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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Oh, Dan - this wasn't the update I was hoping for. This is simply too sad. I am so utterly sorry for your loss.
What a bond the two of you had and what a marvellous, true dog's life you were able to provide him. Thank you for sharing him here.
I am very, very sorry.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Dan, I'm having trouble coming up with anything to say, I guess because your loss hits so close to home, knowing Tshuvah has so little time left. So anything i think to write gets stuck in my throat. All I'll say then is that through you I loved Gus too and am so so sorry for your loss of him. I'm so glad he had a peaceful passage. I'm holding you and Gus in my heart and prayers.
Beth
Beth with my beloved Tshuvah, 10 year old "TaosDog". Provisional diagnosis osteosarcoma on 6/10/10, amputation of left foreleg same day, firm diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma 6/24/10. Set free on 9/9/10. Treasured forever.
http://labrador.....ipawds.com
Oh Dan...I'm at a loss for words. I went straight for the forum this morning to see how Gus was doing, only to read your post. I'm so sad to read this and can't hold back my tears. He was such an incredibly special tripawd hero and we just so enjoyed reading about all of your adventures together. It's so obvious how much love you both shared for each other. I do think he made the decision to pass when he did for you so that you wouldn't be burdened by it - what a loving gift he gave you. And I also believe that he is still with you and will always be with you forever. I think you should keep him close to you - I'm sure you'll find a lot of peace and comfort knowing that he's right there. What a lucky guy he was to have you in his life and how lucky you were too. 
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
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!
My sincerest condolences go out to you Dan. Your emotions about being disappointed when you weren't there for a proper goodbye were the exact feelings i had when Titus left. You guys have such an amazing bond together and Gus lived the best life a dog could ask for. Thank you for sharing him with us. He'll always be remembered.
Sharing your pain and sadness,
Carol and Angel Titus
"A dog is the only thing in the world that loves you more than he loves himself."
OSA in left hind leg–30 August 2008. Ampuversary–4 October 2008.
Titus earned his wings on 15th July 2010.
He is dearly missed and our love lives on.
Dan,
I am so saddened by your loss of Gus. What an absolutely wonderful and amazing life you had. You both were very lucky to have found and shared your lives together.
Rest in Peace Gus, you will never be forgotten.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
I don't know what to say. I didn't come on Tripawds yesterday because I knew there was technical stuff going on and Pat (Spirit Ruthie's mom) emailed me this morning to tell me of Gus' passing. I loved the Gus stories...He sounded like the amputation was just a momentary bump in the road or a vacation for the critters for a very short period of time....he was truly amazing and I am so sorry for your loss. I wanted to share the story of what the nurses told us when my dad died (of lung cancer). He was in the hospital and pretty much in a coma with the stopping of feeding and all...just keeping him comfy. The doctors and nurses of course don't generally talk time. One of the long time oncology nurses told us that patients at the end of their lives seem to do one of two things...wait until all the family is gathered in the room (dad's brother had come from far away and had indeed made it to say goodbye) or they wait until everyone is gone. We had been at the hospital 24 hrs a day practically. My mom and I had gone home to shower early in the morning hours and about 90 minutes later we got a phone call that Dad had gone. He waited til we were both out of the room. Perhaps that is what Gus was doing, saving you that instant of crossing over...saving you having to make that decision you would have made the next morning.
Oh Dan....hang in there and know I am sending a huge hug over cyberspace. May Gus always have critters to bulge in his tummy at the Bridge.
dan, we are so sorry to hear of gus' passing, but we are glad he is no longer suffering. our thoughts go out to you during this tough time. we've gotten to know you both so well through the site, it breaks our heart to think of you without your buddy. love never ends.
charon & 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
Dan:
Being an old "farm boy" I can certainly relate to the life that you and Gus had together. You certainly provided him with the best life until the very end. As others on this site have said "CANCER SUCKS".
Our thoughts are with you!
Chuck & Rusty
Rusty is a Labradoodle who was diagnosed with level 3 Fibrosarcoma on January 16th, 2010 and had his left hind leg amputated on January 25th, 2010 five days before his 18 month birthday. Please see Rusty's blog @rusty.tripawds.com. He is putting up one heck of a fight against this terrible disease.
Dan, I read your post aloud to my husband and had a good cry. With Daisy having passed so recently, your loving words really got to me. I've given myself permission to grieve for as long as I need to, and I hope you will do the same. We have been so blessed to love this much!
Sending you peace and comfort.
Lexi
PS: Pictures would be great! I highly recommend a video by Comet.
Daisy, 12 years young, had left forelimb amp on 5/19/2010 due to osteosarcoma. She left her body behind and joined the other spirit tripawds on 7/16/2010.
So grateful for each day with her!
