Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well, we did our best to try to slow down the spreading of this terrible cancer, but within the last 4 days, Dex has gotten progressively worse. We've decided that tomorrow (Mon. 5/18th) will be “the day”. She isn't eating, doesn't drink much, has much difficulty breathing and can't get comfortable. Her little heart just pounds irregularly and she isn't enjoying life too much anymore. The prednisone has stopped giving her relief. Her belly is so hard and bloated. I can't take seeing her like this. I dreaded this moment, but when the time comes, you really do “just know” and while it's going to be the most difficult thing for us to go through, I know that she won't be able to take much more and we're doing her right by ending her misery.
Fourtunately, tomorrow is supposed to be sunny (a rarity here in MI) and we're going to put her on our back deck in her bed and have the vet make a house call. I pray to God to give us the strength to get through this terrible time.
My heart aches for you and your family as you face the end of Dexter's fight. You are brave and loving and Dexter is blessed to have you for her Mom.
Love and hugs, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Gineej & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Sherri ,
I am sorry to hear the news about your girl Dex. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers as you give her peace and the permission to leave. It's so hard to hear them suffer and having a hard time breathing. Your doing the best thing for her, as her Mom, she knows how much you love her, even when its time to say goodbye. The love in your heart, will keep you going till you see her again...
Kim & Angel Buster
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
Dear Sherri,
It truly is a blessing that when the dreaded time arrives to saying goodbye to our dear sweet furbabies, that we DO SEE the signs and we are able to find the strength and the courage to let them go... I don't know how but we do! Perhaps through the grace of God. We read about it and hear about these painful experiences from others who have suffered through it but you don't actually realize this "knowing" and "acceptance" until it actually happens to you. It sounds like you already have peace in your heart in knowing that you are truly doing what is best for Dexter in her time of need. She knows that you are relieving her from her broken down body and giving her permission to be free from her pain and she loves you so much for that. Just remember love knows no boundaries... the love you share for one another will live on forever and so will Dexter's spirit. She will always be a strong hero who fought an amazing fight. Jerry and the other incredible and beloved Tripawd heroes who have fought the fight will be welcoming her with open paws and hearts. You are in my thoughts and prayers Sherri during this heartbreaking time.
Luv Spirit Jake, Smooch, Baby Gus & Mom (Sherri)
It always brings a tear when one of our tripawd friends comes to the end of the journey. I know Dex and you have fought a hard fight and this is the beginning of peace for Dex. My thoughts will be with you tomorrow as you find the strength you need in those final hours and moments.
What a wonderful mom Dex has to be able to put her needs first during such a difficult time.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Sherri,
It is by far the hardest thing we ever have to do- give that final act of love to our babies and send them home to a better place where they can run free without pain. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. We are all here for you- I hope you can feel our love and support we send your way.
May you find peace knowing you are doing the greatest thing for Dexter- ending her pain.
Her physical life may end, but she will be in your heart forever.
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
Sherri,
I am so very, very sorry to hear about Dexter - I wish tomorrow would never have to come for you. There is no one better for Dexter to have than you. Smokey and I will keep you in our thoughts.
Tori and Smokey
Sherri - I am so sorry. Dexter is so lucky to have you. I set Jack free from his broken body in December and miss him every day. The strength you need will be there. Much like you wonder if you really will "know" when the time has come, the strength you need manages to show up as well.
Sending peace and strength your way.
Kristen and Angel Jack
Sherri,
Our hearts are breaking for you, we are so sorry to hear the news.
When you came to us back in October, we had just started to cope with the loss of our own beloved Jerry. It was a very dark time for us, and we hope that we can be there for you as you were for us, sharing Dexter's story and making us smile when we never thought we would again.
There is nothing harder in life than to help our fur kids through this process, but it is the burden we must bear after our Tripawds gave us so many years of unconditional love and happy times. Somehow we find the strength to make that call to the vet, and let our kids go with dignity and grace. It's hard, and as devastating as it feels, our fur kids are grateful that you have given them the gift of a pain free eternity.
We know Jerry and all the other Tripawds are waiting for her, and happy to show her the way on a beautiful "mega-hike." May they roam free and be happy forever.
Keep an eye out for the D, we know she will always be at your side.
Many hugs,
Rene, Jim & Spirit Jerry
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sherri
I am so sorry for your loss. I know how difficult this is for you. I still am having a hard time about my loss of Titan. I find comfort in knowing he is on the other side with 4 legs, free of pain and having lots of tripawd friends there. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers
Heidi and Angel Titan
Dear Sherri,
I know this has been a very difficult day for you. I hope you know how very grateful Dex is that you released her and set her free. She was so blessed to have such a great mom and a doctor who would come by your home. We did the same for Abbey and I'd encourage everyone to request it. These doctors have invested alot of emotion and care into our dogs and will come if we ask. It is so much more comfortable for our babies to be at home…
My heart goes out to you and I pray you will have peace in your decision. Even though you will miss Dex, you did the right thing. I am sure all of our former tripawds welcomed her and that she is running and smiling, pain-free and young and strong again! Although I still replay those last moments at times, I always refocus on what she is doing NOW.
