Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well, one year ago today Emily had her rear leg amputated. Unfortunately, we did not have the outcome we prayed for but I still believe we made the right decision for her by choosing amputation. Emily had five months of good quality life until the cancer spread to her spine. We got those same five months to love and cherish her. We miss her so very much but celebrate her life. Our lives were so much fuller because we brought that crazy abandoned dog home from our church. "Just for the night and I'm calling the Humane Society in the morning." Emily charmed us and wormed her way into our hearts that fast and we were blessed to have almost six years with her.
Fellow tripawds, eat a chicken jerky for Emily or if you can pull it off a McDouble and fries.
Debra
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Hi Debra,
We will definitely be eating a chicken jerky in honor of Emily 
. She sounded like such a wonderful dog and it's so wonderful that you were able to cherish the time you had with her. I can only imagine how much you miss her. So here's to beautiful Emily!
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Oh, Debra - so hard to believe it has been a year. Emily won my heart, and I still miss her when I see that beautiful avatar. It is so wonderful you've always had the positive attitude about your decision. It is sure to help others facing the same decisions.
My thoughts are with you today as you reflect on Emily - wonderful warm memories!
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.
Debra, It will be an honor to give Tasha and her two Yorkie sisters a chicken jerky in memory of Emily today. I am glad that today you are celebrating her life and you have many beautiful memories of the years that you shared with her.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
MAGIC'S FAVORITE.....and I have some jerky and little round chicken crunchie things....so he will have a handful of those and some jerky
What a great story...I had not heard that part....about "one night only humane society in the morning" I cannot tell you how that warms my heart...wonderful wonderful people you are and she had the most marvelous life with her angel parents
I often refer in blogs to Yoda as Gerry's big brother. Well, I can't help but think of Emily as his big sis too (or at least a cousin). They have as much in common as he and Yoda, I think. He's a sweet cuddling dobie (or dobie-like) mix rescue who loves his couch, like your girl. And most of what I knew in advance about rear amps I picked up from your posts first. So she helped in my training. I'm so very glad that our arrivals at Tripawds lined up, if they had to happen.
Gerry will have two pieces of chicken jerky, one on Yoda's behalf as well. (Who am I kidding he'll get more than that because I'll have to buy a whole bag - haha!)
We wish you a hoppy ampuversary of remembering all the hoppiness that getting rid of that tumor brought you and Emily!!!
I love Mark Twain quotes - particulary when they're about dogs - and I just ran across one I hadn't heard before today:
"The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven, not man's."
Emily and Yoda will at least make sure we can get in to visit. 
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
We to shall celebrate Emily's life, thank you for sharing it with all of us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I still have Emily's Tripawd trading card in my little book of Max's Tripawd Friends. Emily looked awfully cute in her leopard print throw. I don't have any chicken jerky in the pantry, but we smoked some bacon last night, so I'll have a nice piece of that in honor of your girl. "Just for the night, and I'm calling the Humane Society in the morning." I love that story!!!
Debra,
It is people like you, who have had to part ways with their tripawds far too soon, that just blow me away. I am so impressed and inspired that you hang around here and continue to help those just starting this journey, and provide encouragement and advice as each of the journeys continue.
Tani the quad pug will have an extra chicken chip tonight. Maggie- well she'll get an extra of whatever she will eat (probably pub cheese).
Karen and the pug girls
Debra,
I also have Emily's trading card on my fridge, next to a picture of Jake... I look at it every time I walk by the fridge!
I can't believe it's already been a year since her amputation... I know that you miss her so much... but you have so many beautiful memories to comfort you... I don't have any chicken jerky... but I will pick up some McDonald's fries on my way home and share them with Wolfie. Jake loved fries (well, he loved ALL food!) and Wolfie will eat them in Emily's honor...
Sending you a big fat hug!!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
I feel the same way about Gus, not knowing how long we will have them, every time he lays his head on my lap at night it was worth every penny, no matter how long it last, I know if I hadn't done this he wouldn't be here now. We will have some deli ham in Emilys honor, Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
it's funny how these 'sisters and brothers' come into our lives...like there's a plan they know about and we don't. they certainly do change us for the better!! To Emily!!!
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Dearest Debra and Spirit Emily,
Unfortunately we have gone from three to none in less than two years. However, I will not let that deter me from celebrating Emily's life and your great help. Not only will I make sure that I include chicken in my diet today, I will make sure that I distribute some chicken jerky in her honor at our local vets office. They are used to me comming in with extra treats for both the animals and the humans. Your continued support to this community is just as great an inspiriation as Emily's full story. Had it not been for you and a few others of this wonderful community, I would have totaly gone into a cave after....
Raise your glasses high and salute our warriors - one and all.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
Wow, a whole year ago. Does it seem like yesterday? Or an eternity? With Raven it seems both. He was first diagnosed (inaccurately) on April 24, 2009, and I was thinking the same thing. It boggles the mind the range of highs and lows we experience with these furry soulmates in that period of time from then on.
Betty's not a tripawd, but has had her spleen and an eye removed, so I think she qualifies enough to celebrate a toast to sweet Emily with a jerkey treat! You and Emily were one of the first people to connect with me here and I appreciate that you still stay in touch. Because of Emily's journey, you've touched many lives.
Blessings,
Dawn
Rottie Raven, osteosarcoma at 8-1/2 years old, amputation in October '09 and in February '10 due to liver mets he went back to heaven where he came from. raven.tripawds.com
Now I have Miles, rottie mix amputee from a shelter and traveled 1500 miles to find his way here through the Rescue Railroad thanks to tripawds.com. miles.tripawds.com
Many hugs to you Debra. What a story...abandoned at church? There was no way you could let go of a pup like Emily! What a sign!
We are so honored that you continue to share Emily's amazing spirit and courageousness with the Tripawds community, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
While we don't have any chicken jerky on hand and the nearest Mickey D's is over an hour away, we do have some chicken thighs defrosting for Wild Boy Wyatt Ray . We'll be sure to have him toast with one in Emily's (and your) honor!
xoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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