Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Rio has been gone 6 months now. In some ways, the days have flown by but in others, it seems an eternity. I wish I could say that the pain of losing her was lessening, but it's not... I start to talk about her and my throat still closes and my eyes fill with tears.
Some days, I hate the Monkey-girls for not being Rio. Or I rage that it was her the cancer took (not that I would ever wish that upon another dog, but why did it have to be her?). Irrational, yes, but love is never rational. And a great love like hers, even less so.
I worry that the smell of her fur or the funny little Woo-isms will disappear from my memory. That I'll forget something about her, and then even the memory of her will slip away from my grasp. So please, do me a big favor: take a moment today and remember Rio. And if you feel like it, share the memory. It seems that if other people still remember her, then there's just that much more of her spirit that still lives on. And today, I really need an infusion of that spirit.
Rio's momma, always and forever...
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
I just went back and and read through some of Rios' blog and looked at the memory book you did for her -- it was really very well done and actually got me teared up just knowing how much you love her. I saw a sundial once with the phrase "Time takes all but Memories" and you have lots of good memories that will keep her memory alive.
Kathy & Harley
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
I miss Rio too. She was such a big inspiration to us. That's why she was immortalized in the Tripawd Warrior Princess painting I did!
I miss her spunk and her adorable helicopter ears.
Sometimes I forget funny little things or quirks of our Bailey's personality. We loved her so much - she was the first pup my hubby and I had together. Sometimes I have to ask him, 'Did Bailey used to like X?' He remembers and then we talk about how funny she was. But even if he didn't remember either - we remember how much we loved her and how much she loved us, and that's the important thing that you'll never forget. Rio left an indelible paw print on your heart and that will never ever fade.
Hang in there.
Jackie
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
I'm sorry I never got to know Rio when she was still here in body but I feel like I have gotten to know her a little bit evertime I see her unbelievably cute Avatar and see how much you loved her.
Rio will never be forgotten. She is imprinted on your heart foever and she is immortalised on this site.
You and Rio will be at the forefront of my thoughts today.
Hugs
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/
Oh I remember Princess Woo the Exalted in her carriage (not a pumpkin), wearing a tiara and a hot pink cape and looking bored with all the fuss.
I remember a picture of an awkward, long-legged puppy with mis-sized body parts, as she waited to grow so that it all made sense. I remember thinking how funny she must have looked running with all this bits and pieces flying through the air.
I remember the quiet, understated determination she was born with that allowed her to face serious illness numerous times, and I remember how you promised her that you would always help her fight as long as she wanted to fight.
I remember Rio coming here the same week that we did and going through much of the same crap at the same time. I remember how desperately we all wanted her to make it to February 8th because it would have marked one year from her amputation. And I remember how it didn't matter at all that she couldn't hold on for February 8th because she'd already been fighting this battle for 3 1/2 years, so she was already a hero to us all.
I remember thinking that Rio was one tough female and wishing I could have been so graceful when I hurt.
I remember how you promised Rio that when she was done, when she'd had enough, you would help her try on her angel wings. And I remember the day you held onto her and loved her enough to launch her spirit skyward toward the release she needed.
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 remember that she was a warrior princess who kicked cancer's ass for longer then doctor's said she could, BUT that's because the woo was special. Not every dog could fight that long or that hard but Rio did. She was a true warrior!
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
I miss her, too. You were one of the first few members to welcome me to this site and I flipped for Rio the very first time I saw her picture. I can even tell you which one - it was one of her on the beach, wearing a scarf and her ears were pinned so close to her head that you almost couldn't see them. It was a beautiful picture and I remember thinking 'now that is a smart dog'. You could just sense that about her even from a picture.
Micki, I actually cried the day that Woo left us. And, I have to admit that I teared-up a bit reading this today. I'm sure it seems strange to some, but I really develop an affection for the dogs on this site. I know that you miss her, but please know that she will never be forgotten.
