Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I let Harry go yesterday. I can't believe I'm writing those words. He had had a really bad 10 days, sickness, diarrhea, lethargy, coughing, loss of appetite. About 5 days ago he stopped eating. Then the day after, when I took him to the lake for his swim, he spent most of our time there lying at the waters edge. Then, yesterday when I got out of bed he didn't stand up to say good morning - first time ever. I knew he must've been in pain. The life had gone from his eyes and I knew it was time. I had the vet out to the house and at 3.05pm we said goodbye.
He was a true gentleman right up until the last second. I was strong for him yesterday but today im in a world of pain. My other dogs are looking for him (even tho we allowed them to come over and say goodbye to him) and so am I. Everywhere I look I remember him being there. Because he came out with me and the kids so much, everywhere I go makes me think of him. I feel lonely, and heart broken, and I cannot even begin to fathom any more time without him.
He was such an amazing soul. He had a heart as big as the ocean. One of those very rare completely calm dogs, I always felt as peace when I was with him. Such a fighter - 68 kilos before his amputation, yet he never missed a day on his feet. Kind, loving, the gentlest of giants. But would never let the kids out of his sight. I feel like I will long for him forever.
So proud of him, and honoured that he loved me like I loved him.
Michelle.
Michelle
I am so sorry for your loss. You gave Harry the greatest gift that we ever give our babies. I know its tough. Run Free Harry. RIP
hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Michelle, I am really sorry. It's so hard to believe how quickly things turned for your gentle giant, what a terrible shock.
I wish there was some way to lessen your grief because I remember how hard it is to experience such great loss, and it hurts like nothing else. If you are feeling up to it, journaling about Henry or perhaps doing something creative like assembling a collage in his honor can be helpful in coping.
And of course, you can always come here to talk, we understand completely.
Please know you are in our thoughts, may your sweet Harry's spirit stay strong by your side always. The kind of love you shared is always present and never fades.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
And our heart breaks with you and we cry with you. I'm so very, very sorry. I know yoj feel like your heart has been ripped right ot of your chest and you don' even kow how you'll catch your next breath.
We've been withyou and Harrynthis whole journey and we are still right by yor side. We are your family...Harry's family...and we derstand like no others can.
Harry let yo know he was ready. Yo tried EVERYTHING possible and he knew that. He gave you enough signs to let you know he didn't need you to do anymore. Harry was at peace with his decision...your decision.
That gentle giant touched us all. We are soooooo privileged to jave gotten to know Harry....and you...and the ncredible connection you have. Yes, he is yor soulmate and that is a "forever" bond. He came to earth with a purpose of giving love...and receiving love...that's why he picked you as his partner in this lifetime.
Harry watched over you here and nothing has changed that. He is still watching over you You are feeling is presence everywhere because he is still within you You breathed his breath, your heart beat next to his, you laid your head next to his sweet fuzzy head Yes, he is ver much within you. And make no mistake avout this...just as he left a piece of his heart with you, he took a piece of your heart with hm.
The wonderful memories you and Harry built together will soon help you pich the grief further away. He nows you'll be sad, but he would ot want that to last very lng. He would want you to tap into one of those wonderful memories as soon as you can.
For whatever reason, I keep picturing that breat big guy swimming and waggng his tail and smilng! Did he wag his tail while swimming...or use it as a rudder? Did his eyes sparkle with joy as he went paddlng about? Did he comeout of the water and shake his mountain of wet fur until he soaked evdryone around him?
To know Harry can swm all he wants now, with no pain, warms my heart. He's got his appetite back and feelng strong and healthy.
Michelle, be aware that he IS present with you. Harry will let you kow he's there with you. Be open to that, okay? Don't discount anything as "Oh, that's just my imagination." Because that will be Harry reaching you......maybe in your dreams...maybe through a sound...maybe by leavng someting of his right in frnt of you when it wasn't there a secnd ago!! I bet that Harry wold do that and think it was real funny!
Tonight we celebrate a magnificent gentle soul who lived life to the fullest in the most mellow of ways! Harry brightened our lives. His light can never, ever be dimmed. Harry will NEVER be forgotten and he will always be remembered here. Harry's life mattered and his presence here made a difference.
Shhh.....I think I hear water splashing.....Harry must has just jumped in for his first heavenly swim. He's teaching all the tripawds how to swim! They're having a blast!
Surrounding you with Harry's eternal grace and love,
Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
So sorry. I only wish I could take away the pain, but now you are in our thoughts and Harry is watchingover you. Someday you will be able to smile at all the wonderful memories you have.
Blessings-
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
I'm so sorry to hear about your handsome boy Harry. He was a true Tripawd Warrior. I know how hard you are feeling his loss, I've been there myself. Sending healing thoughts to you.
Michelle,
So very sorry for the loss of your handsome Harry......may many happy memories of him comfort you and ease the terrible ache in your heart.
