Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Oh No!! I just told my daughter that I needed the computer so I could check and see how Bailey was doing and I am shocked to find out what has happened!! This is indeed extremely devastating!!! I am so sorry that it has turned out this way! You really did do all that you could and we all could feel the love that you have for Bailey in your previous posts. We know that you only wanted the best for him and you could have never known that this would happen. For reasons we can never understand it was Bailey's time to go but his memories and love will always be with you. And yes we would all love to see pictures of Bailey and hear all the wonderful things about him. When you are feeling up to it I think it will make you feel better to post some pics and stories about your beautiful Bailey. Sending prayers of healing for your broken heart. 
Hi everyone, thanks so much for your posts. I'm finding that things are hitting me in waves. I'm okay, and able to laugh at stories when I talk with friends, and then other times I just clutch his collar and nibbled crunchy hot dog toy and soak them both with with tears.
I'll try to embed a video of him singing, which he did often and well. My "funny" friends would say he's howling because he objected to my taste in music, but I think the opposite is true and that he always (ALWAYS) howled when he heard John Mayer, Train and Maroon 5 because he has GREAT taste in music 🙂 In case I'm not embedding the video correctly, the link to his dogster page is posted below. He really was a handsome, loving, four legged, genius clown, and I'm trying to let my self cry when the tears come, and laugh when the laughter comes … and I'm deeply touched and so grateful for having all of you help me through this. this is a truly special group.
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what a precious video of bailey singing!! we are so sorry for your loss - devastated by the suddeness of it. hopefully with time you can dry some tears and share more of the wonder that was bailey with us. what a beautiful boy he was. love never ends.
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Thanks for sharing the video of your beautiful singer! So cute!
Hope you are hanging in there.
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
So sorry to hear of your loss. Sending warm thoughts to you during this difficult time.
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss!!! My heart sank when I read your post! I can't imagine what you are feeling right now. I always like to think that Bailey is so happy somewhere and enjoying his new life with friends that have also parted ways with us! Big hugs from Charlie and family!!!
I am so sorry for your loss. Please don't second guess your decision or feel guilty about the amputation. You did what was best for Bailey, and cancer doesn't play by any rules. I know you are hurting now, but please, when you are ready, share some more memories of your Bailey- I enjoyed the video of him singing.
Jenna & Spirit Chili Dawg
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
I'm so sorry to hear about Bailey - what sad, sad news. Please know you have our warm thoughts and hugs coming from us. xoxo Sue and Sammy
Stephanie, I am so sorry to learn of your pup's unexpected passing, way too soon and oh! so hard to understand. Like others who've responded to your post, please, please don't second-guess yourself. I lost my Sylvie 3 days ago, and have been beating myself up that in my focus on the mets in her lungs, I totally missed that a mass was growing in her abdomen. But, even her doctors didn't see it - and there was no way that you could have foreseen what would happen to Bailey. Like Jenna said, "cancer doesn't play by any rules". And your brave decision to remove the leg was one of the kindest, if hardest things you ever could have done for your boy.
I want you to know how much your posting of Bailey's singing meant to me. You see, my Sylvie howled (albeit, not to any "music" other than sirens!) and we never recorded it. Hearing and watching your boy sing made me smile when I've not been doing much of that lately. It's like hearing/watching Sylvia.
And believe me - Miss Sylvia has certainly welcomed Bailey at the bridge, ready to play.
- Karen and Angel Sheepdog Sylvie
Sweet Silly Sylvie, the Old English Sheepdog
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma 11/04/2010 at almost 7 years of age * Left hind leg amputated 11/09/2010 * Chemo on 12/10, 12/17, 01/10, 01/31
Sweet Sylvie's earthly journey ended on Nov. 3, 2011, one day short of a year since her diagnosis and 6 days short of her one-year ampuversary. Her family celebrates her life as a sheepdog – ever the puppy, ever silly, ever sweet – and are grateful for our 7 years together.
RIP sweet Bailey. Run free at Rainbow Bridge, and wacth over your family that you had to leave behind.
You did all that you could, and in the end you were there with Bailey - to say goodbye to him, to be at his side to the very end.
Sending you lots of golden hugs!
I'll have to look at the video everyone is talking about! 
Cathy
Stephanie,
I am so sorry to read about Bailey, what a devastating way to have to say good bye.
I know you are feeling badly about the surgery and outcome, and lots of people here have shared their feelings.
I would throw out one of my favorite quotes from John Lennon "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans". You made the best decision you could, and you made it for Bailey. No matter how much time, or effort, or money, or hope we throw at a problem, we can't always fix it. All we can do is our best.
It may not seem like it now- but one day the fact that you did everything you could for Bailey will bring you comfort.
I'll check out the video when I get home- (dang work blocks lots of stuff).
Please stay here as long as you want or need. So much experience here to share, even on this part of the journey.
Karen
Stephanie,
I was away over the weekend without internet access and just checked in and read your devastating news. I am so sorry to hear about Bailey. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Try to remember all of the good times you had with Bailey and know everything you did for him was out of your love for him. He knows you did all you could for him. I hope every day gets a little better until you can only think about him with a smile.
Take care,
Tara (Fergus' mom)
Thanks everyone … I am still a little stunned and in a bit of shock, but i am starting to come to terms with, if not the loss of him, at least the decisions I made. A few of you know that I talked to one of his vets who was telling me about some sort some sort of number or rating they use for measuring the degree/severity of cancer cells in a biopsy, and that a range of 2-4 "wasn't too severe" and 5-6 was pretty serious… and Bailey was 17. Does anyone know what this measurement is?
I miss my monkey so much, but am trying continue reminding myself that, as we all know too painfully well, that cancer is a horrible thing, and it's better to have lost him a few months too early than to make him suffer through any more pain. My broken heart goes out to everyone who's been through this or is going through this … cancer truly does "bite" …
stephanie
I am deeply deeply sorrow for your loss of Bailey.
There have been so many poignant beautiful words of solace and wisdom here that I have little to add except I understand your heartbreak and all the other tumultuous emotions you are feeling right now. The profound loss you are feeling right now will - and it will take time - be eased by memories of the love you and Bailey shared.
Run free and pain free, Bailey.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
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