Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It's been a horrible last few days here. My husband was gone over the weekend and Levi was pretty lethargic and very sad. We made an appointment Monday at 11am but our other dog Koa got very sick so we canceled Levi's appointment and brought Koa in. Koa has an obstruction and we had to leave him at the Vet's so he could try to pass it. Luckily, it's moving through so he won't need Surgery. I knew for a while now that it's Levi's time but I kept waiting for some sort of sign, or anything, to help me feel like "this is the day." I have just been tormented over "picking the day." Well last night Levi had a horrible seizure. It definitely wasn't medication related because he isn't on anything. This was the sign I needed. The cancer has taken over everywhere including his brain and even a lesion in his nose. We took him in first thing this morning. It was very had because he got up this morning, went outside on a little walk with me, ate breakfast, and then slept in our bed for a while. This was our typical morning. He was having a good day 
I know we did the right thing but I still feel like shit and that I failed him somehow. He woke up this morning happy and wanting to have a normal day and instead we took him in to be put to sleep. He was very nervous at the vets and was not very calm. He wouldn't kiss my face or anything (he always gives kisses). It was hard that my last memories are of him being nervous. I guess I was hoping he would be laying on the floor feeling tired the day we were there. It would have made things more peaceful like some of you have mentioned your experience was. I guess there is no looking back now. I know we saved him from more pain and suffering but I just keep thinking "what if he didn't want to die?" I know I need to quit tormenting myself with all these thoughts. I'm sure things will get better with time. This is my first dog and the first close family member to die in my life. I am so glad I have this site. I think things would have been somuch worse without it.
I am going to pick up Koa in an hour. Hopefully that will help. Levi was so human like and I just don't have the bond with Koa that I did with Levi. Maybe that will change now.
Levi was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-7-11
Ampuversary 10-14-11
Lung Mets Discovered 1-4-12. Chemo seemed to not be working so we switched to Artemisinin and other supplements. In May, Levi developed a sinus infection and started having seizures. The cancer had moved to his brain. We let him go 6-26-12.
I am so sorry Levi's time had come. I kept thinking of you these last few weeks. Give Koa a ear scratch and a kiss for us.
Bob, Julie and MB Perdy
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
I am so very sorry. Levi was such a beautiful, regal dog and I know that you will miss him dearly. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
we're sorry to read that levi has passed. he knew how much you loved him, and he loved you just as much. when our bodies fail, it's so difficult, but it's inevitable for all of us. you gave him a final gift by setting him free. if he was afraid, it was probably because he was worried about you, and how you will be, going forward. hopefully koa will be feeling better soon, and you will develop a new bond together. it won't ever be the same, but you already know that. sending our best thoughts during this difficult time. love never ends.
charon & spirit 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
Oh, even knowing this was coming, I still am crying along with you. It's so sad when we have to say goodbye to our pups. They are truly family members. I'm also sad to read that you are tormenting yourself. As you said - there's no looking back now. Levi knows how much you loved him, and he wouldn't want you to be tormenting yourself. You did a very unselfish thing to let him go. There was nothing more you could do for him, then to help him get rid of the pain.
I hope that Koa will help you get through these days times ahead. We're all here for you too. It takes a long time, but it does slowly start to be less painful.
Sending hugs and gentle Rita nose-pokes.
Jackie, Angel Abby & MBBunny Rita
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
We are so, so sorry to hear about Levi. I am crying for you and your husband. You did the right thing for your Levi and he is at peace. He was such a beautiful dog, and now a beautiful angel. I wish you well and that you find some calm knowing that Levi is running and playing with all the other tripawd warriors! You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Hug your Koa for us.
All our Best
Suzie and Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
I am so very sorry. I've followed Levi's journey and am so sad it's come to an end. You did the right thing letting him go today; please don't be too hard on yourself. There was nothing more you or Levi could do, and it was time. Your beautiful boy is now a beautiful spirit. Thinking of you today.
Catherine
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
My heart breaks to hear about Levi earning his wings. I am still thinking about the final days with my girl and wondering if I could have done more and I know deep down the answer is no. I don't think that they are ever really ready to leave us, but they are truly ready for the pain to end. Levi will have lots of friends waiting to show him the ropes. Be kind to yourself.