May God comfort you in your grief. Know that we are all here for you and we understand because we are on the same road, just at different mile markers.
Grace for today,
diane riley
Thank you all for your kind thoughts, words, and prayers. Yesterday was not a good day for any of us. Poor Dex's breathing was so labored and I knew that she'd continue to decline with each passing day. We called our vet who, at first, couldn't come to the house due to her being in surgery so we grudgingly decided to bring her in at 1:20 although Dex absolutely HATES going to the vets (even though it's within walking distance from our house) and I didn't want her last memories having to be dragged through the door. About 11:20 our phone rings and it's our vet who said that she got out of surgery earlier than expected and that she could be at our house at 11:30. Whoa! That was only 10 minutes away and although I wasn't ready for it so soon, I was very grateful that she could make a house call. Of course, in true Dexter fashion, she had a few moments of energy, which really made me wonder if it really was the "right" time...she was eating some treats and suddenly didn't seem that bad, which really made me question if it was the right time indeed. When she stopped moving though, I could see her body heaving with every breath and felt her heart going a million miles a minute. I felt terrible.
I think Dexter sensed something too as when people come over she happily greets them then just sits down and chills. When the vet came, she barked her welcome, then the tail went between her legs and she bolted for the door. I felt absolutely terrible. I had to hold her tight so she woudn't squirm away from the vet while they tried to find a good vein. It was, by far, THE most difficult, heart-wrenching experience I've ever had. The only good thing about it was that the effects of the injection were instant and she gently collapsed in my loving lap. No more pain, no more heaving panting, no more pounding heart. I can tell you that I lost both of my parents (both in their early to mid 50's) and I'm not embarrassed to say that the loss of Dexter hurt me more than any other loss that I've suffered. I know that sounds strange, but it is true.
I'm doing okay, right now, but have moments of sheer sadness/crying that I'm sure will pass with time. We washed all of her stuffed animals and strategically placed some of them in the house as happy reminders of how much she liked to play with them. She is being cremated and we hope to have her ashes next week. We're going to spread some in the backyard, then take some to her favorite park. I'll keep a small amount for myself.
Thank you all again for your words of encouragement, hope, and sympathy in this most difficult time of our lives. It is sincerely appreciated. I would have been lost without the help of the people and information gleaned from this website. I wish everyone peace and happiness and remember to enjoy everyday to the fullest.
Sincerely,
Sherri, Gary and Dexter....in spirit. Let her now run free.
I admire your strength and courage as you are able to talk with your Tripawd friends in the midst of your raw grief.
Dexter is at peace and because of that you will also find peace. You got through yesterday and losing her and with time your mind will not replay that moment, only the good, happy and playful moments with your girl.
I am sending you thoughts of love and peace and empathy, take good care,
Gineej & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Oh Sherri, my heart aches for you in this difficult time. I was just looking through a catalogue and the following quote jumped out at me:
They whom we love and lose are no longer where they were before. They are now... wherever we are."
So true. Remember that you sweet Dexter is with you always.
I admire your strength and courage. I know what you mean about deciding when is the "right" time. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Big Great Dane Kisses from Nova,
Sue and Tripawd Nova, from Linden, MI
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
I don't think your feelings are strange at all. When I had to put my dog Kodi down when he was 14 it was the most aweful decision I ever had to make.. I'd had him since I was 12 years old. I took care of my dad when he was sick and I was with him when he died. Of course those were hard times, but I think it's the fact that you have to make the decision for your pet...that's the really bad part. I still wonder sometimes if I did the right thing.. I mean, my brain tells me yes.. but I still beat myself up sometimes even though I know I shouldn't. It WAS time. I remember holding him as the vet gave him that last shot.. and when he was gone I lost it and was just begging him to come back... Talk about a bad day. I slept clutching Kodi's empty collar for two whole weeks and I was a crying mess.. I'd get up for work, start crying.. stop just in time to put in 8 hours, then started crying as soon as I walked out the door at the end of the day. I was in bad shape for a long time. I lived alone at the time too, so that made it harder. I still miss him and cry sometimes and it's been almost three years! So, you are in similiar company here.. I'm so sorry you had to go through it, but I think our fur kids are still looking out for us! Keep your chin up and it will get easier.. 🙂
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