Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Today marks 8 months since my best girl earned her wings. While I cry less (and feel guilty for that) and have loved Jasper a bit more (MUCH guilt about that)... I do feel the spirit of my Shelby guiding me daily.
She sent me pennies AND a gem stone this weekend ... she knew it would be tough on me. She knows I am with her and that I struggle. And that I don't know how to really "be" in this world without her. But I know she sent me Jasper to bring me cuddles and smiles (Jasper has recently become very clingy and loves to sit next to me on the couch). I think Shelby must have told Jasper to try a bit harder and told me to let her in....
This quote makes perfect sense to me today:
“Perhaps our eyes need to be washed by our tears once in a while, so that we can see life with a clearer view again.” - Alex Tan
I am all cried out but my heart still belongs 100% to Shelby but little pieces of it are opening up to 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
Awwweee . . . I've been crying with you my friend!
I keep looking for those pennies and such, but nadda. Then I started noticing a strange thing.
Saturday when I was at Kroger, a bouquet of flowers caught my eye. Ready? The name on the bouquet was "Harmony".
Then my friend gave me the "Paw Prints in Heaven" book. When I asked her where she found it, she said a local store called "Harmony Home".
I'm thinking we get so wrapped up in our grief that we're blinded by our tears. All I needed to do was wipe them away to see her messages.
xoxox to you and your pack, both ethereal and mortal!
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Wow...having major goose bumps over here after reading Alison's and Pam's posting. It's so mysterious how things happen in this world that let us know that our angels are still right next to us.
I'm still waiting for a sign from Leland...
Hugs to you both!
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!
Alison,
I love this quote you posted by Alex Tan......it is very true most of the time. I always worry about the tears that fall, that seem like there is no end to them or the sadness in our heart and soul. But we do start to heal over time.
I know these milestones are so hard, but please don't feel guilty for crying less, it is a sign your heart is healing, not that you love or miss Shelby any less. Besides you know as well as any of us, that sweet Shelbers is always by your side and guiding you and Jasper along the way, now......you feel her strength, energy, and presence, especially when Jasper starts her growls in the middle of the night, and last but not least, you feel the pitter patter of her tail in your heart.
Sending my love and {{{hugs}}} today and always,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
We all miss Shelby....but you honor her so well Alison...don't feel guilty about crying less, she would never want you to cry. I know that's easy for me to say.....big hugs
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
harmony said
Awwweee . . . I've been crying with you my friend!
I keep looking for those pennies and such, but nadda. Then I started noticing a strange thing.
Saturday when I was at Kroger, a bouquet of flowers caught my eye. Ready? The name on the bouquet was "Harmony".
Then my friend gave me the "Paw Prints in Heaven" book. When I asked her where she found it, she said a local store called "Harmony Home".
I'm thinking we get so wrapped up in our grief that we're blinded by our tears. All I needed to do was wipe them away to see her messages.
xoxox to you and your pack, both ethereal and mortal!
Pam,
I loved reading this post, and the wonderful signs sent from your Harmony !! We all look for these signs from our beloved angel Tripawds, and they show up when you least expect, but when they know you need them the most......exactly like Shelby sends to Alison when she needs it the most, and now you as well....... I love it !!!! 
Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Thank you all .... for your kind and loving words and always letting me use this place as a place to get my thoughts and emotions out. It helps ... so much!
Pam, -your signs also gave me goosebumps!!!! That's amazing ... truly when we least expect it, our kids are there with and for us.
Sahana - I know Leland is with you all the time. Sally will tell you - it took her a while to get a sign from Hannah!!!
Erica - thank you! You are right. Shelby hated tears! They upset her so she is thankful I cry less.
Bonnie - yup.. Jasper had the 'growlies' yesterday and last night too... out of the blue. Shelby was visiting and today she's definitely pitter-patter in my heart. I know deep down that my love for jasper doesn't diminish my love for shelby ... i just wish my mind could/would catch up. That is the lesson to be learned still....
Eight months. WOW. When I think about how far I have come in 8 months it does amaze me. So many thought I would never recover from that loss and while I have recovered and am different ... I am still #shelbystrong... her spirit guiding me daily. At least that is what I have to tell myself or I will fall apart.
Much love!
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 LOVE that Shelby cam to visit last night and today! It was so lpving of her to stop harassing all the newer dogs at the Bridge long enough to stop by for a visit!! I think the ones who have been at the Bridge awhile now must sorta sit back and shake their heads...".A new one must be heading on up...there goes Shelby Lyn e in her I'm gonna annoy somebody mode!"
