Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I don't know if we have any more time. Sammy cries tonight. He has been crying all night. I lost it when he started screaming when we carried him outside to go potty. I sobbed and ran away. I think it is time. My husband wants to give him all of the two weeks that Dr. Pam thinks he has, but he cries tonight.
It is ripping me apart. He won't eat, even the treats I gave him. He did eat the ice cream with the magic pain pills, but that was hours ago. I am with him on his bed and he keeps crying these sorrowful little whines and long whimpers.
I have asked him what he wants. He just looks away. He doesn't want my kisses, he just has this dark light in his eyes. Sometimes he looks just like that puppy I found on the side of the road. When he turns his head and his long eye lashes are in the light.
Tonight I am going through a box of cleanex in silent tears as he cries.
My hope is the pain will quiet down from the manipulations at the doctors office and my husband will be right, hopefully there will be more time, but somehow, I think it isn't going to be.
He was supposed to have his birthday in April, it was to be his 10th year. I don't think he will ever leave this house again, not while he is living. He had his last ride in the car, his last visit with Pam, I didn't even get to be the one to drive him.
I called my old vet and they said they can come next Saturday. But, I don't think Sammy has it in him to make it until then. I have tried a mobile vet number but they don't open until Monday. I want him to be at home, outside under his favorite trees on the hill when we get rid of his pain forever. I finally see that I am not killing him, I see what pain really is.
I am so sad.
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,
Sammy is such a beautiful and incredibly special boy and I know your heart is breaking. I wish you peace and strength during this trying time. Please give Sammy a kiss for us and tell him thank you for being such an inspiration.
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/
My heart is breaking for you, Elizabeth. I read this and am crying like a baby. This so reminds me of when Chili Dawg's cancer returned. I am so sorry that you have to go through this. You have given Sammy such a wonderful life, and he is so very happy with you. He chose you! He wouldn't have been happier with anyone but you! You need to know that and to understand that. Make every moment count with your special boy. We are all here for you. I will let my Chili Dawg know he is coming, because I think they will be great friends.
Sending you hugs,
Jenna
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
Add me to the list of friends who have a big lump in our throats and tears in our eyes.........Elizabeth, your pain comes through so deeply in the email. God, how I wish there were words of comfort we could offer you that could make this a little less painful. The only thing I can offer is my 100% belief that this is a temporary separation, and one day you'll be together again....and that time, forever and ever.
You have my heart...................and my BridgeKids are on high alert to welcome their newest family member when the time comes.
Oh I'm so sorry you are here. This is the hardest part of the journey. Stay strong for Sammy while you help him gain his wings. You did right by him and I'm sure he knows and loves you for that.
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
elizabeth, you know we all love you and we all love sammy. don't run away from this. you are sammy's advocate, you have the ability to end his suffering. i know, truly, how difficult it is to let go, but have faith. by releasing him from his broken body, you are allowing his spirit to be free. sammy will always be with you in your heart and in your memories. you do not want your last memories to be of him suffering. please know that we are trying to help both of you, and are here if you need anything.
charon & spirit gayle
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
Elizabeth, I am so very sorry to read this post today.
We will be thinking of you and your husband and Sammy...sending warm thoughts your way. Please gain strength from your tripawd-friends. We are with you every step of the way. Just as you've been with us on this journey.
--Rebecca
There are no words that could begin to describe the pain I am feeling for you. You have fought valiantly for Sammy. You have been the greatest advocate a dog could have. I will be praying for you all, for peace and strength.
Leslie
If Sammy has lost his spark, has lost his ability to take your affection, then you are getting your answer, Ellizabeth. I also had a husband unwilling to let a special dog go, and it is the only part of her passing that I regret: That I didn't insist and escort that girl to the Bridge when she wanted to go. So listen to Sammy's signals. Even though Dr. Pam estimated Sammy had 2 more weeks, she would be the first to tell you it's just a guess and things can change on a dime. You want to make sure that you honor Sammy's life by giving him what he needs, even now. As Charon said, we are all here for you.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Oh Elizabeth - this is so sad. I know how hard this part is. I wish there was something I could say to make it easier. As Shari said, you don't want to have any regrets about waiting too long. You have to do what's best for Sammy now, even though ending his pain will mean yours is truly beginning. You are taking his pain away from him, and that is a beautiful gift.
We're all here for you.
Jackie
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
I don't say this to be cruel. I have suffered with this decision with previous furbabies. It breaks the heart and you want to have as long as possible with them. This time, with Baby, I have asked myself every step of the way 'am I making this decision for me or for her'. It helped me through the amputation because I knew it would take away her pain and give her more happy, healthy time so it was clearly good for her and for me. But, I hope I'm strong enough to keep asking that question when the toughest decision of all is upon us. Know there are many of us sharing tears and wishing you strength.
Elizabeth
I am sorry you and Sammy are in this pain right now. Things can change suddenly, as Dr. Pam can tell you. If I remember right, her Tazzie was fine one day and woke up nearly immobile with spinal mets the next, so that she had to make a quick decision. I haven't really been following tripawds lately, but it is possible that something has come in contact with the spine - that sometimes is the case when mobility changes quickly. Of course, I hope Sammy is starting to feel better. If not, I hope you can find a vet to help you guide Sammy through this in the comfort at home. As sad as it is, it can be a beautiful or moving part of their and ouro lives when done in the presence of their loved ones. I'll be thinking of Sammy and your family.
Susan
Oh Elizabeth, I wish I could say something to make this easier but life can be so cruel and decisions too hard but Sammy is giving you his wish and you need to honour that wish, be strong, once his pain ends yours will begin but he will thank you for setting him free it is the last beautiful gift you can give him. Sammy will always be with you in spirit, beside you forever.
I hope will all my heart that you will get more time. our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
We are all here for you.
Sarah.
Elizabeth, I beg of you to please make his suffering end without hesitation. Please. He is telling you. He is so miserable. At this point, he won't ever be comfortable so it doesn't matter if you do it at home. He just needs the pain to end. Bone cancer is the most excruciating pain you can imagine. In humans, heavy narcotics can't even take the pain away.
Please get ahold of Pam. Please.
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.
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