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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I am so, so sorry for your loss. Life is so precious, and so fragile. I know JD is close to you, because that's where you need her to be. You were there for her, and her spirit is still here for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sadie's mom
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
I am so sorry for your loss. The suddenness of it catches us off guard and contributes to our being "a mess". Daisy was doing so well nearly 8 weeks post amp, and then suddenly she wasn't. Within the week, I had to say goodbye. It's a reminder of how we can only do our best for our pets, but in the end, we have no control over anything.
I didn't ask for spirit Daisy to stick around, but I recently had two animal communicators whom I've used before check in for me, and both said that she's still around, helping me cope. It's been 6 weeks, and I am now able to have a picture of her on my computer desktop, "smiling" in her special way, and it makes me smile instead of cry. You'll never forget JD, but time will help with the extreme sadness.
Sending you comfort and peace,
Lexi
Daisy, 12 years young, had left forelimb amp on 5/19/2010 due to osteosarcoma. She left her body behind and joined the other spirit tripawds on 7/16/2010.
So grateful for each day with her!
Lexi (Daisy's momma)
We are so sorry for your loss of JD. She will always be in your heart, and by your side. She is now at Rainbow Bridge playing with our Skyler and many other Tripawds. It's been almost 3 months for us, and the pain is still there - just not as raw.
Sending you a big HUG!
Cathy/Jane/Spirit Skyler/Chloe
I am so sorry to hear about JD. How awful to be fighting the cancer and be taken by something else. I am glad that because of the cancer that you have focused on enjoying JD to the fullest. My prayers are with you.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
I am so appreciative of all the warm wishes and kind thoughts for JD and I. This Tripawd community is so awsome, it has really helped me to read your posts and feel the love.
Angel JD's mom
JD
One Tough Girl
(1999-2010)
-Diagnosed with osteosarcoma of her left front leg –
-Amputation July 23 2010 –
-The cancer didn't get her, but she is gone-
-She fought the cancer and loved life till bloat brought her down August 29th, 2010-
Now she watches over her mom and two new sisters, the Quad-Paws Serena and Maya
Oh my goodness, I am so sad reading this, my heart goes out to you. JD was a tough girl, but even stronger is you, for making the decision to let her rest and not put her through another surgery. I know your heart is breaking, but trust me, the days will get a bit easier, you will have ups and downs, but may you find comfort in knowing that she will never be forgotten and you gave her a wonderful life! This website is so great, we lost our Zeke only a few weeks ago, after only 1 month post-amp and I honestly don't know what I would have done without my Tripawds friends. Even though most of us only have an "online" relationship, I believe we are "friends forever" through this website. With deepest sympathy, you are in my thoughts.
Dhiannon (Zeke's Mom) & Zeke, a 7 year old male Bullmastiff, front left leg amputated on 7-12-2010 due to a joint tumor. Zeke earned his wings on 8-13-2010, we will miss our big boy forever! We love you Zeke!!
Thank you so much.
Yes this website and the families I have 'met' have been awesome.
Just tonight I read this in another forum and thought is was so fantastic. It is just a piece from an article about the quality of life we provide for our fur--children.
'This is really what the "quality of life" issue is all about. By usurping nature's role throughout the life of our pets, we must sometimes also accept its role in determining (and bringing about) the death of a pet. To accept this, we may also have to accept that, in some cases, the quality of life we're really trying to protect is our own: That we're allowing our pet to suffer out of a desire to avoid the anguish we know that we will experience when it dies. And that, ultimately, is the most unselfish act of love we can offer: To end a pet's suffering, we must choose to accept our own.'
What are you doing to heal and move through each day without Zeke? I am hour by hour trying to accept my pain and so look forward to the time when the memories don't hurt so much.
Best wishes to you
Angel JD's mom
JD
One Tough Girl
(1999-2010)
-Diagnosed with osteosarcoma of her left front leg –
-Amputation July 23 2010 –
-The cancer didn't get her, but she is gone-
-She fought the cancer and loved life till bloat brought her down August 29th, 2010-
Now she watches over her mom and two new sisters, the Quad-Paws Serena and Maya
That's very nice Angel JD's mom.
I'm so sorry for the two of you (Dhiannon and JD's mom). The pain is so unbearable at times. For me when I lost my Rugby suddenly, I so worried I would Comet, too (from depression). For the 1st week, I thought I couldn't take one more day. Her heart was breaking since she's not a mentally strong dog and she spooks easily. I couldn't make it right for her. It's was torture. I just wanted her happy and how could life be so cruel to her. Hadn't she been through enough with her deformity, two knee surgeries and the neglect from a hoarder as a puppy? She so needed Rugby and I did, too. After all he saved us from a burglar one afternoon while we all napped. He, in his best german shepherd (mix) voice scared off someone who broke in while we were upstairs.
