Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Ramble anytime Elizabeth, even though you're really not.
I know, we all want them to choose for us but unfortunately that rarely happens. Is the price worth it? In our book, yeah. But the upfront pain of going through a situation like this is brutal. Lean on us anytime.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Elizabeth,
I have been reading your post and quietly hoping! I too have had to take a similar journey with my old timer and it absolutely broke my heart! I also did not know how long to allow the journey to continue. I wavered. Sometimes I feel guilty because I did let him go and at other times I feel guilty because I should have let him go sooner. But I think that is just the human part of grief. Saying prayers for you and your sweet Shy and the rest of the pack!
Bud's mom,
Angel
fightingforsammy said:
Is it wrong to hope she makes the choice for me? I don't wish her gone, I just wish she wouldn't make me choose.
Elizabeth,
I don't think it is wrong to hope Shy makes the choice for you. It is the one way we could be absolutely sure that it was the right time, if our pup's journey ended without our intervention. I admit that I had that thought more than once when I was nearing the end with Maggie. We want so much to make the right decision- but if it was made for us…
But as Jerry said- in my experience it does not happen that often. Out of five dogs that have passed through life with me, only one went on her own.
I wasn't sure I would know when Maggie was ready because she had so many things wrong with her. But I listened to what she was telling me. I am confident that I picked the right time- well actually I should say that I am confident Maggie told me when the time came.
You need to trust yourself and listen to Shy. You didn't think you could deal with Sammy's amp and cancer, but look where you are now! You will do the right thing at the right time because you have the strength and Shy is depending on you.
Karen
Hello everyone,
Your stories give me strength and hope that I may make the right choice.
Tonight is a great one, Shy is doing really well. She is going to be 14 in November and she is a large breed girl 75 lbs in her prime. I know that I will never get her back as she was in her youth, but it comforts me to see her having a really good day. I don't know what is to come, or I do but I just don't want it to come.
Her mom lived to be 17 and I always assumed I had more time with Shy. She has been my "lady in waiting". She waited for over a decade to be able to claim the throne of queen and to retire and live in the house full time. She would stare in the sliding glass window at her mom who was in the house and wag her tail in hope. Now she finally has made it, but it breaks my heart to think she doesn't know. I am going to concentrate on today, about an hour ago she walked our property with me, tail wagging, strolling along. When I looked back she was smiling.
Now she lies on the bed, happy and full from dinner. She is completely aware today, and I hope for a restful night for us. This is the most horrible of afflictions (dementia) because there always seems to be a good day after the bad ones. When is enough enough?
I have many scales on that, but my hope is Shy will tell me. If not, I have you all to lean on, but in the end, I stand alone. If I leave her for work and come back and she perished alone, I will feel horrible. If I make the choice for her I am responsible. Heavy burden.
We all are carrying this burden with our furry kids. It helps knowing others have traveled this road before me. Thanks so much for your imput.
Elizabeth
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Awww that is such great news to hear Elizabeth, what a sweet vision to know she is happy tonight.
You're so right, it's a heavy burden but in the end their unconditional love is so worth it. We'll try to help you through this however we can.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey Elizabeth, so sorry I'm just now seeing your dilema and the trials it is putting you through. I told Shanna a while back these guys have 24 hours a day to come up with something to keep us crazy. I don't have anything to suggest, I read the posts and am hoping you have gotten to a place where Shy seems comfortable and knows your there for her. Yep, the quality of life decision sure doesn't make our lives any easier, I always said I would never make Gus suffer just so I didn't have to make THAT decision, with that in mind I have a feeling you would think the same fo Shy, if it took drugs just to keep her around but knowing she didn't know what was going on or knew you were there would at least take a little pressure off of your shoulders knowing you did all you could for her, although I know it is NEVER easy, so here's to hoping you have a program that will help Shy be as much of herself as she can be at this time and take some of your anxiety away, big Paws Up to you and your whole pack, give them a rub for me, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Thanks Dan,
I am trying in my mind to do that very thing. Hugs are coming back at you from my crew and me.
Elizabeth and the kids
Oh, I found this today on facebook, isn't it beautiful? I wonder if it was a real cloud…. Or the entrance to rainbow bridge..
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
It's the entrance to poodle heaven! 😉 How neat.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Beautiful photo!
Elizabeth, what got me through the end of life for Comet was knowing that I protected her all those years. I may even have over-protected her and made her more dependant on me than need be. But it was my role. So, my biggest fear was she'd suffer and would be afraid. So when she collapsed without warning and was bleeding internally, I was put in a position to make a choice. I made it without hesitation. I could never let her suffer or all those years of protecting would have been in vain.
I doubted myself right before we let her go but luckily the vet reassured me that surgery would make her suffer and the outcome wouldn't be good.
Granted it all happened so fast for me since there wasn't any warning that Comet had cancer but my main point is, you'll know because you would never let someone you love suffer.
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.
Cometdog,
You are too kind. I hope that is the case, I hope I hope. I want to make some video's of her when she is going through a hard time, and when she is being her sweet normal self. I think your imput would be so helpful, because it is hard to see. Even though she is tearing up bedding and walking around moving furniture, does that mean she is suffering? I don't know, I know it isn't physical pain. That is what makes it hard... does she know she is doing this? Does she want it to stop... hmmm... it is hard.
It is hard on me too, because I am worn down from long nights with little sleep. I get frustrated with her because I want her to just relax. I have to keep getting up and getting her over to her bed. Or, picking her up if she falls. I don't mind, but I have to say I have been short tempered lately. I would never get mad at her, but I am grouchy.
I will get them made and show them to Pam and anyone else who wants to see them. I see Pam on the 18th for Sammy's 3 month check up.
Hugs my friend,
Elizabeth
Jim, you funny 
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Elizabeth,
I just had a thought- I know you have your hands full right now, but are you keeping a journal or log of Shy's days? I did this while Mag was going through chemo and again during our last 3 months. We had trouble with incontinence and early renal failure which made Mag not want to eat. I found it helpful to track how much she would eat, and what she ate, what meds I did, her energy level, what we did in general. It helped me establish our new 'normal' for eating and activity, and helped me see when she veered from 'normal'.
It wasn't a lot, just a few notes around meals and meds, and maybe an entry at the end of the day.
I hope today was a good day.
Karen
That is a great idea Karen, why didn't I think of that? I think you told me about it when I first came here and I did it for Sammy. Duh! 
At least I will know how often it happens and have a record, instead of just trying to remember when I am upset.
Thanks! ((hugs))
Elizabeth
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
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