Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I finally stopped crying long enough to type a little something about Dymond. The overflow of love and support thus far has been a blessing. I never knew a commonality (like tripawds) could bring so many strangers together to form a family (that is what each of you are to me my family). Each of you know what it is like to love a pet and give the best you can to increase their chances. This is a story of Dymond the Rottweiler who lived, loved and showed true strength - all the way to the Rainbow.
Dymond was a vibrant, active, strong and resilient dog. She was diagnosed with Histiocytic Sarcoma October 2013 and in that same month she had her amputation. After her surgery she thrived, bouncing and hopping around the house on those three little legs, nothing could stop her. Initially I started her on Chemotherapy, put her liver counts increased and she didn't have much of an appetite. So I stopped that regiment and elected to change her diet, give her supplements and embrace holistic remedies. For nearly two years following her diagnosis Dymond beat the odds, the doctors could not believe she was doing so well. The reason being they thought she wouldn't make it six months. YEAH Lil' D!!!!
Dymond continued, as my road dog, as we relocated to California sharing many days going for walks (she rode I walked) in her stroller. Yep, she had a chariot that she LOVED! After she got used to it she began jumping in by herself (a front leg amputee jumping into a stroller with a front entrance), Dymond stopped at nothing to go for rides in her chariot...LOL! She turned heads everywhere she went, jumping in and out of her stroller, I guess people don't see many tripawds.
June 15, 2015 started as any other day. Dymond and I woke up, I let her outside, she ate breakfast and then relaxed on her bed. We watched tv together and the little stinker found some loose popcorn and indulged (okay okay I shared some of my popcorn with her). She loved to lay on her back and have her bully rubbed so that was part of the day as well. My Mom came home and asked if I wanted to take Dymond for a walk (again I walk and she rides and waves to her loyal subjects...lol, but hey that was okay with me). I tell Dymond "Dymond go bye bye," and she's SO excited running in the house ready to go NOW for her next adventure. I pull out her stroller and put her blanket in there, but before she jumps in I told her to wait for me and I help her in. So our next outing starts (as we have done so many times before) and we are all happy. I'm talking to Dymond, my Mom is talking to me ad we are just enjoying the time together. What is an outing without Dymond sitting up in her stroller and giving an afternoon hello (or bark) at her fellow canine and a jogger. LOL!
Just as quickly as the outing started, it ended. Dymond laid down in her stroller and breathed her last breaths and passed away. I am SO devastated, but I find great comfort in knowing she crossed the bridge doing what she loved the most - going bye bye and being in her stroller. I strolled and ran Dymond back to my car and I was with her during her final moments and she suffered not. Not one whimper, not one groan, not one cry - all courage.
Dymond you came into my life and changed my world completely. Thank you for blessing my life with the gifts of companionship, loyalty and unconditional love. Your spirit will live on, but your body, warm hugs and wet kisses will be missed. See you on the other side my precious bright shining Dymond!
June 30, 2005 - June 15, 2015
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I'm so sorry for your loss of your precious Dymond. Through your reflections of her she sounds so amazing and I know she will be greatly missed. Take some comfort in knowing that she passed on her own doing what she loved and didn't need to be assisted as so many of us have had to experience. She was a true fighter in beating the odds given her by doctors. She will forever be your bright Dymond in the sky looking down and guarding you till you meet again at the Bridge.
Sending you warm hugs in your time of sadness.
Sahana and her Angel Leland and Lucian too
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!
Thank you so very much. As I'm typing this the tears are still flowing. I appreciate the warm sentiments and your very kind words, as they make the sorrow a little more bearable.
Katrina, I am so sorry for the loss of your brave beautiful girl. Godspeed Dymond. May your spirit continue to shine brightly.
Hugs,
Marla, Daisy & Biscuit
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
daisygirl said
Katrina, I am so sorry for the loss of your brave beautiful girl. Godspeed Dymond. May your spirit continue to shine brightly.Hugs,
Marla, Daisy & Biscuit
Thank you. She was incredibly brave, I definitely took notes...lol
Katrina,
Your story and post here was a beautiful tribute to your sweet girl, Dymond, and what a pretty girl she was. My tears were falling as I read about your journey. She and my angel Polly had their amp surgery within 2 weeks of each other in October of 2013. Although my Polly had a different ugly cancer, she still fought a good fight but lost her battle 4 months after her amp. There is no doubt that your girl really beat the odds against this crappy disease, and she lived life on her terms...... She also gained her wings on her terms.
