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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kami, our thoughts are with you and mackenzie. when you make a choice or decision out of love, then it's right. mackenzie could never doubt your love, have faith that you will know the right time.
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
Its' no easier to deal with no matter how much you though you prepared for this time. You did so well in managing Mackenzie's cancer and in turn have helped so many here. Bless you and family...
Kami & family,
Our hearts are broken with yours about MacKenzie - so so sad beyond words.
You are an amazing mom. Thank you for sharing MacKenzie with us. We love the stories, videos and pictures which have made us laugh and cry.
We love this video of your Ocean Girl.
Enjoy this special time with your sweet girl.
Hugs & tears from Honey Girl's pack.
Dx Osteosarcoma 3/31/10. Amputation 7/21/10. Honey put up a valiant fight and lost her battle 9/22/10. Missing her and treasuring 9 years with our Honeygurl.
Hi Kami,
My heart aches reading your post. There's really nothing more I can say through my tears.
Tell Mackenzie that she needs to teach Ruthie that the ocean is a good thing...
Bless you for taking such good care of your Ocean Girl.
Pat, Angel Ruthie & puppy Tess
Kami and Mackenzie,
Tears are flowing in a way that only you can understand. We are so very sorry to hear that you may be reaching the end of Mackenzie's journey. Your situration and story so mirrors exactly where Miss Cherry and I were exactly one year ago. I too made the appointment the day before during a short stop at our local vets office. I cannot tell you how many tears it generated throughout the entire office. The next evening, at their last appointment of the day, we let Miss Cherry pass on. Thus, I totally know exactly what you are going through now.
For me, I could tell in Miss Cherry's eyes. She could stand outside if and only if I strattled her and placed my feet on the outside of her two rear legs. She had lost all appetite (once more) and I vowed long before that I would not stuff her. If you read Cherry's Christmas 2009 you can see that while her body was so very tired. I did not have to see the bursting met and the blood streaming from her. I did need to see that her spirit was still strong. I was determined that she would end her journey with dignity and grace.
We KNOW that you will make the best decision for Mackenzie - regardless of what that decision may be. We KNOW that you will do what ever is best for Mackenzie. You have already done so very much and the two of you have fought a valient battle. Your shared love is so very obvious to all who know of your story, and it will continue forever.
Spirit Cherry's Tearfull Dad
Kami:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during these very difficult times. It seems so unfair that our pets almost always lose the battle with this terrible disease. Rusty and I appreciate the support and advice that you have provided us and will be forever grateful!
Chuck & Rusty
Rusty is a Labradoodle who was diagnosed with level 3 Fibrosarcoma on January 16th, 2010 and had his left hind leg amputated on January 25th, 2010 five days before his 18 month birthday. Please see Rusty's blog @rusty.tripawds.com. He is putting up one heck of a fight against this terrible disease.
Hi Everyone,
I'm typing this with tears streaming down my face. What beautiful posts and thoughts you all are sending us. I can't tell you how much it means to me. It came to me during the night as I watched Mackenzie sleep that today I need to release her. I now know that this is the right time and although it's not any less comforting I now have peace with this decision. My beautiful girl - I'm so heartbroken. Thank you all for your love and support during a most difficult time.
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
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!
Kami,
Again, I find myself at a loss for words. Mackenzie and you have meant so much to us over this year. You have been a constant source of laughter, joy and inspiration in our lives. I will miss Mackenzie with all my heart.
My heart aches for you today Kami. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Brett
Oh Kami I'm so sorry. I have PM'd you too. I haven't been on for awhile but I think of Mackenzie and you often.
Mackenzie's story is so very similar to Tai's and I loved her as though she were my own. It is all so heartbreaking. I am going to miss her.
We all know that this decision is like an elephant in the room, always there despite our best attempts to ignore it. It is our final act of kindness and is made with so much love. In time you will come to feel some relief in knowing that you did the right thing at the right time. It took me a couple of weeks to truly feel that in my heart although, like you, my mind knew it right away. Thank you for having the strength to release Mackenzie from her failing body and set her free to swim, play, sleep in the sun, walk by your side, and comfort you as you continue along this journey of life. She will always be there for you.
If you need a good cleansing sob-a-thon or just a shoulder to cry on give me a call.
Thinking of you.
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
Dear Kami,
We are so sad about Mackenzie - she has always been such an inspawration for us. And as she's nearing the end of her journey, you and she continue to be such an inspawration. You have always made all of your decisions out of love for your beautiful ocean girl, and this last one is also one of love. We are all holding you in our hearts, and sharing many tears with you today. I'm so sad this has to happen - we will be thinking of you today, as always. We are here for you.
Sending huge hugs across the miles,
Susan 
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
Dear Kami and family,
I too am so saddened that Mackenzie's body is losing the battle. I do believe she is showing you in her more peppy moments, her loving spirit that will be with you forever.
As loving caregivers we sometimes are charged with making the decision of when. Absolutely the most difficult time. Yet as Sammy's mom said we sometimes are able to make that passage into the spirit world as warm and comfortable and loving as possible for our fur-children.
Thank you for being a part of this wonderful and supportive community, my thoughts are with you and your family.
Deborah,
Mom to Spirit JD and the quad-pawds Serena and Maya
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
Kami, we are so very sad that MacKenzie will be leaving us way to soon.
Thank you for helping her when she needs you the most. You are doing the right thing for her, and that's what's most important.
As my friend says, "just love her up" and hold her as she moves across to the bridge. What a wonderful and peaceful way to send her on her way.
Your in our thoughts and prayers, sending Golden 'Treaver hugs from the P.P.
The chauffeur
Beautiful and sweet Mackenzie's journey ended late this morning.
Kami may need a little time to talk. But she expresses how incredibly wonderful all of you have been with all of the private and public support.
It's a sad day.
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.
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