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 don't know if this will help, but it kinda helped me when I lost my kitty, Jacob. When he left, I told myself that he wasn't just gone....that he was stepping aside so that I could open my heart and home to another animal in need. Those animals in need turned out to be Lizzie and Vito, who I never would have met if I hadn't lost him. So while it's going to hurt, try and think of it in that way if you can.
Hugs and love from Texas...
Proud mommy of a Belgian Malinois tripawd named Lizzie, who is completely spoiled rotten, loves kids, and will be going into therapy dog training as soon as I can afford it. You can find her blog here.
Also proud mommy to Vito, 3(?) yr old GSD. Adoption weight: 58lbs. Current weight: 90lbs. Goal weight: 85-90lbs (ACHIEVED!). Tested positive for EPI on March 30th, 2011 and stable ever since.
"Sometimes it takes an imperfection to create perfection."
Thank you Alyssa, that does help a bit. Lizzie and Vito are lucky to have such a great mommy 🙂
With my "monkey" being gone, I'm trying to figure out what to do next. Ive had a rough few years, so losing Bailey has sort of left me feeling a little lost 🙁 Thinking about trading in my SUV (i bought it because Bailey kept jumping out of my convertible to chase squirrels), moving to a new apartment, state, country ... trying to figure out how to make this sad ending be the start of a new beginning. I have thought about fostering again since I can't yet commit or give my heart away yet, because it still belongs 110% to Bailey.
I understand the wanting to make a big change. I really do. I recently posted a little brain dump on a very similar vein. Ever since Rio's mets have shown their ugly face, I have soooooo wanted to just load her in the car and take off. And I am pretty sure it's because that way I would not be HERE in my own life, facing every day the same pain, the same uncertain future, the same inevitable heartbreak, the same struggle. Unfortunately, the logical part of me knows that even if I do run away, the worst part of my life and my problems (ME) would just be baggage on the trek.
So that being what it is, my advice to you is to give yourself a little time to grieve. Don't make any rash decisions while you're in such pain. And definitely don't listen to anyone who doesn't understand what you're going through. You will find your way again. You will. I promise. And one day, the next "right" dog will come along and steal your heart away, and you will be best friends. And although this dog will never ever take the place in your heart that your Bailey occupied, it will run a very close second. Be patient with yourself...
We'll be thinking of you,
Micki and Rio
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Stephanie I am so sorry to hear about Bailey. I know how your heart is hurting. Let it hurt and cry a million tears. Bailey is worth it. Just know the decisions you made were all the right ones for Bailey. All our pups are running free now pain free and are happy they had a life with us.
Fiona
Misty's blog: http://misty.tripawds.com
Sister to Millie, 9 yr old choc. lab
Sister to Lola, 6 yr old choc. lab
Sister to Toby, 7 yr old rottie mix (officially my sons dog, but I'm still his mama!)
Sweetness to Fiona and Bill
I agree with Micki and Rio. When you have a major loss in your life, do not make any hasty decisions. Unfortunately time is the only thing that helps heal the wounds, and time is what we need to gain perspective. Your next move will come to you in one way or another. Bailey will make sure of it. Listen carefully, the signs will be there when you least expect them.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh, I just feel awful for you. Yes, we all want to run away from the hurt. And I have before...hence the reason I am in Vegas opposed to Oklahoma. I was so young and it all worked out. But the pain traveled my journey too. It didn't go away.
May I suggest something simpler for now? Just rearrange your furniture in your apt. It will seem like a change without anything major. I know, it sounds corny but it may help a little.
And the one thing I would highly recommend...talk, cry, talk, cry...just keep talking and crying until you feel better. I cried 12 years of tears when I lost my Comet. I wouldn't cry in front of her because it upset her so much. But when she died, I couldn't stop! (just ask those that called me the day after - they'll tell you!)
Come here, we are glad to listen!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
All suggestions you've all given me for getting over the loss of the greatest love of my life will be implemented in one way or another, in honor of my puppy and the ones on this site 🙂 I'm not sure how I would have gotten through the worst situation ever with the best dog ever without the support of the incredible group of people on this site … I would have been even MORE lost w/out all of you. Your words have had such a great impact and I just don't know what state I'd be in if it weren't for this "family" of tripawds and monkeybutts and the people who love them …
Stephanie your video of Bailey singing is just Precious!!! I absolutely love it!! I am so glad that you have that to make you smile remembering Bailey. It also gave me the idea to record Valentina speaking. She doesn't sing but if I tell her to speak she will bark for ice cubes and other things like treats and stuff. It will be such a comfort just to hear her voice when she is no longer with me. Bailey sure was a beautiful boy!!!
thanks guys 🙂 for those of you who got a smile out of the other video of my singing monkey, Bailey's favorite song ever, the one he first sang along with and the one that he'd sing EVERY TIME it came on, even if it was for 5 seconds on a tv commercial, can be found here 🙂
thankful to be rounding the corner from crying to smiling, at least more than 50% of the time …
http://www.mysp.....ng/1935917
sadly the computer that had the actual video files crashed, so I'll be crushed if the two sites his videos are on ever shut down!! 🙁 …
I love the video — I had to watch it several times. The loss gets easier with time…
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
I am so, so sorry! Know that you did what seemed best with the information that you had at the time. And I'm sure he was happy to even have that extra week with you. ((hugs))!
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
Got Bailey's ashes today and I have to admit that I feel better at least having him back home with me … :/
Also talked to the vet who saw us that horrible day last Friday and he gave me more details about the biopsy of the leg they amputated. He confirmed Bailey had OS and explained that the Mitotic Index is a measure of how many cancer cells are dividing within a tumor. They consider anything above 5 to be severely dangerous and aggressive. Bailey's mitotic index was 17 … 🙁 So his time was very limited. Such a happy and brave boy, i don't know how he was dealing with that pain. It's still a bit of a mystery as to how he broke his other leg as they say they saw no signs of cancer in that leg, but I'm trying to consider it a bit of a blessing now that I know how sick he really was.
Hugs to everyone (with 2, 3 or 4 legs) who's battling that horrible disease, and also to those whose puppies have left them to go and play with mine on the Bridge …
Poor little guy. Sounds like he was quite sick. What a trooper.
When/if you feel up to it, we'd love to hear more about his life with you.
It can be a rough day when you pick up the ashes. I remember that day all to well with our sweet angel, also named Bailey. Glad he's back home with you. Hope you are hanging in there.
Sending hugs and Abby kisses,
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!
Hope you are hanging in there. Glad your boy is home with you again, but I know it's small comfort when you're missing a warm, furry body. We're thinking of you.
Micki and Rio
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
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