Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Today is not a special anniversary or anything, but as it warms up outside, the flowers bloom and the grass/weeds grow lush, I find myself thinking back to last year. Otis had just completed his chemo, he was doing well on three legs, and Tess seemed to be doing well too. We spent a lot of time sitting outside and enjoying the day. I think of that time as a 'magic window' when everything was really good. Done with amp recovery, no more chemo related issues, no signs of the cancer, and the next vet appointment months away. We were all just so happy to be together!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
The warmer weather does set something off, doesn't it? Those are good memories, cherish them.
Sending you peace and hugs.
Teri and Angel Isa
Right rear leg amp 7/12/16 due to OSA. Metastatic lesion on her right front leg, January 2017. Joined the Winter Warriors January 19, 2017. Run free my sweet girl.
I agree, something about warmer weather. Just passed Ty's 3rdAngelversary. The other day, I was just missing him. Knowing he won't be back this side of Heaven is hard sometimes. Time eases the pain, but it is always there, ticked away. Then something triggers it and that tail goes whap, whap inside your heart. Lori, Ty and 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.
I agree - for me it is also anniversaries - 2 years ago we had the first symptoms of his tumor, 1 year ago he was coming home from leg amp. And it was so immediately a respite - a golden time where there was possibility. Where he didn't hurt.
But I think even if it weren't for the specific anniversaries, the warming weather and sunshine would make me think of the dog who would be pushing me, prompting me, to do something with him. He always knew it was Saturday and knew it meant dog park or some other outing. And I miss him so profoundly.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
I've been feeling the same for the last couple of days.... Don't know why - last year at this time Ted had his first surgery and wasn't getting around that great (and unknown to us at the time, soft tissue sarcoma was growing rapidly in the leg we tried to save). The weather has been glorious and our new pup Joe has taken over as the doggy maniac living the good life (especially at the farm) with us. But I miss my Sweet Ted so much. 🙁
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Hugs to you all. Just reading this and sending good thoughts your way. Your pups had such love and wonderful lives with you.
I get it too... I had a tough weekend missing Shelby for no apparent reason. Just wished I was coming home to her velvet ears... then I found a penny and then another one ... So I knew she was missing me too!
They are always with us... some weeks /weekends are harder. I get it!
HUgs!
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 think whether they instigated that "get out and play" or we do (once the weather finally gets nice), it's the beginning of the summer adventures and good times. makes sense it trips us up.
Last night I slept upstairs for the first time since Isa's surgery last July. Glad to finally be back sleeping where I'm "supposed" to but still made me profoundly sad.
Alison, since when do any of us need a reason to miss our babies? We just do, it's that simple.
Hugs to all!
Right rear leg amp 7/12/16 due to OSA. Metastatic lesion on her right front leg, January 2017. Joined the Winter Warriors January 19, 2017. Run free my sweet girl.
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