Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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the feelings are still raw
this dog mama is super emotional when I share that we had to take Sam to be put to sleep yesterday.
he had a round of bleeding (from his nose) Friday/Saturday and I was just certain Saturday morning that he was going to suffer, so I made the appointment for 12:30 Saturday
and we went to the dog park for one last romp
he was SO Happy
but we couldn't stay long
we stayed long enough for me to realize that Saturday was NOT the day. He had too much fun.
and the nose bleeding slowed
we settled down into our new normal of sheet changes and extra blankets protection. because his favorite sleep spot was at the foot of my daughter's bed.
Wednesday night, Sam was pretty disoriented. He also had vision difficulties, cataracts and retinal atrophy.
kept bumping into stuff
Thursday morning, we woke and he started having scary gasping/wheezing episodes. His nostrils weren't blocked, but there was something keeping him from breathing. he'd panic.
and his gums turned pale
we had discussed that the next episode he had that resulted in a vet trip would be his last.
so I took the day off work and took him in. I've done this alone, twice. On my way, I decided I just couldn't face it by myself and messaged my husband. He agreed to meet me there.
Sam and I stopped at Dunkin Donuts on our way and when we got to the vet, I started to get him out of the car and he was SO happy to eat that glazed donut.
That's been the gut wrenching part of the last few weeks.
suffering one minute and fine the next.
But the pain and worry got to be the normal, and I don't think he could go to the dog park anymore.
Around 10am the vet administered the shot. And he took a big sigh and just put his head down on my leg.
I've done this before, with another dog and a cat. But this has been the hardest, by far. Osteosarcoma, the word now just chills me.
I'm happy he's not in pain, but I miss him. I miss listening for the hops across the floor. I miss listening to make sure he's breathing OK. I miss the bedtime snuggles and even more I miss the active Sam who ran 3 miles without a second thought and would then come and chase the ball.
Fly high Sam.
Katie, human momma to Sam, a 9 year old yellow lab who stole my heart. Diagnosed with OSA 4/17/14. Entered CycloSam study at University of Missouri which did not hinder tumor growth. Sam fractured his leg at tumor site on 7/2/14 and was exited from the study. Amputation surgery 7/8/14. Lost his battle 9/25/14. Forever in my ❤️
Also in the menagerie:
Fur-kids:
Maizie a 1 year old schnauzer
Luna, 15 year old siamese-mix kitty
Human-Kids:
DD- 6 years old and full of questions
DS 4 years and full of energy
Blogging about this here: http://samthela.....ipawds.com
nobody wants to be here...
but the thing is .. you are here with all of us who understand... understand your pain... understand the bond.. understand the heartachhce... and understand the grief and anger and tears that you will have... we understand.. and our heart breaks with you... and I for one.. know exactly how you feel..
My Franklin was suffering from lung mets only 4 months after his amputation.. and when he got to the point where he could hardly hop 5 hops without wheezing so bad sometimes he got sick... we made the call for the following day. We slept on the floor with him that night... and when we took him for the car ride after his steak dinner, he was happy. We stopped for ice cream... and we had to wait with him outside the vets office. He was so happy... his tail was wagging.. he greeted everyone who came up to the door.. and it just seemed wrong.. so very wrong.
But we knew in our hearts.. that the wheezing would get worse and worse.. and the bile would become worse and worse.. and we let him run fast to the bridge while he was on a "happy". I felt horrible.. guilty.. and I hurt.. hurt bad.. but I just had to remember the night before when we had such a hard time breathing. and he looked at me with the look saying.. "mom, I'm tired.. I want to go play"
It's going to hurt... because when you love hard, you grieve hard. If it didn't hurt, that would mean you didn't care. He will always be in your heart, nothing can take that away. His pawprint is furever there! When you are ready, you can feel him there.. you will feel his tail wagging!
I bet you he is running circles around that meadow daring everyone to keep up with him!!
*hugs*
Christine... with Franklin waggin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
My heart breaks with you and I, along with everyonenwho reads this, cry with you. Time after time after time we log on to a gutwrenching post like this that just takes us to our knees.
And no, there is no other loss that compares to the loss of our tripawds. The entire journey is soo intense...the love, the caregiving, the ups and downs..and let me mention the love again.....and the grief mirrors the intensity.
