Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I used to call Charlie my 'one true love'. Then I met my husband, John. While that didn't fit anymore, John has always known that Charlie will always be my 'first true love'. Today, we let Charlie go, my first true love, in the backyard, in his spot in the sunshine.
Last Saturday, after we went to bed, Charlie inexplicably got up and walked over to my side of the bed and just looked at me with a sad face. I began to cry because I had a feeling that he was telling me that we were nearing the end of the journey. He had already begun to struggle, lose his happy face, his wagging tail, and the beautiful light in his eyes. Over time, he had developed lung mets, and nearly fully lost his ability to use his hind limbs. He had also lost control of bladder and bowel. We're not altogether sure why this happened. But we decided that putting him through a lot of diagnostics and additional treatments was out of the question. And so we took him off Palladia, put him on some other meds, and hoped for the best. Unfortunately, we watched him completely lose his tail wag, and the light diminished. We always said we would watch Charlie, not the tests or diagnostics. We knew it was time.
And so we spent last night and this morning with him, loving him, and then said goodbye. I don't know how this works. We've been crying all day and just trying to get our bearings. What does life look like without Charlie? Miss him so desperately--coming home and he's not there with his ears up, sitting on the couch and he doesn't come over, he's not watching my every step, tail isn't banging on the floor, he's not following me out the door, and do we now actually have to pick up scraps of food on the floor every time? And in my saddest hour, he's not here to cuddle and put his head on my knee. I know in my heart there will never be another Charlie. Maybe someday I'll say, "I want a dog." instead of saying, "I just want my Charlie back." But I don't know how it's possible to have a love, a connection, an understanding with a dog like that twice in a lifetime. But, oh mercy, was I blessed to have him.
You know from day one that this day will come. But I think my heart was in denial. Just...miss...him...so...much.
Thanks for all the support and information through the journey. Grateful to you all.
Heather and Charlie
Charlie, our English yellow lab, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in February 2014. He became a tripawd on February 24th, with clear lymph nodes and lungs, but that didn't last long. After three doses of Carbo, in May 2014, x-rays showed lung mets. We briefly tried Palladia, which went well. Unfortunately, Charlie developed unexplained complications in his hind limbs. We said a reluctant farewell on June 11, 2014. Still miss our boy each and every day.
Heather, I am so heartbroken at the loss of your special guy, and I'm so sorry your journey was such a short one after sweet Charlie's diagnosis. Life just isn't fair sometimes......I remember you joined Tripawds the day after I lost my precious Polly, and you posted a lovely message to me. I still miss her as much as the day she left me....I hope my words to you somehow can ease a bit of your pain, but that will honestly take a good bit of time. I have been through many losses of sweet Labs, and all remain within my heart always, so I know it will be the same for you and Charlie. He will always be special to you and all of us here. All of us completely understand the "afterlife" without our beloved fur babies, too.......everywhere you turn, everything you do, something is always there to remind you of your loss, we do understand...
Keeping you within my heart and thoughts, hoping each day will be easier to breathe....
Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Heather,
I am so sorry for your loss of Charlie. Shoot I still say I want Sassy back even though I know I can't have her but one day we will be together. You are right there never will be another Charlie but there will be someone when the time is right. No one can tell you when that will be only you know. You did give him the greatest gift we can give our babies when its that time.
Run Free Charlie. RIP and give Sassy a big paw up for me
Hugs
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."
Oh Heather, I feel your pain. It breaks my heart and causes me to relive losing our lab, Libby. Our ending was similar to yours. You take all the time you need and come here often for support and love. Charlie will always live on in your memories. If it helps, post more stories and pictures here when you're ready.
