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.
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I hate to say it, but I have been avoiding this place like the plague these past few weeks. We lost Grady 2 weeks ago, on March 24th, just past his 6 month ampuversary. That dang unidentifiable mass just kept getting bigger and badder. He was actually on the operating table at the time of his passing, with the hope that we could remove whatever it was, and send off WHATEVER came out. It was still fluid filled, but had grown across his diaphragm. There was also significant fluid in his right lung, and he was having a tough time of it. Oddly enough, there were still no signs of masses as we know it anywhere. I denied the autopsy; I just didn't want him cut any more. I will say, that although he was weak on Sunday, and not breathing well (he passed on Monday), he was otherwise himself. He was still eating well (and had put on 5 pounds the previous 2 weeks), wagging his tail, and just being happy. Tired, but happy, and clearly in no pain. Slight discomfort, but you'd never have known it. He was lucky enough to have a full "Irish funeral", with all of our friends, shovels, pick axes and a Jameson's toast as his stone was laid under his tree.
However, whoever said "Silence is Golden" clearly never lived with one, and the quiet in our house was unbearable and we just couldn't stop crying. So yeah...less than 24 hours later, we brought home a karma puppy, as we call it. He has 4 legs (subject to change, but hopefully not!), and is a light gold, not a deep gold like my Grady. Everyone, meet Jack Straw!
He's only 12 weeks, so it's a bit tough to get him to hold still for pictures, but he is really just what we needed. His tags jingle, and his tail thumps, and he keeps our feet warm 
Also, I was smart this time, and he already has doggie insurance. He's also enrolled in the Morris Foundation's Lifetime Golden Retriever study, although he can't participate until he's 6 months
Ohhh wow sad news and good news at the same time. Please don't feel badly about being away, we get it.
First, please accept my condolences about Grady, I am so sorry to hear he passed. He sure gave things a good fight, I'm sorry things didn't work out in surgery. I can't imagine the shock! But what a lucky dog he was to be surrounded by such loving, caring people all the way to the end of his life. It's that kind of relationship that will fill your heart with good memories for all time.
Congrats on the new pup! Jack is a doll and was clearly sent by Grady to keep you smiling and filled with the love that only a dog can bring into your life. Yay! Glad that he's fitting in nicely, may you have a long, long time together. Hugs & cheers coming you way.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
He is beautiful! I feel you have done the right thing and what your sweet Grady would have wanted you to do. You gave him a life filled with love and now you open your heart and home to Jack Straw. Wishing you many happy, healthy years with your new baby!!
Cindy & Dolly Momma
I'm sorry for your loss. We lost our Libby a few days before Grady passed. I know your pain. We already had a 2nd dog and it definitely did help to not have an empty house when we said goodbye to Libby.
Jack Straw (love the name!) is adorable. I wish you many happy, healthy years with your new guy.
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
I'm so sorry about Grady. I remember his story well. He was such a great dog! And clearly he didn't let anything get in the way of loving his life or family.
And now look what you've done: you've brought home a new sweetie to enjoy your love, you've protected him, and enrolled him for some great science! Bravo! This is quite a legacy Grady is leaving.... You've made him proud, I know.
I'm sorry. HUGS. I'm sorry.
BUT....I'm happy for you too. Congrats!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
I'm so very sorry for your loss. Grady was a handsome and obviously very loved guy. It's wonderful that his quality of life was good up until the end.
I know what you mean about the emptiness...you can't replace the one you lost but you can fill your heart with love to help it heal. Enjoy your new puppy.
With love,
Carol
Puppies bring happiness!!
Congratulations!!!!! I look forwad to seeing lots of pupy pictures and puppy belly shots!!!
When we love our animals, we are never replacing them when we get another. Their love is locked in our hearts for eternity, yet our hearts have so many other vacant spots to fill with other 4 legged and 3 legged love!! And I am sure that Grady had something to do with you choosing this guy!!! You know Jack Straw has one hell of a guardian dawg looking over his shoulder!!
When we lost our Franklin in May 15th, I was on the phone to the breeder on May 17th and we went to see Wilson on May 20th. Brought him home on June 13th!
I know what you mean by the emptiness of the house... and now our houses are filled with more pawprints not only on our hearts, but on our rugs, hardwood floors, and bathroom matts after a good romp in the mud outside!!
Good job Grady on letting your momma know it was ok to open their hearts and home to another crazy blonde!
Christine.... with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
I'm so sorry about Grady. Its so hard to lose one of our babies. When my Jake passed, I remember screaming to my family through tears that we were never getting another dog. Then the quietness in our house became unbearable and it was actually worse not having a pup here so I completely understand. I think being able to give another pup a home is a great honor to our babies, they would want it that way.
