Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I was pretty active on these forums earlier this year with my boy Crush, unfortunately he passed just a couple days or so after my last post. He had sustained a spinal injury that was only getting much worse, and the vet was concerned it might have been caused by osteosarcoma that had spread to his spine, rather than just a physical trauma. I had booked a CT to get to the bottom of it but he didn't make it there. He suffered a bad fall after which no amount of pain medications could make him comfortable enough to even go the bathroom, and he was on literally everything they could give him. I couldn't stand watching him suffer anymore and the vet didn't seem to think it was likely the CT would show anything fixable. He was put to sleep the Saturday morning following my last post.
I thought I would post this follow up now, I really didn't want to talk about it for some time afterwards.
Here are some pictures of him, he was an amazing dog and his time was way too short. A local photographer put together this mosaic of him for me from over 800 photos I had taken over the years. It's really nice. I put some other pictures of his happy face here too.
Okay. have to admit, tears flowing and not really able to gather thoughts right now. I'm just so very, very, very sorry. Such a valiant fight put up by Crish and you.
For now, I''ll just say that the poctures really show what his life was about love, joy, fun, spoiling, making every mome t the best mome t ever.
Thank you for posting these treasured photos of Crush. Beautiful boy inside and out.
Sending love......I'll be back...
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too za
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!
Thanks. It's been really hard adjusting to life without him, it's definitely been the most difficult thing I've ever gone through. I'm not sure how you and the other tripawd alumnus manage to keep on contributing here and supporting new members- I have a hard time looking at anything tripawd, cancer or even dog related these days. But I really appreciate what you do, this resource was absolutely invaluable for Crush and I don't think his quality of life post-amp would have been nearly as good without all the information and guidance I got here.
Oh gosh, now you have me all teary eyed again. To be in the middle of your seemingly unbearable, never ending grief and still find ot jn your heart to make such comments. I know Jerry will be touched too.
And when someone like you does come back here while your heart still hurts and acknowledges that the support and guidance here helped you and Crush....yeah....that's why we are here.
We know there are no words right now. We know the void, the break Iin caregiving routine. I know for me, when my Happh Hannah headed tonthe Bridge, I did fin comfort from this community knowing "they'" understood like no one else could. The depth of love and devotion you have for Crush and he for you, as well as the Soul deep UNBREAKABLE bond this journey creates for you.we DO understand.
Yes, his earth time was way to short. Although Crush didn't count the days on the calendar because he just loved being with you from moment to the next.This brutal, barbaric disease plots a hidden course sometimes that just cant be stopped. You did everything possibe....everything possible...to give Crush the best chance for extended pain free quaility time. And Crush knew you would. And he knew when he couldn't be Crush anymore, you loved him enough to release him to run free to The Bridge,
And without question, The Rainbow Bridge became a prettier place when that handsome boy gained his wings. He truly is stunning, absolutely stunning.
Just curious, we often find that our Spirit pups (and cats) make their presence known to us in very specific ways. Has Crush shown you ways he is using his energy to connect with you....to remind you he is still "present" and around you?
Thank you so much for coming back today with these sacred treasured photos. As hard as it was, we hope you feel our love and our appreciation for getting to know Crush the love you two shared. And we would loooove to see some more poctures of you are up for it.
Surrounding you with the fluffy white fur and Happy smile of Crush
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
Ohhhhh no! I'm really, really sorry to read this!
I just can't believe how things unfolded, and my heart aches for you and Crush. You were such a great Tripawd mom to him, and you did everything you could to give him an excellent recovery, rehab, and life on three. It just makes me so mad how mean cancer can be sometimes, and puts pet parents in such a terrible no win situation.
We are heartbroken, and we feel your loss deeply. Every member here has a story, and a legacy that shines brightly within our little community. Crush does too!Your sweet boy had a smile and a joyful presence around him that we will never forget. He was very fortunate to have you for his mom.
I love those photos, it really shows that he had a life every dog dreams about. Now that he's got his pretty angel wings to match his gorgeous white coat, I imagine he's melting hearts in doggie heaven with all the ladies. What a sweetie.
Many, many hugs are coming your way. Thank you for finding the courage to let us know. And anytime you want to share or post, you are always, always welcome. Once a Tripawd mom, forever a Tripawd mom and member of this community. 
Thanks to both of you. Maybe I'll come back here someday when things are less fresh and participate again.
I've never been a super spiritual person, although I think it'd be easier if I was. It would be nice to think of him being happy somewhere and free from pain. His fluff is still everywhere in my house though and it makes me smile every time I pick a white hair off my clothes (or food).
I really appreciate the support, things didn't end the way I planned at all- I had expected a slow decline and that I'd know when the end was coming, and have the chance to really make his last days count with his favourite foods and toys and such. I wasn't expecting such a sudden and agonizing end. I think that's been the hardest part. But yeah, cancer is the worst and we just can't control that. I'll never know for sure if it was cancer or a spine injury, his CT was still 2 days away and it wasn't fair to keep him in such pain just to satisfy my curiosity. I'll always wonder though.
Thanks Jerry, it is a cool photo- Imgur degraded the quality so that you can't see the individual pictures, but the full size file is high res enough for a 30" print. It's fun to look through and spot this picture or that picture and makes me smile when I see certain memories. Maybe this zoomed in snapshot will be more clear.
Oh wow that IS much clearer. I got the gist of the mosaic the first time by enlarging it on my screen, but seeing it up close like this is now is even more stunning.
We never expect anyone's story to end so suddenly, it's awful when it happens. Please try to take comfort in knowing that you moved quickly in his best interest. You his peace, dignity, and comfort ahead of your own need to know for sure, in the moments things were unfolding. The courage you showed is beyond words. It says so much about how you loved him and looked out for his needs. And it also tells me that you are a wise soul who intuitively knew your boy like no one else. What a gift you presented, in the toughest time we could ever imagine.
You come and post when and if you are ever ready. We understand why it's difficult to return, or to offer input to others after an experience like this. We would never hold it against you. But if you decide to do that, we welcome you with open arms.
((((hugs))))
That is truly spectacular! Have never seen this done as a tribute like this. It is absolutely stunning. Sich a unique way to honor a one of a kind dog Soul
I've been studying g it for quite awhile. Even though I may not know the "story's behind each photo, I know the love and happiness Crush experienced with uou....that s ile..that glorious smile....says ot all
With love
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!.
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!
PS....Not sure how much the photographer gave to the placement of each photo, but I love the ones around/above Crush 's right eye, as well as the ones on his muzzle. Every single photo captures s piece of his life and how much he meant to you. Just beautiful.
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!
Thanks, perhaps I will return and contribute some day. It'll just take some more time I think for everything to be less fresh.
Sally I'm not sure either but I like looking through it and seeing the different memories in different places too. It's a pretty cool image. The photographer said she has a computer program that puts them all together but then she has to go through and spend a lot of time editing and changing images so that the original picture comes through properly, particularly around the face.
She did this for me for free too I might add, I had a photo session booked with her to get some nice photos of me and Crush (I'm always the one taking the photos so in all his life I never really got any of us together) but then he had his accident and passed away. She felt bad that we never got to do our session so she made me this. It was really nice of her. I'll add a link to her website.. I know other users here are likely too far away to use her services but if anyone local stumbles across this, I highly recommend her! She was very thoughtful and kind, and totally accommodating of Crush's limitations. Her work is great too.
https://www.sar.....otography/
Hopefully I will return soon, you guys have been great and the support I've received here has meant so much to me.
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