Hugs,
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
So sorry, to hear about Charlie. Yeah it hurts to lose them. They leave a big hole in our lives when they go. I still want my boy back , it has been exactly 8 weeks today. This forum helps a lot as people here understand. I also started a blog for Ty. I planted a garden for him and am slowly making him a scrapbook. I do these things because they help a bit. But oh I miss him. Labs are so very special and they just seem to find a way to weave themselves very deeply into our hearts. Thoughts and prayers , 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 am so sorry for your loss. I know how you feel ... Shelby was the 'love of my life' - my 'soul mate''... it's horribly sad and painful. I lost Shelby over two months ago and I still come home and look for her. I miss her tail, her ears, her snuggles. It's life's cruel injustice that our fur-babies don't live as long as we do. I know how hard it is right now and your goodbye to him was beautiful and lovely ...
Sending you lots of love and healing energy!
With love and hugs,
Alison & her Shelby fur-ever in her heart
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
My heart is aching for you, Heather. I'm so sorry about you having to say goodbye to your wonderful Charlie. He a clearly knew he was well-loved on his journey with you. Give yourself time to grieve, and take comfort in the memories of your years together,
Your sweet boy is running free with his new many new friends, and you'll always have a special angel keeping an eye on you.
Sending prayers and hugs your way and keeping you in our thoughts.
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
So sorry. Your heart aches, but keep every happy memory close to get you through this time.
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Heather,
I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of Charlie. You and John obviously loved him very much. Even though we know their time is short we are still not ready but you released Charlie from his pain and that's what loving an animal is all about. Hopefully time will help heal your sadness.
Penny, Blink, Hank and Spirit Maggie
Ohhh I'm so very, very sorry, please accept my condolences and know that you and John and sweet Angel Charlie are in our hearts, now and always. This is the most difficult part of the life we share with our beloved animals, it hurts so much you never think the pain will stop. Eventually the ache is easier to bear and we do open our hearts, but for now, let yourself grieve, it's a sign of how deeply you loved that sweet, special boy.
If you'd like to share any photos or other stories about Charlie we would love to hear them. We are always here for you to support you in the journey and you can lean on us anytime. I'm so sorry. {{{{{hugs}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry to hear Charlie has gone on. It's obvious how much he was loved by you. Keeping you in my thoughts.
So sorry for your loss of Charlie. I'm new to Tripawds but I totally understand your pain. Our first dog was a dobie/rott mix that my husband and I rescued from a shelter when he was a pup. We had Lucky for 12 yrs and he was such a member of our family that he slept in bed with my husband and I. He had lymphoma and we made the tough decision to put him to sleep on 12/23/09. He could no longer breath without my husband holding him up and he held him the entire night before we took him to the vet. I was so lost without my Lucky and the house was so quite. I was in such a daze from grieving the loss of Lucky that I was just existing and not really living. After some time my husband started looking to bring another dog into our home. It wasn't to replace Lucky but to try and help heal the void that he left in our home.
That's how we came to have Leland and he has been a blessing. It took a little time after Leland came into our lives for me to fully open my heart to him (I felt like I was betraying Lucky) but I dearly love him now and would do anything to keep him happy and healthy.
When the time is right you'll find another fur baby. You won't be replacing Charlie but offering another dog the wonderful chance to be in a home full of love. That's kind of how I looked at it when I went through this and when I ultimately go through it with 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!
Our hearts break with you. Charlie was so loved and you gave him a great life, he was one lucky pup. When I had to make the decision to allow my Jake to get his wings, the vet told us she doesn't feel bad for the pups, its the humans they leave behind she feels bad for. Our pups shake off their worn down bodies and run free, while we are never quite the same. My Jake was my soul dog, he always will be, and I never thought I'd ever have another dog. It was only a couple weeks when the silence became too much to bear and I found Tanner. He is not my Jake, but he has found a place right next to Jake in my heart. I think its Christine that always says she wants to be greeted by a whole pack of slobbery kisses when its her time...and I will never ever forget that, b/c thats what I want too! No pup will ever replace your Charlie, and you can look back on his life and be proud of not only what he gave you, but what you gave him too.
Run free Charlie!
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”
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your first true love, Charlie!
Hope your many memories of him will eventually bring you some peace.
For now - take time to grieve......take care of yourself.....and know that you did all you could for Charlie including letting him go when he was tired.
Many hugs
Linda and Tucker
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