Its been pretty sad around here lately, the more puppy pics the better!!!!! 
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”
Hi there
First....so sorry to hear about Grady.....Tuck's red headed twin....I cannot imagine the shock of losing him like you did.
Second.....I got Tuck the same week as I lost my last lab, Sheila.......a beautiful yellow lab. I, like you, found the house too quiet and I missed the love and fun of having a dog in my life.......
Congrats on the addition of Jack Straw to your family! He is a gorgeous puppy and will be well-loved!
Hugs
Linda and Tucker
Not what I expected to read at all. I'm so very, very, very sorry. Grady was doing so well...enjoying his new duck/goose, the snow...just living life to the fullest.
You gave Grady THE best chance for extended quality time and he took that chance and ran with it! That stupid, horrible, unpredictable disease could not touch that boy's spirit, his never-ending Golden Smile AND the eternal inspiration he passed n to The Wounded Warriors. they will forever be touched by Grady...as is everyone here!
Grady turly lived a life of meaning, a life rich with purpose and so mich joy...so many tail wags...so many sleepy naps on the couch.
Grady sure did pick a fine pup for you! I can smell the pupy breath all the way over here. Looks like Grady's already taughthim the art of "couch surfing"! And there's no better "heater for the tootsies" than a sniggly, fuzzy p, cozy doggy blankie!Thank you so mich for sharing Grady withnus. He touched us all with that lovely gentle soul of his...and his forever Golden Smile. Please c tinue to share more aout him when you can...and, of course, more pictures!!
I bet Grady's still telling everyone at the Bridge avout the gret Irishz Celebration" in his honor!!
And we fully expect to see more of Jack Straw too!! Sooooooo adorable.
Sending you hugs and surrou ding you with Grady's eternal grace and bright light...bright, eternal light!
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 so sorry to hear about Grady... Being away from the site is understandable for sure. And what an amazing way to send him to the rainbow bridge... shots and all! He was definitely loved very much by all of you.
And congratulations on your new addition. You can continue to open your hearts and share your love with another pup I'm sure Grady had something to do with him coming into your life. He's a cutie!
Again.. sorry for your loss
Cody and Family
Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.
So sorry to hear the loss of Grady, and in such a difficult way. It had to of do difficult for you and your family.
I always use to say how unfortunate their lives were so short in comparison to ours, but I've begun to believe there are reasons. For the love we have for them never leaves and they have showed and taught us to move on. So with their infinite wisdom and if we listen we learn. We have room in our heart to invite and bring a new member into our lives. To continue loving. Congrats on Jack,what a cutie.
Esther and her Snoop
Thank you all so much. If there's one place that understands to pain of losing a dog, it's here. I have to say, even though we somewhat expected it, i didn't expect it to hurt THIS much. It may sound...wrong...but I've lost a sibling, both parents, and other dogs, but nothing hurt like Grady. We spent yesterday wandering Uptown with Jack (like we used to do with Grady every Saturday), and the amount of people that we barely knew brought to tears along with us was just amazing. Everyone just remembers how happy and laid back he was, walking up the stairs and across the stage in his Halloween costume, barely 3 weeks post-amp. So many people knew HIM, not us, lol. It actually made me really proud, knowing that it wasn't just me in love with my own dog, and Grady really WAS that special. The six months he had after his amputation were truly the best 6 months of his (and my own) life. I don't regret it for a second, and would never hesitate to do it again, if the situation presents itself. Luckily, I really don't think he was ever in any pain. In fact, this is a picture we took of him just before he left for the vet, the morning he passed: 
But, this place sure could use some happy lately, so I have goofy puppy pictures! First, my own scientific research proves that all Goldens need duck stuffies:
(Yes, they're different...Grady was buried with his)
Also, Jack spent ALL day getting himself tired out before puppy class wandering around the farmer's market and shops (I may have taken him for afternoon Mimosas, which was a Grady tradition as well...), and he managed to make friends with every human and dog he came across. I took a few pictures of him with a little girl that just spent all day hugging all over him
He's a therapy dog in the making, I tell ya! He actually does just have an innate knowledge of who needs him; my best friend's 8 year old is autistic, and Jack doesn't leave his side. The feeling is mutual He's a much easier puppy than Grady ever was, or maybe I just have more time and patience at this time in my life. Either way, Grady sure did send us a great tear-stopper, and Jack has one hell of a guardian angel
I also wanted to mention, my husband is an artist, and does *mostly* human portraiture, although he actually prefers painting dogs (not as many dog commissions come in as people, lol), and he has offered to happily do an oil painting for anyone here who wants one done. It may be slow in coming (it's spring, and there are several art shows and sales coming up over the next few months), but he'd love to do it. We have a huge soft spot for tripawds.
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