-Kori & Angel Lupe
Diagnosed with possible synovial cell sarcoma of right front elbow 5/31/12. Amputation surgery performed 6/7/12. Final diagnosis of histiocytic cell sarcoma 6/11/12. Her soul and spirit were strong, her body was not...my little girl earned her wings 6/14/12. "If there are labradoodles and goldendoodles, why can't I be a cockadoodle?"-Angel Lupe (June 28, 1997-June14, 2012) http://lupepod......pawds.com/
Fly Free Levi Fly Free
Im so sorry no matter how prepared you are it still breaks your heart but it really is the best gift we can give our furbabies. Hold close to all those memories of Levi they will help you through the dark times ahead. The pain does ease in time and you will heal again, you will also realise that you did the best thing. Try not to torment yourself but that is always easier said than done. We are all here for you anytime you need us and all our thoughts are with you. I hope Koa is all good soon, she will help you through this aswell and no doubt the bond will strenghten over time.
Big hugs
Sarah
I'm so sorry you had to let Levi go today. Even when we know the time is short the end is so startling.
You know you did the right thing today for Levi- don't doubt yourself. Think about the last few days and weeks- there was no option. Levi has always been there for you- today you were brave and compassionate and you were there for Levi when he most needed you to be strong.
Let the bond with Koa form naturally. You will bond with him, it will be different, but that is OK- Koa is a different dog. I know when I let Maggie go it was nice to have Tani at home. She needed me and I needed her, it helped a little to have another pup depending on me.
I hope the good memories will help ease the pain a bit over the coming days and weeks.
Levi will always be with you.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
I'm sorry to hear Levi has gone on. I was hoping he was going to have many more good weeks with you. Please don't feel guilt about letting him go. It's like I said before: my husband and I didn't want to be a day late; we would've felt horrible. Levi may have been having a good morning this morning, but he showed you last night what his future was. You did the right thing. You didn't end his life. You ended his pain. You were with him. He loved you, and he knew you loved him. We all do the best we can for our pets. Sending consoling thoughts to you and your husband tonight.
PS: I'm glad to hear Koa will be okay.
I am so sorry to hear it was time for Levi to go. Remember the lovely morning you had together and know that you did the right thing for Levi. I understand your fear "what if he didn't want to die?". Magnum had a very difficult last night where the pain stopped her from sleeping but in the morning she was sitting at the loungeroom window surveying her territory and looking her normal self. Her zest for living was with her to the end and it still breaks my heart to look at the photos we took on her last day. But I know we did the right thing. And you did the right thing. You saved Levi from further pain and suffering which you know was only going to get worse. He knows that he was loved and he would not want you to be tormenting yourself.
Thinking of you at this difficult time.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
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/
Oh goodness. I am so sorry to hear this sad news. I completely understand how you are feeling right now, and there really is nothing worse in the world. I know that there is nothing that can comfort you now, but please know that we are thinking of you. What a mess that Koa had to get sick now too...it's all so unfair. It's great that Koa will be ok, though. I know that it will be a comfort to see him, even if it actually makes you cry more when they first bring him out to you.
It is rough when those last memories are of stressful moments - I'm trying to replace the stressful moments right before we started with the ones of Holly sleeping after they gave her the sedative. She was still there, still breathing, and I want to believe that she could still hear me talking to her, even though she was asleep. She was so peaceful and wasn't suffering at all in that moment. Maybe you could hold onto that. Also, as awful as it feels that Levi had a good morning, it is wonderful that you have some good memories of him on his last day, even if they aren't from the very end of his time.
Take care of yourself,
Alex
So sorry to hear about your loss of Levi. I tormented myself too when I had to make the decision for Valentina. It is a horrible thing to have to do. And choosing the "right" time is even worse. All we can do is try our best to do what we think is the right thing and right time. We will never know the answers to the what ifs but we do know that what we did was only out of the extreme love for our Dog. It's hard to believe but it does get better with time. I totally understand what you mean too about not being as close with Koa as you were with Levi. I had an incredible bond with Valentina that seems like it was a once in a lifetime thing that can never be duplicated. I still have my Doberman Emalee and I love her dearly but we don't have the same bond as I did with Valentina. After Valentina was gone I did get closer with Emalee though. Now that Valentina isn't sticking her big ol head between us I can give Emmy much more attention lol. She just loves to ride everywhere in the car with me. Emalee doesn't like me to hug her and kiss her though and I really miss that. Valentina always wanted lovin from me. Emalee likes her space and doesn't want me all over her. She loves to be near me though and I know that she loves me. The kids say when I leave her here she wines for me. So I am really glad that I still had one Dog around after Valentina passed away. And you will be too. Koa will help you through. I was just telling my husband today what a perfect Dog Emalee is. She is just wonderful. So glad that Koa was ok and that the obstruction passed. It will be super hard without Levi but I know that you are grateful for all of the time that you had with him. Praying for your strength and comfort.
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