Alison,I know you struggle with the "guilt" of loving Jasper and the "need" to feel grief in order to keep Shelby's memory alive.
You are now at a point where you realize neither one of those "blockages" serve you! Both keep you separated from a HEALTHY love...both with Jasoer AND Shelby! I say with Shelby too because feeling you "need" the grief pushes the great memories...the memories Shelby spent thirteen years sharing with you...building with you....behind an emotion....an emotion that is real and natural......but "unnatural" when you equate it to a way of showing your love for Shelby.....that prevents you from all the wonderfully healthy, life affirming, empowering and productive ways that Shelby showed you HOW to love!!!!
Shelby showed you how to llve...what it felt like to be loved...what it felt like to give love...so you could fully and unconditionally love yourself!!! She sent you Jasper to continue to help you with her mission! Again, grief is natural...it hurts...it sucks...it aches...it shows up without warning...but the Universe NEVER designed it as a tool to not forget our loved ones! The Universe gave us hearts and souls full of treasured forever memories of our time together so we would never forget them!!
And you KNOW I love you...we all love you...but I have to laugh...yes, LAUGH...at how hard you have tried NOT to love Sweet Jasper Lily!!! Didn't work did it?? ®
Shelby made sure of that when she picked her! No one could NOT lpve that girl!!!
Okay........simple solution....yeah, really.....you've made up....yep....made up...all these rules about grieve and love and guilt....time to change the rules!!!!
Something along the lines of "Shelby taught me that my capacity to lpve has no limits and knows no bounds....to close myself off from that capacity would dishonor one of the many life lessons she came here to teach me!"
Cant wait to hear what they are!!!!
LOVE YOU!
Sally and My Eternal Guiding Light Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
{{{{{hugs}}}}
Allison, I know the guilt about enjoying life again is always there in those early days, but try to look at it like this: less tears mean that you are stronger than ever, and that's exactly what Shelby wants for you. You are honoring her by being so strong again.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sally.... I swear ... you are full of the sagest wisdom out there!!! Just knowing and "talking" with you helps so much and your life lessons continue to teach me. Heck, if I had known you years ago I could have saved hundreds on therapy! LOL
Seriously .. I do understand what you are telling me and saying and how Shelby taught and brought love back into my life when I really felt there was no chance I could love again. I do struggle (as you can all see) accepting that I love little Jasper. Poor dog is going to get a complex .. one day I am all "come to madre, give me loves" and the next day I keep her at arms length emotionally (she gets affection and cuddles daily - no problem there but if she can 'read' my moods, she knows that things change).
It is indeed completely counter-productive to have as much "guilt" laying around ... that is such an awful human trait. I need to get back to basics and remember to Be More Dog .
This line right here - SO TRUE!!!!
And you KNOW I love you…we all love you…but I have to laugh…yes, LAUGH…at how hard you have tried NOT to love Sweet Jasper Lily!!! Didn’t work did it??
I am definitely a work in progress and the annivesaries make me ache and long for the past ... but I do feel hopeful .. .with time, those happy memories will continue to soothe my soul and I can learn to love myself a little bit and cut myself some slack. I am my own harshest critic...
And you're right - Rene ... honoring Shelby's wishes by NOT crying and channeling her inner strength does help me honor her memory and her spirit. Her spirit resides in my soul and we are still 100% in-sync. I know she would like a break from guiding me daily but she knows that this time of year is hard on me.
I was thinking (I read on another post about making donations in memories) that perhaps this year I would make some holiday cookies (I love to bake but don't like them in the house) and deliver to them to Shelby's three vets; her oncologist, her surgeon and her primary care physician. The oncologist and surgeon don't know that I have adopted Jasper and I thought I could bring her with me as I deliver the cookies and thank them again for all the love and kindness they extended me. AS much as Jasper loves riding in the car, it might not be the best idea to take her over to an emergency vet but that facility went above and beyond for me and it might be a nice way to honor Shelby.
Oy... I am in tears again and at work. Hugs and love!
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
Great idea with the cookies and Masler Lily! No better way to bring a little holiday cheer into your heart by bringing some joy AND cookies to others! I know it will mean a lot to them! Just make sure Jasper doesn't eat them in the way over!!
Alison, sweet Alison, I'm cerrtainly no "Sage"...I'm just old as dirt and have a few more life experiences under my belt as a result! And I sure as heck had better learned a few things along the way!
