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.
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!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
I don't want to write this, I don't, we've lost too many in such a short time, but I thought you should know. I tried to write this last night, but it was lost in the ether.
Yesterday I lost Lulu, I didn't want her to go, I wasn't ready.
She started vomiting on Monday early in the morning and continued to vomit every 5-6 hours since. She hadn't eaten since Saturday, nothing I could think of would entice her. Yesterday morning or the middle of the night, her vomit turned yellow from the more clear color it had been. But there was nothing in her stomach. I was scared, she seemed so sad, uncomfortable. I called the vet, said I thought it was time, but would like to talk to the doctor to make sure.
I took Lulu outside to visit a neighbor (her favorite) and sit on the grass. It was a beautiful LA day, she lay in the sun on a blanket as our friends & neighbors, dogs & people, walked by and realized it was time to say goodbye. We lay there for several hours. She only got up twice, once when she had diarrhea, once to vomit. Everyone said how peaceful she looked.
My family picked us up in the afternoon and we went to the oncologist. They put us in a special room I had never been in before, there was a couch, a chair, a rug, a blanket on the floor. It was nice. They took her stats, she had lost near another pound since Thursday. The doctor was kind, let me know it was my decision. I didn't want her to go, but I knew she wasn't happy. She wasn't going to get better. Each day was exponentially worse than the last, but I wasn't ready, how could I let my sweet girl go?
But I held her in my arms, felt her mighty heart slow to a stop and I held her still. I didn't want to let her go, I need to feel the weight of her body in my arms, kiss her head, hold her close. My Lulu was gone. She was at peace, I hope, to join with Mac, Zeus, Yoda, Tazzie, Jerry, Hori and all the others who have gone before her. It hurts, I didn't want to let her go, I'm not ready. I should write a proper tribute to my Lulu, but I can't right now. It just hurts too much. I miss her, it was too soon, we should of had more time. I don't know what to do, how to say goodbye, how to continue living without her. I feel so lost and there is no consolation.
I loved my Lulu.
I love you Lulu.
Offline
Bless you for finding the strength to realize Lulu was ready to go, even if you weren't ready for her to go yet. Thank you for sharing her story, we will all miss her.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Stacy,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your love for Lulu is evident and she knew that. My prayer is that your heart will heal with time. There are no words to fix this, so I'll just tell you to take care and be kind to yourself. Stay close to the people that will love you through this….
Gineej & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Oh, I'm so sorry, I know how much you must be hurting.
But just think, all them big dogs now have Lulu to boss them around. Can you see it? I can, with her hot pink sweater and just telling all them brutes to get in line because there's a new boss in town!
Mighty Lulu, she now rests in peace. My thoughts are with you today.
–Kim and Tika
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
I am so sorry the spunky little Lulu had to leave us. I grieve for you as I do all the pawrents that must say goodbye before they should have because of this dread disease.
I have no way to take the pain from you, but I so hope the precious memories you have soon will bring a smile to your face and a song to your heart as you remember the wee one.
Hugs to you.
RIP sweet Lulu, run free at Rainbow Bridge.
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.
I am but a newcomer here but I sincerely sympathize with your loss and hope my departed Sammy, Baker and Sacha will show Lulu around the fields at the Bridge and introduce her to all their friends. Take care of yourself in your time of grieving…
Patrick, Sully and the pack
It is with heavy heart that I want to extend our deepest sympathy at the loss of Lulu. We will never be ready to let go of our brave warriors and the love that we share is why they fight so very hard to stay. Finding the strength to know that it is time and regardless of how much you would like to hold them forever knowing that it is time, will always be the hardest thing we do but also the greatest test of our true love. I know that it was extremely difficult to hold Lulu, but I also know that I would always want to be there to comfort them as the passed on to the next world.
Lulu will always be with you for the gifts that she gave will live with you forever. We all pray for the day when we can remember our companions with a smile and not just the canyon of loneliness that must fill you now. All of us here in Northern California pray that such a day will come soon to you.
Bob & Cherry
You don't need to know what to do or say now. Just give yourself the time and space, as much as you can, to grieve.
Keeping busy helps me, but you'll find which coping mechanisms work best for you.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
I am confident (don't know why) that our dogs have each other now, just as we have our support group here (only they do a lot more playing rather all this sitting in front of computer screens). Lulu and Tazzie (#1) will make quite a pair of playmates. And, if so, Yoda will be quite jealous, cause he loves the little dogs most.
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
Stacy,
I'm so sorry to hear about Lulu's passing… I guess she just finally had enough of the fight… She was adorable… and had the most loving family. It's a good thing that you got to hold her in your arms, until she passed on to the Rainbow Bridge. She is no longer suffering… although you are left behind with all your tears… I'm so sad for your loss. 
I know it's so difficult. I don't know what else to say, except that you did everything you could to help her… and I'm sure that she felt that. Now she is in heaven, running and playing with all the other dogs… and as the Rainbow Bridge poem says… one day, you will meet again.
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!
As is everyone else, I am so sorry that you had to let Lulu go. Nothing but time will heal the huge hole in your heart, just know that we are all thinking of you and sending our best wishes. Give yourself all the time you need to mourn and remember to take good care of yourself even though you feel so low. Soon your memories of Lulu and the love you shared will begin to make you smile again. You did everything you could for her and knew when it was time to say goodbye, and you let her go, even though you did not want to. Lulu is at peace and playing with the big dogs now, I love the image of Lulu and Tazzie hanging out together!
We will think of Lulu as we light our candles tonight,
Martha (Codie Rae's mom)
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!
Dear Stacy: We're so sorry you had to say goodbye to your sweet Lulu. You are kind and courageous to help her even when you weren't ready. We know she felt all your love, bravery,and devotion. We love her sweet little picture. And we agree, she'll have lots of good friends to welcome her. We're so glad you got to hold her.
Sending you our love, Eve and Romeo
Lulu~
How brave of you to let your mommy know you were ready for your next adventure! I know you must miss her as much as she misses you, but just as you are having fun in meeting your new angel friends (isn't it great you get to meet all these doggies you read about online?!?!?), I hope your mom will take comfort in her memories she had with you, even though your time being physically together has come to an end. Even though it hurts for your mommy to lose you, and we will miss you all across the world, I am so proud of you for fighting your hardest. And your reward??? You're now cancer free!!!! Run free, little friend 
<3 Laura
and Stacy, my thought are with you during this difficult time <3
Stacy,
I was so sorry to see the post on losing Lulu. I am typing with tears in my eyes. Your sweet little girl was so cute and it is clear how much you loved her. There needs to be words that help and yet there aren't. I am so sorry.
Debra
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 love the idea that the dogs have a support group just like we do. I know from an animal communicator that they hate the separation too.
I'm so sorry your time with Lulu was shortened. You're both very brave and strong and loving, and I hope to hear she's sent you a sign, in whatever form. Meantime, I wish you peace in your transition from grief to fondly remembering.
With tears for you
Mary
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Thank you all for your kind words for Lulu and me. I was wrong, there is consolation and reading your words throughout that day have given me comfort when I thought there was none. I was even able to talk with a friend about it without bursting into tears (a first) although I ran into a friend at the market who I hadn't seen & shared the news. I did begin to sob, so much so that another person, a strange, offered her condolences. It hurts, I never knew it could hurt this much and it seems so strange to not need to go for an evening walk, I think I will go anyway.
1 Guest(s)
