Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Here in NC, Mother Nature is clearly drunk and needs to go home. On Wednesday, it was 80 degrees but by Friday, it was COLD and windy (not to mention about 27 degrees after the sun went down). That said, Thursday was a near perfect day, albeit a tad cool, so I brought Izzy to work with me. Sure, she has to sleep in the car for most of the day - don't worry, I made sure she wouldn't get too cold and also had fresh air - but her time visiting with my co-workers and random pedestrians and other dogs was priceless.
Izzy is such a social girl and she's been "spoiled" by frequent visits to the oncologist's office where she is super loved and always happy to see her "friends". She was really under the weather after her first CCNU dose so I took her to work with me as much as possible that week because, frankly, I was afraid to leave her alone all day. She's rebounded and all of her bloodwork is normal, energy is great, but she quickly got used to leaving with me in the morning. I'm sorry, but could you resist a smiling, wagging, sweet girl hopping madly to get to the front door when you pick up your keys? I know I can't!
So I've resolved that I will take her with me whenever I can. Not only does she love any and all interaction she gets (she RAN to greet my coworker yesterday, even though it was windy and cold and not all that awesome outside), but at the end of the day, I'm happier too. Those short 15 minute breaks to visit her, give her water and let her hop around a bit are just as good for me as they are her. I know my time with her is growing shorter by the day as we struggle - most likely in vain - to get her tumor under control, so if Mother Nature could PLEASE lay off the sauce and give us some steady, predictable, nice days ... well, I'd sure appreciate it. And so would Izzy.
Goofy girl almost rolled into the lake. Yikes! 
Puppies make the BEST pillows!! 
Paws crossed for some nice weather and lots more days with my sweet Izzy girl!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
PUPPY PILLOWS!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Yes indeedy, thebest pillows in the world! 🙂 :-)Looooove this! 🙂 🙂
The visual of Izzy getting all excited and telling you she's ready to go out to socialize is absolutely adorable! No, there is no way you could ever deny Izzy anything that she wants! After all, when you are a BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS, a ROCK STAR, a SUPER HERO, a STRONG WARRIOR and a ONE OF THE MOST BELOVED DOGS ON THE PLANET, you can get anything you want! Add GORGEOUS to that list too! 🙂 🙂
Isn't it amazing all of the ways are dogs can teach us to spoil them? And we obliged willingly and happily! This just lights up my world to hear how much fun is he is having! I know it does her a lot of good to have this kind of interaction that you are giving her on the days that you have to work.
My goodness, look how happy she is sunbathing in her beautiful fashionable sweater! Lizzy is always so pretty in any form of pink! And I think anytime a dog takes a roll in the grass that means that they are completely content, relaxed,and ever so happy! I'm just really glad she didn't decide to take a tumble into the lake!
Amy, you are doing an excellent job of making every moment count and staying in the present with Izzy. goodness knows, from the looks of these pictures and the description of her day, she could not be happier! Keep on doing the outstanding job of making every moment count and making every moment magical. that's what this whole journey has always been about anyway.
Thanks so much for sharing this delightful post and these wonderful pictures! It always makes my day two see Izzy and to hear about her wonderful adventures.
Lots and lots of love and hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. And yes, we've been getting the same kind of crazy weather here in Virginia to. Knock on wood, it sure does beat snow storms and Ice storms. but we sure have been getting a lot of wind to so March really is coming in like a lion
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!
Your sweet Izzy looks so happy! We will keep our paws crossed in CT for you - we know a thing or two about drunk Mother Nature too.
Isn't it great when you can take them everywhere? I try to do that with Tai as much as I can - she is great in the car and loves to meet people.
Your love comes through so loud and clear and just look at that beautiful girl!!
Hugs to you all 
Tracey & Tai
Izzy, you need to stick around a looooong time yet. NObody pulls off pink-with-hearts the way you do!! We need fashion in our lives girl, so we need you!! 😊🙃you look fantastic!!!
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
I love her sweater! And so great that you are able to bring her with you!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Hehe, love this post! British weather is what you're getting, Amy. British weather! Mother Nature is always drunk over here. Mind you, we've had a run of three good days in a row. I reckon she must have wandered off to NC...
