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
My Silas didn't wake up last Wednesday morning. He had continued to decline this last month, though I know he tried to do his best for me. In the end, I think he was just too tired. He died on our bed, surrounded by his people. I will never forgive myself for being asleep when he left me, I don't know if he was awake, or if he was scared, or in pain. I just know that he was gone when I reached for him in the morning. I still find myself reaching for him when I wake up, nine years of habit is breaking my heart every day. He was my best friend, my heart and my rock; he was my guide into adulthood, I won't be the same person without him in my life.
My Silas
Oct 2004 - April 2014
I am so sorry for your loss. Silas was surrounded by love. He knew you loved him. Do not beat yourself up about how he went. He knew you were with him. You can not say you won't forgive yourself. You have to be able to do that eventually. Silas would not want you to continue to beat yourself up. He did know you loved him and he felt comfortable to let go and just peacefully cross in his sleep. I will believe that otherwise I have a feeling you would have known he went.
Silas was a beautiful boy
RIP Silas run free with all the other Warriors & Princess Warriors.
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
I am so sorry for your loss ... I know that pain all to well. But do not beat yourself up... Silas indeed, as Michelle said, knew that it was safe for him to go. I have heard that when humans depart earth, they also wait for their loved ones to either leave the room or look away as to make the transition easier. I feel that is the same for our pets. They know they are surrounded by all the love in the world and want to make it "easier" (for total lack of a better word) on the parents.
Silas had an amazing life and you gave him such love and support while he was here. I hope the memories you shared will bring you peace and comfort in the days/weeks/months yet to come ... he will always be a part of your heart.
With lots of love,
Alison & her Shelby fur-ever in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I am so sorry! I agree, I also think that he went peacefully in his sleep. He was in your bed next to you and felt it was safe to go. It is just so hard to lose them and a part of the process is all the 2nd guessing. They leave a big hole when they are gone. Silas knew that he was loved very much. I hope that your memories of the good times bring you comfort. Love from, Lori and TY
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
So sorry for your loss of handsome Silas.......please know, he felt safe in the comfort of your love, and the contentment of your closeness, that enabled him to cross over. I truly believe that is how they all would chose to leave us, when they have to go......in their own time, in their own place, and with those they love the most.
May all your happy memories ease the pain in your heart......all of us that have lost our Tripawd furry babies, do know what you are feeling.
Thinking of you,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
I'm so very sorry for your loss. Silas knew how much you loved him. I know he went peacefully. You were right there with him. and the two of you had such an amazing bond. I know that if he had been scared or in pain he would have let you know, in fact I'm sure you would have known without him having to let you know. He went surrounded by peace and the comfort of being with you. You took such wonderful care of him...the love between the two of you was so strong.
With love,
Carol
I'm so sorry. I agree with what everyone has said. Silas chose his own terms, completely surrounded by those who loved him most and who he loved most. Its never easy no matter how they go. Silas shook off his run down body and ran free. I just know all our Tripawd angels were there waiting for him.
HUGS
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
This is so very sad, I'm really sorry. I know how much you loved him, and Silas knows that too. He went so peacefully, and as hard as it is to go through that experience, try to take comfort in knowing that no dog could ask for a more beautiful transition into their angel wings.
Dogs touch our lives for the better and even when they're gone, their lessons remain. Silas hasn't truly left you, his spirit and his love will forever surround your heart as the years go by. It's hard to see that right now, oh how I get that. Grief is something that's difficult to go through but eventually your heart will ache a little less and less. It won't mean that you love him any less or forgot about him, it will mean that your stronger than ever because you're really feeling surrounded by his love, always.
Many, many condolences coming your way. Please feel free to share more photos and stories about Silas, these things really help to heal and we always enjoy hearing about our amazing heroes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry for your loss, I know it's heartbreaking and really hard to accept. Trust that you'll get there in time. In the meantime, we're here for you if you need to talk or if you want to share Silas' story. I'd love to see more pictures of your handsome handsome boy! What a cutie!!
I think Lori is right, no matter what happened it's just human nature to second guess it. I hope it doesn't torture you. Try to remember you loved your boy like crazy and would never have done anything to hurt him. And remember too that he knew he was loved. How could he not when he slept on your bed every night, right? When I read how Silas passed the first thing I thought was 'wow, she was so lucky it happened that way. It sounds so peaceful and beautiful, especially since he was right next to his peeps." Of course that was my perspective because our baby needed our help getting into her angel wings. Naturally we would have preferred she passed at home, peacefully like Silas. But then I thought about it from your perspective and I imagine it was just heartbreaking to wake up and see he was gone. One more kiss, one more belly rub, that's kind of what we all want. Do try to give yourself a break. Think about it this way, if you had to help him reach the rainbow bridge you'd probably feel regret about that immediately afterwards too. When the loss is fresh there's just no winning.
Sending you healing prayers and love,
Claudia and Angel Jersey Girl
Rebeccaand Silas.....we cry with yiu...our hearts break with yours. With tjat said, we can still find a smile through the tears when we see that big lanky lig all cuddled up in your arms! That picture of him so co tentin the grass with that magnificent mg of his...we all want ro smooch that sweet face!
To try and not seco d guess yorself on something...yeah...good luck on tjat one, righg? We ALL talk about it all the time because we all do it and it is sich a waste of energy! It's yet one more way that piece of crap tries to "take away" something from js. If we stay stuck in a "second guess" mode, then we can't possibly feel the presence of our womder dog and cat souls who are still right beside us and snuggled within our jearts. So no, don't let anything try and separate you from Silas. Your bond is UNBREAKABLE and you will stay connected forever.
