimes at these losses. We recently had one,.Sadie..who never got past six or seven days after the amp. .....still can't shake that one off
But Patricia, it's updates like this that help us go on!! Atlas inspires us all! You inspire us all ! This makes it all wothwhile!
Atlas looks wonderful!! He IS the Mighty Atlas!! He is makinghis own rules of how dogs CAN DEFY THE ODDS!!!
THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL UPDATE! We needed it badly!!
We're always sending you good thoughts...please know that! And know that you have given us all support and have helped us through rough times too!! Grinning for a change over here!! GRINNING!!
Surrounding you with love,
Sally and happy Hannah
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!
The Mighty Atlas!! Glad to hear your handsome boy is doing so well!! We love us some Atlas around here!!!
Arhhh, it is so good to hear that mighty Atlas is doing so well! he is such a rock star! what an inspiration!
Amanda & Angel Porthos x
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
So great to hear from you!!! I just smile every time I see a picture of Atlas. He is such a happy boy and has survived so much. I know what a difficult time that was for all of us here on Tripawds, but know that we missed having you around so don't stay gone so long this time around! All your kind comments during the losses we had helped all of us through our tough times.
Luanne & Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Patricia,
I was just thinking about you & Atlas. I was hoping no news was good news. I totally understand the break thing. After losing Sassy I wanted to leave but I knew that isn't what Sassy would have wanted me to do. I stuck it out and everyone here is super and totally understanding. I want you to know that we miss your posts so even though you don't post a lot please keep us informed on the Mighty Atlas and how is he doing because we do miss you and care. Make sure to post on his ampuversary date so I can wish him a very happy Ampuversary.
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."
So,so glad that all is well with you and your handsome, adorable Atlas
It's good to get an update-I totally understand needing a little break when things get so sad because some of our beloved furbabies are leaving for the Rainbow Bridge-it breaks our hearts.
Give your handsome boy a big hug from Lily and me
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
Patricia,
I am SO glad to hear from you and that Mighty Atlas is doing so well.
I applaud you stepping back when you needed to (although we do miss you... well we miss Atlas ). Making this journey is so hard, you have to be at your best to give Atlas all he needs. Please don't feel bad or guilty for not being here, it is not the right thing for everyone. Just like we had to make the best decisions for our pups, we have to make the best decisions for ourselves.
And I completely understand about mourning his death early- I did that the first few months with Maggie. It was not driven by losses here (in fact there was no 'here' here when Mag had her amp) but by me listening to the prognosis and sort of making plans based on that. But I finally realized like you that Mag was busy living her life without a care in the world. My first lesson in Being More Dog!
Atlas is such an inspiring boy!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
whooooo hoooooooo!!!! WE share so many things in this site.. and it just makes us smile when we share such great news!! I will never forget watching that video of Atlas at the farm running around the fenced area... and this is a dog with Wobbler's disease? riiiiiight!!!! lol
Keep on kicking cancer's ass Atlas!!! You are such an inspawration to those pawrents who have larger breeds!!!
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!
Awwwww, Atlas!!! So very glad to hear he is doing well.
This is a hard journey to walk - especially when every loss awakens that fear for your own pup's destiny. I think we have all been there and I agree with Karen that it is wise to sometimes take that step back. Please try to check in every once in a while - we develop quite an affection for the babies on this site (strange to say that about an animal you've never even met, but it is true!) and we love to hear how well they are doing!
Give the big boy a hug and ear scratch from us and tell him he sure is making us proud!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Patricia it's wonderful to hear from you and know that things are good with the pack! Please never feel guilty about not being here; everyone copes with the cancer journey differently and when and if you're able to handle being here, remember we're always available and never judge.
Atlas is ROCKIN! How cool to hear the acupuncture is working. We just had a great interview with holistic vet and acupuncturist Dr. Lena McCullough, who is a strong believer in the power of acupuncture as a therapy for fighting cancer.
Give that big handsome boy a gigantic bear hug from us!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks everybody! Atlas is feeling the love and I just gave him lots of hugs and kisses from his Tripawds friends. I got a big slobbery kiss right smack in the mouth! Ugh! why never the check or hand, they always go straight for the mouth! Lucky for you guys this is a virtual kiss back at ya! 
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