We got Rocket (aka monkeybutt) within 2 weeks after Rugby died. Rocket is a small dog so he wouldn't threaten Comet in size. It was a hard adjustment to say the least since Comet isn't an easy dog to get to know. And also going from a shep mix to a terrier-type dog. But I can say, here we are 1 year and 3 weeks later and I believe everyone is happy again. Rocket adores her and Comet seems to enjoy his puppy behavior. I even am now falling hard for him, too even though it's taken me awhile. There's even a part of me that wishes Rocket and Comet had been raised together since she seems to want to play but her worn out body just won't let her do it as much. Rocket knows she can't run around too much and will play growly face laying down with her.
So, it will get better. It won't be easy. And there are days, I wish Rugby was here to grow old with Comet as they should have but I think it's going to work out in the end.
I hope your pain will be replaced soon with happy memories. They do come.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
JD's Mom, That is a great piece, thanks for sharing. That is something that has helped me over the past few weeks is to think that my husband and I were strong enough to show Zeke one final act of our love, as much as our hearts broke and the pain, at times, was unbearable. Believe it or not, I have also found it more comforting to look at pictures and talk about Zeke with others. I always thought I would be that person that would have to put everything away and just not talk about it because it hurt so much. Yes, I do have times where it's difficult to look at the pictures and talk about him, but more times, I've found it theraputic and comforting. I had a really bad day last Thursday, just thinking about the surgeries he'd gone through and how bad I felt that he only made it a month after the amputation. But then on Friday, his Doctor called and said they were making Zeke "pet of the month" and wanted me to email some pictures. This was also the day that Tripawd Chloe's Mom asked me if she could put Zeke's name on her t-shirt for the K9 cancer walk. Those 2 things that day warmed my heart and made me feel better that Zeke was being honored. I didn't cry for the first time that day and that lasted for 3 days! Then Monday I had a "moment", but trust me....it WILL get better. You will think of JD every day, every hour of the day, but the feeling of heart break will go away eventually. The other thing I thought I wouldn't be able to do for a long time was get on this website, but I did the next day and truly, it helped so much, I believe I'll be a life-long member. 
Hang in there, don't be afraid to show your emotions and take as long as you need to get through this, don't let anyone tell you differently. I sincerely hope you start feeling better soon. You did the right thing for JD and that's what matters. Oh, do you have other dogs? We do, and I promise, having them to love, hug and kiss on has helped, otherwise I think the house would feel so empty.
Dhiannon (Zeke's Mom) & Zeke, a 7 year old male Bullmastiff, front left leg amputated on 7-12-2010 due to a joint tumor. Zeke earned his wings on 8-13-2010, we will miss our big boy forever! We love you Zeke!!
jdsmom said:
Just tonight I read this in another forum and thought is was so fantastic. It is just a piece from an article about the quality of life we provide for our fur–children.
'This is really what the "quality of life" issue is all about.
That is awesome, I'd love to keep that in our "Favorite Quotes" list. If it's not too much trouble, can you point me to the Forum or article so we can link to it? Thank you so much.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh JD's mom,
I saw your topic but didn't catch the "tense" of it. I am heartbroken. I can only offer you my deepest sympathies. You have really been wonderful to Sammy and I and I was so looking forward to meeting you and JD. I am shocked too. I wish I could give you a hug. I have tears and anger over reading this. I wish I could offer some words of wisdom but I am lacking them, so I will send you good thoughts, prayers, and friendship your way. JD lacked for nothing and had every good thing with you. That is a blessing, no regrets.
Elizabeth
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Thank you Elizabeth,
Yes I do draw some comfort in knowing that JD had the greatest life I could give her.
I have a framed saying on my office wall, It is kind of an old fashioned stitched sampler. It has the face of a dog and the saying '
My dog is not spoiled, I am just well trained" JD trained me well I was so lucky to love her.
I will look forward to your updates on our friend Sammy. Please stay in touch, and keep the updates coming.
Angel JD's mom
JD
One Tough Girl
(1999-2010)
-Diagnosed with osteosarcoma of her left front leg –
-Amputation July 23 2010 –
-The cancer didn't get her, but she is gone-
-She fought the cancer and loved life till bloat brought her down August 29th, 2010-
Now she watches over her mom and two new sisters, the Quad-Paws Serena and Maya
One of the things I did after we lost Tazzie was to go to Target and get a fairly large wood box with a hinge on one end. It looks like a nice jewelry box but totally empty inside and about 6 inches deep. We put Tazzie's ashes in there (wrapped separately) as well as her pawprint, collar, a necklace that one of the technicians made her, sympathy cards, and some favorite photos. I can open the box anytime and look at everything. Oh, we also attached her tiara to the top (from her 1-year anniversary party).
My husband spent time going through photos and made a nice framed photo collage that we hung downstairs in a location where we can see it daily.
Of course most of your memories are in your heart and it still hurts a little for me to revisit those but I do find myself smiling more rather than crying whenever I think of Tazzie.
Pam
jerry said:
That is awesome, I'd love to keep that in our "Favorite Quotes" list. If it's not too much trouble, can you point me to the Forum or article so we can link to it? Thank you so much.
Here is a link to the original forum (Is it the end?) with this article posted in it: http://tripawds.....mp;ret=all
The article is called Defining "Quality of Life" by Moira Anderson Allen, M.Ed. as posted by the Golden Girls.
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
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