We all do know how much you are hurting, and we are all here for you for any support you need or want. I am hoping your pain eases in time, and only sweet, happy memories of Dymond remain. I do love your post title so much......One of my favorite sayings has always been, "Whoever said diamonds were a girl's best friend, never had the love of special dog". I completely agree.
Thinking of you, and sending {{{hugs}}}
Bonnie, Angel Polly, Pearl, and Zuzu
bcullom said
Katrina,Your story and post here was a beautiful tribute to your sweet girl, Dymond, and what a pretty girl she was. My tears were falling as I read about your journey. She and my angel Polly had their amp surgery within 2 weeks of each other in October of 2013. Although my Polly had a different ugly cancer, she still fought a good fight but lost her battle 4 months after her amp. There is no doubt that your girl really beat the odds against this crappy disease, and she lived life on her terms...... She also gained her wings on her terms.
We all do know how much you are hurting, and we are all here for you for any support you need or want. I am hoping your pain eases in time, and only sweet, happy memories of Dymond remain. I do love your post title so much......One of my favorite sayings has always been, "Whoever said diamonds were a girl's best friend, never had the love of special dog". I completely agree.
Thinking of you, and sending {{{hugs}}}
Bonnie, Angel Polly, Pearl, and Zuzu
Thank you. She always had her own terms for things...lol. Yes I am still hurting but your very kind words help immensely.
Oh Katrina, I'm so sorry! Murphy shares Dymond's diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma. His surgery was just over 2 years ago, and I know that every day is a blessing...I worry about how much time is left. I'm glad that she didn't suffer and went peacefully, doing something that she loved. I'm sure that you made every day special for her! She sounds like she was an amazing soul!
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Katrina, you are amazing. With all of your grief so new and raw, you got the hang of posting here, and adding photos too. See how strong you are? I knew you could do it! I'm really sorry for not seeing your email about posting images earlier, I just now had a chance to check in.
It's clear; you are stronger than you realize, and what a beautiful, loving tribute to a real warrior princess. Thank you so very, very much for sharing her life and her story with us. I know your grief is tremendous, and our hearts all ache for you. But we are also here to remember your amazing girl and celebrate the beautiful, courageous and fantastic life she had with you.
Please feel free to share more stories about her. It's so therapeutic and we love hearing them so don't be shy ok?
{{{Hugs}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My heart breaks for you .... but she was doing what she loved when she passed and no one could ask for a better way to go. She was happy, in the moment, being more dog. It's horribly sad and painful and she was a hero and a warrior. And a total beauty! Her face is precious!!!! I love her in her stroller.
I have no words of comfort but I am here for you. When I lost my best girl, Shelby, by the beach, doing what she loved, I thought my heart would never heal. She was my soul mate... but, bit by bit, it gets better. The pain is always there but it's not as bad. And her memories and our happy times fill my heart and soul.
Stay close to us ... we loved hearing your story... the way you wrote, I felt like I was there. Sending you love and hugs ... she is your forever angel now.
Alison with Spirit Shelby and little Jasper lily
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
Katrina, My Dear, Dear, Katrina...
I know this was unbearably hard to write. However, every single word was so heartfelt, so full of grace and so courageous. Perfect, just perfect.
Dymond transitioning so quickly is a shock that stunned us all. Yet, as other "family members" have said, Dymond did it on her own terms!! No struggle, no pain, no stress of " the appointment"...just Dymond surrounded by everyone she loved, enjoying her Chariot and being able to "be Dymond" right up to the moment she shed herself of her earth clothes and wrapped herself up in her beautiful Angel Wings. In time, this will bring you immense comfort.
Right now, it seems like the grief will never end. The intensity of this journey is like no other. The sadness, the void, the lack of routine that you and Dymond shared...we all understand far too well.
