Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I guess everyone has those times, or stretch of times where most of the sadness in your life is centered........for me, this stretch of time will be coming in the next two weeks. Now that Polly is gone, this will add greatly to the already traumatically sad stretch of time I have come to call, the "Bermuda Triangle" of deep, dark emotional unhappiness. I woke up this morning already feeling the apprehensiveness of this particular sucky time.
Tomorrow is the day that Polly will be gone for 5 months.......next Friday, the 25th will have been her 10th birthday. That alone is a good bit of sadness for me, but then I think, nope, so much more heartache. Coming up on July 19, will be my sweet black Lab Maggie's 3 year anniversary of her death, and the worst one of all, is the 29th of July, which is the most traumatically difficult day ever, and has been for many, many years. We lost as sweet a dog, next to Polly, that ever walked the face of this earth on the 29th back in 2004........ But undoubtedly the worst thing, was losing my older sister when we were young on July 29th, when she was hit and killed by a car where we were living growing up. I guess losing Polly, has greatly compounded all this terrible heartache in my life that I already am dealing with in this hot month of July. But I also believe, that even though a lot of heartache seems to be dumped in this stretch of time, I am so grateful to have had the pure joy of having these wonderful pups in my life, and the ultimate love of an older sister that will live on for all eternity........I once heard a saying, just keep the good memories, that is what will prevail......
Much Love to you all......
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Oh my sweet Bonnie ... I do know how those dates can add up and can bring all those emotions fresh to the front. I know that June was like that for me (the anniversary of Shelby's broken leg, surgeries, two months since I had lost her, etc). I can't believe it's been 5 months for Polly. WOW.
I do know that I read somewhere on here when I was getting some support that things / losses of the past sometimes come back to the front in times of grief like this. Like my father's passing that I had pushed SO far to the back of my mind all came full circle when Shelby passed and then w/Jasper - my inability to show her any affection was my way of protecting myself. That almost sent me back into therapy and I am not opposed to it. I still might go since I have lingering residual grief issues that I am particularly good at pushing to the back of my heart/mind UNTIL something triggers.
I am so sorry about your sister. How awful for you. My heart aches for that kind of loss....
You are a really strong woman, Bonnie! You really are. You may not see it but I do. I don't even know you that well but I see your strength and I see you getting stronger every day and that is Polly (and Maggie) sending you strength DAILY. And they are looking to send you someone new to love and to protect you!
Stay close to us! We are here for you! I will keep you in my daily thoughts and prayers.
So much love your way!
Alison & her Shelby fur-ever in her heart (and little Jasper too)
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Bonnie,
I wish I had the right words to comfort you. I do want to say that you amaze me because even though you're feeling so much sadness right now, you're still able to look past it and realize that you're sad because of the deep love you were lucky enough to feel with your sister and your beloved babies. I hope your loving memories of them bring you comfort and help you through this very sad and difficult month.
You've comforted so many of us...please know that we're all here for you.
With love,
Carol
When we love hard... we grieve hard.... period.
I want to see pictures!! Let's celebrate those days!! And a picture of your sister too!! Share with us the good times as much as we share in the sorrow with you!! Although there is sadness in those days... there are smiles and memories that will never fade.. well.. at least until dementia hits us when we are 101 years old!!!! lol
5 months!! Wonder if Franklin has driven her nuts yet? lol It was always hard to get a word in edgewise when he was running around with that dang squeaky hot dog in his mouth! Every time you went to speak you would hear " sqeeee sqeeeeee sqeeeee sqeeeeee sqeeeeee sqeeeeee ". So you would stop.. and he would stop.. you would try to speak again and ......... " sqeeee sqeeeeee sqeeeee sqeeeeee sqeeeeee sqeeeeee ". lmaoooooo....
14 months he has been gone.. and now I smile more than get teary.... and he still warms my heart.... always will.
*hugs*
Christine... with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
Bonnie,
I'm so sorry that all this sadness seems to be heaped into one month. I know you're a strong woman...you have to be to keep on moving forward in this life with all that has happened.
Yesterday was 2 weeks since I had to let my Leland go and I really liked what Christine said..."when we love hard..we grieve hard." That statement made so much since to me. See, Leland had been sickly pretty much from the day we brought him home. I threw myself into researching anything and everything that I could do to make him healthier. For a while there things were going great...no constant diarrhea, no blood in his stools, and no blood in his urine. Then this crap with his knee came up in Feb 2014 and I again threw myself into researching all the possible causes and finding supplements that could help as well as following up on any meds prescribed by the vet.
Leland was my world and I fought so hard to make his world better. Because of Christine's statement I understand now why his passing is such much harder on me than our previous dog. Like you I have to keep moving forward (I have a job and family that depend on me) so I can't just curl up in a ball and tell the world "screw you"...even though sometimes I'd like to.
I just wanted to let you know that we'll get through these trying times. This community is always here to lend support when you need it.
Sending you MANY hugs!!!
