Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I was sitting last night thinking my heart was going to break for a second time this year.....I broke the news 2 days ago to my husband John, that I applied to the Lab rescue to start proceedings to adopt Faith the sweet, blind, yellow Lab. He said he knew about it because the rescue emailed him too, and wasn't going to say anything till I mentioned it.....our conversation did not go well.......he adamantly was set against it and said he would not participate in the first scheduled phone interview. I tried changing his mind for he rest of the day to no avail. I felt myself going to that dark place of sadness and heartbreak again, and just shut down, not to mention, it got pretty frosty at my house, and I am not talking about the air conditioning.
A huge part of our discussion was Polly and everything she had gone through, but especially the money spent trying to save her from something that ultimately took her from us anyway. It was a whirlwind of multiple surgeries, chemo treatments, emergency room visits, constant routine cancer checks of ultrasounds, x-rays, blood work, etc, almost to a total cost of $10,000 in the last year of her life alone. This was a big deterrent for him, which I do understand, but I said I would do it all over again.
So after he made clear that it was not going to happen, I had the awful task of contacting the Lab rescue coordinator that was assigned to our application, and somehow explain that my husband had "changed his mind" about pursuing the adoption. Through my tears, I wrote to the coordinator and tried to explain, spoke about Polly, and asked if they could possibly hold my application. I was almost hoping I would not hear back from her. I went through my day today, mostly full with my pet sit pups and kitties, and tried so hard not to think about everything. I got home and John was getting ready to leave to run errands and meet a few of his friends for a few hours. He was trying so hard to be sweet and asked if I was going to be mad at him forever....instead of saying yes, I said I would get over it. Five minutes later I got a text and it was him.....he said to tell the rescue that we want to adopt Faith..... I was speechless......I texted him back and told him I already emailed the rescue and said we couldn't adopt right now.....he texted back, tell them we changed our mind......
I still am not sure Faith will even be available, and pray it will work out, but I have to be prepared for whatever happens at this point. If it is truly meant to be, it will....The important thing is, the process will start tomorrow when our scheduled phone interview will take place. The heaviness in my heart has lifted.......stay tuned.........
Love to all,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Wow, what a whirlwind of emotion! Sometimes its hard for people to open their hearts again, I think we all get that. It sounds like he had a moment of uncertainty, but quickly came to 
I am so happy for you. Whats meant to be will be, and with Polly guiding you we know it'll all work out perfectly. Please keep us updated!!!
HUGS
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Oh Bonnie,
That was so sweet and so reminded me of our ordeal with Maggie. She only survived 4 months after her diagnoses. My husband was at first very skeptical of amputation but I was determined and so we did it. When she got weak with lung tumors she would occasionally fall face first in her food bowl and one day he cried out that he hated this. When she died he was adamantly against getting another dog. We had Blink but I thought she needed a friend. I applied to a Weimaraner rescue for a 5 year old. That group (to stay unnamed ) put us through the mill trying to adopt her. My husband was against getting a 5 yr old saying the whole time "she'll just get cancer and die". We decided not to adopt and get a puppy. Hank is a terror but we love him, not sure what Blink thinks. I think she liked being the only dog. It's always difficult to understand how a spouse feels about such a situation like this, we just don't always feel the same but hopefully husband and wife can come to an agreement that everyone is happy. Sounds like your husband is a great guy and hopefully Faith will be there for you but if not another special dog will be.
Penny
Oh my dear Bonnie... I feel your pain! I can't even imagine having to talk w/someone else about stuff like that (and yet reason #567 why I am single!!! lol). But what a whirlwind for you. I know - I get sick when I think about the $10K+ I spent on Shelby (still in denial except when the care credit card bill shows up) but I have no regrets. Would I do it again? For Shelby - absolutely. I pray Jasper and I never to where I need to make that decision but she's a member of the family now so I might.
Either way, I still hope that it works out with Faith! I really do!!! Keep up posted! You are doing great. You deserve this!
With love,
Alison & her 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
Hi Bonnie
So glad that it may work out with Faith, and that the "frostiness" in your home has warmed
If I may give a suggestion-pet insurance!! We actually insured Lily around age 7-8. It was the May before her cancer diagnosis in December. It costs about $45 a month and has paid 90% of everything!! We have Healthy Paws-they usually send the check within a day after the vet has submitted the bill. We pay upfront and are then reimbursed. The only thing they do not cover is the fee for the office visit and the $250.00 annual deductible. They pay for just about everything else-accupuncture, physical therapy, surgery,all her meds, plus her fish oil,probiotics, etc. They are also wonderful to deal with. Just wanted to mention this, because it eliminates the financial worry.
Please keep us updated- have a great phone interview!!
Thinking of you,
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.
BONNNNNNNNNIE!!!!! OMD!! You poor thing!! Cannot imagine how you must have felt when "he" did not want to participate in the interview!! Whoaaaa! I bet the chill in the air felt like you'd just been transported to Anartica!!
Now, we''re all friends here, right? No judjements, right? HA!! DOUBLE HA!!! Not so fast on the "no judgement",part!! I wanted to jump through the screen and grab John by his ears and try and shake some sense into that misguided head of his!,:clap
OMD! My heart was breaking for you! "How could he?", I yelled into the computer!!! Yeah, go kn out with your stupid male friends and leave poor Bonnie home crying her eyes out!!
