Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey all, sorry for my prolonged absence. I have not taken Domino's passing well at all. I can't believe he's been gone for 4 months. It feels like I just lost him yesterday. Unfortunately I hide my pain well, so almost no one knows how hard I'm taking this. I know I know,k that's not good and I need to talk about it, but I can't. Talking about it hurts more.
A lot has happened since I lost Domino. About 2 weeks after his passing, my big Anatolian Finn collapsed in the living room. I rushed him to the emergency clinic. After an overnight stay, lots of worrying, and a transfer to the local specialty clinic, Finn was diagnosed with Mitral Valve disease and Atrial Fibrillation. He's on a huge mixture of heart medications to help lower his heart rate and help to regulate his rate. So far so good, his recheck at the specialist went great and he has another echo, radiographs, bloodwork and such scheduled in February.
I have also gotten a new puppy. This was planned well before Domino's passing. She's a little border collie that I will compete in agility, disc, and other sports with. She's currently 11 weeks old, and a crazy little pistol of a puppy lol.
So that's life in a nutshell in the last few months.
I miss Domino, I miss him with every fiber in my being. It physically hurts still that he's not with me. I haven't been able to move any of his stuff, his collar and leash and harness still hang in the living room. His elevated feeding dish in still where it sat before. I don't know if the pain will ever go away. I feel like a crazy person for missing a dog this much, but I truly feel like I lost my soulmate...
Cassie
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Domino had his left front leg amputate on May 13th 2014 after being hit by a car. He's now living a happy healthy life on three legs :)
Hi Cassie,
You're not crazy a person. At all. It hurts. It's supposed to hurt. And I've always thought that the pain is just the proof that their lives mean so much.
Four months isn't really all that long at all. It's been nearly 16 months since Rocky died. It still hurts. And that's OK. Give yourself time to grieve. Don't put a timeline on it. It doesn't work that way. It does get better though, even if there are plenty of days (and there are plenty of them) where it feels like it will never get better.
Give Finn and your new puppy extra hugs. And look for signs in them from Domino.
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
Cassie I promise you, you are not a crazy person. It's totally normal to have such heartache over Domino. Look what you two went through! Oh my gosh. You were there for him from his ruff start in life right up through his last breath, and he was taken from this world so early, so unexpectedly. What you experienced was a lot, so please be kind to yourself and know that your feelings are all to be expected.
I'm glad Finn is doing better (how scary!) and that your little puppy is giving you lots of new adventures. Domino is for sure proud of you for being a great mom to both of them, and I know that he's watching out for all of you.
Healing takes time. As that saying goes, when you love hard you grieve hard, and time is what's needed to feel less heartache. You will get there.
Thanks for letting us know how you've been. I'm glad you shared, and it helps others more than you know.
xoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Not crazy at all! What you described is how all of us with a heart-dog feel when we lose them. I still miss Nitro with every fiber of my being! Like you, we've added a new member to the family - actually 2 - which lessens the pain but doesn't take it away. Time does heal, but Domino will always be a special part of you.
P.S. your new addition is absolutely adorable!
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Cassie,
The thing is those of us who have been on this journey totally understand. I was told by one of our members Dakota's mom, Shari, when you start this journey you will have a bond like no other. You won't realize it until its gone. I didn't understand fully what she meant until Sassy crossed the Bridge.
It is still early in the grieving process. Heck 5 years and I still miss my girl. The hurt isn't as bad there are still twinges once in awhile. Once in awhile I cry. It's normal to have those kinds of days. I didn't move a lot of things after I lost Sassy.
Oh and any time you want to come and just talk about Dom do it. We don't judge and won't. If you just want to come say I miss you buddy. We are all here for you.
The new puppy is adorable and I am sure she is giving Tonks & Riot a run for their money too. I hope Finn continues to do well. I know this Christmas is going to be hard without Dom. Thinking of you
xoxoxo
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Cassie,
We all heal and deal in our own way and at our own pace. So many of us here can relate to the pain of losing a soul mate, it's not crazy to miss him so much.
Take your time putting things away- do it when it feel right. After Tri-Pug Maggie left her leash and harness stayed hanging in the closet for months, until I used her harness for part of her tribute. Her blanket stayed on my bed for a year after she passed. The blanket now lives on a shelf in the table by my bed.
Maggie has been gone for more than 8 years now and I still think about her almost every day. At this point the memories are almost all good, and I feel like the lessons I learned from her help me every day. But it took awhile to get to where things were more positive than negative.
Don't be afraid to reach out for help if you think you need. You can always post here and there are some Grief Resources here. I've found in the past that it helps to talk with a neutral person. What ever you need to do to navigate your grief.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Our dear Cassie. Cannon feel the life from those of us who understand? We are all wrapping you up in a great big group huh. We're glad you came here and I hope it helps for a brief moment to be surrounded by those of us who had the privilege of knowing Domino.....and even better.....some of us had the privilege of meeting that precious spitfire of a dog!!
You and Domino wer... are...quite a team. You two have such a special bond. You gave Dominio THE BEST LIFE a God could ever hope for! You were pals.
I want to come back after I find some of the pictures fo took of Domino, and Finn too, at the Tripawd pawties.
And then to have that scare with Finn....too much!!! Just so glad he is doing okay.
And I'm also glad you have this delightful new puppy to bring you joy and laughter. You arr going to have such a blast doi agility, etc with him.
Take care of yourself Cassie. You and Domino are very special to us...as are all uour pack! Give that Finn a big smooch for us❤
Lots of 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!
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