Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Kristen - I hope this doesn't sound corny, but taking that hike took a hell of a lot of courage and you should be proud of yourself...to literally walk through the pain you must have felt. He is with you...will never leave you, I believe that. I know it isn't the same...it's just different and takes (a long while I imagine) to adjust to it.
Jack was a very happy boy taking that hike with you over the weekend. 
We think of you guys quite often...
Keep in touch, we love to hear how you are doing ~
Love Heather
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Hi Kristen,
We agree with Heather & Zeus. It took a lot of courage to take that hike and you really should be so proud of yourself. I have been reading many of the posts to you and I agree that Jack's spirit is with you no matter what you are doing or wherever you are. Grief does come in "waves" and, I believe, it was Heather and Zeus, again, who mentioned that you need to take it "hour by hour" and, as time goes on, "day by day". Do not be afraid that you will ever forget Jack. It's been over 34 years since I lost my very own first kitty and he was 6 years old when he died suddenly. He was devoted to me like a dog and we were inseparable. My life felt like it was broken beyond compare. I have never forgotten him, nor any of the other beloved dogs & cats who have come my way and I never will. You won't forget Jack nor will he ever forget you and all the love you shared. I promise.
Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki)
Hi Kristen,
That is wonderful, that you can and want to go back to the special hiking spot that you shared with Jack. I agree that all life has energy. Just because they are not longer here in a physical sense their spirit is with us always. I think being surrounded by nature is the perfect place to reconnect with his spirit. I hope you will find that sense of peace that being in a natural environment can bring... close your eyes next time and you may even be able to see him by your side. He is still with you...
Peace,
Kim & Buster
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
Thank you Rene, Heather and Vicki — you are all very kind. I suppose it took some strength to do that hike…. my friend who was there was a huge help too. She spent quite a bit of time with Jack and had lots of kind words to say about him and what an amazing dog he was. That is always nice to hear 
. Also helps me to talk about him. And, Vicki, as you said, does assist me in realizing that I won't ever forget him. So that enables me to go with my emotions - be they happy or sad.
I was going through some pictures today and found some of Jack as a puppy. They made me smile — his ears were HUGE as a puppy! So incredibly cute!!
Still miss him so much but also able to be grateful for the fact that I had him for 4 years and focus on all he did for me and taught me. Still shedding tears but also smiling in between. This site and the wonderful people on it have been a huge help. Thank you!!
Kim - I just saw your post -- that is so true -- I feel the most connected with him when outside - whether it be when I'm walking my other dog or on the trails we used to hike.... he feels nearby. Smiling and wagging... I hope you are hanging in there. Hugs to Buster!
Hello all - nothing much to report. Just wanted to check in I guess. Still missing Jack. Ran into a neighbor and let him know about Jack - his family had gotten a choc lab pup a few months ago and Jack and I would stop sometimes and visit while on our walks - of course I started crying.... ugh...
My vet left me a message to let me know she is going to write some sort of paper (not sure what the official "vet" term is for it) outlining Jack's case and send it to all the docs involved with his diagnosis (that took way too long - my words) and treatment. She is sending it to me before she sends it out in case I want to add something. She told me of the couple things she would have done differently for Jack - she would have looked into doing chemo (which in all the things I've read, chemo isn't effective in chondrosarcoma tumors) and she wouldn't have been so adamant to me that this type doesn't spread. Neither of these would not change the outcome but I guess she thinks his case is important enough to share with the chance it may help other dogs in the future??? I'm honestly not even sure. I guess once I get the paper she writes, it may make more sense to me. Kills me to think of the possibility that he didn't get the best care possible -- but I'm not even sure if that is what she is saying. Can you tell I'm a bit confused here? Guess I will see what the paper says, then give her a call.
Jerry - I still want to write Jack's story for a blog entry as you had suggested before -- its not too late, is it??
jacksmom said:
... I still want to write Jack's story for a blog entry ...
It is never too late to share the story of a great dog like Jack. Feel free to send it anytime, no rush. Having just "celebrated" the four-month anniversaru of Jerry's passing yesterday, we understand how easily difficult emotions get stirred up. But we would be happy to publish Jack's tail. We'd also be interested in hearing your vet's input.
Thanks for checking in! Don't feel like you ever need a reason to do so.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Kristen - I echo Jerry - you never need a reason to check in...I think of you and often wonder how you are holding up. Remember to be gentle with yourself...will there ever be a time when you don't shed a tear when you hear of or talk about Jack? probably not...but hopefully in time, those tears will be tears of happy rememberence...in time.
Writing is healing - I'll look forward to hearing Jack's tail too.
