Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Dear Brett and Patti
I am so sorry to see this news. You did so much for Fortis this year and had such a great year with him, all things considered. It is so hard at times like this. Many of us know how hard it is. My heart goes out to you. Thank you for sharing Fortis with us.
Susan
Brett and Pattie, we are so sorry to hear this news! I know well the shock and emptiness you are feeling, especially when Fortis was doing amazingly well just a few days ago.
I wish there were words to help ease your pain, but as others have said, the grief is a sad, but necessary journey. You will be in our thoughts here in PA.
Zack, King of Dogs, 1996 to 2010
Zack lived a full 14 years, even to the end.
The joy and memories he provided us will last a lifetime.
Surviving him is his sister, Izzy, a 12-year-old boxer mix quadpawd.
And the latest addition, Zula, an 11-month-old pit bull mix tripawd.
Brettt and Patti,
As I said in your blog, I was just beginning to see and feel the magic of Fortis! He's such a beautiful dog and you can see that beautiful soul shine through! Your blog and tribute to him is truly inspirational and heartfelt. The tears are falling and they haven't stopped since I found out my own Patou's diagnosis. I thought they had subsided for awhile, but this really hit hard. I haven't cried this much in years! Fortis is truly an inspiration for the rest of us. I wish I had gotten to know you and Fortis sooner. Like I said before, he was a true gentle giant and those giants have a way of working their magic into our lives and hearts and souls. You will NEVER be without him because you will always carry a part of him with you wherever you go. He has blessed your life, touched your heart and enriched your soul!!! As have ALL of our speical fur friends. God Bless you both, your lives are richer for having known him.
Janet and Patou
Brett and Patti, we are very, very sorry.
Our hearts ache, this is such as sad day. This community will never be the same again, all of us have been touched by the one and only, the courageous, strong and brave Fortis. He will always be such an awesome example of defying the odds, and living life to the fullest. We are honored to have been a part of his incredible journey.
May all of the great the times you shared keep you comforted in this time of great sorrow. We know that this is so very hard.
"Grieve not nor speak of me with tears, twas heaven here with you."
-Isla Paschal Richardson
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Run free, Fortis.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful big boy. I know how much it hurts! Fortis has been one of my favorites; not just because he is a mastiff and not just because he is brindle like Tazzie was but because of his obvious joy in living life. You did such a great job bringing him back from his rear leg injury and none of you ever gave up and he had so many more wonderful months because of you. We will always remember Fortis the gentlest giant.
Pam
Brett and Pattie,
We are so sorry for your loss. We have only just begun to get know everyone here and are saddened we did not meet earlier to get to know Fortis sooner. As Janet and Patou said, you truly could see his beautiful soul shine through. We are all better for knowing him, even if was just for a short time! Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sierra, Brad, and Anna
I don't know what to say that hasn't been said over and over....my heart is broken once more for another dear dear family member....looking at Fortis' christmas picture just makes the tears flow faster. May you comfort one another and know that Fortis is running free and waiting for Brett and Pattie to come in their time....so he can pee upon Brett one more time!
Too soon, always always too soon
And know that in our household, Fortis will always be present at Christmas time smiling out from the mantle
Brett & Pattie,
Dammit (Actually much harsher words were said when I read the forums titile. If Mattie were a kid, I am sure her preschool buddies would get an earful on Monday.)
I can't stop the tears. This is the first Mattie has seen me cry and she is mondo-perplexed. We (Joe (my silent partner) and I are so very sorry that your Fortis, best friend, Tripawd King, gentle giant, and most certainly sweet old soul went to the bridge. You showed all of us the window and allowed us to peek into his oversized heart. What an incredible dog. I picture Fortis and Opie schwimming at the bridge and running on all four legs and rolling in their backs on the green grass on a day with perfect dog temperature (not too hot, not too cold). I will miss Fortis more than you know. A candle burns for him right now in the big window at my house. Fortis, you have touched our lives to an extent that you will never know.
Pattie and Brett, I don't know how you did that video when you did, but thanks so much for working through your grief to get it done. A stranger could see what a loving family you are and Fortis was extremely fortunate to have found you/and you, him.
Take the time that you both need to pay Fortis his due respect & mourning, but please do not leave the Tripawd Community. I took about five months before I came back. Though now the pawrent of a smartass quad pawd, I just couldn't stay away from the friends that I made here, so I forced myself a niche so as to be able to remain. I hope you find yourself missing us enough to come back and help other new tripawd pawrents know what to expect and help them decide what to do. You are a fountain of information. Fortis kicked cancer's ass for 11 months. Eleven months with OS is amazing!
