Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Elizabeth,
We are here for you, not judging, just supporting... I hope that you and your husband can resolve this, and that Sammy will finally be at peace. Sending you our very best thoughts, and courage for these next days. Give Sammy a gentle kiss on the nose from us.
Micki
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Elizabeth,
I am sorry I was gone for part of the day today! I did tell your husband that 2 weeks was my best guess but dogs often mask their pain when they come to the clinic because they have a little adrenaline rush just from coming in the door. I did mention how painful bone cancer is and that we don't want this leg to fracture like the other one did. It is possible that even though I gave him a narcotic pain injection that the pain is now more severe.
It is also true that I chose to end Tazzie's suffering the same day that she could not get up because I wanted to spare her any more pain. If Sammy is not eating now and is still uncomfortable despite all of his pain meds then he is giving you an answer. I would be happy to talk to your husband if he is still not sure.
I will check my email first thing in the morning. I don't work until noon but I could arrange to come in earlier. I know that it is a long drive for you to see me and if that is too hard for him then my feelings would not be hurt if you want to use your local vet. You can also use the tramadol every 4 hours; it wouldn't hurt him to be extra sleepy if he is in that much discomfort.
Pam
I am so sorry that you are going through this. It sucks. I can only speak from my own experience with Sadie and our other dog Sandy. I am only speaking for myself, but I can tell you without hesitation that the pain and sorrow I felt after they were gone was nothing compared to the pain and sorrow I felt watching them suffer. In Sandy's case, she was having trouble breathing (her body was filled with cancer and we never knew until the end because she never, ever gave us a reason to think anything was wrong) I literally breathed a sigh of relief when her very labored breathing ceased. Her suffering ripped me apart more than her being gone did. Sadie, fortunately suffered less. She could not walk or empty her bladder, even if I held her up, yet her tail still wagged. She finally let go of 2 days worth on the family room carpet (I kissed her head and said "good girl!") Anyway, that's when I knew it was time. I hope Sammy has a better day, so that you can enjoy another moment of "Sammyness" before you help him put on his wings to fly pain free.....
Hugs,
Lisa
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/
I am grateful for this day. Sammy didn't cry last night. He ate his breakfast, he is wagging his tail. I have to go to work now, but I am still calling Dr. Pam today. I think this is just a short rally, but I am so very happy to see his smile.
Elizabeth and Sammy
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.
I'm so happy you got to see his smile one last time... I know you're hurting, and I'm thinking of you today as you face this difficult hurdle. Be strong. Have courage. Your Sammy-boy taught you how...
Loves to you and your boy,
Micki
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Elizabeth, good luck today when you talk to Pam. I hope that whatever decision you guys come to, it's something that you, your husband, Pam and Sammy approve of together. You are all a team here, working to advocate for Sammy's best interests. There are no bad guys here, only incredibly stressed-out people who are overwhelmed. Nothing is worth you and your husband having a wedge driven between you. It ain't easy. Most worthwhile things (like Sammy in your lives) aren't easy. You'll be on my mind all day, and in my heart.
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/
Elizabeth I know exactly how you feel. I am so sorry that you have to know this pain. It is truly awful. Everyone's experience is different so don't worry about being judged. I know that you want to make very very sure that it is indeed his time to go. For some reason some part of me just took control when Valentina became immobile and what I needed to do was very clear to me. I don't know why that happened because I don't feel like a very strong person and I thought I would be hesitant and slow to make the decision. To my surprise I just did what I knew needed to be done. In a way I am angry that it happened so fast. I had imagined that the cancer would return and it would be a long slow process until I was sure it was time to let her go. But somehow it happened so quickly that my head is spinning and I am stunned at what has happened. I am glad that Valentina is not in pain and struggling anymore but I will always wish I had just a little more time with her. Everyone here does. At my house everyone agreed that it was time to let Valentina go so that also helped me be sure of my decision. I am so sorry that you and your husband cannot agree on this very sensitive subject. I know that it makes it much harder and confusing for you. I am not telling you to do this but I rarely listen to what my husband has to say when it comes to my Dogs. I am their primary caretaker, I am their Mommy and I am the one that can sense what they need more than anyone else. My husband did not think that Valentina needed to go to the vet when she started having trouble walking. He said that I should just give her some pain medicine and that she would be ok. He thought one of her legs was just sore or something. I could tell that it was much more serious. I made the appt.for her anyway and I was right. I have always been right when I suspected something was not quite right with one of my animals. Even with the first sign of the tumor in her leg my husband wanted me to give it more time before I took her to the vet. He just thought she bumped her leg or something and said " Ehhh, She'll be ok, you just need to give it more time." I did not listen to him and I took her to the vet anyway and that's when I found out she had cancer. Anyway I'm not saying that your husband could never understand what Sammy needs but I can tell that you "know" what he really needs right now. Whatever decision you make and whenever you make it we will all be here for you and we will support you every step of the way. This pain is unlike any I have ever felt and I wish with all of my heart that I could save you from it. Part of you will be relieved that Sammy is not in pain anymore so that will help and you will also feel a little relief from not having to worry about him so much anymore. But I know that it will also very extremely hard also. I do hope that Sammy continues to hang in there with not as much pain and is able to get up some to go potty so you can have more time with him. The time is so valuable. But I also wish you the strength and courage to know when it is time and that it cannot go on any longer. I will be praying for you and your sweet Sammy and your husband too. I hope that the two of you can come together on this for Sammy's sake.
Much Love and Hugs to all of you,
Angel and Valentina Angel Dane
Elizabeth,
Tears are falling for you heavily right now. I am very sad you are in this very, very tough situation near the end of your journey with your boy. Try to be strong; I know that is very difficult when you are feeling extremely fragile in emotion right now. Have comfort in knowing that when you do finally end Sammy's suffering, he will be greeted by my Jewels and all the other amazing tripawds running like crazy on the other side of the bridge. There he will be happy and pain-free. The emotional pain you will feel from missing him so badly is something I understand very well. You will get through this. I am thinking about you and will pray for you tonight that you will have comfort and peace during this difficult time. We are here feeling the pain with you.
Hugs,
Geraldine
Jewels was a gorgeous Lab-Shep mix that found us at the pet rescue when she was just 3 months old. Born June 2000; Diagnosed OSA on June 1, 2011; L-front Amputation September 12, 2011; Crossed Rainbow Bridge December 30, 2011. My "baby dog" will always be in my heart. Now she is running fast and free on all four legs after the rabbits and squirrels! Jewels was loved by her crazy-busy mom, even-keeled dad, pesky twin human brothers and monkeydog sister Aspen. Read about Jewels' Tripawd Journey here.
Quality of life...
It's about Sammy and HIS quality of life.
Ask yourself, is Sammy experiencing, now, the quality of life he deserves?
It's not about you or your husband, it's about Sammy and what he needs.
the chauffeur.
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