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, Sally -- my heart is breaking for you, and like everyone else I'm typing through tears.
You and Happy Hannah were the Tripawds welcome wagon for us -- like a new neighbor who just moved down the street, but somehow you felt right away that you've known them forever.
What an amazing, fitting sendoff you gave her. Thanks for sharing Happy Hannah and her zest for everything the world offered with us.
The Rainbow Bridge has a giant, joyful Happy Ambassador. And I'm picturing her and Shelby playing right now, Alison.
And us forget about Happy Hannah? Puh-lease... Impossible! All the videos...that face...the woo woos...the wags and wiggles...the ice cream...and more ice cream. I can't say enough about that smoochable face. Happy Hannah made everyone smile no matter what.
You know we're here for you, Sally. Please lean on us and let yourself grieve however you need to.
We're keeping you and your Angel Happy Hannah in our thoughts and in our hearts.
Lots of love and big hugs,
Deb and Lexie
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.
Oh Sally I am so very sorry. There are no words that can make this easier for you. I know you loved Hannah more than anything and that your feels ripped out. It gets better but not.for a long time. You will never be the same and that's a good thing. Hannah is in your heart and in your soul. Her love can never die. And there are so many of us around the globe who will be crying for you both. We will light a candle in Hannah's honour tonight.
I'm so glad you could be there with her as she journeyed on. It's The hardest and yet the most precious gift you could give her.
Many hugs
Karen, Spirit Magnum and a Ruby
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/
Sitting here sobbing-I'm so, so sorry, Sally. I wish I could make things easier for you. Our Happy Hannah is a tripawds ROCK STAR, as are you!!! She had such an incredible life and such an incredible woman loving her. What a beautiful way to help her earn her wings--just the same way you helped her live every minute of her beautiful life. Thank you for always being there for all of us, and thank you for sharing all the incredible times of Happy Hannah's life.
And now if you'll permit me-DAMN THIS CANCER!!!
Sending huge hugs and love to you,
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
Sweet sweet Sally i am so sorry for your loss 
i know what your going trough and actually at this time i dont know wha to say....
Your a great person hang in there Hannah will never be forgotten XXXXX
Sally,
I'm so sorry that Happy Hannah has gone to the rainbow bridge. There were so many friends waiting there for her. I know that my Grady will find her and love her. His nickname was Happy so they will hit it off. I will never forget you or Happy Hannah. You are such a good momma. You maintained her quality and she wagged her tail the entire time. She did WIN! Thinking of you and sending lots of love your way.
Hugs
Jessica and Marshall
Sally, I'm so so sorry. I wasn't on yesterday and so I missed this. Needless to say, this has destroyed me and I'm crying for you. Your love and spirit here has been outstanding! A cheerleader through and through. We love you so much.
Happy Hannah will never, ever be forgotten. We're lucky you introduced her to us and shared so much of her life and stories with us. We are lucky to have met you two. We are better for having Hannah in our lives. Now, she's up there looking out for us and the warriors that remain and sadly, will join this community.
I really like and appreciate how you held onto her sparkle and tail wags, but realized there's more to quality of life than that. In fact, if Hannah ever stopped eating, tail wagging, or sparkling perhaps she would have gone too long? You eased her struggle when it was right, on your terms and her's and nothing else. She was loved through to the end...and still now.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for sharing Hannah with us. Thank you for loving such a doggie as marvelous as Hannah. She had the BEST life ever. Ever.
~ Katy & Jackson
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 also lit a Candle in Happy Hannah's Honor. I lit one for Sassy too. I still am in shock and tears are running down my face. I know Hannah is greatly missed by me for sure. I hope you are ok Sally. I worry about you. (I mean I know you aren't right now but I am greatly concerned)
Hugs & lots of love.
Michelle & Angel Sassy
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."
Thinking of you, Sally. I lit a candle for your Angel today.
Hugs and Love,
Amy & Spirit Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
sally ... I wanted to check on you! I am so worried about you!!! Now it's my time to be the 'mom' again!
Hannah was in my dreams last night ...I saw her and Shelby playing in the fields and Shelby was being a mega PITA (pain in the ass) and Hannah was 'tolerating' her - until Shelby got too close to her chocolate treats and then she charged her (like the fake jill kitty)!
Love you!!!
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
So sorry as another newbie here - Hannah has been an inspiration.
Sleep tightly Hannah.
I understand, Sally. It's the price we pay for opening our hearts, but it's worth it. I'm sorry you are having to endure it.
As for not forgetting Hannah, I'm not sure it is possible to forget her. When the two of you arrived as a matched set, Hannah pretty much wormed her way into our hearts as much as any dog could. That's why so many other hearts are breaking, too--she is missing from a lot of hearts.
I've not been here much lately. I read and check in but don't do much. It often feels that I don't have much to offer, and there are so many newcomers that it's hard for me to keep up if I'm not here daily. But rest assured that Hannah (and you) have been on my mind. I've known the story. Neither you or Hannah can be forgotten. I don't see how that's even possible.
