Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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The first milestones we face without our Tripawd family member are some of the hardest challenges we will endure in our grief. Here at Tripawds, you are never alone in these circumstances.
Today, Tripawds member and supporter OK Scout (Catherine Ronck) is facing a first difficult milestone herself, after Scout's courageous, nine-month cancer battle ended in November. Today would have been Scout's 10th birthday.
To honor his memory, Catherine sent Tripawds a generous gift of support and also wrote this touching essay, which we would like to share it with you as we wish her Golden boy a very hoppy birthday, and send lots of hugs out to Catherine.
"Today is Scout's first birthday at the bridge; it would have been his 10th birthday here on Earth.
We had big plans for today, but instead of celebrating, we are left reflecting on Scout's life. It was a good life, too short, but sadly, when dogs are concerned, there is never enough time. It's been nearly three months since Scout died, and there are so many things I miss.
I miss our morning and evening walks. In the mornings, we'd head towards the elementary school to deliver my eldest daughter and go on from there.
In the evenings, we'd hit the streets again. In the summer, Scout would return from the walk and jump right into the pool for a quick dip-- the purpose of this was not to swim, but to get soaking wet so that when he got out and rolled in the dirt, he would be completely and utterly filthy. When we lived in Houston, we'd usually start out in the neighborhood and then head over to the bayou.
Our neighborhood was mid-Century; each home had a large window in the front. Scout loved to center himself in front of those windows to do his business. When my daughter was toilet training, she too, loved to go potty in front of those darn windows, just like Scout. We had a portable potty for her, but you can imagine the scene...
I miss Scout grabbing the leash as we rounded the corner towards home. He loved to play tug of war with the leash on the home stretch. I'd eventually let him have the leash and he'd take himself home.
I miss Scout running from sprinkler to sprinkler on our hot summer walks. I always brought water along, but Scout preferred the neighbors' sprinklers.
I miss closing doors after Scout. Scout was wickedly clever and could open any door that involved turning a handle and pushing. How he could figure out the opening of the doors and never the closing, I'll never know.
I miss settling down on the sofa to read to my kids and having Scout, ever so politely, force his way into the best spot--scoot over little humans.
I miss immediately clearing off the counters after cooking-- now I can bake a pan of muffins and leave the half full muffin pan on the stove to cool. I hate this.
I miss the sound of Scout drinking-- it was always in threes-- slurp, slurp, slurp... pause... slurp, slurp, slurp. Sometimes I imagine I hear this....
I miss the whistling sound Scout would make every time you said "RIDE."
I miss driving with Scout's enormous head jammed under my armpit.
I miss Scout being constantly by my side-- no matter what room I was in, Scout would be there.
I miss the sound of Scout running to the kitchen any time a packet of cheese was opened-- that dog could be in the farthest corner of the back yard and hear a cheese wrapper.
I miss his soft fur-- goldens have a bad reputation for being shedders, but in fact, golden fur is fantastic as it forms "tumbleweeds" and these tumbleweeds collect discretely under the sofa or under the bed. No bother at all.
I miss those sparkling, mischievous, intelligent brown eyes.
I miss my furry vacuum cleaner. I have used the vacuum ten times as often since Scout died-- turns out 3 small kids make ten times the mess with their food as Scout did with his fur tumbleweeds.
I miss Scout leaping over the front flowerbed to greet visitors. I miss running wildly after him to prevent him leaping up on their cars. More than one paint job Scout ruined...
I miss Scout offering his paw -- he loved paw massages.
I miss Scout's "love noises" when he was receiving a paw massage or other petting. Love noises were also heard in anticipation of food. Always a glutton.
Scout loved to lie at the foot of the stairs. I miss the final, furry step.
Scout's vets blew his diagnosis-- so he walked hundreds of miles on a cancerous, moth eaten leg. No problem for my too tough boy. However, if a a sticker should get lodged in his paw, he'd go down like he'd been shot, writhing in pain. You were an odd dog, Scout.
So many things I miss about you.
I am not usually a big fan of poetry, but the poem OKim1 posted in 2008 really spoke to me. Here it is again.
I ONLY WANTED YOU
They say memories are golden
well maybe that is true
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.
A million times I needed you,
a million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you
you never would have died.
In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
no one could ever fill.
If tears could build a stairway
and heartache make a lane,
I'd walk the path to heaven
and bring you back again.
Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.
— Anonymous —
Happy Birthday Scout.
In Memory of Scout Ronck
January 31, 2002 - November 8, 2011
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Catherine,
I feel grief reading about Scout. He is the same age as Sammy, and he is loved just as much. It does make me smile about the stickers in the paw, what a funny guy. I am so so so very sorry that you are now facing the memories. It sounds like really wonderful memories though. I hope that you have comfort in that. God Bless Scout, happy first birthday at the bridge. I can picture you running from sprinkler to sprinkler, full of happy joy. May it always be so.
Lots of tears here this morning in empathy 🙁
Elizabeth
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
such a beautiful post. catherine, we too celebrate scout, and know that he is now running and playing with of our tripawds and pups who have passed. to share your life with such a wonderful companion is indeed a treasure - thanks for sharing scout with us and know that he will never be forgotten.
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
such a beautiful post. Scout and Chili Dawg were the same age, and they sound so very similar to each other. Reading your descriptions of him made me smile as I remembered some of the same things- like the drinking out of the water bowl. I bet the 2 of them are having a good time together in doggie heaven. Today we will celebrate Scout when I get home from school.
Sending you hugs,
Jenna & Spirit Chili Dawg
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul.
Thank you for sharing his story with us,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
She really did write such a beautiful story about Scout, didn't she?
I just want to let everyone know that you are more than welcome to write your own tribute to commemorate a special occasion, birthday, or whatever you'd like, for the blog. Feel free to submit it via PM anytime.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
This is really a beautiful post, although the tears were falling hard by the end... Hoppy birthday, Scout. I'm sure your friends had a really big pawty for you...
Rio's momma
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
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I just loved , loved, loved your story about Scout!! It's so funny all of things that could be a pain to some are joys to us when we remember them. Like not being able to leave food on the counter. Your story tells me that Scout had a truly wonderful life and he left you with many wonderful memories. I was smiling the whole time I was reading the story. Scout was a gorgeous Dog. He sounds so smart and funny too. Both of you were so lucky to be in each other's lives. Happy 1st Birthday in Doggie Heaven Scout!! Run to your hearts content!!
Thank you for sharing Scout with everyone here. As Angel said, the things that are a pain in the rump are often the ones we miss the most when they aren't there. I have some of those things I will miss one day, too. I'm sorry this day is bittersweet; that's usually the price of love, isn't it?
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Very lovely! He was seriously handsome boy!
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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