Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Not sure where to post this but I've made this forum my home since joining this fabulous site I figured this would be the place to do it.
Well, there is a new arrival to my house -- a chocolate lab male named Charlie... I wasn't actively looking - kind of tripped over this boy - and decided to go for it. Had some mixed emotions prior to picking him up, felt disloyal to Jack, wasn't positive I was ready. But I guess the deciding factor was my girl needing a buddy and me needing to get back to what I used to do with Jack. My life changed so dramatically when I lost Jack. He and I were always going someplace - hiking, going to the park, visiting friends.... and those activities are things I can't do with my girl -- a rescue who has fear aggression issues.
So, I went and got my hiking dog. Thankfully he looks nothing like Jack - is a lighter brown with a totally different face and personality. He is a little love bug though, just like Jack. Has made me smile a whole lot too just in the past day....
I look at this as my final step in healing. Getting myself back out there in honor of Jack -- and as I type this, the tears come. I still miss Jack so much. I've been talking to him alot lately. I guess making sure he is OK with the new arrival. I think he is. I think he wants me to get back out to doing what we loved doing together so much. Right?? 
Of course Jack approves of Charlie being there with you and he surely wants you to get back out there a do what you two did again also. What better way to do it than with a new friend? I'll be Jack was with you when Charlie tripped you up, as a matter of fact, Jack probably told Charlie to trip you!
Congratulations to you and Charlie for coming together. Remember, Jack will always be in your heart, soul and memories. Charlie will help to heal the wound. Glad to hear you are smiling again.
Eleanor & Chuy
Chuy, showing everyone that Tripawds do everything 3 times better than regular dogs!
Congratulations! I bet Jack sent you that pup to trip over, and that he his very happy you two connected. He only wants you to be happy in the now. Enjoy!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Kristen and big sloppy kisses for the new member of your family. There is only one Jack and there is only one Charlie. There is never replacing, just opening your heart a bit more to make room for another who needs love. Jack knew you needed a hiking pal and I think he also knew that he would have to find him/her for you...so he did.
I watched something the other day about grieving and anger...this woman was so consumed with anger over the loss of a loved one and the Angel of Death came to help her understand that death is an inevitable part of life and because she was so consumed with the loss that she was failing to see the bigger picture - the here and now. When she asked how she was supposed to stop being angry, the Angel replied that "we are supposed to take the time to grieve and then move on without guilt". It's not coming out the way I felt when I saw this episode and I'm not trying to project that you're angry...but it was just so simple the way the Angel said it about grieving and then moving on and living. You've grieved and it's OK to move on with your life - Jack would not want you to stay stagnant because of his crossing. I hope this is making sense 
You are always in our thoughts and we're sending you many hoppy wishes for fun times and good hikes with Charlie. Got any pictures of him?
xooxo
Love you
Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Hi Kristen and WELCOME Charlie!!!
Im so glad that you took the step to allow Charlie into your life. I totally understand your feelings about replacement, and I had some of those same feelings with Luke. I even went through a period right after Max dying where I didnt even LIKE Luke...fortunately I knew that it was a part of the grieving process and my family took over for me. Now...he is the center of my world....just like Max was. And this time around I can think about the fun I had with Max doing the things I am now doing with Luke.
Every dog is a special part of our life and Charlie will never replace Jack, but he will enhance the memories and bring smiles to your face as you remember the great times you had with Jack.
Its bittersweet for sure but living in the moment is what Jack would want for you. He sent Charlie for you to trip over.....and his plan worked!! 
Best of luck to you and your new pack!
Paula and Spirit Max
Kristen,
Congratulations on Charlie. You are so lucky that Jack kept you stocked with Chocolates! The memories will just be sweeter now and not have as much pain hopefully. I loved Paula mentioning that it is bittersweet. That was Bonnie's full name, Leonard's Bittersweet Bonnie. She sure has lived up to it and her memories match her name.
Nothing will replace Jack, but now you have a whole new set of memories to build.
Best of luck to your furry herd.
chris-bonnie
Thank you all so much!! Your comments really helped make me feel better about my decision.
Heather - you made perfect sense of course!
Loved that all of you mentioned that Jack sent Charlie for me to trip over --- I love to think that is what happened.
He's been providing lots of smiles and laughs. He is a sweetheart but isn't Jack..... Jack will never be replaced for so many reasons.
I can't thank you all enough. Am feeling much better after hearing from you folks 
Will try to post some pics of the new one soon!
I've been away a couple of days, but wanted to welcome your new family member. I definitely believe those who are lucky enough to have another pooch find a way into their lives, are blessed to have an angel dog watching over them. Dogs are like children, one will never take the place of another, but we love them each in our own way. I hope you and Charlie have a long and happy life.
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.
Congratulations on finding Charlie!
I hope your new journey is long, fun and filled with great times.
When your out on a hike or enjoying a nice quiet moment, just look around, Jack's right there with you and Charlie just hoping to see that smile on your face.
Kristen, congratulations! You sound so happy, this is wonderful! Jack definitely wants you to be in a place where you can enjoy life again. He doesn't want you to be lonely or continue grieving, for if anyone knows that life is for living, he does. By taking that big step to go out into the world again with another fur kid, you are showing him that you were paying attention to what he was trying to teach you.
The fun is just beginning with Good Time Charlie! Can't wait to see what he looks like!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all again. It is amazing how each dog has a unique personality - though I continue to call Charlie the wrong name - Jack...he is absolutely his own dog with his own quirks.
And thanks to you Jerry -- as always, very wise words! Charlie and I took our first hike this morning. I felt Jack's presence.... was good to get out there again.
1 Guest(s)