To focus on the good times is almost impossible right now. There is something that Jerry said so brilliantly on Theo's post and I'm going to try and "copy" it in a minute. But I tell you what....that image of Sam enjoying his Donut........that is such a beautiful forever memory!!!!
Just KNOW that you did EVERYTHING possible for Sam and gave him so many extended months of loving and spoiling and running and playing...and loving and spoiling!! And in dog years....those months equate to a couple of years!!!!! Please remember that!
And to give Sam the most loving and selfless gift of all when he needed it most.....Sam knew he could trust you to always be there with him....always.
Things clearly were starting to go downhill and the scales were about to be tipped from more good days to m o re bad days. Sam got to celebrate life and be Sam right up to the end!
Just as you were so privileged to have Sam in your lives, he was just as privileged to have you in his! Sam lived such a vibrant life of joy and happiness...his life was full of so much purpose! Sam' life mattered! Sam touched all of our hearts! Such a brave boy!
Please stay connected to us. So many of us understand like no others can. It's going to be rough for awhile, really, really rough. There will be a void, an emptiness, aloss of routine like no other. We understand. We've all developed coping techniques that help us get from one breath to the next...lean on us.
My Happy Hannah had kind of self-appointed herself to help greet new arrivals at the Bridge with a food basket. The food basket usually consists of gallons of ice cream, dozens of cupcakes and lots of chocolate and steaks. I happen to know that Sam's basket jas three thousand Dunkin Donuts of every variety! Same will have a blast with sooooo many who reside there now...many different characters, that's for sure!! And he can run for miles and miles without ever tiring!!
Oh, and Jerry passes out Purple Hearts of Bravery to each new resident. On the back of Sam's it says. "In celebration of a life well lived and well loved..."
Surrounding you with Sam's eternal grace and happy smile...
Sally and My Eternal Light 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!
Here is what Jerry wrote avout a "blink"........
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!
My heart breaks for you .... this is just so sad and it's all so unfair. The fine one day and the not fine the next. But Sam knew he was with you so he was always fine! He had you close to him ... always.
You did the absolute right thing! And lucky Sam that he got to enjoy that donut! Now THAT is a lucky dog.
I am sending you love and light as the days go by ... this loss is tragic and profound and no matter how many times we say goodbye to our fur-babies, it is NEVER easy and never not sad and painful. Cancer does seem to be a bit more excruciating though....
love and hugs,
alison with the spirit of shelby fur-ever 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
I understand everything you're feeling. It is so raw and hurts more than words can describe. And I know it hurts more when they seem to bounce back for a day or even an hour, but know he was doing it all for you. Fighting so hard because he loved you guys so much, and loved every single moment of the life you provided for him. But also know that he is eternally thankful for helping him to a place where he can be Sam forever, pain free and full of energy!
And I hate that word too, it makes me sick to my stomach. I hate it for taking from our boys what they loved most RUNNING!
Please let me know if you need someone to talk to. We lost Theo Sunday night so it is still very new and raw for us too under very similar circumstances.
Lots of Hugs,
Rachel and Snaggletoothed Angel Theodore
Katie,
I'm so sorry for you and your family's loss of Sam. As I read your post tears started falling because I know the hurt in your heart that you're feeling right now. It also brings back the hurt for when I had to let my Leland go. Like your Sam he was alert and "happy" always keeping an eye on me. I've always said his spirit was still strong but his body just couldn't keep up any longer.
Just know that you did the right thing for Sam by releasing him from the pain. This journey is going to be tough and some days will be a little better than others. This community understands like no other the tremendous heartache of losing a beloved Tripawd and like you none of us want to be here. We will be here to lend support and help pick you up when things feel like too much. I know some may have a hard time staying connected to this community but I've found that through staying connected I feel closer to my Leland because I'm able to reach out and lend support to new parents starting this journey. Just know that we are here for you.
Sending you and your family a warm HUG.
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
I am so, so sorry. My heart just dropped when I saw this. It is so hard when the thing that our furbabies need from us hurts so bad and just plain feels unnatural. I really think I waited too long for my boy.
