Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance travelled,  the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a Dog."Â
Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."
Many hours have passed & my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been spent with "just a dog," & in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort & reason to overcome the day.Â
If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend",  "just a sunrise" or "just a promise."
"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, & pure unbridled joy.
"Just a dog" brings out the compassion & patience that make me a better person.Â
Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks & look longingly to the future.Â
So for me & the folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes & dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, & the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me & diverts my thoughts away from myself & the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog", but the thing that gives me humanity & keeps me from being "just a person."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog" just smile... because they "just don’t understand".
~ Richard Biby ~
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Â Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Â Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... Â You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
Absolutely, positively THE TRUTH!!!!
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Christine, Â
I Love this! Â I think I'll have to tinker around with this and print and frame it. It's simply beautiful because it's so true.Â
Thank you for sharing this!Â
Hugs
Sahana and her Angel Leland and Lucian too
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!
I LOVE this!! I agree, it is frame worthy. Most of my family does not get my relationship with my dogs, but that is ok. I get it and that is what matters at the end of the day. My dogs give me so much and ask for so little in return. i hope I am always able to have a dog in my life. I think that is one of my biggest fears in growing older. I don't want a time to come when I can't be surrounded by dog hair and 4 legs. Â Â
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.Â
WOW... Christine ... this is truly amazing and true. The older I get (and I guess I am still quite young) the less and less I prefer the company of people but prefer the company of my fur baby ... Jasper and I are pretty much bonded at the hip and given a choice, I would almost always prefer to stay in w/her on a Sat night than out and about. I am sure my friends and family worry about this 'single gal' home alone in her home but to me - those are the best nights! The dog never judges. She never complains about dinner. Never thinks I drink too much (well maybe she does but she never says it). 😉 Dogs are the best! I grew up with dogs and now I cannot imagine not having a dog.Â
The loss of Shelby was profound and I still have days that it catches me off guard and I find myself laying on the floor, gasping for air as I cry my heart out... But I have no regrets. I would take every minute of pain again to have known the best years of my life with my best girl! And Jasper's proved to be a good companion.
My mom actually sent me this video last week... it's LONG but I think we can all resonate ... She thought my "tripawds friends" would enjoy it. It was produced by one of her friends. I liked it!
feature=youtu.be
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Much love to everyone here ... you make my life have meaning again and I love you all!Â
alison with spirit shelby and little jasper too!Â
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
Oh my gosh we love this and can totally relate. Thank you for sharing with us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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