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/
Of course, we will remember Rio; today, tomorrow and forever.... She was a special girl that we can't forget.
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.
Wow, so I had to read this post several times in a row because it just spoke to me so much. You pretty much articulated my exact thoughts. No matter how much you love the others, sometimes you just want and need Rio...I feel exactly the same about Holly. And it's impossible not to ask why why why why why her?!??! The thought of losing the memories...of any of it fading is just an unbearable thought.
I just went back and read some of her blog....what an amazing girl, and what an amazing relationship the two of you had...and the memory book made me cry. What a wonderful thing to do for her and a great way to really capture her beauty and spirit. Obviously I wasn't here during her fight, but I also feel like I have gotten to know her a little bit here, and she is a wonderful, inspiring creature. It is clear that those who were here during her journey felt the same...she will never, ever be forgotten.
Thanks so much everybody. Your kind words have made this difficult day just a little more bearable. It makes my heart happy to know that she touched some of you even though you didn't get a chance to ever meet her. She was a wonder, for sure!
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Micki, the Woo was sending special messages to Tripawders yesterday to help you feel better, because in a funny coincidence, I was reading her story in the Barney Book last night, and just really feeling her spirit throughout. I love the last couple of sentences:
"....And yet, every day, she still finds something to be silly and happy about. Now that's one tough girl!"
This is what can help you through your grief. Whether it's six months or longer, it's something you need to go through to heal. Something that may decrease the pain, is to follow Rio's example. Every day, when you feel sad, find something to be silly and happy about. Even if it's just one thing about your life together, and the one you have now with your current pack, this is what she wants most for you.
Many hugs coming your way on this day....
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Reading this thread my eyes fill with tears as I am filled with memories of my heart girl Rosa. It will be 7 years without her this December. The good news is I still remember every special thing I loved about her! Micki, you will never forget Rio and neither will we. Rio was the embodiment of a true Tripawd Warrior Princess. She will always be in your heart and ours, and she will forever be an inspawration for tripawds past, present and future! Thinking of you and Rio today with love,
OP +1 mom, Martha
Rio Woo, me 'n the Oaktown Pack will never ever ever furget you 'cause you sent us Barneeeeeeeee after we had been waiting soooo looooong! Plus you are holding down the fort for me in the Over the Bridge Chapter of the Tripawd Girldogs with 2 Names ROCK Club. We LOVE you Rio, and your momma too!
xoxox,
Codie Rae and the OP +1
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!
We are toasting the Woo with a glass of red wine tonight!
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
Hi Micki,
Sorry I'm late to this post but I have been otherwise occupied this summer.
Maggie has been gone more than two years- and I think I remember the important things about her and our time together. I remember what an unlikely survivor she was, I remember how she inspired me and others, I remember the lessons she taught me on how to live life to the fullest each day. Rio left you all those gifts too- and you will see them. I think the first year after a loss is hard- give yourself time. When those little thoughts about Maggie pop into my head, maybe something I forgot or hadn"t thought about for awhile, they are like gifts from her.
So I hope it is OK that I think good thoughts for you guys tomorrow. I know it it late, but it seems fitting since you were late on almost every one of Rio's ampuversaries!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Thanks, all. Am feeling a little better now that the dreaded 6 month date has passed.... Life just keeps going, and it's up to each of us to find a reason to look forward to each new day, right?!.
Rio would have wanted me to be happy. When she knew I was upset about something, she would always bring me a toy or a ball, and would insist that I play with her. I miss her telling me that life is fun and good -- I have a tendency to forget that without her to remind me. But she would definitely want me to be happy, and so I will attempt to step into each new day with that reminder forefront in my mind. After all, it's the least I can do for her -- she, who did so very much for me every day of her sweet life.
And while nothing can ever fill the hole she left in my heart, I will set about trying to make my heart bigger to compensate for that missing piece.
Rio's momma, Micki
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
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