Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Yesterday afternoon we said goodbye to my beautiful Chance. We made it 11 months and 1 day post amp and I know we would have made it a lot longer had the hypertrophic osteopathy not reared it's ugly head. It all feels so unfair and my heart is shattered into a million pieces. Everything is different without him here. It's so quiet. Every morning he was so happy to start the day and today didn't have that and I feel so so sad.
I got Chance when he was just a 7 pound puppy, on June 17, 2014. We only had a little over three years together. I wouldn't trade it for the world. But at the same time I'm angry I was robbed of more time.
Chance was his happy self up until the very last moments, despite the fact that he really only had two legs left that worked OK. We went to his favorite park to chew sticks and chase the tennis ball. He had one but not two steaks for lunch. We sat on 'his couch' in the backyard and just watched flies and birds and the world go by.
When the vet arrived he greeted her happily and brought her his special ball.
I miss him so much. I always will. He can never be replaced. I would give anything to have him back and to take his stupid cancer and HO away.
Here are some pics from his last day and from his last trip to Tahoe just a few weeks ago. I love you Chance. 
I am so sorry to hear of Chance's crossing. This is the hardest part of our journey. Run free Chance.
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."
Oh sweetie 🌹
I am so so so sorry to hear our lovely Chance had to take his lonely trip 😞
There is absolutely nothing fair with cancer and we certainly cannot win the war in the end ...
All we can do is exactly what you did best.
You loved your boy unconditionally, you did ALL you could for him and were always by his side, the most loving, adorable Mom he could ever have hoped for 🌟💓
Sweet Chance is the brightest star in the sky 🌟 he is right there looking after his Mom from this day on, his love for you is intact despite of the fact he now lives under a new form ✨
Please try and take comfort in knowing is now with all of our other Heroes and surely they welcomed him with a super special pawty and more treats than he could possibly dream of.
I am sure Eurydice is looking after him and showing him a good time and they are comparing notes on how wonderful their Moms are 💕
Our beautiful, most beloved babies are in peace now. No more pain, no more trouble breathing, no more difficulty standing up or hopping.
I wish I could hug you right now, please know I am thinking about you and your lovely boy, my heart is right there with yours 💕🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
I am so sorry to hear this news. The silence in the house is pretty overwhelming. But Chance had everything a dog could want - a home, a family, and lots of love, even up until the very end. He will always be in your heart.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Noooooo. I am so SO sorry that Chance has moved on. Having met him I know just what an amazingly sweet boy he was. F'ing HO!! I know your heart is breaking right now but I hope you can find a little solace in the fact that you did everything you could for him. Chance was happy until the end, he loved you with all his heart and you loved him with all of yours, it really doesn't get any better than that. Chance will be in your heart forever and, one day in the not too distant future, your happy memories will outweigh the pain you feel now.
Thinking of you and sending you lots of peace and love, Run free sweet Chance,
Martha, Codie Rae, and the Oaktown Pack
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Patricia, dear sweet Patricia, we're all so heartbroken, so very, very sad. Chancey Pants, our fun loving, happy, ball chasing, swimming champion, smiling, tail wagging, CANNINE GOOD CITIZEN, we were all jead over heels in love with you!
It won't comfort you now, it's too soon and you hurt too much, but, at some point, you will take comfort in knowing Chance could not have had a better send off. He was at home, not in a "crises" state, not afraid, just surrounded by love to help celebrate him home.
No, that piece of crap disease couldn't touch his Spirit and it couldn't invade his Soul! It never was able to beat down Chancey Pants! Chance went out on his terms! He knew you would give him the gift of release and would not let him suffer or be savaged by that brutal disease. And he made sure he gave you some great memories these past few weeks, just as he had every day he was with you.
I know this was the hardest post you will ever make. We thank you for typing through your tears to let us know sweet Chance had to head the Bridge and that it was as peaceful and ccelebratory as it could be under the circumstances. You WILL find comfort in that someday.
Right now your world has stopped. The void seems unbearable. The break in routine hurts veyond words. Everything hurts. You will cry for days, for weeks non stop. We understand like no others can.
We also understand the grief does lessen, it does get pushed further into the background as the happy memories move to the forefront. And we can also promise you Chancey Pants will connect with you. He will make his presence known and he will send you signs he is free and happy and a puppy again!!
Chance didn't think in terms of "years" with you. He existed from one beautiful happy mome t to the next! Each moment with you had no beginning and no end. They were seamless and never ending.
Chance KNEW how much you loved him!! And he knew...that you knew...he loved you. The pictures ALWAYS show how happy and content he is. And he clearly loved having his little buddy by his side as he rolled happily in his back showing his pearly white toothy grin!
Im so sorry Patrcia, so very sorry. The tears have been pretty much non stop. Rufus just headed for the Bridge too. Rocky just went there, Gerry is going Wednesday. Kitty Sweet Pea headed over there too.
All I can say is the Bridge must be having some hellacious welcome pawties going on over there! Pretty sure first thing Chance did was jump in the cool pristine lake to take a swim. Then he ate plates of junk food. Then he showed everyone his CANINE GOOD CITIZEN bpBadge! ,And then he spent hours and hours bragging to everyone he had THE best time with you EVVVVER!!!
Please share more when you can...and with pictures! It has been such a privilege to get to know Chzncey Pants. We are honored. Thank you for sharing him with us.
We are all here with you Patricia. We know there are no words...we can merely stand by your side to help hold you up.
Surrounding you with love
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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!
