Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Today marks day 5 without my boy. I miss him so much. The past couple days have been filled with taking down the Christmas tree, which he so faithfully sat by my side as I put it up this year, and cleaning up and putting his things away. I never thought it would be this hard. There were days that I hated the 8 rug runners all over my house, now I can't seem to put them away. There are half-eaten rawhides and bones. There are claw marks on my carpeted stairs...Eddy always persevered and made it up those 13 steps, gripping on to the carpet a step at a time. I don't want to vacuum those sweet claw marks away!:( I baked his clay paw print yesterday, and as I removed it from the Pyrex baking dish, a replica of his paw is on the bottom of the dish. I just wanted to cry! Our puppy Millie brings in his toys she finds embedded in the snow on a daily basis. Eddy ALWAYS had a toy in his mouth. He wasn't very good at remembering to bring them back in though. It's just so difficult. I think I am more sad at the loss of this dog than I have been at the loss of people in my life. Hoping for a better week....
Betsy
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
I'm sorry you are missing your beautiful boy today. Some days are hard, and sometimes we never pinpoint why. In time, those same memories bring you a smile. Be kind to yourself until you get there. It is perfectly OK to miss him for a very long time. Give yourself permission and it becomes easier.
((Hugs to you))
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.
((((((hugs))))) I remember that first week all to well. It does get easier but the first part there is wretched pain. I, like you, didn't remove the toys, etc. I couldn't. Heck, Shelby's bed is still in the back of my car.
I did sleep w/Shelby's toys a bit at first and kept her Tripawds bandanna close to me...
It is OK to be sad and it is OK to cry at the drop of a hat. I still do!!! Be kind and love yourself ... we all do and are all here for you!
hugs,
alison with the spirit of shelby fur-everi n her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
mom2shelby said
((((((hugs))))) I remember that first week all to well. It does get easier but the first part there is wretched pain. I, like you, didn't remove the toys, etc. I couldn't. Heck, Shelby's bed is still in the back of my car.I did sleep w/Shelby's toys a bit at first and kept her Tripawds bandanna close to me...
It is OK to be sad and it is OK to cry at the drop of a hat. I still do!!! Be kind and love yourself ... we all do and are all here for you!
hugs,
alison with the spirit of shelby fur-everi n her heart
I too, kept toys out (of course Duke played with them also), and kept the bed in my car. March will be four years for me, and there are still times when I cry at the drop of a hat. Time has been my friend, and it has taken this long for me to feel 'together' most of the time. In the early days, and for months to follow, I was a total basket case.
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.
The hole in your heart is as deep as the love you had for Eddy. Nothing will ever fill it but in time the hole will become a place to hold those beautiful memories and stories of the lucky dog who shared your life.
hugs to you.
mary
Betsy I've been thinking about you and wondering how you're doing so I'm glad you posted.
Take your time, there's no rush. Whatever you need to do to feel better and not feel like you're going to fall apart is the best way to deal with the daily things in life. If that means leaving his stuff out, so be it. I did the same thing when Jerry got his wings, wouldn't even vacuum our filthy truck because it was the last time we ever had him with us. It just takes time and the only way to know when it's right to do certain things is to wake up and ask yourself if you're strong enough. If not, there's no shame in waiting.
I'm so sorry. The first few weeks are just a whallop of emotions and tears, no getting around that. Take it easy and know that all of us here can relate.
{{{{hugs}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Betsy, it is completely normal to feel sad. You loved him so very much. If it helps you, let his things out. I still have a blanket I won't wash or let my other pups use because I still feel like it smells of him. I have all of his things now in a box I keep in my closet. His, collar, bandanas etc. Also a Baggie of his hair. The first few weeks are hard. I remember, you can go away and still make yourself believe they are at home, but reality hits as soon as you pull into the driveway. Be kind to YOU! Don't let anybody tell you how long to grieve. It is personal for each of us and people who are not pet owners sometimes try to rush us or play down how we feel. That is one great thing around here, everyone gets it. Keep in touch here, it helps. Hugs from, Lori, Ty and the Gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
When you love hard.... you grieve hard....
hugs
Christine..... with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
Betsy, I'm so sorry you're missing Eddy. I am still counting the days as well (it's day 16) and mourn the loss of Lily very deeply. If it helps, I have had some good days where I have been able to do more smiling at happy memories than grieving over the loss. Today is one of the harder days for some reason. I found myself getting ready to go to the grocery store yesterday and doing my regular headcount of where all the dogs are so I can say goodbye...and caught myself thinking "Oh, Lily must be in her office (the guest room)" before I remembered. And my fingers haven't stopped automatically grabbing three treats from the bin.
They are just so much a part of our lives, maybe more so than any human, and letting go is not easy. Just let yourself grieve and try to find some comfort with Millie.
Lily the Great Dane (she was actually a lot more than just "Great") joined our family as an ornery puppy on December 20, 2005 and changed our lives forever. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in early May of 2014 and her right rear leg was amputated on May 8, 2014. She sailed through 5 rounds of Carboplatin and 15 weeks of Pallladia. She hopped on 3 legs like she was born to it and continued to fight cancer with grace, valor and an abundant sense of humor...and always a *giant* smile on her face. Lily had two small nodules on her lungs but was brought short by a brain tumor in late December, 2014. Lily earned her wings on December 28, 2014 and we miss her terribly every day. http://lilyt.tripawds.com
Holding you in my heart every single day Betsy. So many of us understand far too well what yo h are goingnthrough...and will continue to go through for a long time.
Someone told me they cried every single day for two months when their beloved dog transitioned. I was sure I would be able to bring forth all the wonderful memories of life with Happy Hannah sooner than that and push the sadness away. Nope...didn't happen. I can honestly sayI also cried everyday for at least two months. Sometimes the grief washes over you in huge waves, sometimes just soft short cries. The wonderful memories do show up more often now.
And yeah, I get knocked to my knees again and relive the loss over and over everytime we lose another one of our family members like Eddy. We all so badly want to take your hurt away, but we can't. All we can donis walk beside you and help hold you up and carry you.
Eventually you will have some smiles return because you will all of the sudden have a hapoy EDDYNESS MOMENT pop into your head! And nothing would make Eddy's tail wag like crazy than to see you happy!!! Eddy wants you to remember the thousands and thousands of happy memories!
Let us know how he makes his presence known to you, okay? We all want to hear more about Eddy when you can. We love him and we were all so touched by him..and by you and your love story!!
Surrounding you with a warm loving blanket of Eddyness!
Sally and My Eternal Light Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Betsy,
Not a day goes by, that I do not think of Eddy......No one knows the heartache like we do here, for sure. All the beautiful pups and kitty Tripawds that earn their wings, will never be forgotten......they will all remain within all our hearts forever, and we all feel the loss with each and every beloved Tripawd that runs for the Bridge.
Sending healing {{{hugs}}}, and peace within your broken heart....
Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
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