Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello everybody. It's been a few days now and I feel I am able to share this with you. We had to help Zep along Friday night. He started having difficulty walking Thursday night and when we woke on Friday he couldn't walk without falling down. We took him to the emergency vet, and they found that he had no sensory function in his back legs and that his bladder was distended and he couldn't go to the bathroom. His lung mets had also proliferated quite a bit. They couldn't find any obvious spinal tumors, they said an MRI would really be necessary and that we would have to wait until next week, but there wouldn't be much we could do about it anyway, and his lung situation was worsening quickly. We took him home and loved on him for 10 straight hours. My dad came over (he is our family vet) and helped him along with us hugging and kissing him. The hard part was that he was so alert and normal other than the physical issues. We will miss him like I can't even explain. Thank you all for your help and support through this process. We had hoped for more than 6 months of his Tripawd awesomeness, but you get what you get and we feel confident that we did all the right things. We are very glad we went through with the amputation, as he got around very well and was not in pain. We are glad we did chemo even though the cancer wasn't super responsive, because as aggressive as his was it probably bought us 3 months of quality time. He loved his homemade diet, and ate steak and cupcakes for his last day.
I am so, so sorry for the loss of your handsome Zepplin. You took such good care of him, and your time with him was so special. Thinking of you and wishing you beautiful memories of your precious furbaby.
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
I'm so sorry. You did an amazing job of making his last hours count with so little warning! That is how it should be. We know we are doing the right thing, and it's awful that doing the right thing makes us feel so bad. Zepplin lucked out with you guys. You gave him a second chance and loved him dearly. And when he needed it, you let him go. So many of our fine tripawd warriors are together now, including our beautiful boys.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
I'm so very sorry to hear Zep has passed. He was a beautiful boy, and it's quite obvious how much his family loved him, and how much he loved his family. Sending healing thoughts to you.
So sorry for your loss. Run free Zepplin. All the love you got from your family will give you beautiful wings.
Dogs: Friends for life, faithful and true.
Courage is being scared to death... but saddling up anyways.- John Wayne
bikeintime.wordpress.com (will soon have Hank story)
I'm so sorry. At least you know that you did all you could, and that you bought him that extra six months - which is a very long time to a dog!
Glad to hear you had time to enjoy his company and feed him his special treats etc before you had to let him go, too. It's important for us, too, to feel ready, and if they're not in pain, it's a good thing to do.
Letting them go once there's no more hope and they're failing badly, it's the last and greatest act of love, you know.
Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear this, Zep was such a sweetie. It breaks my heart when cancer doesn't play fair. My heart goes out to you with extra hugs, you guys have had such a rough year with your pack.
Yes, you absolutely did right by him, as hard as it was to make that decision. No dog could ask for a more loving pack, or such a great family to see him through to his last moments.
If it's any comfort, think of him running free with Kate, exploring the woods while watching over you and Tripawds everywhere. May Zepplin's lessons about courage and resiliency live on forever.
My deepest condolences go out to all of you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am so sorry to hear about Zeplin. Run free little angel. You have some great company up there.
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
I am so sorry to hear that Zepplin's time came so soon. He was a fierce Tripawd Warrior and at the same time a loving companion. You did all you could for you boy and you did it with love. Zep will always live in your hearts.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
I am so sorry that Zepplin's time here is done and for the sadness that I know you feel now. You did an amazing job of guiding Zepplin through this journey and making sure that he was happy. I wish you peace and strength 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/
So so sorry for your loss. May Zep's spirit run free forever.
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
I am so sorry to hear that it was Zepplin's time. No amount of time is ever enough. What counts is what we do with the time we are given and you certainly made the most of it for Zepplin.
I know nothing can take away the pain you are feeling right now. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
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/
Thanks everybody, I can't tell you how much we miss him, but if anybody understands it is this group. I can't tell you how much this site, forums, chats, emails and the reference materials have helped us and our pack through this process. Tearful hugs back from Brad, Dana, and Mattie.
My heart breaks for you...there are so many of us who understand how hard it is to let them go. Zep has definitely found some friends across the bridge. Run free sweet boy!
-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/
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