Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My deepest condolences to you. I remember how wonderful it was that you were willing to take Foxy. I know you didn't get to keep her as long as you wanted but gosh what a wonderful life you gave her! You did such a great job in loving her just like your grandmother. She would be so happy!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Hello. I am not familiar with your story but I wanted to tell you that I am very sorry for your loss. Bless you for taking care of Foxy and giving her what she needed. I know your grandmother and Foxy appreciate your efforts and kindness so much.
I'm so sorry for your loss. That's wonderful that she had you all after your grandmother passed away.
I hate to hear that she is gone. But you offered her the final selfless gift and now she is running free. I can see her now being welcomed by those who have passed on before her there at the rainbow. Feel comfort that she is no longer in pain and eating every bone she can dig up at the bridge. Our condolences to you.
Cadence's Mom
Cadence Faye: Born 10/30/04, stepped into our hearts 12/23/2004. Rear leg tumor found 7/24/11 by mom and dad, Xray on 7/25/11, Osteosarcoma suspected 7/26/11, amputation 7/29/11, Carboplatin started 8/23. Met free so far!
It's sad because my wife is second guessing this all. This is all almost second nature to me growing up wanting to be a doctor, going zoology/biology in college, having a mother that was a critical care nurse and asking about patients, and finally working for a veterinarian for a few years and having to assist in euthanasia and surgeries that sometimes ended in death.
Maybe she'd have had a couple more good days. Maybe a week or two. We weren't talking months of life nor would they be without a lot of choking and coughing. More likely than not Foxy would have died without us there choking to death in her own fluid.
If she doesn't come to a closure soon, I will have her call the veterinarian and he can let her know he'd have recommended an alternative if he felt there were options. While he couldn't tell us to put her down, he knew we were open to any option that could have saved her.
She doesn't want anymore animals...I sort of want a friend for Hanzo. I feel if we had another pet, esp more of a lap dog like Foxy was; my wife would re-focus herself and not mourn as badly.
Foxy | Golden Ret./Corgi Mix | Born on Date ~1999 | Tripawd mode – 10/02/2009 | RIP - 03/05/2012
hope you guys will soon find a way to stop second guessing...we've always been the type to say 'a day too soon, rather than a day too late'. you were so good to foxy, remember all of the good time, and stop doing the 'shoulda, coulda, woulda'..foxy wouldn't want that.
as for saying 'never' to a new pet...it's too soon. many, if not all of us said we would be a long time off before we could consider opening our hearts, but then, when it's time, when that special someone looks at you with the love in their eyes or with the hope of forever...you might change your mind. we did, and i'm glad we did. but for now, take some time, gather your memories and don't feel there is anything you have to do right now... sending hugs to you guys, remember that love never ends.
charon & spirit gayle
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
alkemyst said:
It's sad because my wife is second guessing this all.
She doesn't want anymore animals...I sort of want a friend for Hanzo. I feel if we had another pet, esp more of a lap dog like Foxy was; my wife would re-focus herself and not mourn as badly.
Everyone processes grief differently, and believe me, most of us have second guessed our decision. It's such a tough position to be in, to make that call, but in the end, if your dog still has dignity on that very last day, you made the best choice. From what you described, Foxy was most dignified up until the end.
One thing that may help your wife to process her grief is, ask how you would want to remember Foxy? It's a fine line between knowing when the 'right' moment is to say goodbye, and when they really do more time, but I guarantee you that if you had waited too long and she was in pain, the guilt over hesitating would be far worse than the grief of saying goodbye. We've heard this many, many times.
I'm sure your wife loves animals as much as you do, but try not to push the subject of another pup just now. Everyone is ready at different times. Getting a dog when you aren't ready can delay the grief process and cause more issues for both the human and the other dogs.
Good luck. Please let your wife know she is more than welcome here to talk about Foxy. We are here to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry to hear how hard your wife is taking this. And to be honest, most of here take it pretty hard too. Time heals all pain. So, in time - she will be fine. She is just grieving.
I think it's a natural reaction we most all go through - the wondering, "what if' enters most of our minds afterwards Much like you, I didn't get time to think about it. Comet's happened so fast. One minute she was fine and the next she was dying. Could I have opted to have done surgery to see where and why she was bleeding out? Yes. But the thought of her dying on a operating table without me or in a dramatic fashion, scared me so bad that I chose to let her go. It gave me peace. Having one dog prior to Comet, die by bleeding out without me with him, left me in turmoil. But I still wondered afterwards with Comet. The vet point blank told me she was dying and at the time, I accepted it but later - my mind played tricks on me.
Hopefully your wife has read the condolences here for Foxy. I know it helped me when I lost my Comet.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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