TRIPAWDS: Home to 25113 Members and 2176 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

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.

JUMP TO FORUMS

Join The Tripawds Community

Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:

Instant post approval.

Private messages to members.

Subscribe to favorite topics.

Live Chat and much more!

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon-c
It's with a shattered heart I had to help HAPPY HANNAH into her Angel Wings today.
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Member Since:
14 January 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
46
16 April 2014 - 12:48 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Sally, 

I am so unbelievably, incredibly, and a bunch of other adjectives sorry to hear about Happy Hannah. What an amazing dog she was and WOW did you give her an amazing, beautiful life! 

I KNOW she knows how much you will always love her, and you best believe that she will be looking down on you every single day for the rest of your life. 

 

My heart is so broken to hear this news. I can't believe it. We are all here for you no matter what!!! 

 

Sending you so much love and Happy Hannah all of the happy-hannahness in the world! 

 

Love, 

Anna and Tyson

Virginia
Member Since:
26 January 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
47
16 April 2014 - 2:38 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

OMG Sally I just saw this, my heart is just broken for you and I'm just in tears. We will never forget Happy Hannah! You and her are the epitome of this community. She had such an amazing life and was so lucky to have you as her mommy. I don't even know what to say. Every time I watched Happy Hannah videos, it just made my day. I loved seeing her eat chocolate, and my absolute favorite is the video she sent back to Jill with her potty mouth! Oh, Sally, I am so so sorry. 

Happy Hannah we will NEVER forget you, you will forever be part of the "Virginia cheering section". Now I know why the sun is shining SO brightly here today, because Happy Hannah is shining down on us!!!

HUGS HUGS HUGS

Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”  

      

Member Since:
23 March 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
48
16 April 2014 - 3:01 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Sally, I am so so sorry and sad to hear this.  I haven't been around much since we said goodbye to our Lili (almost nine months ago, hard to believe).  Well, I have lurked a bunch, checking in every few days, but I haven't found it in me to post.  I have eagerly read all of your updates about Happy Hannah, always remembering what a support you were in our final days with Lili.  I'm so sorry I wasn't a support for you in the final days the way that you were for me.  

I also remember your thread--I can't remember the original title, but something like "I have made a horrible decision"-- which was right at the top of the boards when I first found them as we were making our decision about Lili's amputation.  I devoured that thread, every word of it.  I read everyone's supportive comments to you, and your regular updates talking about the little upticks in how Hannah was doing.  And I thought -- we can do this, too, with a community like this one behind us.  That thread made me stick around here, take the plunge with Lili, and know that I'd find support however things turned out.  Of course, the thread ended up being much happier at the end, which was an inspiration along the way.  So please don't worry -- I will never forget Hannah.  

The story of Hannah's goodbye reminded me of Lili, who inhaled food and wagged her tail until the end.  She just couldn't walk due to the mets in her spine.  Those spirited happy girl dogs sure do know how to make these decisions tough.  But I know you did the right thing, at the right time for you and Hannah, and I also know that Lili is just tickled out there in the great beyond to have a new friend like Hannah to get into trouble with.  

I'm thinking of you and sending big hugs your way.

Member Since:
5 April 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
49
16 April 2014 - 6:10 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hi Sally,

I'm so so sorry for your loss. I'm just in tears after reading your update.  I feel like I know your Happy Hannah even in the few short weeks I've been on this forum - you've given her and her positive spirit such a voice here and your notes have been such a comfort and pleasure to read.  Thank you for sharing Happy Hannah's story. You have been such an amazing dog owner, I hope to be as kind and positive for my Rosco as you have been for Happy Hannah. 

 

 

 

Rosco is a mini-schanauzer diagnosed w/ melanoma on his right hind paw on 4/4/14 after two months of monitoring & testing.  Rosco joined team tri-pawd on 4/9/14.  He will be 10 years old in May and lives in Brooklyn. See cartoon Rosco here & Rosco videos here.

Member Since:
14 January 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
50
16 April 2014 - 6:56 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Sally,

I'm in the middle of my class and grabbed my ipad to check on you. As soon as I reread your first post and started to think about your pain, tears started to well up. I did have to compose myself so that no one in class would notice.....but wow was that hard to do.

I, too, would like to sincerely apologize for not taking the time to comment on all of Hannah's celebrations. This past month, I've only quickly visited the site a few times, but every time I saw a post about Hannah, I smiled sooooo wide. I loved her without ever meeting her.

You and Happy Hannah have been SUCH an OUTSTANDING inspiration to everyone, me and Tyson included. I don't know how I would have gotten through everything without you two. Not only did you give us advice, but you truly took the time to pour your entire heart and soul into every comment.

