Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

The weekend of the 19th & 20th we took Maya and her basset siblings to the Illinois Basset Waddle (http://www.bass.....e2015.html). For those unfamiliar with a waddle it’s a home coming for bassets where the bassets engage in various games while their food slaves participate in raffles and enjoy vendors selling basset stuff. The waddle gets its name from the basset parade (complete with floats and a king and queen) where owners walk (or waddle) their bassets down the main street. Maya had a great time. She was in and out of her wagon sniffing noses with other bassets and enjoying belly rubs and head pats from anyone and everyone who saw her. She wore her Tripawd bandana and shared the Tripawd story to anyone who would listen.

Everything was fine until the following Thursday morning when she was unable to stand or even move her hind legs and was shaking and panting. My wife made an emergency appoint with Maya’s vet for later that morning. The vet took x-rays of her spine and hips. Upon viewing the x-rays the vet recommended Maya immediately see a neurologist. So a call was made and my wife took Maya to the neurologist. The neurologist examined Maya and reviewed the x-rays. Our little girl was in a bad way. She had a tumor on her spine along with some disc issues. The neurologist said it might be possible remove the tumor but the other damage could not be fixed. Furthermore the recovery from this surgery would take anywhere from one to six months with no guarantee of a full recovery. My wife called me at work and we agreed that surgery was out of the question. We could not put her through another major surgery. My wife called our vet and explained our decision. Our vet agreed and said he would remain at the clinic so we could bring Maya in when I got home from work that evening.

Prior to my arrival home my wife put Maya in her wagon and took her for a ride around the neighborhood so Maya could say goodbye to her friends. Maya was waiting on the driveway when I pulled up to the house. My wife loaded Maya into the car like she’s done hundreds of times since her amp and Maya enjoyed her last ride in the car. The vet had everything ready when we arrived. One of the techs that took care of Maya carried her into the now empty clinic and placed her gently on the blankets on the exam room floor. We talked with the vet and petted Maya for a while. As is our vet’s practice he gave her a strong sedative to put her to sleep so she wouldn’t feel any discomfort as she passed. About a minute after giving her the sedative she looked up at me and a single tear ran down her face as she closed her eyes, laid her head down and went to sleep. A few minutes later the vet gave her the second shot and she was gone.

When we got home my wife went into the house while I parked the car. By the time I got into the house Maya’s sister Lilly was in the mud room waiting for Maya to come in. Just before I closed the mud room door Lilly stuck her head out into the garage and stood there looking for Maya. I told her Maya’s not coming home. Lilly turned and slowly walked back into the back of house. Since losing Maya, Lilly and Jethro have been following us around like a couple of lost sheep. They miss their sister. Maya and Lilly had become a bonded pair in the three years since we adopted Maya and she is hurting.

We are currently making plans to adopt another basset.

Maya is now at the Rainbow Bridge. We would like to think she has regained her missing paw. We know she is no longer in pain and is running and playing with the other dogs and cats.