Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Yesterday was Jack's FOURTEEN MONTH AMPUVERSARY!!!!!!! Yay JackAttack! We went for a ride to the vet I'm externing at so he could get a treat...he really loves the vet's office...any vet's office 😛 Other than that, we pretty much just hung out and snuggled and went for a couple short walks. Why? Because of this damn liver tumor 😛 It's causing liver failure which is then causing fluid to build up in his abdomen. His stomach doesn't look disformed yet, but I can tell the pressure is starting to get to him because he isn't breathing as deeply as he had been in the past. Honestly, I'd say we have maybe a couple more weeks if that left with visible Jack. All our end-of-life decisions are made, its just a matter of when he says "this sucks, mom!". One of the vets at our regular hospital feels that we should get xrays to see if the tumor can easily be removed, but he's been through so much I don't feel right putting him through another surgery and recovery...because of the size of the mass and now the ascites added to the mix...it's no quick fix. He doesn't seem bothered at all - just slower and lazier 😛 So, not great news, but the good news is, he already beat freaking bone cancer!!! We've already gotten all the bad news we're going to get, and dying isn't bad because we know its coming...its just the start of a different kind of living.
<3 Laura and BloatyBoy
Laura and Jackers,
Well a big HOPPY AMPUVERSARY is definitely in order, darnit!
The Captain has taught you so well, your courage and ability to speak in realistic terms is so freekin admirable. Really, as hard as it is to accept the inevitable, it's what makes living life so much more meaningful. Knowing that we never truly die, but rather morph into some other form of energy, is what I think is one of the secrets to living a meaningful, hoppy life. May you and Jack share your wisdom with ohers for a long, long time.
Hugs and ICE CREAM treats for both of you! xoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Laura, I don't know what to say. I understand exactly where you are coming from, and I so admire your convictions. You have had a wonderful 14 months, and that is longer than the statistics say you will have. You and Jack are true heros, you warmed our hearts with his stories, you cheered us on, you grieved with those who have left us.
I know you will build build the best memories possible in the time you have left and in the end that is truely priceless. As Dan and Gus would say - Paws up! And many ((hugs)) from our house to you.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Fourteen months. That is incredible, Laura.
Breaks my heart about the liver tumor though. I hope whenever the time comes to let Catie go I'll be as reconciled and at peace with knowing what's coming and as positive as you seem to be (and still holding on to a sense of humour too - BloatyBoy 
).
Hanging out and snuggling. Perfect.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Happy 14 month ampuversary Jackers!!
But I'm sorry to hear about the nasty liver tumor...
That really sucks!
Just keep loving and spoiling your baby for as long as he has left...It may be a few days, weeks or months... It doens't matter to him... He has already had an amazing and loving life with you! Keep it up for as long as you can!
Sending you and Jackers a big fat hug!!!
Angel Jake and Wolfie's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
I was so happy to hear the good ampuversary news...sorry to hear about the liver tumor. We came into this battle after you and finished before you will...so I'm happy for your success.
You have a great attitude/philosophy about all of this. Take care and Jack deserves super big hugs & kisses.
Tail wags from
Spirit Ruthie's Mom,
So soon Jackers? It does not at all feel like ten months since Yoda moved on. Those last four months I had with him though, though they were short in reality, we did make them last and still to my mind those four months feel longer than these ten since. Sometimes those four months feel longer to me than the rest of the three years we had - and it wasn't merely the stress and the vet appointments that dragged time out, it was also the park trips and the ball playing and the new people/dog-meeting and all the good stuff too. I hope your mom feels the same way about all fourteen of your months. I hope they feel like an extra lifetime that you two had together. (We should get nine lifetimes with our dogs, like cats get). By all means, beat those odds as long as you please, but be honest with your mom about how you're feeling.
Hoppy Ampuversary!!!
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Happy Ampuversary Jackers!!
Laura- I admire where you are in this battle. I hope the fact that you have made your decisions and know your end point have brought you some strength. You know Jack so well, he will guide you through this part of the journey.
Karen
Laura, you and Capt. Bloatyboy Jack are amazing!
I know you got 14 spectacular months but it's still sad for those of us that don't have your courage to hear about him. He's been such an inspiration and so have you with your love and devotion to him.
I know you have an incredible outlook but you know that no matter what - we are here for you and you don't have to be brave on our account. Just his, not ours.
Sending you Giant Hugs to fit your arms around Capt. Bloatyboy Jack!
Give him an extra kiss from all of us.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Thanks guys! I am not being brave, this is really how I feel. Have I cried? Absolutely, but more because I feel badly that this amazing dog has to go through this, and I cried at all your responses because you are all going through your own things yet offer such support. I just feel that thinking of end of life in a sad way, makes it sad. Instead, it should be a blessing that we are allowed to take pain away from our pets who have given us nothing but love and support. I actually started laughing/crying last night because I started thinking how fitting it was that a dog who belongs to a family of Irish-Catholic descent was living with liver failure...and he's not even a drinker (that I know of)! In a little bit of "STFU, Mom" news, I guess Jack was sick of me posting and decided to be as hyper as I've seen him in weeks at the park this evening...he was doing circles trying to get to the ball, and actually ran after it when I threw it. I guess he's ready to stick around for at least another day 🙂
<3 Laura and SmackyJack
In this case, the zoomies are a good thing! Thanks for the update.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Laura - Capt Jack is such an inspiration - so amazing - 14 months!! Wow!! I really admire how strong you are through this whole thing and I can only hope that I get that same strength when I have to face this.....my heart goes out to you and I hope that Jack continues to have his good days chasing those balls and being as hyper as ever. I still remember that one video you posted awhile back where he was practically bouncing off the street - I was just so amazed watching that video. So here's to Capt. Jack! 
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Happy, Happy ampuversary Captain Bloatyboy Jack! Sounds like you had a great day (and evening ) 
. I dream about Sadie's 1 year ampuversary and the party I want to have, so hearing stories about beating bone cancer's A$$ really makes me happy! We have a long way to go, so thank you for being an inspawration to all of us. You are one awsome dude that has an awesome mom!
Hugs and sloppy Sadie kisses,
Lisa and Sadie
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
Happy ampuversary Jack! You're a fighter!
Laura, you're an inspiration along with your Jack. Your words are so strong. I can only hope that I have half your strength when I have to face these circumstances. Jack is a lucky boy. Give him hugs from us too!
Leslie
happy ampuversary jack!!!! you are an inspiration - walkin' the walk, and livin' the talk!! capturing the moments is what it's all about!! here's to many, many, many, many more!!!!
gayle & charon
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
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