I do hope that we are helping you, because although we re not there in person, WE ARE RIGHT THERE WITH YOU. I promise you that. We are all there eating 700 pounds of chocolate with you, crying with you, laughing at memories with you.... Absolutely everything.

Wrapping you in love and cyber-hugging you like crazy,

Anna and Tyson

Ohio
Member Since:
21 February 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
51
16 April 2014 - 7:34 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

oh Sally.... My heart is breaking for you and tears are swelling as I write this to you. YOU have been such an inspiration since we joined almost two months ago. You have filled so many people with joy when they needed it, and honesty all the way through.. you AND Happy Hannah. You videos always made me laugh... Happy Hannah truly lived an amazing life with you as her partner in crime. Please know I am thinking about you and sending you all the hugs and lifting that you need right now. I am just so so sorry. I know that Happy Hannah is running around the rainbow bridge now with all the other Tripawd heroes looking down on all of us. She is still with you, and will be forever. and she and you will NEVER be forgotten! You will always be in all of our hearts

 

 

hugs hugs and more hugs

 

 

Cody and Family

 

p.s. we too lit a candle for sweet Hannah today.

Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.

Nicole and Lily Bear
52
16 April 2014 - 7:53 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Sally I am so so so heartbroken for you. You are so loving and you and Hannah were the first to welcome and my Lily into the community. I am forever grateful. I am so blessed to have known Hannah through this forum. What a sweet spirit. And you are such  a wonderful cheerleader and friend to us all. Let us be there for you. Stay close to us. I hope your broken heart begin to heal with beautiful thoughts of your Happy Hannah who is loving it in heaven and looking down on you hoping her Momma can feel her presence. We are here for you. I'm so sorry your girl is gone. 

 

Nicole and Lily Bear

Lancaster, PA
Member Since:
17 May 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
53
16 April 2014 - 7:58 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I read this post with tears in my eyes and a smile in my heart. Forget happy Hannah? I don't think I could if I tried; I could never forget any of you who helped me through this period of my life. We're all a wonderful blessing to each other and to new members who join us each day.

I want to say I'm sorry for your loss, I know it'll be rough and painful and just plain suck for awhile.i also want to tell you just how proud I am of you. To the very end you were living in the moment and we're doing everything under the sun for your Hannah. You fed her deer poop! That's commitment to being more dog! I am so proud of how you stayed so strong for her sake even though I know your heart was breaking. I can only hope that when my time comes to make that call that I can be even 1/4 as strong as you were. You're truly an inspiration to us all, I hope that provides a little bit of comfort in this dark time.

Know that we're all thinking of you,
Heather Crotsley

Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
54
16 April 2014 - 8:07 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

peterlili said
I also remember your thread--I can't remember the original title, but something like "I have made a horrible decision"-- which was right at the top of the boards when I first found them as we were making our decision about Lili's amputation.  I devoured that thread, every word of it.

Here is the post you're referring to. It's amazing to look back on this now, I'm so proud of how far Sally traveled in this journey, with Hannah leading her and all of us throughout.

"Six Days After Rear Leg Amp and Getting Worse Very Scared Made Horrible Decision"

 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
27 August 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
55
16 April 2014 - 8:19 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Oh Sally, I am so sorry you had to go through this. You did everything for your wonderful girl and we all know how much she is loved. Know that we all love that big mug and we morn her loss with you. You gave Happy Hannah a wonderful life, the best that a big girl could ask for. Be grateful that Happy Hannah could be herself up until she got her wings, I truly think it is better that way for them. We are all here whenever you need us. You have been a huge supporter, let me return the favor. Goodnight, Happy Hannah, you are loved even as you wait on that rainbow bridge. It is never goodbye, only see you later. Huge hug and licks!

Mandy and Maverick

Maverick is a wonderful miniature australian shepard born with a malformation of the front right radius/ulna, amputation performed on 11/4/13 at 6 months old. Follow his story at mavericksjourney.tripawds.com.

Oakland, CA
Member Since:
20 December 2008
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
56
16 April 2014 - 9:00 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Dearest Sally,

We are so, so sorry to hear that Happy Hannah has crossed the bridge. Please know that we will never, ever forget her funny adventures or her happy spirit. We promise.

Did you hear the Oaktown Pack howling last night? They went crazy, and I realize now it must have been when Hannah passed by to say goodbye on her way to the Bridge.