And besides...you are soooooo open and so willing to raise your awareness, it's an absolute delight.to think that every now and then I throw out a little "pearl of wisdom" that helps in your soul's growth.
As Rene said, continue to channel SHELBYSTRONG's strength...it's always there for you!
Love you!!!!!!!!!!!
Sally and My Guiding Eternal Light Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
PS...PAM AND HARMONY!! LOVE the messages Harmony sent you!!! Talk about communicating that she is still jere with you...POW!! She zapped you bit ti e with messages!!! These really were so "personal"...so meant just for you! Beautiful...just beautiful!! As are you!!
It's been "approximately" eight months snd I really have yet to feel like I've gotten a TRUE message from her...and I'm sooooo open to those "types" of things....sooooo open to communicating through dreams....nada....can't figure it out.....
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!
mom2shelby said
And you're right - Rene ... honoring Shelby's wishes by NOT crying and channeling her inner strength does help me honor her memory and her spirit. Her spirit resides in my soul and we are still 100% in-sync. I know she would like a break from guiding me daily but she knows that this time of year is hard on me.
I was thinking (I read on another post about making donations in memories) that perhaps this year I would make some holiday cookies (I love to bake but don't like them in the house) and deliver to them to Shelby's three vets; her oncologist, her surgeon and her primary care physician.
She'll never leave you when you need her most, guaranteed.
I think the cookies idea is fantastic! Talk about a way to make your heart happy and others too, I say do it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
benny55 said
I LOVE that Shelby cam to visit last night and today! It was so lpving of her to stop harassing all the newer dogs at the Bridge long enough to stop by for a visit!! I think the ones who have been at the Bridge awhile now must sorta sit back and shake their heads...".A new one must be heading on up...there goes Shelby Lyn e in her I'm gonna annoy somebody mode!"
I bet Shelby was definitely taunting Calvert!!! It makes me really happy and comforted that Calvert is with all your beloved Tripawd Angels. 
Did Shelby like tennis balls?? Ropes?? Tug of War? Calvert always played tug of war with Vader, I couldn't get in on the action as long as there were two dogs around playing. LOL I bet they are gonna be best friends!
It's been "approximately" eight months snd I really have yet to feel like I've gotten a TRUE message from her...and I'm sooooo open to those "types" of things....sooooo open to communicating through dreams....nada....can't figure it out.....
I thought the same thing, but now I'm thinking I was just looking so darn hard that I wasn't being receptive. What's signs for one person is different for another. Plus, my grief was really getting the best of me last week. It's funny, once I got the book and realized what was happening, I had a "come to Jesus" meeting with myself and I'm so much better now.
The discussion we (me, myself and I) had was, although grieving is a natural part of loss, it truly is an emotion that has more to do with me feeling sorry for myself. I don't have Harmony (or other lost loved-ones) here any more, at my leisure. My grief was a selfish thought of not being able to see, touch, or love my sweet girl; heartbroken that she left me, when I should be rejoicing in her transformation from this limited existence to one of beauty, joy and boundless love.
I still have my moments and I know I'll have to have another "come to Jesus" meeting again, but today I'm rejoicing (albeit through tears) that my sweet Harmony is living the high life!
<3<3<3
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Pam, I just love you! You have that special light within that comes shining through everytime!! Those waves of grief will hit you out of the blue like a ton of bricks! But luckily for us, the good memories come at us in waves too and replaces those tears with smiles!! Yeah, there have been a couple of "sorta signs" but I felt like I had to "force" them knto messages from Happy Hannah. I guess I need to be more open to ANY sign. But doogone ot Hannah, we talked about you coming to me in my dreams and letting me know you were okay! Pay attention! Quit eating ice cream long enough to give me a shout out!!!! 
As far as CALVERT.....OMD....he will be playing non stop! And what's so great is no one ever gets tired at the Bridge! Everyone feels so full of energy and life all the time!!! My Happy Hannah is more of the couch potato tyle who preferred using her energy for eating. She leaves the playing up to others....but when it comes to Calvert's meal times....yeah, shesw pretty much the Welcom Wagon loaded with llates full of burgers AND BUNS, ice cream, cakes, cupcakes a d CHOCOLATE!! Yeah, they can eat anything at the Bridge and NEVER get sick!!
And there was a dog recently who went running tonthe Bridge...CHANCE..and I believe also SNAGGLETOOTH ...who loved playing with baseballs snd tennie balls! Yeap, CALVERT will be playing non stop...and SHELBY will be nipping at them all!
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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