All across the US & Canada & dotted around the world are people thinking of Fortis and both of you. Take care of each other for Fortis.
FORTIS! Give my Opie a schleck for me.
Brett & Pattie, I am here if you need me, Spirit Opie's and Earthly Mattie's Mom
PS. I hope you know that my teasing of Fortis throuegh Mattie's otherwise silent voice, was all in fun...being a very bad monkeydog is the way I manage to remain here, so I appreciate your tolerance.
Oh Brett and Pattie,
I am so so sorry.
You've always been there for me, especially at my recent loss of Kona.
I have been rooting for Fortis all the way. It's just not fair that we keep losing our beloved ones. It's just not.
The tears are flowing for your family. You know that your boy loves you both completely, just like you love him.
Lots of love your way.
It just sucks. No way around it.
What a wonderful, loving send off you gave your boy.
Fortis couldn't have had a more wonderful life, even though it was shorter than anyone wanted. He received such love, and gave it back too.
Big hugs,
Denise
Kona Kai's mom ......always
Kona turned 9yrs on April 16, 2010.
Kona was diagnosed Memorial Weekend 2010 with osteosarcoma.
Right rear leg amputated on June 4th. First chemo June 18th 2010
Second chemo July 9th, 2010 Third and final (yea !!!) chemo July 30th, 2010
ONE TOUGH GIRL this Australian Cattledog !
***Kona's journey/fight ended late in the evening of December 22, 2010***
We Love you so much Kona….always
Bella 9yrs, albino lab/aussie shep/pit?(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind (from birth) in one eye limited vision in other.(laid back, ok lazy 73 lbs)
Cotton, 5yrs, albino hound/terrier of somesort/???(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind in one eye(from birth), excellent vision in seeing eye. (ball addict…destroyer of Kong balls…yes,etc), high energy 55lbs knots of muscle)
Kona Kai's pup brother and sister as well as her buddy and playmate cat, Shaymous 12yrs (like Seamus), miss her terribly.
Fortis, we will miss you. Run, swim and play in your spirit world, now you're out of pain, now you are young again. Someday we'll meet up OK?
I miss you already.
Wyatt Ray Dawg . . . The Tripawds Leg-A-Cy Continues!
Read all about my adventures at my Tripawds Blog
I loved you, Fortis. I really, really did. I'll always remember the laughter thanks to you.
Brett and Pattie,
I am so so sorry for your loss. Thank you so much for sharing Fortis with us - he will be missed by so many. I was just getting to know him through your blog and posts and now I am saying goodbye. Run free and rest in peace handsome Fortis.
Cathy
Hunter – 12 yo female Rottie/Lab mix
Diagnosed with a fracture in an osteosarcoma on 12/23/10 (right rear leg)
Amputation on 12/29/10
7-Month Ampuversary on 07/29/11 – clean bill of health, great blood work and clear chest x-rays
Hunter gained her wings and flew free on 08/19/11
Brett, Pattie, and Spirit Fortis,
Once more words cannot express just how sorry we are to hear that such a magnificent warrior's journey has come to conclusion, but hope that you can accept our deepest sympathy at this time. I have to admit that I have been avoiding this site today for fear that I would read these words. I told Jim in the chat room last night that I was really worried. All of you have become such a keystone to this community and the love that you shared is so very obvious to anyone who has been blessed by your postings.
Like you, I worked continuously until I finished Cherry's short video tribute. Like you, it brought home all the wonderful times we had together. Like you, I found it to be a very painful work of love. Please know that we greatly appreciated being able to share all the wonderful times you had together with Fortis. It is a WONDERFUL tribute to the enormous realationship you shared together. I know that I will return her often to view for it warms the heart - even for those of us who have worked down the path that you now journey - just slightly more than a year ago.
You will never be totally without your Fortis, for the gifts that he has given you will live with you forever. Because of your sharing, many of those gifts will live within this community as well.
Our hugs and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.
Dad and Spirit Cherry
Brett and Pattie,
I am so sorry for your loss. Fortis was such a special boy and loved by so many here. I always felt like he had a calming presence about him. I can't explain it, I've never met him, but just looking into his eyes I could feel it even through photos and video.
You both gave him a great life. Any dog should be as lucky to live the life that Fortis lived and while he left you too soon, his memory will always be with you. May your sadness and tears soon be replaced by joy and laughter as you remember the great times you had with him.
((hugs))
Michelle
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