Such fabulous photos. Princess Izzy. She looks so relaxed and loved and happy. Lovely pic of you with them both too. Such a sweet trio!
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Beautiful... thanks for sharing! 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
No puppy pulls off pink hearts like Izzy!
I think Mother Nature has been bingeing a lot this year!
I don't see a cone, is she leaving her foot alone now? You are making every day the best day you can- I love that you are keeping each other going 15 minutes at a time!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Love these "pretty in pink" pictures. Izzy knows she stylin' and wearing it well. You and your pack look marvelousl! Great job living each moment and being more dog! Hugs to all!
Karen, unfortunately, Izzy has to wear a basket muzzle because she will NOT be deterred. That is part of why I take her with me as often as possible - she hasn't figured out that if she "dunks" the muzzle, she can drink - so I visit her every couple of hours for some water and a pee, if needed. And of course, lots of rubs and kisses.
Meg, I'm not sure about that ... I just got back from Ireland on the 13th of February and the weather was pretty consistent while I was there. Pretty cold and the last couple of days in Dublin were bone chillingly cold and rainy. That said, I expected nothing less from the Emerald Isle in the dead of winter. (The first time I visited, it was August ... and I had to buy a sweatshirt!)
Yes, my girl is a #fashionista and in fact, I took her to Petsmart today to find a new hoodie but we totally struck out as she need an XL or XXL. Quite disappointing as they had a cute navy & pink striped hoodie as well as a white one with BUNNY EARS on the hood. Be still my heart!
I promise everyone that we are fighting the good fight until the doc tells us that we are out of options or my girl tells me that she's had enough of this mess. As it stands, she is happy happy joy joy and hopped up and down EVERY SINGLE FOOD ISLE in the store - and trust me, I tried not to let her but she insisted! She was so worn out that she actually laid down on the pavement as soon as we got through the doors, happily collecting pats on the head from all the passers-by. Mind you, this was after charming the checkout girl into packing a bag of treats for her from the bowl. 
She is shameless!
Once we find a new hoodie to replace the hearts one (it's ripped ... she's a BIG girl), we'll have us a photo shoot so everyone is up to date. She does go in for a re-check on Tuesday to see if the other chemo drug is helping, so I'll be sure to report any news on that as well.
I sure hope my little hopper is well enough to go to the Virginia party. She would be SO THRILLED! Thanks so everyone who loves her from afar ... it means a lot!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
It's our privilege to be with you and Izzy on this remarkable journey of love and spunk...a whole lot of spunk!! We love loving her..and not from afar, but right by her side and right by yiur side Can't wait to meet her in person !! 🙂
Paws crossed for good news Tuesday....and a new outfit! 🙂
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Sally, you'll be pleased to learn that both the surgical tech who changed Izzy's bandange on Sunday and her oncologist - who she saw today - say the foot is looking better! Her bloodwork was great again today and she's scheduled for another dose of chemo on Tuesday.
Of course, we'll be back in on Friday for a new bandage - the one they gave her today matches the green in her collar and looks FAB with her pink and white hoodie.
The photo collage below shows many of her colorful bandages and my personal favorite provided by one of the sweet techs a couple weeks back. I ordered her a couple of new collars for spring/Easter as well, so there should be lots of photo ops soon enough!
Hoping my girl keeps doing well so she can come meet everybody!
~ Amy & Izzy, too
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
LOOOOOOOOVE THIS UPDATE!!!!! IZZY AMAZES US EVERYDAY IN EVERYWAY!! 🙂
Not only do we get a grrrrreat update, but we get ADORABLE photos too!!! 🙂 No dog can make bandage wraps look as stylish as Izzy does!!! And I seriously doubt any other dog gets all the specialized attention Miss Izzy gets at the Vet!
Being cute sure does lay off, doesn't it Izzy??
This spectacular update akes my day.....and then some!!
Lots and lots of love beautiful Izzy!! We'll be waiting for more photos!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
What a great update! Improvement in the foot...woot woot woot!!
Izzy is such a resilient girl. I hope it keeps getting better and better.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Stripes!! I love stripes!!
(why do I not have pink hearts here????!!!)
Great update! Glad the foot is better and that bandage is just too much!! are you keeping it on for fashion reasons, too?? 🙂 🙂
hope you get all better and we get to see you in VA!!
tina
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
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