And then.......the story takes a turn for the better!! And all the sudden this "John guy" is a hero and the smartest man on the planet!
YAAAAAY JOHN!!!! We love you John!! And all your great friends!!
SERIOUSLY, I'm sure John is still hurting over Polly, angry that things didn't turn out differently AND...hates to see you sad snd doesn't want to risk that hurt again.
NOW, there is NO reason that Faith cannot live a long and healthy life! Blindness is not an illness! "This" situation with Faith does not equal "that" situation with Polly. Just because you had those challenges and expenses with Polly does NOT mean you'll have anything even closely resembling that with Faith!! There are NO guarantees with ANY dog!
And ohhh how I love that name!! "Faith" has sooooooo much meaning right now!! I really hope this is meant to be!! There were so many signs from Polly confirming this......or at least confirming some new dog in your life!
I have to work tomorrow but I guarantee as soon as I get home I'll be checking for your post! Alright Angel Polly, do your magic!!!
LOVE!!
Sally and Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
Hey Joan and Lilly! Jist saw your great advise! That should help warm things up!
How is that wonderful Lilly doing?
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!
Oh Joan,
I am so happy for you that the process is now beginning. Tucker and I have our paws and fingers crossed that Faith is still available......your home is just what this lovely girl needs.
I'm sorry you had to experience such a whirlwind of emotions leading up to this wonderful opportunity but at least everyone is on the same page now
Looking forward to your update later today...........Angel Polly is looking out for you.
Many hugs
Linda and Tucker
Bonnie,
Sounds like a carbon copy of my house LOL! As I said before things happen for a reason...have Faith!
Oh, the husbands! So happy your's changed his mind. Sometimes, I think that we forget that they took the journey with us. I think it seems , in most cases here, that we as women have done the majority of day to day care that was involved with having a dog with cancer. We also seem to be able to show our emotion easier. Just these 2 things alone make it easier to think that our husbands were not as emotionally invested as we are. I know that my husband just checked out of the process when he felt Ty would not get better. I took it as , you don't really care. What was really happening was he did care, a lot . He just dealt with it differently. He has finally shut up about the $10,000 + we spent. I finally got it when he told me that he could not look at Ty's pictures. He has finally begun to talk of another dog, but says that he wants a Lab mix so it won't get cancer. York husband sounds as if he may be in the same place. Just scared is all. Then they had to go through watching us be sad and I am sure that is hard also. Cannot wait to hear how your phone interview goes. Please keep us posted. Love from, 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.
Dear Bonnie,
I can understand your husbands reaction initially. I think after going through what you two did with Polly he was probably struggling with opening his heart, and needless with a dog that may need special considerations.
We have a blind terrier that we adopted Abby 3.5 years ago. When we brought her home us when we discovered the problem. At that time the she was probably seeing just shadows and we feel the shelter was not aware. I think they would of euthanized her if they did. It was a kill facility were she was, and trying to adopt a blind dog would have not been their priority. We realized the first walk at nite when she was bumping into everything.
We took her to the dr and had her checked. She uses drops in her eyes, and besides that is the healthiest little girl. She is not shy, but I will say barks when she first meets people(but I think that's a little dog thing for sure!)
We only have one rule in our home DONT move the furniture!
What's amazing they do fine, she lives in the now for sure. Actually Abby is a happy confidant dog. Pushed goes with us almost everywhere, loves her walks and toys.
If Faith is still available and meant to be in your lives it will be amazing.
Esther and her Angel Snoop
It's always the husbands isn't it? 
I guess it's just that everyone processes things at a different pace. Nine times out of ten, it's the husbands who take longer to finally open their hearts to another animal in the household. Funny how that works.
I've got my paws crossed that everything works out for all of you. Hopefully you'll know more today. If you do, let us know OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all so much for the wonderful support, it means more than you know.......however, I just got word this morning that Faith has been adopted into another home and family. I have to say, I am quite heartbroken and deeply saddened. I do hope her new home is a happy, loving and loyal one. Now, our only problem is whether we still pursue another Lab at the rescue......there is none there that grabs my heart like Faith did. I guess John and me will have to have another discussion before our scheduled phone interview. I guess this was not meant to be after all......
Thank you Joan for the insurance advice....we are actually still debating this with our black Lab pup Pearl, she is just a year and a half at this point. Polly was actually insured up until the time I stopped working at my animal hospital.... We had the option to continue it out of our pocket, because the animal hospital paid the entire thing while I was working there. We decided to drop the insurance and it came around and bit us on the a$$ BIG time in less than 6 months when Polly crashed with immune mediated thrombocytopenia, and she seemed to have problems with everything for the rest of her life....
Whatever happens at this point, I am not sure, but I will keep you all updated.......maybe Polly has some other pup in store for us........
Much Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly 
Awww that is such a bummer, I'm so sorry.But don't worry, Polly definitely has other plans for you! {{{{hugs}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Bonnie,
I am sorry that it didn't work out with Faith. Lets say Polly will pick the right one for you. You may not even know but she will. Keep your eyes open and when you think you see one just feel them out.
I wasn't sure about the health insurance thing with the girls but I sure am glad I did. I went with healthy paws and a $250 deductible per year then they reimburse at 90%. You can pick the amount of deductible & reimbursement. They have already paid an eye surgery for Jasmine & Snickers all her urinary problems. They don't pay for preventative or office visits to help keep cost down. Glad I have it though.
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."
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