Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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I wrote a longer message in Reeses Pieces' blog, however wanted to say thank you for everyones support and words. We were unfortunately only a member for a short few months, but the time here was full of support.
She began to cough last night and this morning - we knew her lungs were then no longer cancer free. This decision came so hard for us. We wanted that "look" that "sign". not sure we ever did get it, or if we did and chose to not recognize it. I know we will begin to wonder if we did it too early...should we have waited until she really didn't want to eat, didn't want to go outside, didn't wag her nub at the sight of us?
I'm typing through the tears. Was hoping for that relief of things, but certainly haven't found it. I know she has.
Thank you again for your support and words through the last 3 months. This group has truely been a help. We hope Reeses' story, as short as it is, will help others as well.
Never do we regret the amputation. She wouldnt have made it the other 3 months with us without it.
Sarah, Phil, Allyson a bunch of furry and feathery friends and Angel Reeses
I'm so very sorry for your loss.
I'm not on here very often, but I care about Reeses as I do all tripawds here. She was a lovely girl and I'm sure you feel blessed to have had her in your life.
Yes, the house will be quiet, but it is also filled with wonderful memories of your time together. Cherish those memories until you meet again.
Michelle
Samson will be there to greet Reeses and show her all the great places to run and where all the squirrels are hiding!
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
I'm so sorry. I know oh-so-well what that's like having been in exactly the same position 5 months ago tomorrow.
I'm glad to hear that you have no regrets about the amp. Some new folks come here worried that they will go through the amp "only" to get X number of months with their pup - what they don't know is taht those months are so very special. Besides, if a year is like 7 years to a pup, then 3 months is like almost 2 years. That's a lot of extra, wonderful time with your pup, so I'm so glad that you recognize how special taht "extra" time was.
As for the possibilty of waiting... Here's what our vet said to us when Abby was still happy and wagging her tail and eating treats and handing out kisses when we went for her final appointment, and we wondered if we were doing the right thing. He said "we woudl all choose to go when we are happy and feeling good and surrounded by love. No one wants to pass scared and in pain." It's a final gift that we are able to give to our pups - letting them go before the pain gets too bad.
Hang in there. We're here if you want to write more about Reeses in the coming days and weeks. We know how hard this is. Big hugs,
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!
I'm so sorry to hear about Reeses. I enjoyed reading her blog. I know this was a tough day for you, and you will have tough days ahead. And I know you were looking for a "sign" from her, to let you know if your decision was the right one. But you said it yourself in your post: you didn't find the relief you were looking for, but Reeses did. You did what was best for Reeses, and you did it out of your love for her. Sending healing thoughts to your family.
you did what was needed, to release reeses from her broken body...it was about her, and you graciously understood that. now, her pain has ended, and yours begins. but remember the love you shared with her, and the wonderful life that was reeses.... 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
Sarah, Phil, Allyson, our hearts go out to you, we are so very sorry to hear this news.
Please take comfort in knowing that your selfless gift of freeing her from the pain has set her spirit free to soar. May she guide you every day and stay close within your hearts.
Many, many condolences are coming your way tonight.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh, I'm just so sorry to hear about Reeses. I know this is a tremendous loss to you and your family. She was so very loved.
Your doubts at this moment are normal because you are in shock from such a huge loss. You let go for her knowing how much pain she was in. When you are able to reflect, you will not have any doubts of it being too soon because hanging on would have been for you, not her. And it is obvious you were not selfish when it came to Reeses.
My heart goes out to you and your family. We are here for you.
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.
Dear Angel Reeses Family,
What's important is that she is pain free and you shouldn't feel guilty for being "too early". Rarely is there ever a time that is perfect. We as loving owners always wonder, what if. What if it was too early, too late, something else I could have done.
It is hard to make that choice. When I was younger, my family had a dog diagnosed with lymphosarcoma and once it had spread to her lungs, there was definently a change in her demeanor. Though she wasnt coughing, she lost that look of life in her eyes and face. She was lethargic. She didn't want to eat. We couldn't put her through that kind of life.
Take a deep breath. You will get through this. We are sending you warm wishes and good thoughts at this time.
-Chloe's mom and Chloe
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
I'm sorry you had to let Reeses go on to her next adventure.
It is not an easy decision to make, but Reeses depended on you, and you came through for her.
She will always be in your heart.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
I posted on your blog but just wanted to say again how sorry I am. We had to make the same decision for Magnum 5 weeks ago. I also went through terrible feelings of guilt. A friend at the time said it must have been a blessing that she was happy and smiling when we said goodbye. I thought he was insane but later I realised he was right. You made the right decision but it will take time to be at peace with it. My heart goes out to you.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
I'm so sorry about Reeses. It's such a very hard decision. I stand by the saying of "better a day too early than a minute too late". You did right by her and she is now running free without pain and smiling down on you with thanks. Stay strong.
Hugs and tail wags.
Laura of Kali and Angel Tai
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
I'm so sorry for your loss. I haven't kept up with the tripawds lately so I really didn't get a chance to know you, but I really understand the pain you are in right now. It will be tough for awhile, but love is always worth it.
Elizabeth, Sammy's mom
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.
I am so so sorry for your loss. Although I haven't been on tripawds lately, when I read that we lost another hero, my heart just sinks. I know how tough and painful this is and we are thinking of you. Just know that you made the right decision and Reeses knows that too. She sounds like a wonderful tripawd with so much love around her (what a lucky girl and how lucky you are to have been blessed with her.) She's an inspiration to all and fought the good fight. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Kami, Angel Mackenzie, Kobe and Scarlett
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
So very, very sorry about Reeses. It's so hard to let our beloved companions go. I can certainly understand your pain, having had to do the same for some of our well-loved dogs. It's so very hard, but such a brave and compassionate thing to do. Please know that our thoughts are with all of you. Reeses was certainly fortunate to have such a loving family. I agree with Laura's quote of "better a day too early than a minute too late". We waited a little too late with our Misty, and I hopefully won't do that again. It's just so hard to make that last drive. Reeses is very blessed to have a family that wanted only the best for her. Please take care.
Joan, mom of warrior princess, Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
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