But Dymond left you with thousands and thousands of days of loving and happy memories to stay with you forever. It's just hard to bring those to the forefront right now. But you will. You will because that's what Dymond wants you to do!! And you love her so much, you will do what she wants!! Dymond was somproud of how well trained you were!!! She knew she had you wrapped around her paw!!
Dymond has joined the ranks of super Heros who beat this piece of crap disease! Gentle,sweet, kind little Dymond beat the heck out of statistics, prognosis, gloom and doom predictions by vet! DYMOND IS HER OWN DOG AND DOES THINGS DYMOND'S WAY
Thanks to Dymond, this community has another Beacon of Hope to share with others starting this journey. Dymond, you will inspire and touch lives through your legacy here! Your life mattered! Katrina, I know you felt privileged to have Dymond in your life. Trust me, she felt just as privileged to have you in hers!!
Look for the signs from here. As we talked about earlier, you've already gotten a pretty darn good one! DIAMOND PAW! Need I say more!!
As you can tell from your extended family, you are not alone. We are by your side. We understand.
And BTW, the pictures you shared of Dymond, every single one, showed a happy and content girl. She was very secure in that fact that she was loved by you and your mom....and anybody who ever met her! We all fell in love from your first post! I love how she looks up at you with those soulful eyes of hers! The picture you posted under the Trilawd Angels has that same cute look.
Surrounding you with our love and support, and especially surrounding you with Dymond's infinite love and grace..
Sally and My Eternal Light Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
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!
Katrina, I tried to post on your blog earlier, but it kept saying I was on the wrong page. I just wanted to let you know how sorry I was to hear about Dymond crossing go the bridge. My TY also had Histocitic Sarcoma. Dymond crossed the way most of us would want, doing what she loved with the people she loved best. I know that the hurt is so strong right now that it hurts to even breathe. It does get better, I promise. Just don't rush it, don't let other people rush you either. You will find no greater support than right here. Thinking of you, Lori, Ty & the gang
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.
Oh, Katrina, I am so very sorry to read of Dymond's passing. I remember you found Tripawds right after the community lost a number of well-loved pets very close together, our Princess Roxie among them. It gave me such a lift to share in the Angel Exchange with you, and you sent back a picture of your beautiful family with a lovely note. You and Dymond have always been in my prayers.
I'm not here nearly as often as I'd like to be, but I know that the many hearts here share in all our joys and sadness on these journeys. You gave Dymond a wonderful and magical life, and the gifts she gave you will always be in your heart.
Sending you thoughts of peace and gentle memories, Liz and Angel Roxie Roo
midnighter94 said
Oh Katrina, I'm so sorry! Murphy shares Dymond's diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma. His surgery was just over 2 years ago, and I know that every day is a blessing...I worry about how much time is left. I'm glad that she didn't suffer and went peacefully, doing something that she loved. I'm sure that you made every day special for her! She sounds like she was an amazing soul!Donna
My baby girl was incredibly amazing. She truly blessed my life and it is hard to feel such a deep void. I'm so happy to know your baby is thriving.
jerry said
Katrina, you are amazing. With all of your grief so new and raw, you got the hang of posting here, and adding photos too. See how strong you are? I knew you could do it! I'm really sorry for not seeing your email about posting images earlier, I just now had a chance to check in.It's clear; you are stronger than you realize, and what a beautiful, loving tribute to a real warrior princess. Thank you so very, very much for sharing her life and her story with us. I know your grief is tremendous, and our hearts all ache for you. But we are also here to remember your amazing girl and celebrate the beautiful, courageous and fantastic life she had with you.
Please feel free to share more stories about her. It's so therapeutic and we love hearing them so don't be shy ok?
{{{Hugs}}}
Thank you for this forum and the opportunity to share. I'm finding it so hard to move forward. It amazes me at how I was so used to having her and knew her mannerisms, like when she would bark and she'd be waiting by the door. She knew me too, she knew my smell, my routine and my footsteps. My sadness is overwhelming...
I remember when she was a puppy and I was potty training her. We would spend hours outside, waiting for her to go, I even had a bag of treats to encourage and reward. The little stinker eventually went to the bathroom, when we got in the house. lol...
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