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Oh Bonnie, I am so sorry you have had so many losses. Lean hard right here in this forum, among friends as you navigate this next few weeks. I have heard of Awful April and awful August on here. I am going to give July a name. Junky July. I too have heard and experienced how something like the death of our pets can trigger repressed grief from even many years past. Yours seem to be bunched together in one lump of time. Cry, vent, yell drink wine, eat chocolate, take walks and most importantly take some time for YOU! I am going to start praying for your new fur baby to appear before the end of July. Love from, Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
I'm sorry too, Bonnie. Everyone has said it so well. The first thing I thought of....what if you get to adopt that rescue lab this month? That could be your shining light in this dark month of July. I hope it happens for you.
Amy & Spirit Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
AMY..... THAT WAS MY THOUGHT EXACTLY!! Great minds..........
AND, I also agree.....everyone has said it so well.
Bonnie you are able to bring gratitude into the month of July too and that does, indeed, take a lot of strength. It is also EXACTLY what your loved ones would want you to do. But oh my goodness...you sure do have a huge team of Guardian Angels watching over you!
Maybe you could do your own version of a "tribute leash" for each beloved family member...three legged, four legged and two legged! Something where you could celebrate specific happy memories. Toss the idea around in your heart and see what comes forth. And yes, Polly gets another tribute too! Perfection can never have too many tributes!
Now Polly, for Pete's sake, get out of that heavenly lake and stop swimming long enough to get your mom a dog soul!!! July would be a perfect time!
SAHANA AND LELAND ALISON AND SHELBY CHRISTINE AND FRANKLIN AMY AND LIBBY LORI AND TY GUY
CAROL AND WILLOW
Sending love to all
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Christine said
When we love hard... we grieve hard.... period.
I love this!!! It's so true ... if we didn't love as hard it wouldn't hurt as much and I know none of us would trade the love and good times for anything in the world!
I like Amy and Sally's idea about a lab for July for a happy change to this month for you.
More hugs!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I'm so sorry Bonnie. Nobody should ever have to endure so many losses but when they happen so close to each other on the calendar and then all these other milestones too, the grief must be overwhelming. I'm so sorry, the next two weeks are probably something you just want to get through quickly. My heart goes out to you, lean on us and we'll help you during this tough time, that's why we are here.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ditto everything everyone has already said! Instead of grieving the month away, lets turn July into a celebration. Each life on earth is like a novel, filled with many many chapters. I bet if you wrote a book about each of your pups and your sister's lives, the ending would be the only sad chapter. Even if the last few chapters were filled with chemo appointments and sickness, there is not one pup here who didn't show what really living life was all about within those chapters! Tell us all about them, let us celebrate their greatness with you....
HUGS
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Thanks so much to all of you, Alison, Carol, Christine, Sahana, Lori, Amy, Sally, Rene, and Elizabeth......all of your heartfelt posts meant more than you can know, and all the different ideas were making smile after reading. All of us have suffered losses in our lives, and truly hoping we all can get to the point of "life celebration" instead of sorrow....
I would love to respond to each and every one of you, but tonight, I just can't get my head out of my butt to formulate productive thinking.......just know that I have taken each of your words into my heart and am so deeply appreciative of all of you. This website is the best place I have ever accidentally stumbled upon in my life, and I think I will stay for awhile......
About that rescue Lab.........It cannot happen for quite sometime......I posted on my forum topic "My New Beginning....." regarding the possible rescue of Faith who has already been adopted into a different home and family, and the reasons why I am not able to get a rescue right now......I am okay with it, it will just take a bit longer till the perfect pup comes my way from my precious Polly.
Keeping you all within my heart always,
Much Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Bonnie,
I understand. I don't know why bad events seem to congregate around particular dates for some of us. And then year over year, we dread that bermuda triangle of time. For me, it's always around my birthday (which is coming up). I won't go into all the events that have hit during that period each year, but last year, even feeling the sense of dread and trying to push it off, I still ended up losing my beloved Brendol. All I can recommend, based on my over 20 years of having a "dreaded" date, is to actively and very purposefully select something good for you. A trip. A dinner. A day off and drive somewhere pretty. Doesn't matter what it is, as long as it is something that you can look forward to. It's like turning on a small LED flashlight in the middle of a long dark tunnel. No matter how insignificant, it makes a huge impact.
I hope you find some peace during this time,
Karma, Adelaide and the crew, and our special angel Brendol
Adelaide is a young tripawd Husky, from an injury. Her amp was on 10/1/12. She has 4 sisters, Aissa (a senior border collie/chow), Maggie May (a puppy Great Pyrenees), Mathilde and Morrigan and 1 baby brother, Bagheera. We are all watched over by our angel Brendol, who was dx with OSA 1/30/13, amp on 2/6/13, and left us on 8/20/13.
You can read their stories at http://adelaide.tripawds.com and http://brendol.tripawds.com
Hi Bonnie
Everyone has already said everything I was thinking in response to your post so.....Ditto...but with lots of hugs attached.
I like Karma's idea of finding a way to "celebrate" a special occasion in July. I remember from your last post that it won't be a rescue pup but.......
I'm very sorry for all of your losses....including the loss of your sister when you were children.
Take care of yourself...and let us continue to support you through our posts, our thoughts and our prayers.
Many hugs
Linda and Tucker
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