Lexi (Daisy's momma)
Dan
You emailed me earlier about Gus, and I'm SO sorry for your loss. You gave Gus the best life he could ever want and gave him a few excellent months that many other dog owners may have turned their back to their dog for. These "special needs" dogs are placed in our homes and hearts for a reason!
Denali and I looked to you and Gus as our 'mentors' through this whole process. I wish I would have been able to make it out to meet him. I will miss your stories about what Gus has been getting himself into (but I'll keep you updated on Denali).
I also emailed you a quick little guide on how to post pictures - I hope it's thorough enough to help you out!
Take care of yourself and your family through this difficult time!
Haley and Denali (and Loki too)
~~~~ Denali ~~~~
June 9, 2010 OSA suspected
June 17, 2010, July 14, 2010 Clear X-rays – no mets
July 1, 2010 Amputation
July 9, 2010 OSA Confirmed
November 23, 2010 Cancer took you from me - Never forgotten, Always Loved - Forever
Supporting the Fighters, Admiring the Survivors, Honoring the Taken, And never, ever giving up Hope
Hello folks, I can't express enough how heart felt all your words are. This part of the journey is no rougher for me than any of you that have been down this road, it still sucks, but I can't say how good it feels to know you all are there when someone needs it. As I sat on the couch last night I got this terrible feeling of how he'll never jump up to lay on my lap again, we'd usually fall asleep together. I went back the lane today to do some mowing and I hated it, as soon as he would see I was going back, he was ready, all I could think about was how I would watch Gus as we would go back and he woud scan the fields for whatever, when I went to feed this morning it seemed so empty, I looked over at the waterer that he would always go take a drink out of, I had set a block there so he could stand on it after his surgery, and even when I went out the drive if he was on the porch I would yell over to him what a good looking guy he was and I'd be back in a bit, everything seems so empty right now, I had even taken some bales out of the front of the mow so he could climb up. I just hate to think about moving anything, I guess I hate to the idea it's not needed anymore. I took him over for cremation today, and of course I asked the usual question about getting my dog back, and they seemed sincere and she told me how they do everything, and it all comes down to trust, so I hope I made a good choice using these people, I can't even bear the thought of not getting him back. I just couldn't think about digging that hole and not having him closer to me. At least I can hold his remains on my lap if I want, and I'll probably tell my kids when the time comes to put him in with me, at least we'll always be together. So starts life after Gus, I'm sure we'll be fine with time, but like everyone else, you can't replace them, it will never be the same. Thanks again for everything, paws up, Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
What a heartfelt story of the relationship you two shared.
You were both very lucky to have each other, what a wondrful time the two of you had together.
It's not really life after Gus, he's still with you and he always will be.
May you find peace and wonderful memories.
the chauffeur
Dan and Spirit Gus,
Once more I find myself staring at a computer screen, through tears, totally relating to your feelings, but unable to find those magic words that will truly help, but we hope that you can accept our deepest sympathy at this time. We sincerely thank you for sharing these wonderful adventures with this community, and I know that you do understand just how much they lifted this community's spirit. You have created and related many wonderful memories - memories that will impress Gus in all our hearts.
I lost my Cassiopeia in a very similar set of circumstances. In fact, I had decided that I would take her to our local vent, even on this Sunday morning, and let her pass over. I left our guest room where Cassy and I had spent the night to shower, but found her gone when I returned. While you physical presences may have not have been with Gus as he passed over, your spirit so filled his soul that I am sure he felt you there with him.
Most know that I like to remind ones at this time, the you will never be totaly without Gus for the gifts that he gave you will live with you forever. I think that you already know that and will cherish that companionship. I look forward to the posting that Gus has returned home - for me it was a very moving day when I brought Miss Cherry home, once more tracing those car rides that had defined much of how I treated her spirit during her journey.
Gus will always be there with you,
Spirit Cherry's Dad - Bob
Dan,
I've been away from home all day and am just getting back on line.
I am sorry to hear about Gus, but happy for you and him that he left on his own terms.
Take your time getting used to the silence that our friends passing brings. Maggie's harness and leash are still hanging where they always were, and her blanket has a permanent place on the bed. One day those drives up the lane will bring a smile, with only a little pang of loss.
Paws up to you for letting Gus be a good old farm dog, right to the end.
Karen
Once again, I'm moved by your words Dan. Gus would be so proud.
For those that don't know, it was Dan's daughter who brought Gus home as a puppy. Some guy talked his daughter and a friend into taking the two pups or otherwise they were going to pound. I find the story poignant since Gus started his journey as just another dog on the farm and ended being a best friend and the "best" farm dog! It speaks volumes of the love that was shared.
I know you'll be sad but grateful to have him back home. It does help having them close by. We'll be here for you.
And yes, we know the pain but that's why it's so painful for us to see you having to go through this. We, too are going to miss him. But just know through him, we met you. I've gained a friend and I feel blessed to have that.
Lots of hugs!
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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