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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Gwen, thank you for sharing such personal thoughts and Harley's last moments with us. His bond that he shared with you and your brother was one of lifelong importance. It's like he was put on this earth to see your brother through his cancer and give him the strength to fight it. What a blessing that he was able to.
Yes, yes, we do get it.
We understand that feeling that happens when you tell someone that your Good Dog has died, and they barely acknowledge it. We (as in everyone here) is part of a community that finds far more depth, personal learning and spiritual bonds with animals than the majority of humans. We understand the heartbreak of saying goodbye to these incredible creatures whose only purpose really is to teach us all we need to know about kindness and love, in such a short blip of time that they are allowed to stay on earth.
Gradually, I hope that you will find strength in knowing that Harley's spirit is never gone, just his physical being. He is looking out for you and your brother, and will always be your reminder to sieze the day and never take life for granted.
Harley, the Good Dog. Please give our love to Spirit Jerry, our Perfect Dog, and go chase some sticks with him OK?
-Rene
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh Gwen, I am sobbing as I read your post. I had been wondering and now it seems I just lived what you went through that day. I completely understand. Not only the loss, but the Rottie loss. They are such creampuffs, so giving, goofy, and yet noble and would give their life for us. I remember telling the dog license "deceased" on my new bill, that was horrible. I kept Raven's ID tag and put it on my key ring. It's with me wherever I go and makes his familiar jingle. His father Conner's tag is on my truck keys, Raven's is now on my car's.
Don't feel guilty about "stealing" your brother's dog. I think it happened perfectly. Harley was there for him when he needed him most, then moved on to share his life with you. But maybe your brother would just have gone off the deep end if he still had him throughout the cancer and the loss. You spared him that.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. It was Harley and Buddy's loss (around the same day) that hit me so hard and then I was so moved by Miles' ad that I decided to get him. I know I could never live without a Rottie.
Hugs,
Dawn
Rottie Raven, osteosarcoma at 8-1/2 years old, amputation in October '09 and in February '10 due to liver mets he went back to heaven where he came from. raven.tripawds.com
Now I have Miles, rottie mix amputee from a shelter and traveled 1500 miles to find his way here through the Rescue Railroad thanks to tripawds.com. miles.tripawds.com
It has been a month and a few days since I lost Magic and this tribute to Harley has now ruined any chance I had at makeup today....it seems that we are also going through another loss period here at Tripawds. Your words and your journey were so touching that I cannot even find the words (I know you ALL find that hard to believe) to tell you how I feel.
Thank you all for your kind words. They help more than you could ever know.
I would give anything to have the big guy crawl up in my lap while sitting on the couch; he had no idea how big he was. To kiss him in that little dent between his eyes; my absolute favorite spot. To feel his velvet soft ears; to feel them on my face and lips. To rub my finger over the zig-zag pattern his fur made on the top of his head; we often called him Harley Potter. To snuggle with him in bed, where he was quite spoiled and slept with his head on a pillow, and in the winter even under the covers like a human; Michael and I often joked at what people would say if we were to for some reason all pass-away in the night and we were found, all three of us under the covers with heads up on the pillows.
Oh, I miss the stinker. Thanks, again.
Amputation on 11/10/09, due to Histiocytic Sarcoma in left elbow. Angel Harley earned his wings on 06/24/10.
Gwen,
Thank you for sharing your last moments with Harley. Harley was a great dog and unfortunately that means you will grieve him deeply. I also don't understand the 'he's just a dog' feeling. Emily has been gone for eight months now and we still miss her terribly. Even with two others dogs and a cat the house seems empty It does, however, get easier. On some days anyway, until we lose another of our tripawds and it brings back the pain. You were blessed to have Harley and he, too, was blessed to have you..
My prayers are with you. I do get it.
Debra and Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Hopalong Harley said:
To feel his velvet soft ears...
Oh, I miss the stinker.
We hear ya there! What I'd give to rub Jerry's ears again, he loved that so much. One of my favorite photos from his final days ... somehow kids just know these things.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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