Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Eleven years ago this week I met Maggie at my uncle’s house
in Los Angeles, she was 10 weeks old.
Four years and six months ago she was diagnosed with the first mast cell
tumor on her side. Three years and nine
months ago she lost her left rear leg to a second mast cell tumor. Three months ago she was diagnosed with her
second type of cancer, a melanoma tumor in her mouth.
And last night I knew that she was done with the battle, so
today I let her go. She went peacefully
to sleep in my lap- in fact she started snoring like any self respecting pug
would.
Maggie was an amazing survivor, beating the odds after her
amputation, turning a prognosis of 6 to 9 months into over 3 and a half
years. And she just kept going, enjoying
life as a tripug even after back to back diagnoses of kidney failure and melanoma a
few months ago. The quality of her life
was good until just two days ago, when it became evident that the melanoma
tumor was beginning to cause pain. And
that is what I had been watching for, I knew that when pain from the tumor ‘broke
through’ into her upper jaw that her journey on this earth would be through.
I found Tripawds.com just ten months ago. We went through cancer diagnosis, amputation,
recovery, and chemo alone. In fact
Maggie’s amp was a couple of months before Jerry’s. But since I have found this site I have made
many friends, in person and online, two legged, three legged, four legged, and
even that little purple guy who visited us in February. I have found this community to be so
inspirational and uplifting in the face of so much sadness. Reading all of your stories helped me to
focus on Maggie’s quality of life, helped me define what quality for Maggie
was, and in some ways made facing today’s decision easier. For that I thank all of you.
I can’t really picture Maggie ‘running free’ at the Rainbow
Bridge. Pugs have been breed for over
1000 years to be lap dogs, and Mag was VERY good at it. So as
I picture her now, she is moving from lap to lap, sitting with all those family
members and friends that have left this earth, finding just the right lap to
hunker down on and get a good pug snore going.
When I feel like it I will add to Mag’s blog, update her
story, and maybe finally finish posting the pictures of her life story that I
started back in March.
For now I have Mag’s little sister Tani to look after. Tani is a quad pug, but has several medical
problems of her own. She has never been
an only pug so I will be watching her carefully to see how she does.
Karen and Tani
Offline
Oh Karen!
I sent you a PM but now I've been able to read thru your post. I don't know what to say. My heart breaks. It breaks so hard for you. All I can say for now is we loved her. We are so going to miss her.
I'm just so very sorry and very sad.
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.
Wow, I'm so impressed with both of you. Karen, you seem to be in a place that I pray I'll be when I must finally make that difficult decision. I know that usually the cancer makes the decision for us, I just hope that I can recognize it and rise above what I'm sure will be selfish feelings to keep her around for me. And Maggie, what an awesome girl to go through everything you did and defy the odds. You brought great joy to those around you and gave purpose to countless laps I'm sure! Thank you for sharing your inspiring story with us. I look forward to seeing the rest of those pictures. Both of you are in our thoughts tonight.
Lisa and Sadie
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, Karen. Tani will grieve with you. I hope she does what our beautiful dogs do best - pull us along with them in their love of life - in spite of everything. What a wonderful gift to have been able to spend so much more time together than "they" said Maggie would have. I'm very sorry for your loss.
Tana and Sophie
Sophie (1998 – 2010)
"Going Dog" def: living every day in the moment
"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."
–Unknown
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.
Oh Karen, I'm so sorry to hear that Maggie's journey has ended. Diane and I were really hoping to see her one more time when we come to Mill Valley in July, and I'm sad to know that won't happen now. She was one of our tripawd heroes – maybe the longest post-amputaion cancer survivor on this site. Almost four years! Maggie proved better than anyone that a doctor's prognosis is just an opinion, not a hard expiration date. She'll be an inspiration to tripawds on this site for years to come. I agree with you that she's not running free now – I hope she's snoring and snorting away somewhere like a respectable pug should be.
Goodbye, Maggie. Rest in peace.
Karen, you are an awesome woman. You have the strength and courage we all pray for when the time comes. What an example you are for us! Maggie was an awesome survivor as well - 4 1/2 years that is a really long journey for a cancer dog. We all hope to have a journey so long.
I am sad for you, and sad for us to have lost such a warrior. I hope the happy memories will soon fill your heart and your life and the pain will ease into the background.
