Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well thank you for all of your advice and kind words.
I am so sad to report that Max went to what I pray is the best doggy heaven he could possibly wish for. We love him and already miss him so much it is unreal. Our baby.
Something told me to wait to go to the vet yesterday to pick up the meds until my husband got home. He called me and said Max hadn't moved all day and that he was whimpering in pain. He also said that Max's belly was hard as a rock and there was a huge lump. I called the vet and she said she could get him in. My husband couldn't move him, every time he touched Max he cried out in pain. So to make a long story short we ended having a local vet come out. Our vet said on the phone that if his stomach is that enlarged that it was probably something severe rather than the constipation we had hoped for. As soon as the vet walked over and touched Max he was freaking (he never even flinches for shots). The vet felt around his tummy and said that there was a large mass in there, larger than a man's fist. It was hot to the touch and extremely painful. That was probably the reason he couldn't use the potty, it was blocking organs and stuff. It was obvious that cancer had won. He was miserable and we knew it was time to let him go. We always agreed that we wouldn't let him live with pain and we stuck to that. I think that it happened so fast is the hard part but maybe it would be harder if he was just lethargic and unhappy for a long time in limbo. I checked him two days ago for pain and lumps and that growth was not there, well you couldn't feel and surely you couldn't see it like you could yesterday. This cancer is vicious and it is so fast.
I also wanted to say from the other thread that Max didn't actually go in to our vet….. we talked over the phone about it. She knew we weren't going to do anymore testing so it really was a matter of keeping him comfortable no matter what came up. Also, she consulted an canine oncologist every step of the way (it was her best friend) so we were lucky there. I think our vet was great and did everything she was able to do. I didn't want it to seem any other way.
You all have been great on this journey. I wish it would have lasted longer! I have only one request, because Max would insist, give your pups some ice cream today to celebrate the life of a faithful, loving, part of our family!
Beth
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Hi Beth,
Ohh, I'm so so sorry about Max. I'm sorry he lost his battle and know that you're just heartbroken. No matter how long we have with our pups, it's never long enough. I bet he had a heart as big as his body - what a sweetie. They bring us so much joy.
Thanks for sharing Max with us. I hope the emptiness will be filled with the special memories of your Max. Honey will celebrate the life of her tripawd friend with a bowl of ice cream!
Alice (Honey's auntie)
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.
Oh Beth,
This disease is so horrible...my thoughts are with you. Max is now out of pain...
Hugs,
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Beth and Spirit Max,
Once more I stare through deep tears and cannot believe what appears. Once more words fail to express just how sorry we are to hear that Max's journey has completed, but hope that you can accept our deepest sympathy at this time. We hope that you can find some comfort in the knowlege that you did everything possible for Max but even more important is the fact that you gave Max a wonderful life. His love for life and his family are a true testimony to how successful you were in creating such a warm loving environment for Max. Please know that you will not be totaly without Max for the gifts that Max gave you will live with you forever.
Sprit Cherry and Dad
Dear Beth,
We are so deeply sorry for the loss of your beloved Max. Linus and Silly will have ice cream today to celebrate your sweet pup and his family.
God speed dear Max.
wow, it's amazing how fast this stuff can grow, isn't it? You guys gave Max the best life - I'm sure his 1-1/2 years felt like a million 🙂 I'm so sorry you had to go through this, but am glad you got to experience one hell of an amazing dog. I'll be thinking about you guys today.
<3 Laura
I don't really know what to say except I'm sorry for what you have been dealt. Hopefully the pain will soon be replaced with joyful memories. You were strong for Max, I envy that strength.
Leslie
I am so so sorry for your loss - I just can't hold back my tears. My heart goes out to you. It sounds like Max was under the best of care and you did everything that you could do. When this cancer hits young puppies like Max it's just so heartbreaking. You are in my thoughts and prayers. We will definitely be eating ice cream today in memory of Max and the love you shared. Here's to Max!
Sending lots of hugs to you.
Kami (Mackenzie & Kobe'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!
Beth, we are deeply sorry, it's so heartbreaking when the cancer acts so aggresively. Everytime a pup goes through amputation for cancer we hope and pray that cancer will behave. It's so unfair when it doesn't. Our hearts go out to you.
You and your vet did right by Max, he wouldn't want it any other way.
Run free Max. The Tripawd community mourns your passing, but we will all see you again some day. We salute your courage and strenght today and always with big bowls of ICE CREAM!
p.s. hope you don't mind that we moved this post, Beth, we just wanted to make sure that it got the attention it deserved and didn't get lost in "Treatment" discussions.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry for your loss. I know first hand that abdominal masses can show up so very quickly - we lost Sophie the same way July 22nd. One day the masses weren't there - the next day they were.
You showed great courage for helping Max when he needed you the most. Although he had a tragically short life - it sounds like his was a life full of love. That is the gift that comes from bonding with these angels in fur. We are forever changed from our time with them.
I wish you peace - in time. My most sincere sympathies.
Tana and Spirit 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
OH Beth!
I'm so sorry about Max. It's hard to imagine what you are going through - not because we haven't lost a pup but because Max was so young. With a youngster there's always the hope that they are invincible and can conquer anything.
I bet you have some wonderful puppy stories to tell about him. The great part is they will always be fresh memories that you can reflect on and smile about.
We can only offer you words to express how deeply sorry we are for Max's loss but just know they are heartfelt. We are here for you.
Comet's mom
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.
We are so sorry for your loss. Cancer really does SUCK! We'll have some ice-cream in his honor. No matter how long we have our pups, it just isn't ever enough time!
Sending you hugs!
Cathy/Jane/Spirit Skyler/Chloe
beth, we are so sorry to hear of max' passing. he was so young, and that makes it doubly as hard. know that you guys did everything you could do - you loved him unconditionally, just as he loved you. love never ends.
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
Beth,
I am so sorry that Max's battle came to an end. We will be honored to give Tasha some ice cream in memory of Max. My thoughts are with you at this time of such sadness.
Rest in Peace Max
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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