Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I understand how upsetting it is when people say such harsh things. My Mom actually told me “You know what you need to do.” She just doesn’t get it. Now the subject of Boomer is practically off limits. 8 years ago, I babysat her dog while they were in AZ, long story short, the year before I lost my Doberman, their dogs’ sister, to a tragic accident. She ate a ball of yarn, it severed her bowel and she died of sepsis after $2,000 trying to save her. Well, back to the story, my folk’s dog was failing, they made me take her to the vet and have her put down. I stayed with her until her soul left her eyes and she passed, she was not alone. My folks have never stayed with one of their pets during the last breath of life. Maybe that is why it seems so easy for them and all these other mean and hateful people, to just brush it off and say such harsh thing, who knows. I have no regrets staying with my pets or families pets whose time has come. Yes, it is difficult but they show so much unconditional love I owe it to them.
So what can you tell family who say such horrible things without offending them?
I too have had to deal with many of the same comments. And as said above there are Dog people that just don't get it either. My Mom has a Dog but she told my sister that it gets on her nerves that I always have to go home to take care of my Dogs. And my sister wants to move but she has a Pitbull and there aren't many places to rent around here if you have a Dog so my Mom told my sister she should just get rid of the Dog because he is just a pain in the butt anyway. My Mom only likes certain Dogs. You would think that since she has one she would understand. My sister says "No way, I'm not going anywhere without my Dog!!!!". Also my sister cannot have any children so her Dog is like her child. I think all of us on here feel that our Dogs are our children.
tinakc said:
So what can you tell family who say such horrible things without offending them?
I posted earlier about my response to strangers/co-workers, but my family is a different story. I do not have to be political and mince words with loved ones. If they made a comment that was so hurtful to me, then I didn't worry about offending them. To them I simply say, and I quote, "I work my @$$ off for my money and I will spend it as I damn well please. When you start supporting me financially, then you can have a say in how I spend it." They have quit commenting. 
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/
ksplaine said:
I Really?? People need to learn some manners or grow a heart!
Okay...rant over.
Ohh- how about "OMG, it's a miracle! I didnt realize people could breathe and walk without a heart! What hospital were your treated at?"
or
I have a name of a wonderful proctologist- maybe he could help you get your head out of @ss.
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
tinakc said:
So what can you tell family who say such horrible things without offending them?
I think you are showing what a kind, compassionate person you are for even asking this question. Obviously, they haven't given a second though to how much the horrible things they've said/done have upset or offended you...
So I have to say, I'm with Julie and Lisa on this one! Some people just don't get it and they never will. But they should be respectful about your choices, even if they don't understand them.
Micki
 |
~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Ok - my hands down favorite is ksplaine's second response. That should go in the book.
OMG, you guys had me cracking up at some of your responses! I'm not sure I could pick a winner at these great responses...there are just too many great ones to choose from.
It's so comforting to know that you aren't alone...both on this roller coaster ride of a journey and listening to ignorant people's comments. Apparently ignorance is everywhere!
Kathy & Tasha
Tasha was a German ShepherdBorder Collie mix who was diagnosed with OSA at age 8. On December 29, 2011 she had her front right leg amputated and received 4 rounds of chemo. Sadly and suddenly Tasha became sick and we discovered she had liver cancer that had spread to her lung. After almost 19 months, Tasha earned her wings on July 17, 2013. No regrets and never forgotten.
ooh sorry I guess I meant samson's second response - anyway, the proctologist one
The irony: I spent 10's of thousands of dollars in vet bills over the course of my Comet's life and I would have loved the opportunity to have spent more on her!
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.
cometdog said:
The irony: I spent 10's of thousands of dollars in vet bills over the course of my Comet's life and I would have loved the opportunity to have spent more on her!
HUGS HUGS & more HUGS cometdog! I'm so sorry for your loss.
Here are some more great comebacks to be ready with, for those insensitive ignoramuses:
"Poor Doggie" comments, how do you react?
Pawsitive, Funny and Great Things About the Tripawd Lifestyle: A List
Funny/Positive Things About Living with Tripawds: Looking for a Topic
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I was pretty lucky. Most people did not make insensitive, ignorant comments about my decision probably because they knew I would put them in their place. But when a few people asked me, "Why didn't you just put her down?" I just calmly told them, "Because she is not ready to go so therefore I'm not ready to let her go." And that was the truth. In those few words I think they understood that her life and happiness was very valuable to me and it mattered whether she wanted to continue living an otherwise happy fulfilling life. Since we have the great responsibility of making that decision in the end, people needed to know that it wasn't something to trifle with just because our pets are "just animals."
I know my "comeback" wasn't exactly as clever as those already mentioned here (goodness you guys are too funny!), but I think many ignorant people do not understand that one of the most human things we can demonstrate is compassion. What more to display that compassion than with our beloved pets who would not get it otherwise?
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.
A lady at the bank asked me how Sparky lost his leg. I gave her the standard answer: It fractured, didn't heal right, and had to be amputated. Most people accept that answer. She didn't. She wanted to know how it fractured. I told her it's a sad story, and just tried to leave it at that. She insisted I tell her. Reluctantly, I told her that Sparky's previous owner got mad, threw him against a wall, and shattered the leg. He didn't even get immediate medical care, and Sparky had to live like that, in constant pain, until the rescue group found him. He had the neutering and amputation on the same day. I told the lady all of this. She glared at me, snorted in disgust, and snapped, "You didn't have to tell me that!" Jeez! I tried to warn her. Some people are hopeless. 
Becky and Sparky Super Tripawd
These are such great responses!!! We should write a book.
I usually only get morons when they ask me how Pegz lost her leg, and I tell them "We don't know".
The usual response is "WHAT??? You actually GOT her that way???"
LOL!! Makes me giggle.
I have had to make the final decision a number of times in my life for my babies, so I am not new to knowing when the time has come. But my last baby to earn wings was a 15 year old handsome cat named Luigi. He suffered in his last years with something called megacolon (chronic inability to absorb moisture,colon that becomes clogged) but with a little TLC, he still had quality of life till the end . Friends constantly criticized me for waiting and spending too much money...yada, yada, yada. "It's just a cat."
I would politely respond that if euthanasia was the only solution for constipation, many of THEM would not be here to give me such good advice....ya know...seeing as they were all full of....
But I digress. 🙂
trapper wrote:
HUGS HUGS & more HUGS cometdog! I'm so sorry for your loss
Thank you! 
Good one kviz!
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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