I hope you feel how much you are loved, Sally. As you've held up so many, please let us do the same for you now. And thanks to the moon and back for sharing Hannah with us. That's been a gift without measure.
Shari
P.S. Good girl, Hannah! You did indeed win! You did it all on your terms and with class.
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/
NOOOO! Just last night I showed Gregg the videos of Happy Hannah sharing her bucket list treats and we both laughed out loud, particularly at how she loooooved that chocolate cupcake. Hahaha, that got her attention and she wasn't gonna let go no matter what. YUM-MY, thanks Mama! Gregg asked me how long I thought Happy Hannah would be with us and I told him a few more weeks. Then I read this. Nooo! My heart sank and my tears just started flowing. My heart hurts for you, my friend. I'm sending you a comforting cyber hug, how I wish it could be in person. There's just been far too much activity at the Rainbow Bridge since January. Far too much. I'm incredibly sad that you had to join us in the recent mourners club. It's soooo painful. One thing I know for sure, though, is that you were a model fur-Mama and an inspiration to all of us. You're an amazing human being Sally and you raised an amazing giant K9. I can't imagine ever, E.V.E.R. forgetting you OR Happy Hannah. N.E.V.E.R. I think about you two all the time. You're both in my head, guiding me daily - "enjoy the present, live today to the fullest like Happy Hannah and Sally". I am sad for all the new pups and their families joining Tripawds from this point forward because they won't have the privilege of meeting Happy Hannah during her reign here on Earth. But they most definitely WILL, yes they WILL have the privilege of learning "The legacy of Angel Happy Hannah" through all of us in this community, most importantly you. And I'm infinitely HAPPY, yes dancing on the table H.A.P.P.Y, for all the Angel Tripawds playing at the Rainbow Bridge because YOU KNOW the Rainbow Bridge is a BRIGHTER and even more GLORIOUS place since yesterday. Happy Hannah has lifted the hearts and spirits of our fur-Angels, giving us even more comfort that they are thriving. In fact, Angel Jersey Girl came to me several times yesterday bouncing up and down from her front legs in excitement, like she used to do here on Earth. I didn't get why she was so happy and assumed she was just telling me she was having fun at the Rainbow Bridge. But then last night she clarified her actions, she was trying to tell me Happy Hannah had arrived! She was saying LOOOOOOK Mama, look look LOOOOK WHO IS HERE!!!! Angel Happy Hannah joined us today!!!
I know your heart hurts, Sally. Please lean on us for comfort, we are here for you.
Sending paw hugs and paw love,
Claudia, Gregg and Angel Jersey Girl (and Hitch too)
I just need EACH of you....EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU ..to know...right now....that I am ABSORBING your love and IAM LETTINGYOU CARRYME NOW. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Yesterday I was leaning n you...today I am lettingyou carry me. Thank you for that privilege.
Also know this to be true......the ONLY thing gettng me to my next breath is YOU...your HEARTFELT words are sustaining me.
I have a note pad right by my side....and with each note you send me, although every single word in your posts touched my heart, I'm writing down the guided words that stood out the most from EACH of you and will reply son. You have noooooooo idea how guided you eachhave been and how much your carng and compassion fill my soul.
It's like I have two hearts right now....one that's shattered and broken and no longer is even beating.....and the other one that is soooooo FULL of love and gratitude for EACH of you AND the WONDERFUL life called HAPPY HANNAH!!!!
I'm not sure how to epress this...I know soooooo many off you had less time than Happy Hannah and I did together. PLEASE know that I am very aware of that and have not lost sight for one second how lucky we are to have had this glorious time. And yeah, what we all wouldn't give for more time anyway...it's never enough!!! Our celebrations were always in honor of you too. And as we proceeded to each new day of our journey, we did it as a way to carry the torch for each of you. I hope you kow that.
As far as carrying me??? If I get to heavy...don't drop me yet because I'm not able to stand quite yet, okay? You can push me in a wheelbarrow if you want though!
Okay...shameless plug...check it out...HAPPY HANNAH got to share a BLOG with sweet Sassy again!!! Michelle .......you did a BEAUTIFUL BLOG flr my girl! But then again, beautiful souls do beautiful things.
From my heart (the one that's still beating)
Sally and 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!
Love you sally! I sit here, every time this happens, starting blankly at the screen trying to think of the right thing to say. There never are any words. You are so right. 1 month, 1 year, 5 years, it's never enough. What I can share with you is what you and your sweet girl did for me. When I was at my lowest you both made me smile. And laugh. I'll miss her attempts to google on her "computer" answers for all of us. The day we said goodbye to Chuck, I was ever so greatful you were able to chat that night. My broken heart was always eased at the sight of her face in pics and videos. There is certainly no way any of us can forget her. What a true testament to how strong dogs can be. Never ever did her spirit break. She has taught us all how to be strong even when it hurt like heck. She stole all of our hearts.
Xoxo
Lori, Angel Chuck, and the rest of the family. ..
I just saw Hannah's banner!!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!
and she made me smile... again!!
Christine... with Franklin 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!
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