Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Garth, my 14-15 yr old dog, passed away on Sat, Jan 19. If Wookie was my heart, Garth was my soul. I can't believe he is gone. We had been through so much together, he was always by my side.
Garth's back legs has been getting weaker over the past year and more recently he was starting to have difficulty urinating. I suspect he had degenerative myelopathy, a slowly progressive, nonpaiful condition where a portion of the spinal cord slowly degenerates.
For the past week, Garth just had a different look in his eyes. He wasn't in pain, but he just seemed sad. I felt like he was trying to say goodbye to me. But then I would just poo poo it and tell myself I was being a drama queen and overly sensitive because I lost Wookie last month.
On Sat we went to the L.A. Kings hockey game. When we returned home, I found Garth dead on the floor. I held him, I pleaded with him to breathe, to move, to get up, to not leave me. But, of course, it did no good.
My heart is broken. He was my very best boy.
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
Oh no. I'm so sorry to read about Garth's passing. He was a beautiful dog.
I can't imagine losing two so close together. Sending healing thoughts and hope you are able, sooner than you think possible, to remember him with more smiles than tears.
Hang in there,
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!
Kelly, I'm so very sorry. I know how much he meant to you, and I can't even imagine how much this must hurt. It's hard to even think the kind of heartbreak that happens when saying goodbye to two furkids within such a short period of time. I know there are no words that can take away the pain, but just know we are thinking of you and sending all our love and condolences.
May Garth and Wookie watch over your pack for all time. Your two handsome boys will always be close to you in spirit.
{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Kelly, I am so, so very sorry. Life has not been fair to you these past few months. They often say that people will die when their loved ones are not there to spare them the grief and maybe that was Garth's plan. My heart goes out to you.
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
My heart aches terribly for you. To lose 2 very special pups in such a short period is devastating. I cannot imagine the shock and terror that washed over you when you came home to Garth that night. I have no words for you that will help. Just know that my heart goes out to you. I know we all here look forward to the day when there are more smiles than tears. (((HUGS)))
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
I'm so sorry, Kelly. Such an unfair, overwhelming amount of sadness.
When we were on chat the other night and you shared that photo of Garth, I thought he was the most amazingly beautiful dog, put together from the best parts of each breed. I know your greatest desire is that you could have been there with him. I'm so sorry it didn't turn out that way. I'm sure he left this world feeling 14 years or more of love and gratitude.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Kelly,
My heart is aching for you. Please know that my thoughts are with you at this time.
Erica
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Kelly, I'm so sorry to hear this sad news. Garth was an absolutely gorgeous boy. When we adopt our furry family members, we know that we will outlive them; that's the unfortunate part of the bargain we make when we fall in love. But, it's never easy for us when they move on to their next adventure. I know Wookie & Garth are together again, running and playing and young again. Sending healing thoughts to you and Gustavo.
I am so very sorry Kelly. You have had a lot of loss over the last few months. Garth was such a beautiful boy. Sending you many hugs.
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/
Oh he is SUCH a beautiful boy. I am so very sorry for your loss- it must be especially compounded given all you have been through. Thoughts and prayers are with you!
Kelly,
I am so sorry for your loss of Garth. Wookie and Garth will meet you at the Rainbow Bridge and are being buddies again right now. I know you have had a very bad month. (((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))
Michelle
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."
Kelly,
You have had to endure such sorrow the past couple of months. I am so sorry for that. I can feel the love you have for Garth and Wookie with the words you write. That love is deep and powerful. Garth did not travel to the other side alone. He had your love in his heart and he took that with him. I think Garth loved you so much that he did not want you to have to make that choice to let him go. He waited for you to leave the house, to spare you that pain. Wookie was there to show Garth the way home. I can see the both of them running in an open field, no longer in pain and talking about Mom, and how lucky they were to have you as their Mommy. Wookie and Garth will watch over you and memories of them will bring you comfort. Cadence and I send you a big hug.
michele and cadence
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
Oh, Geeze, that is just too much for a heart to have to take on in such a short period of time. I am so sorry you are facing this again, it is just so unfair. He is absolutely beautiful. I know his presence will be missed.
Sending you strength as you struggle though these tremendous losses.
RIP sweet Garth. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
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