Bonnie & Polly
Hi Michelle
My heart sank when I read your words, I'm so very sorry to hear about your Harry. I looked back at the pictures and stories you posted of him and I so clearly see why you fell in love. He was such a beautiful boy and just looking at his gentle eyes washed a feeling of peace and calm over my heart. You said you feel like you'll long for him forever. Oh my, reading that took my breath away for a second and really made my heart hurt for you. That's it, isn't it. I haven't ever lost a pet (yet), but that's exactly how I expect to feel. Eternal longing. There must be a way to turn that feeling around so it doesn't hurt so bad. You expressed the things you loved about Harry so clearly and beautifully, it makes me think maybe you don't have to long for him because he's always with you, right there in your heart. You just have to choose to let him out. I know it sounds cliche, it really does, but isn't it true? You know you'll never forget his unique personality, his gentle demeanor, his eagerness to go everywhere with you, the things that got his tail wagging (like swimming in the lake or playing with his k9 buddies), and how you felt when you were with him. Everyone in your family feels it too. Write that stuff down! Share it with each other. Talk about your Angel Harry, it might lessen the intensity of your pain and help you feel his presence and love. I bet he's still watching over your kids, and you. You were so very blessed to share your life with him, and he with you. Oh how I wish our fur babies lived longer! It's never long enough, never. We love them so much!!
I'm sad you are sad. And I'm keeping you and your family are in my prayers - that the love of Angel Harry washes over you and leaves you feeling peaceful, calm and happy.
Paw love,
Claudia
Thank you guys so much for your lovely words. It helps more than you know. I will post again a bit later but thought I would just share this little memorial video my hubby made....it sums up everything that was Harry ♡
feature=youtu.be
Hopefully if you copy and paste the link it should work.
Michelle.
Michelle,
I am so sorry for the loss of your wonderful boy, Harry.
Know that he is at peace now and free from pain.
Many hugs,
Linda and Tucker
Rest in Peace handsome Harry. I'm so sorry for the pain you're going through. It's heartbreaking to lose him. He had a wonderful life with you and is free of pain now.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
RIP Harry. Our thoughts are with you.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Okay, if I can stop sobbing long enough to type this...and they're sad tears, for sure...but they're also tears mixed with a whole lot of smiles and laughter. That Harry is a "one-of-a-kind", that's for sure.
That hubby of yours.....he's a "good boy" too! He gets a free pass for the next gazillion years.....he gets to burp out loid, bring muddy boots in the house, hog all the covers, and fall asleep with the tv remote in his hand while snoring. Excellent memorial!
This tribute shows us that each and every dog in your family lives in Nirvana! Talk about lives well lived and filled with love and joy...OMD!!
This pictoral really showed us exactly who Harry is. I love him, absolutely love him. Every single photo shows gentleness, incredible gentleness. The way he interacts with the two-legged kids---and four-legged ones too---always gentle, always with a protective heart. And he didn't even trh and eat the kitty when he was a puppy and the cat was swatting him!
It's so funny to see him as a puppy and see how huge he got! I guess when you have a heart as large as Harry's, you have to be a big dog to make room for it!:
Everh single hoto...every single one...showed a happy dog being loved, and giving loved, and having a ball doing it. I actualy think I saw a close-up of Harry winking, right? Yeah, he u derstood exactly why he picked you. There is a very wise soul wrapped up in tjat big ball of fur. A very wise soul.
The one where he's sticking his sweet head out from under some greenery and reaching out to your child...soooooo sweet.
And Harry didn't let the amp. slow him down one bit! Look at him go! I'm sure Rene will ask if she can put that in the video section tripawds hss showing ow well large...no...huge dogs do on three legs!
I will go back and watch this several times, maybe not today as I can't go into work crying...but many times over as it realy is a joy to see such an incredible family, so loving and so devoted to their furbabies. Your children...I'm referring to your two legged ones ow...also knew what they were doing when they picked you. They will grow up to be compassionate caring human beings who will make a positive difference and be a shining example of love.
Michelle, one of my very, very, very favorites was getting to see Harry run down into the water for a swim. That was soooooooo beautiful. I visualized it many times from your description, but to actualy see it...WOW! It made me so happy and I'm so glad you have that pictoral memory forever! Oh gosh, andplaying with the water hose and your baby spraying water in his mouth while in the tub Harry LOVED the water that's for sure!!!
No amou t of darkness can EVER dim Harry's bright light! EVER!!!! i'm so I'm so grateful that you allowed us to share this journey with you. PLEASE continue to do so. we would love to hear more about this brilliant beacon of love and joy!
I do have a request of your hubby ifyo're up to it! Have you seen the thread on dogs "doing roaches"? Okay...I'm not gonna even try and explain...youjave to see the thread......Anyway, you have two perfect pictures of Harry doing roaches!! Perfect! And, again, I won't even try and explain.....but he DEFINITELY needs to be in our Hall of Fame Dogs doing the Roach!! We're hoping Rene and Jim will do a calendar! (It's either under "Anything Goes" or "Shout Outs"..I've forgoytten which).
Know this to be true.....if Harry could write, it would be this: "Thanks! I had a great time!! And I still am!
From my heart,
Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Thank you Sally, so happy you got to watch it. He was all those things you described, my hubby (Nick) captured him really well in that memorial. It's 4.30am here and I woke at 4 thinking I could hear him....then I remembered. The pain is so intense. I miss him so much. It's hard to grieve (properly) when you've got two small kids to look after so im doing my crying right now while they sleep. When we were going to say goodbye to harry i told my son who is 3 and a half, that Harry would be the biggest brightest star in the sky now and at night would come out to watch over us all, my son said to me yesterday 'mummy, why cant you and me and daddy and Indi, and Loki and Wilson, and our house and my toys all turn into stars like Harry, then we could all be together again'. I wish. I got to the end of yesterday thinking 'made it through day 1' but I dont know how I'm going to make it through today.
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