For you, today gentle virtual hugs (()), you will be in my thoughts today.
RIP sweet Maggie. Run free at Rainbow Bridge! (or just sit in laps until Karen joins you)
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.
Karen.... I'm so sorry to hear about Maggie... 
I know your heart must be breaking right now...
You were such an awesome and loving mom to Maggie throughout all her problems and she fought so hard... Maggie is finally at peace now... watching all the other tripawds play and run, while she sits on all your family's laps... She is not alone.
Tani will need alot of extra love and attention now that Maggie is gone... as she won't understand why Maggie is gone. My Wolfie went through a depression after we lost Jake. It was heartbreaking to see...
You and Tani are in my thoughts and prayers... Sending you both a big fat loving hug! Rest in peace sweet Maggie!!!
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!
Karen, so sorry to hear about maggie, but man, what a great ride. Every decision I have made is for Gus' comfort and quality of life, and if we get to the point we need to make that final decision, it will be for Gus' comfort. You said it best that this is a great family, only we know what we are going through, and everyone here has been so great for Gus and myself also, and when one hurts I think we all hurt, but let your memories help you through, you gave Maggie a great life. All paws up for Maggie, Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Maggie, that was really brave of you to let your mommy know it was time! I'm sure it was bittersweet - sad for you to be moving on to your next journey, but happy for the many YEARS you beat the odds! You showed us all how to be the best BEST people and doggies we could be (as well as how to "delicately" enjoy your dinner through a syringe), and for that, I thank you. Even though you exist now in invisible form, you really are a true survivor, both in life and through the pages of these forums and your blog. And c'mon...how many dogs get their own image made into t-shirts and such?? Jack is jealous 🙂 You will be missed, girlie, but you're never too far away. Be sure to give your mommy tons of invisible kisses, and I'm sure she knows you're right beside her, waiting for the moment you can jump into her lap once again. Let us not be sad for your loss, but rather celebrate the years you had 
<3 Laura and Jackers
karen, we are so sorry for your loss. thanks for giving us 'newbies' such hope and joy through all your posts, maggie certainly showed us how to beat the odds and how to capture each moment. our blessings to you.
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Karen, I'm so so sorry for your loss. Maggie was one of those very special pugs and tripawds that no one will ever forget. In fact, whenever I saw another pug on the street, or in a dog show, I always thought of Maggie because I knew I got to know the most special pug of all. Thank you for sharing her life with us. She is truly our hero and put up such a great fight that we can all be proud of. My heart goes out to you and Tani. But take comfort in knowing that she'll always be with you most likely in your lap sleeping peacefully, snoring away...... My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kami
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Karen,
Your and Maggie's journey was certainly an inspiration to all us Tripawd owners! To defy the odds like she did...TRIPUG POWER for sure. My Maggie was honored to receive the "the little purple guy" from you and your Maggie to myself and my Maggie this winter. I'll always remember the little coat that your Maggie sent along with him to be sure he wouldn't be cold here in Maine.
You are the best, Karen. Just the best.
Hugs to you and Tani.
Snore away on those laps Maggie!
XOXOXO
Tracy & the "other" Maggie
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
I just got an email telling me about Maggie's departure. I don't know what to say that all before me haven't said and said well. I didn't realize what a long time Maggie had survived...she is truly truly an inspiration, one of the long timers club members...I thank Maggie so much for using a drug that you were able to recommend to us and this morning..oddly enough...we had our first dry sheet since starting. Had Maggie not already tried this and been successful, I would not have known to ask...nor would I have been able to INSIST. Maggie may very well have extended Magic's life and for that I can never thank her or give her enuf kisses and hugs to show my appreciation. I thought maybe I was going to be able to do that in person in Mill Valley next month.
My heart is breaking for you....she was indeed a brave little pug and overcame so much and you Karen are such a good furkid mom...know that we all grieve with you and for you.
Karen, I am so sorry to hear that Maggie's journey came to an end. What a warrior she has been! She fought so hard and proved the doctors wrong, what an inspiration she has been for us all. You have been so strong and brave in your decision to know when Maggie had had enough, I hope I can be as strong as you have been.
Rest in Peace sweet little Maggie a true Tripawd Hero.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
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