I'm so sorry to hear that you lost your sweet Chance. As others have already said - this is so hard. I hope that your pain eases as the days go by. It will get better. Hang in there and know that we are all thinking of you.
Wanda
I'm sorry Patricia, there is nothing fair about cancer, sometimes it seems extra unfair.
I am glad that I got to meet you and Chance at Mill Valley, I was hoping there would be many more times. It's hard for me to imagine how hard it is to have to say good bye at such a young age. I'm looking at Elly who is probably just a bit older than Chance was when he was diagnosed- it's just so sad.
But you gave Chancy Pants a wonderful life. We always say here that dogs live in the moment, Chance didn't know that his life was short, he only knew that every day was full of ear scratches, sticks and tennis balls, and a warm bed. As with everything on this journey the hard times are for us to carry.
There was a purpose for Chance's time with you, it might take a while to find it, but it will be there. The special ones live on in our hearts and so never really leave our side.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I love Chanceypants and am so sad to hear this. It sounds like he was true to himself right til the very end and I'm so glad you got one last day of happy memories.
Chance is still with you now, even though you can't see him. Maybe he'll bring Izzy to visit you as well ... I'm sure they made fast friends! I've been asking Izzy to visit as I've been missing her but I understand now that she was busy greeting your sweet boy.
I know so well how much you are hurting. I wish there was something I could say or do to make it better. Please know that we are all here for you and share your sorrow.
Sending love and light,
Amy & the piggiest angel hog in heaven, Izzy
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
My heart breaks along with so many others and I am so grateful I had the chance to meet the amazing Chance!!! It seems unfair (as you said) to fight this battle at such a young age but you and Chance were fighters till the very end.
Know that Chance will never be forgotten here or anywhere... he leaves behind a legacy and inspiration.
Sending you love and peace ...
alison with spirit shelby in her heart (and little jasper too)
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
krun15 said
There was a purpose for Chance's time with you, it might take a while to find it, but it will be there. The special ones live on in our hearts and so never really leave our side.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Thanks to everyone for your kind words. Even though my boyfriend and I cried while reading through them, they are really helpful. It makes me sad knowing that so many of us have to go through this same hard journey. But I am grateful to the forum for helping me get through all the hardest times.
Karen - I know for sure one of Chance's purposes was to teach my boyfriend about the bond you can experience with a dog. He was not a 'dog person' when we started dating but Chancey changed all that. The two of them developed a strong bond. An almost nightly occurrence would be me coming to get into bed only to find the two of them spooning each other and then me saying "Hey! Where am I supposed to go!!"
By Chance making Kailin fall in love with him, he made sure that I will always be able to have dogs in my life. I will be forever grateful to him for that.
What I don't understand yet is why we were only given such a short time together. That still hurts me so much. When facebook shows me 'memories' from 3 years ago and he was just a puppy. One friend wrote to me: 'The amount of pain and grief you experience after a death equals the love and joy you shared in life'. I feel so much pain and I certainly experienced so much love and joy from my little Chanceypants.
Hugs to you all.
OMG ... those photos ... tears running down my face .... such love in the eyes of you and your boyfriend (and of course Chancey). IT is so incredibly unfair.
I love the memory of your trying to find a spot in your bed with those two all snuggled up ... keep sharing ... share away ... if it helps the pain (I know it did for me).
Sending
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Sweet Patricia 🌷
Those are the loveliest of photos and how truly marvellous Chanceypants turned your boyfriend into a dog lover 💓
Time was stupidly short, it was totally ridiculous but sadly you and your sweet boy weren't given any options ... there is no way one can really understand - and accept - cancer will give us but a short time with our babies.
Maybe the lesson to be learnt here is to appreciate our time together and take nothing for granted.
Live each day to the full no matter what ☀️
Chanceypants will always be by your side and will surely send you another sweet fluffy for you to love and laugh with every day 💕💕💕
Sending you much, much love 😍🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Oh Chance, I am sad that you got those wings. I know you look absolutely stunning with them, but it makes us so sad here at Tripawds HQ. There are so many tears among us...
Patricia I'm so sorry. Chance was such a young'un, and he had so much living to do on this planet. I yearn for the day that cancer and that H.O. is abolished from the planet...from the universe...so nobody ever has to go through this disease. It's such a mean condition.
You and Chancey Pants touched a LOT of people. However short his life was, his impact was far greater than those three years, and will continue on in so many ways through the Tripawds Nation. You showed us how to live life to the fullest even with such a difficult condition, and Chance lived the dream life right up until his last breath thanks to you.
Our hearts and condolences go out to your pack. We are very, very sorry. Please know that you will always be a part of this family so do continue sharing his life here if you'd like, and honoring the beautiful journey Chance enjoyed with you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
I yearn for the day that cancer and that H.O. is abolished from the planet...from the universe...so nobody ever has to go through this disease. It's such a mean condition.
ME TOO!
I wanted to mention Chance's brother Bear who is still here with us. He is 10 years old and this is now the second 'sibling' he has lost to cancer. The first was our girl Zoe in 2009 to Lymphoma. Now Chance.
Bear is not anything like either dog. But he has always been acutely aware of how I'm feeling. If the tone of my voice changes and I sound stressed or upset in any way, Bear is right there at my side checking in to make sure I'm OK.
He has been really mopey since Saturday when we said goodbye to Chance. He is grieving in his way. So he hasn't been there while I have been crying, which normally he would be.
We have been taking him out on hikes and walks every day. And even though it hurts so much to be walking without Chancey bounding all around us, I know I have to take care of myself and Bear since we are still here.
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