I have read on here several places lately that pale gums mean not enough oxygen Ty's gums were white for weeks. I thought it was his low platelets again. Just know that you have given him a most unselfish gift. The gift of being free from his sick body. It just hurts so much to be left here without them. Come here and lean on us for support. Vent, cry, scream here, we have seen it all, we have done it all. Hugs from, Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Oh Sam, you are running free and without pain over the Bridge, now, with so many brave prince and princess Tripawd warriors there to greet you, including my precious angel Polly .........I am so heartbroken to read this about sweet Sam.....we always know that our days with our Tripawds may be limited but that is why we live every moment in the now....That is what Sam did, and enjoyed everything right up to that last glazed donut. I also know that no amount of time is ever enough, and that is what makes this journey the most difficult .......but no matter how long or short our journey is, the one thing we can all say is, we did our very best for our best friends, and gave them as much quality time as possible.
Sam will always be by your side, and his eternal spirit will be with all of us here forever.......
Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
So sorry for your loss. RIP Sam and may you fly forever free.
Marla and tri-dogs Daisy & Biscuit
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
Kaite - reading these posts are just awful beciause we all know what you are going through and what you have ahead of you, unfortunately. Don't ever beat yourself up for what you did or did not do, you did the absolute best for SAm and he knew that.
I am not going to sugar-coat this experience you are going through, as it is gutwrenching and we don't wish it upon anyone. This process is one we all go through, especially tripawd parents, as we have developed an unfathomable depth of bond and committment with our buddies that it is no wonder we are devasted when they cross the bridge.
But, you know what….each day will get a tiny little easier. We are only 5+ weeks since Tahoe's crossing but the raw feelings and emotions are still fresh as ever. I found that be able to talk to the tripwad community members REALLY helped me process my feelings and slowly try and start looking at all the good times we had, not the final days and hours which we often go to.
Please know you are certainly not alone in your grieving, as you can email or PM me any time if you want to talk over the phone, etc.
As so many others have said, we are all here for you and your husband during this rough period.
Stirling and Guardian Tahoe
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
Katie,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your post made me cry and the ugly "O" is so unfair. We do things for our loving fur babies and not to them and we are doing the right thing and we can't look back. I wish I had more words to say that have already been said but tears just started flowing when I read your post. I don't want you here either.
Please know that we are all here for you.
Prayers and may God wrap his arms around you and comfort you.
HUGS,
Tracy and Bailey
Bailey ~ 2/7/14 - Amp. front right leg and shoulder; 5 rounds of Carbo.; she's a 7 year old Great Dane and currently having trouble getting up something is going on in the spine (they think, we are not doing the MRI or Milogram.) We almost lost her on Labor Day weekend but after a wash out of Gabapentin her acupuncture vet put her on pred. and she is doing much better but still doesn't have control of her left leg as it should normally be.
Everyday we have with our babies is a blessing. The ugly "C" sucks and is so unfair.
Katie, I am very, very sorry to see this news today. I know how your heart must be hurting so much and the pain is still so new and unbearable. You did soooo much for your sweet boy and always had his best interests in mind. He knew that, and he held on as long as he could until he knew you were strong enough to let him put on his wings. He, and you, were both so brave.
It's clear that you and Sam had a magic connection that makes parting ways so hard, so different from your other angel animals, and in the coming days never forget that this connection will also be the bond that never breaks, it is the bond that keeps you together for all time, it is the tie that will wrap your heart in love whenever you feel down....just think of the happy life you shared together and his love will hold you even tighter -- it lives forever.
This has been a bad week for our Tripawd heroes, too many of them have been called by the angels. Lots of heartache in our community right now, you are not alone so please come and talk and share and celebrate Sam's life with us when you feel OK to do it. You can vent, cry, whatever, we understand and are here for you.
{{{{{hugs}}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry for your loss. Just know that you gave Sam the fighting chance he deserved and now he can rest <3 I recently lost my gentle non-tripawd boy, Peace, and this website is a wonderful place to get support. Don't be afraid to come here when you're feeling down and need some encouragement. Find comfort in those wonderful memories of your special boy.
AJ
I'm so sorry you had to say goodbye to your boy Sam. I'm sure he felt all your love.
Bet he's flying high indeed with lots of Tripawds to play with.
(((hugs)))
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
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