Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Jess,
I know exactly how you feel... Everyone here has given you some very good advice... It's a horrible diagnosis, and we all know the end result... just that none of us knows when the time will come. My Jake only made it almost 8 weeks after his amputation, and his vets just quoted me the standard osteosarcoma statistics, that he might live 3-5 months afterwards, or a bit longer if he has chemo. But they were very wrong in his case... and very wrong in so many of the other tripawd's cases... So the thing is... they really don't have a clue...
I cried everytime I left the house... didn't want to cry in front of Jake. I made sure to love him, spoil him, snuggle him, kiss him... as I always did before his diagnosis... I tried not to think of the 'end' (though at times it was very difficult not to) and I just tried to live for the day. I took lots of pictures, videos... He got to swim and play, eat his favorite treats and food, play with his favorite toys... and of course, his favorite brother, Wolfie. On the very last day he was with us, when thinks took a dramatic turn for the worse, that's when I started thinking that this was probably the end... But even then, all I could think of was how to make every remaining moment as happy and comfortable as possible for him, while my heart was breaking inside...
So please, try your best to not think about the end for Eva... and just live each day with her to the fullest... love her, spoil her... She has no clue what's wrong with her...
Sending you and Eva a big fat hug! Hang in there...
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
I'm going to add another thing that really helped me (you may have read it in some of the posted links, but I'll say it again). As silly as it sounds, we decided to have a conversation with Jack. We sat him down, and had a chit chat where we told him that he was sick, but that we were going to do everything within our power to make him feel better. We also told him that if the pain ever got to be too much, he could let us know and we would take care of that as well. Then, at the end of every night while lying in bed, we would tell Jack everything we enjoyed doing with him that day. As unimportant as it may sound, it really helped me feel like we were all on the same page and that we were all in this together. Thinking about you guys!!!
<3 Laura and JackDog
I don't think it's silly at all. Actions transcend language; even though we dogs don't speak English, we understand every word you say, because you say it with your eyes and your heart.
You're a very smart, loving pawrent!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
One of my dear friends told me that if you worry too much about the future you forget to enjoy the present. Its true. When my Leo was first diagnosed with cancer I thought my world had ended. After about a week I realized that I needed to get positive and project that energy to Leo. Of course I was scared of the end and what would happen and how I could possibly go on without him but I tried to put that out of my mind as much as possible. There were some nights when everyone was asleep that I would cry and think about losing him. But the next day and every day of the 17 months I had him after his diagnosis I was happy and did the best I could to see his stumpy tail wiggling around on his butt. Its hard but enjoy the present as much as you can. Pick up the toys and play and focus on how good Eva is doing now. Tomorrow do the same thing. Every single day is a gift.
Sheri and Angel Leo
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