I agree with all the others...IF he had to make the transition...what a lovely, way to select how he would do ot! Silas has been in charge all along! He wanted o be by your side, without causingnyou any alarm whtsoever, without vet visits, without any more of anything...ne felt his mission jere in his earth clothes was complete. He knew what love felt like...he new he had prepared you for life with all the lessns he taughtnyou, and co tinues to teach you.....he was ready to free himself of his earth clothes and transcend ro another dimension with freedom from all earthyly hindrances. Silas was ready to soar!
I know there are o words right now. Please stay connected to us. No group of people u derstand the depth of the loss ore than we do. Having the privilege of being our soul ate's caregiver day in and day out...amd then javing your whole world seemngly become ne big voidof silence...yeah, it's tough. But we get it. Let us kow how we can help. Hold us close.
We hold you in our hearts and surround yo with a "kowing" that all is well with Silas...it really is. He wouldn't change a thing.
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
I'm sorry for your loss of sweet Silas. I can't add much more to what others have already, lovingly said. I think Silas left this life right from the place he wanted to and was comfortable.....in your bed. Personally, I would love to have been able to say that about Libby. It would have been such a peaceful transition, having her in her favorite spot on our bed.
Hugs,
Amy & Spirit Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Thank you all for your kind words. They have brought me some comfort, knowing that you all understand what I am going through and how much it hurts to lose your closest friend. I know that if he had to leave me, going peacefully at home was a good way to go. I just never got to say goodbye. I wasn't ready. I knew he was sick, I knew he didn't have long, but somehow I just couldn't imagine life without him.
Silas was a nanny dog. Even as a puppy, he believed full heartedly that it was his job to take care of me rather than the other way around. He diligently protected me from anything remotely dangerous in his little puppy head. He hid all the fly swatters in the house because they were obviously tools of violence. Shovels, rakes, and brooms were quickly confiscated if I was in the area that they were being used in. He couldn't find a way to stop me from climbing ladders, but he would follow me up them as soon as my feet left the ground, howling his opinion of my intelligence the whole time.
As he got older, Silas' circle of protection extended to include the whole world. He especially loved small things. The few times I took him to playgrounds he nearly had a nervous breakdown trying to protect all the children who, in his mind, were intent on self destruction. Swing sets, monkey bars and carousels were definitely not on his list of approved playthings. He allowed toddlers to use him as walking aid, standing still as a post as they got their balance and rewarding them with a full faced kiss when they were steady.
He raised his very own litter of kittens, carefully cleaning and herding them with more care than their real mother. The poor kittens were always sopping wet from his over enthusiastic baths. When it was time to give them away to new homes he cried as much as I did, he would search the house for hours looking for his missing baby every time one had to leave. We ended up keeping the runt of the litter and he thrived under Silas' care. Silas never denied his "puppy" a place at his own food bowl. Helmet is now a twenty pound cat who, I think, believes that if he just eats enough he will one day look like his ninety pound dad.
The only thing Si never thought to protect me from was other people. In his mind, everyone met was a friend he had yet to make. When visitors came to the house he wouldn't rest until they each had held and returned to him one toy from his toy box. It was his friendship ritual and everyone who participated in it was welcomed as part of his family. This was very confusing to pizza and fed-ex delivery drivers. I often called Silas my goodwill ambassador, as he tended to make new friends amongst our neighbors faster than I did. Even now, more people at my apartments know as Silas' person than as Rebecca. He was a light in an often dark world. A font of endless compassion and joy and I think that people, especially children, recognized that in him.
It's strange remembering all of this. The last months of his life I was so caught up in taking care of him, in dealing with his illness, that it's almost as if I couldn't think about the dog he used to be. I've begun to realize that I missed him even before he was really gone. The cancer stole so much from him so fast. It's good, I think, to remember the dog he was for his first nine years instead of his last three months. Thank you for letting me share his memory.
Silas and his 'puppy' Helmet
The safest place a kitten could ask for
Thank you for sharing his story with us! What an amazing guy Silas was. I loved hearing your stories and narrative. ... he was so much more than cancer! How lucky he was to have you in his life!
Still sending you lots of love and healing energy in your time of sadness...
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Oh, what a precious soul! What wonderful memories! Silas is probably herding up all the kittens at the Rainbow bridge right now. It is amazing how the memories come flooding back. We are here for you. Keep sharing. I have found it helps a lot. Love from, Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Oh Rebecca, this is beautiful, just beautiful. Thank you sooooo much for sharng the amazing Silas with us! What a special, o e of a ki d soul he is.
Yeah, you didn't say "good-bye" because Silas taight you how to live in the moment with him...he never focused on good-byes.....it was always "hello" witha toy in his mouth or a grin or a wiggle. Dogs just know as they exit out one dorr onto the next open door, it's just for awhile until you catchnup with him and he can greet yoj withthe happiest hello in tthe Universe!
He's still watching you when you do silly things like climb a ladder...he's still watching over the goofy kids at the playground...he's still snuggled safely in your heart.
Yeah, your heart will ache for a very long time and the grief is still raw and painful. For you to be able to bringmup such woderful memories that you and Silas shared.....ueah....that's what makes Silas happy.
PLEASE, PLEASE continue to tell us more about Silas! Lori and Alison share Ty and Shelby with us and it makes us all feel better. It's s life affirming.
Sensingnyou love and hugs and...yes...we do understand.
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
1 Guest(s)
