Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We lost our golden, Chaser, in June after a brief but brutal battle with osteosarcoma.
I wasn't even thinking about looking for another dog. My husband especially missed the routine of having a dog in our lives....but that wasn't a reason to jump up and open our door to the first fuzzy drifter who walked by.
And then Bear found us. A friend who runs the rescue program for our local shelter discovered a family that was looking to downsize the number of dogs they had. One was an 8-month-old golden named Bear. She needed a home...so I drove over to meet her.
My husband refused to go with me. "You'll make the informed, non-emotional decision," he told me. "As soon as I see her, I'll pick her up and bring her home."
Part of me was reluctant to meet Bear. I feared she'd look just like Chaser. I didn't want a replacement. There IS no replacement for Chaser. But if she looked just like her? No way. Not interested. That would be too painful.
But Bear is Bear. She looked like herself. Not Chaser. So affectionate. Bundle of energy. I went back home. Talked it over with my husband. Realized no one would give her the special kind of home we would. We picked her up Sunday.
So...meet Bear, the golden who is helping heal a couple of broken hearts.
Wow, and I was also thinking of you guys today. So happy to hear that you are doing ok. No future pups can ever replace any previous pups. They just have a different part of our hearts.
Great to know that you have Bear with you. For some reason I can't see the picture, so maybe try again???
Our tails are wagging with joy for you! Goldens rock!!!
Cathy/Jane/Spirit Skyler/Chloe
I'm so glad that you found Bear and Bear found you! That's wonderful news...I'm sure Chaser is right there giving the nod of approval. I know losing Chaser so suddenly must have been the most difficult of all circumstances so Bear coming into your life right now was definitely meant to be.
Here's to many happy new adventures with your new found Bear 
.
Lots of golden hugs,
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Congratulations! She is a stunning Golden and how lovely that you found each other!
Golden hugs from Catie and high-fives from Riley.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
You are so, so, so lucky!!!!
Lucky......because I would have snatched her up if I had seen her first!
Look at her face! It's so sweet and angelic!
I'm tickled that all of you need each other and have found each other! It's a wonderful moment. I can't wait to hear of the new adventures. I don't think anyone can forget Chaser - she impacted us even for her short time with us.
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.
YEA!!! How wonderful....no, no one comes in and takes the place of those we have lost...it seems our hearts expand to include the new generations....(when we aren't questioning our sanity)
Congratulations on adding Bear into your family. She is beautiful, may she add joy and happiness into your lives.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
A girl named Bear! I love it!
I lost my Ruthie in June also and like you wasn't looking for an immediate "replacement", my heart was too broken. It is still broken but I have a new pup coming home within the next day or two. May we both find many years of joy in our new friends. Although we never forget the ones who became such a part of our hearts and battled so valiantly.
Spirit Ruthie's Mom
Wow! This is a wonderful story and so very accurate. Bear will be a great addition to your family that will will add so very much to your family.
When I lost my two white Standard Poodle litter-mates just three months apart, I had to wait three years before I could once more bring another into the house. I had to change from white to black so that I would not keep looking for Cassy and Sandy, but Cherry was able to develop her own personality. Above all, she allowed me to remember Cassy and Sandy without the pit of a loneliness hole that filled me. She would do things that were Standard Poodle characteristics and things that were characteristic of the relationship that I have with my companions. These brought smiles of memories past, present and future. She also developed many memories that were very specific to her personality.
Today, we smile through tears of joy in the firm belief that Bear will be able to fulfill the same destiny in your family.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
Awe, that is a great survival story. Each of you have a new reason for living, a new pal to share with. I'm glad Bear is helping you fill that void left by Chaser. Isn't it funny how we love them each separately? Just like kids - they each hold a special place.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Congrats on Bear! I know the feeling, I was NOT looking either. Everyone asked when I'd be looking for another Rottie so that they could keep the feelers out for me. I said I had no interest. I honestly didn't think I'd ever be looking. And then a friend said something profound: You will probably not go looking to find another dog, but a dog will find you when the timing is right." She was so right. Now that I have Miles, he is nothing like Raven and is a dose of dogness in my life that I really needed.
I am so happy that Bear found you! 🙂 I am looking forward to hearing more about him.
Dawn
Rottie Raven, osteosarcoma at 8-1/2 years old, amputation in October '09 and in February '10 due to liver mets he went back to heaven where he came from. raven.tripawds.com
Now I have Miles, rottie mix amputee from a shelter and traveled 1500 miles to find his way here through the Rescue Railroad thanks to tripawds.com. miles.tripawds.com
I checked your post via my iphone, and was able to see Bear! OMG, she looks like a youger version of Chloe. I have tears of joy in my eyes!
Cathy
Congratulations! Bear looks like a beautiful, sweet dog, and it's wonderful that you could make room in your hearts and home for her. Here's to many new memories.
We welcome in the new while honoring what went before.
Lexi
Daisy, 12 years young, had left forelimb amp on 5/19/2010 due to osteosarcoma. She left her body behind and joined the other spirit tripawds on 7/16/2010.
So grateful for each day with her!
Lexi (Daisy's momma)
Congrats on your new girl..............sounds like she is going to have a wonderful life. As a golden mom since 1991, I can't imagine not having at least one in my life. There are days that my 3 rescued goldens and rescue labbie girls remind me so much of my furkids at the Bridge, but like you said....they are who they are.
Bear.....thanks for helping broken hearts begin to heal.
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