Much love and big hug,
Heather
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Jerry - my plan is to get Jack's story to you this weekend. I've been doing my best to stay busy and out of my house so as to not focus on the fact that Jack isn't following me around, sitting on top of me or staring at me wondering when we are going for a hike. But, I need to stop that so I will be slowing down a bit this weekend.... hope you are well.
Thanks for checking in Heather. I'm hanging in OK. Took hike #2 on Sunday - it was 60 degrees!!! Bittersweet though - I love the warmer weather but it seems to make me just miss Jack more. He would've had a blast and I would've let him swim for a while in the warmer weather.... baby steps... minor progress - 2 hikes without him.... also took my first trip to the dog food store without him - had to tell the owner my sad news -- he would make a huge fuss over Jack when we came in - we started going there after his surgery to get him on an extra healthy diet.... the owner was very sad to hear the news -- was good to talk to him because he "gets it"... and he shared some of his sad stories...but we both agreed its worth the sadness to have all the joys and amazing lessons they bring for that brief amount of time they are with us. Hope you and Zeus are well. Give Zeus some hugs from me please!
Hey Kristin
Hope you are doing ok. I know it is hard to see when a tripawd is losing their fight. I know it brings back the loss of our tripawds. But just think Jack, Titan, Jerry etc…are all there to greet the next tripawd into their pack up there. Send me an email if you want to chat or I would be happy to send the latest book I read to you. It was pretty good and helped some. I hope you got my last email.
Take Care
Heidi
Jacksmom, I know, there are a lot of emotional triggers that will get you feeling sad. All of those "firsts" take a lot of courage to follow through with. But it's what our boys want; to get on with life and really live it, for them. All of those lessons they taught us, we must not ever forget. Take your time, allow yourself the room to grieve as you see fit, and embrace each day as a tribute to Jack. No rush on the story, it's definitely a challenging thing to write. Hang in there. We send our love.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yep - I hear Jack -- get moving Mom!! None of this sitting around feeling sorry for yourself!! He wouldn't let me do that while he was here with me physically so, of course, the "spiritual" Jack says the same thing. But, wow, I miss him. Was crying this morning reading over some old e-mails I sent to friends letting them know of Jack's "passing"... seems sometimes I feel the need to torture myself, it took me right back to those awful days. But also helped me see that I've made some progress. I will always miss him - there is no way around that. Trying to live the lessons learned. A day at a time.
We will always miss our lost pups. Still after more than four months of losing our boy I sometimes get sharp pangs and cry. But I just ask "What would Jerry do?" and a smile will quickly replace that frown. Thanks for sharing, that's what we're all here for.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jacksmom said:
… seems sometimes I feel the need to torture myself, it took me right back to those awful days. But also helped me see that I've made some progress. I will always miss him - there is no way around that. Trying to live the lessons learned. A day at a time.
We all grieve the way we grieve...there is no right or wrong way to do it. It's all part of the process. I can imagine where I would do the same things that you are doing - reliving the painful part. These guys nuzzle their way right into our hearts, our souls and our very core being - I KNOW that I'm a better person today because of Zeus in so many ways. How do we recover from a loss like that? Do we ever? I don't see how, but somewhere along the way as you, Jim and Rene, Jessie, Heidi and so many others know - you learn to live through it. The loss wouldn't be so great if we didn't love so deeply and unconditionally and who taught us how to do that? Our fur babies. Imagine if all humans could do that...
Be gentle with yourself...I will always tell you that. It's an enormous loss - whether or not others understand it - it is YOUR loss and you have to honor that.
Love as always and of course, one day at a time kiddo
Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Kristen
Heather is right. I don't know if I will ever get over Titan's loss as you may not with Jack. We have both lost a parent and the same we may never recover completely from those losses. But we have to live with them. That is what Jack and Titan would want. Titan, Jack and no of the other tripawds want to leave their families but it is out their and our control.....Just know the book I read said animals go right over to the other side because they have pure souls. They are not tainted like some people are and get stuck here on earth instead of going to the other side....Everyone grieves differently like Heather said there is no right or wrong way. You have to do it in your own time....Hang in there
Many hugs
Heidi
Hike #3 accomplished on Sunday. Did ok. Haven't attempted a hike alone yet.... that will be the next step.
Been an emotional couple days -- starting last night with Jerry's debut on PBS of course... then I drove by the dog park this afternoon - where I ALWAYS went with Jack - haven't been near it since his diagnosis - got all teared up... then I go on the PBS website and read the interview with Jim and Rene and watch the clip of Jerry -- seriously, STOP making me cry . Its therapeutic though. I guess. But, I will always miss him....
So, Heidi and Heather, yea, I don't think I will be getting "over" this loss of Jack. Much like I never got over the loss of my mom. Its that whole "time" thing. I'm living through this, feeling the feelings all the way through, that's the only way to deal. Also trying to remember what Jack taught me. My life is better for having had him....trying to focus on that.
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