You gave Hannah the best and final gift that any of us can give our beloveds, in the right place, at the right time. You lived life to the fullest with her and none of us could wish for more than that. Thank you for sharing Hannah and the lessons you learned from her and your journey with her with the rest of us. As others have already said, Happy Hannah is truly unforgettable. And thank you Sally, for spreading so much love throughout this community. You have been an inspawration, an educator, a friend, a shoulder to cry on, a kick in the pants for all of us. You have been there for so many, of course we all want to be there for you!

I ran across this poem below on Patricia McConnell's blog one day. I really like it because it doesn't sugar coat anything and sums up those first devastating days so very well. You are not alone in this, so many of us have been right where you are right now and we know how much it hurts. We are here for you.

Run free as the wind Happy Hannah! We know you are burnin' down the HOUSE over the rainbow........

With all our love and healing tripawd strength,

Martha and the Oaktown Pack

 

Things to do after your dog has died

Sweep the floor

Look out the window

Pant

Make a cup of tea and some toast

But then not eat them

Change the sheets on the bed

Try to sing

Start to cry

Forget what day it is

Stumble into a corner of the floor and hold your knees tightly

Keen

Pull yourself together

Make another cup of tea and this time drink it

Look out a different window

Stare at that spot on the floor where your dog used to stretch out, languid and happy, his paws twitching as he raced across sleep meadows and into dream ravines filled with moss and ferns and the scent of foxes

Look for the Kleenex

Use toilet paper instead

Wander around the house, your heart like a damned anvil in your chest

Heat up leftovers

Push them around the plate before leaving the entire thing in the sink

Look for what is not there

Hear things

Feel the forgotten fur beneath your fingertips

Feel the forgetting begin

Hold a memory, any memory, bright and shining, soft and sad, smelling of wet fur and leaves, with a whisker there and muddy paw prints left on the stairs, of a walk of a hike of a trip to the park with a treat and a bone and a belly rub snacks stolen off the counter and tug of war and the squeaky toy a glance of complicity in play with your hand on head with tail wagging and breath misting in the morning light or the moon over the trees while an owl croons ears are pricked and nose to the ground sniffing, sniffing, sniffing following the invisible trail to its joyful finding

Put on your pajamas

Turn around three times before you curl up by the rope toy and find yourself chasing the echo of a bark into a night that will never end

Grow a tail

       Catherine Young 11.27.12

Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!

Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!

Visit Codie Rae's Blog!

Member Since:
8 April 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
57
16 April 2014 - 9:37 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Dear Sally- my heart goes out to you and Hannah. I am so very sorry to hear this news. The love you have for Hannah and your wonderful kindness flows through all of your posts. Your lovely dog will never be forgotten. Leigh and Clio.

WYO
Member Since:
10 February 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
58
16 April 2014 - 9:44 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

So very sorry for your loss, I know you loved Hannah Oh so very much.

What a beautiful way you chose to let her go!

I had a visit with a lady who ministered at hospices once and she told me that when someone is dying, they always see angels and the angels are always dancing....that was a comforting thought to me!

I am sure the angels were so happy to greet Hannah and from what I have seen of her personality....SHE was a dancing and a wagging right along with them!

Healing heart wishes,

Bud's mama

Idaho
Member Since:
12 March 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
59
17 April 2014 - 12:13 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I PM'd Sally this morning with the following message.  She told me that I should share it with the rest of you.

Kathi

 

I just had to share this with you.

I will be having gall bladder surgery this afternoon, so last night I took an Ambien to assure a good night's sleep. Sometimes i don't remember everything that goes on between taking the pill and falling totally asleep. This morning Garry asked me if i remembered what had happened last night. I asked him what he meant. He said that I had gotten the hiccups and went to the kitchen for water. When I got back to bed, I told him that I had seen Hannah in our living room.

When he said it, the memory came flooding back. She was there! Very real! She walked ahead of me from the kitchen back to the bedroom like she was making sure I got there OK without bumping to anything in the dark.

I thought you needed to hear that she is doing just fine.

 

 

 

Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!

UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
60
17 April 2014 - 1:01 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Ohhhhhh how wonderful!  Thank you for sharing.

I hope that your surgery went well and you're on the road to recovery asap. Be good to yourself, let Garry and the pups spoil you rotten ya hear?

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Forum Timezone: America/Denver
Most Users Ever Online: 946
Currently Online: quorra_bomber
Guest(s) 180
Currently Browsing this Page:
2 Guest(s)
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1290
Members: 18612
Moderators: 6
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 18901
Posts: 259304
Administrators: admin, jerry, Tripawds
Tripawds is brought to you by Tripawds.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG