Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello,
In May of 2009 my dog, Jewel, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Like many others on this website, we amputated and followed up with chemotherapy. Last Saturday we discovered that the cancer had spread to my girls lungs and the mass is actually pushing out from her lung out into her ribs, which is incredibly painful. Together with my veterinarian we put Jewel on meds to keep her "comfortable," as "comfortable" as is possible. Based on the chest x-rays, we probably have day(s) to week(s) remaining with her. My heart is breaking! She eats great, but walks only long enough to potty and then lays down and pants heavily until I pick her up to come inside. She still has a good weight at about 55 pounds. The nights seem to be most difficult for her. She sleeps on my bed, sometimes soundly, other times she pants heavily for long periods of time, and sometimes she lets out yelps.
Are there any members in this forum that can help with with the signs to look for that signal that Jewel is ready to walk in fields of daisies? Jewel is my SoulDog and I must be realistic about where we are with her cancer. I know this is a hard topic to discuss as the loss of our companion is heart wrenching. Although, if there is any advice out there - I'll graciously welcome input.
Bless Our Canine Family Members,
Angela
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We are so sorry to hear about Jewel, but glad you turned to the Tripawds community for help. We have moved your topic here to the Coping With Loss forum where you may find lots of support. Specifically, these existing popular topics address the exact concerns you express:
Question yourself to prepare for loss.
Hospice Guide and Grief Support
You might also find some peace in this two part blog post (and its many comments) from when we said goodbye to Jerry:
Saying Goodbye: How We Knew (part 1)
Finally, Doug Koktavy's book is an exceptional read for coping with the anticipatory grief you may be feeling:
Beezer and Boomer Say: Seize the Day, Silly Humans
Hope this helps ... Peace.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Angela, my heart is breaking for you. We lost our dog a week ago and we knew by looking in her eyes it was time and that she was tired of fighting. It is hard to explain but they just looked empty and you knew that she was ready to cross the bridge. It is the hardest thing ever because unfortunately she will probably walk into the vet with her tail wagging as our Tehya did but please remember you are doing what's best for her and that she will be running pain free and breathing far easier. You have come to the best website in the world for support please know that everyone will be saying prayers for you and your beautiful Jewel and sending you lots and lots of hugs.
Stay strong!
Darlene Angel Tehya's Mom
Angela,
I am so sorry for what you are going through right now as well. I too just lost my girl a little over a week ago. I knew it was coming, in my mind I thought my determining factor would be her appetite, that once she quit eating I would know. She wouldn't eat or drink her last day. I agree with Darlene, you can see it in their eyes, I could even see it in the pictures I had taken. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do but I knew it was time. I hope this helps, I know how difficult of a time this is for you, I know you will find the strength when it comes time, I can tell from your words how much you love her and you will do the right thing for her.
Karin and Angel Zoe
Oh dear.
Angela,
It's so painful for any of us to tell you when because we don't want you to have the heartache. Plus, we want you to feel right about your decision, too.
I have only had to make the end of time decision with a brother. But I can tell you, I knew when I saw him.
Since Jewel is your soul dog, can you talk to her? Can you ask her what she wants? Do you think she wants to be pain free or to wait? Maybe she can give you answer since our fur babies always have a way of telling us.
I am so sorry. I don't know what to say exactly. But feel free to ask for support anytime.
Comet's mom
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.
We just lost our 15 year old dog to kidney failure not that long ago (weeks, actually) and I agree - it's in their eyes. They will let you know. Our guy lost his sparkle - almost like *he* had left, and just his body was left behind. I almost honestly think he was gone before we took him in - at least in spirit. The dog we took in, was not our dog - and that's how we knew it was the day to send him home. Also for us, drinking was a factor - our guy loved to drink - ever since puppyhood we had to restrict his water or he'd drink it all until he was sick - he just loved loved LOVED water, so we knew the day he didn't want to drink was the day he was ready. One night, he sniffed his water, laid down and sighed. We sent him 'home' the very next day.
It's hard, and I was incredibly worried we wouldn't know when it was time and we'd leave it too late, or always wonder 'what if' or have regrets that we may have done it too soon and lost out on more days or extra time - but we KNEW that day, there was no denying it. It was an extremely difficult decision to follow through on, but we knew it was the right one - and we knew it was the kindest, most loving thing we could have done for him, even if it was the most painful for us.
He was ready - we cried a lot of tears that day, and I still cry when I think of him. But I am at peace with it, and I know he's not suffering or hurting anymore and that is the most important thing out of all of it.
Hugs to you, it really is a very painful thing to do - but just remember, we can't have pain without love and joy. It only hurts so bad, because we love them so much and they brought us so much joy. You'll know in your heart when it's time, she'll let you know when she's ready.
Angela,
My heart is breaking for you. It is not easy to make the decision to let your loved one go. Everyone had always said that I would know when it was time to let Emily go but I didn't think I would. Well, they were right. Look into Jewel's eyes and ask her. It sounds sappy to say ask her, but try it. It is gut wrenching but it is also the last thing you can do to show her how much you love her.
An article I read once said that when her bad times out number her good times it is time to let her go.
Please know you are in my prayers. It is heart breaking. But you will make it.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Dear Angela,
I am sorry to hear about Jewel....it is heartbreaking and especially since you recently lost your other dog. We lost our dog, Paris in January. We were fortunate that she lived over 8 months with lung mets, and although we had seen signs, the end was very quick. She went from celebrating her 1 year ampuversary on a Tuesday and by Wed night I could see a change in her eyes. It seemed like she looked at me in a different way and I could understand what she was telling me. Many say there is a change in appetite or increased pain.
I guess you know your Jewel better than anyone and you will make the best decision because you love her. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers,
Ginny & Angel Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Dear Angela,
Thank you for posting your question, as hard as I'm sure it was to write. I have asked myself the same question "how will I know when is the right time"? I never had to worry about it with my other dogs - I just knew. But it seems different with a cancer dog. I don't want to be extending her life for only my sake. I feel for you and your lovely dog Jewel. Hopefully you will find peace with your decision and the inner strength to do what is the kindest act we can for our soulmates. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Laura and Tai
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
Dear Angela,
Thank you for posting. I haven't had to go through this yet, but reading through these posts will help me when it's Holly's time, and I'm sure it will be helpful to others, too. Your love for Jewel shines through in your post - please know we are keeping you and Jewel in our hearts and prayers this week.
Hugs,
Holly and Holly's mom
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
So sorry that you have to face this decision and what a difficult decision it is. We lost another beloved retriever to lymphoma before we had Mackenzie (she was my SoulDog too). When it was her time to go, I just knew it instinctively. The vet told me that you'll know when it's time and I did. I can't really explain it but there is something about the eyes like everyone has said, and also something in her physical body that just didn't seem comfortable anymore. A strong feeling like a wave came over me and I was finally at peace with the decision. My heart goes out to you and your souldog Jewel. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Angela, we're so sorry. What you need to remember is, trust your instincts. Like everyone said, we can't say for sure when the time would be right to part ways, because you know your baby better than anyone. But ask yourself, is she having more good days than bad? Is she still doing at least some of the things she enjoys?
Before my own cancer got bad, my pawrents made some decisions about what the term "quality of life" meant for me (of course, I helped them with that!). We talked about things like, what games made me happy, what foods I would eat no matter what, and whether or not I could potty on my own. When my illness got so bad that the things that made me happiest no longer gave me comfort despite my pain, my pawrents knew it was time.
Really though, there is never a "right" moment. It sucks, and it hurts. But the comfort that making that decision will bring, is that it will prevent more suffering for your girl.
It's a hard conversation to start, but we are glad you did. Remember, you have lots of support here from others who can help. Hang in there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Angela,
I'm so sorry about Jewel... I know how difficult it is to wonder when it is time... Every day I would look into my Jake's eyes and try and see if he was still happy and enjoying his life... and he was... right up until almost the end. When his cancer spread to his spine, he was in alot of pain the last few hours... we couldn't control it with pain meds, he couldn't get up and he didn't want to eat anymore... That made our decision easier, as he was suffering so much.
So with Jewel, you just have to see if she's suffering and no longer enjoying her life... It's not easy to let your baby go... but in the end, it's the kindest thing you can do for them.
I wish you strength to make that decision when the time comes... In the meantime, just love her and spoil her for as long as you can.
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
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