Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Kerry,
I'm so glad to see your post. I know you are in such pain right now but I know for me being able to talk about my kiddo and remember fun stories helped so much and I hope it helps you - plus these are just GREAT stories. I don't have any puppy pictures of Mister Rusty either so I look for puppy pictures that I imagine look like him! You are so right on the house training though, much easier with a dog who has bladder control. Mosby sounds amazing, he was so smart I wish I could see him do some tricks. What kind of things could he do? I hate that someone was ever mean to him, those people should be taken out back - but I LOVE that he got you for his Mom. What a lucky boy. He deserved someone who got how cool he was, how smart, how loving, how happy and you definitely got all of that. Plus you knew his real name and title!
You should go on forever about your once in a lifetime boy. I know we would all love to hear your stories. Thank you for sharing them and bringing that comfort to all of us even while you are grieving.
Sending you a big hug,
Amy & Rusty
I am so heartbroken for you. I'm glad Mosby went peacefully.
I'm still in a bit of denial here on Otis. As I left the office and walked to my car, i couldn't wait to get home to see him and then realized he wouldn't be there. My life revolved around that boy. Nothing I do was done without him. Even at work I would often watch the nanny cam to make sure he was ok. If I stopped for coffee I grabbed him some munchkins. When I went to bed he was there. When I woke up, he was there. My heart is shattered as I'm sure yours is also. Your description of Mosby and him being everything you ever wanted in a dog is exactly how I feel about Otis. I know I will never find that connection again.
Otis - 121 lbs pre amp - 114 lbs post amp and now 118 lb Great Dane - English Mastiff X. Started limping on 12/24/16. Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 12/28/16 - amputation of front left leg on 1/6/17. Stitches out and 1st round of Chemo on 1/19/17. 2nd round of Carboplatin on 2/10/17 - 3rd round on 3/2/2017. 4th round was scheduled for 3/22/17 - however due to low WBC postponed - 4th Chemo completed on 3/28/17. Had breathing difficulties, stayed in Tufts ICU overnight. Due for 2 more rounds of Chemo but we are opting to go with homeopathy with Dr. Loops instead.
Ohhhh what a life you had together! Mosby came such a long way because of the dedication you had in your heart on the day you brought him home. To rescue an older dog is a generous, compassionate act. You are every dog's ideal mom and as he grew you knew exactly how to make him feel safe, loved and appreciated. What fun memories you shared! This one caught my eye:
He hated raised voices - even if you were just trying to ask Siri a question.
Haha do you yell at Siri too? 😉 Jerry also hated loud, raised voices. Like Mosby he was a sensitive soul. The best kind of dog there is.
Go on forever as much as you'd like. Mosby's life was the stuff dreams are made of.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
otisgreatdane said
I'm still in a bit of denial here on Otis. As I left the office and walked to my car, i couldn't wait to get home to see him and then realized he wouldn't be there. My life revolved around that boy. Nothing I do was done without him. Even at work I would often watch the nanny cam to make sure he was ok. If I stopped for coffee I grabbed him some munchkins. When I went to bed he was there. When I woke up, he was there. My heart is shattered as I'm sure yours is also. Your description of Mosby and him being everything you ever wanted in a dog is exactly how I feel about Otis. I know I will never find that connection again.
I totally know what you mean about being in denial. When I'm at home I imagine he's still sleeping in one of his beds, just out of sight. And one of the worst moments so far was the first time walking into the house without him being there to greet me. Our house is so empty. I'm so sorry about your loss of Otis, but glad that he and Mosby are at the bridge together, waiting.
jerry said
Haha do you yell at Siri too? 😉 Jerry also hated loud, raised voices. Like Mosby he was a sensitive soul. The best kind of dog there is.
We didn't even yell - just used more of an "outside" voice. Mosby was very sensitive that way. He'd rush over if he thought Chris and I were having any kind of disagreement. I always said he was a lover, not a fighter. Sweet, sweet boy.
Utter condolences to all of you from Da Bear HQ. When I think of The Colonel,I think of how grand and yet wise and contained he was. And, how very, very loved he was as well. And how many lives he touched. Quite impressive and shows how Mosby just knew what his world was and just what everyone needed. There really are no words to replace such a loss at this time. But Jerry had the best advice on sharing the Remember When game...I remember being amazed at how content, healthy, and utterly happy Mosby was when he was at the barn greeting all of his friends, and how luminous and shining in the sunshine he was as well. Your tour is over and your job was done in an exemplary manner, Colonel Mosby! We all salute you and know you will be waiting for your loved ones. Semper Fi you big, handsome mug!!! Huge hugs and PyrPaws to all.
Been watching videos and looking at pictures. Just wanted to share this video of my boys, Mosby and Arlo. It's an older video, but classic. Mosby would wait patiently while I rode Arlo, but as soon as I walked out of the gate, he would zoom up to greet me and wouldn't be satisfied until I'd loved on him. To be honest, I think he was always relieved that Arlo hadn't killed me ... he came to tolerate but never fully trusted Arlo. At any rate, this is typical Arlo and Mosby - Arlo being somewhat of a brat and Mosby sweetly reminding me to keep petting him. Miss that boy and his way of nudging your hand if you stopped petting him.
I have not been around a lot lately because I find it hard in our current situation. The colonel deserves the biggest farewell, however, so I wanted to salute him, too.
He and Arlo look so much like Manni and my horse, Ortega, did. They recognized each other in spite of not even being the same species. Ortega would love to breathe on Manni's head and he was the only horse that Manni allowed that close. I also remember your barn pictures and remember thinking that we had a lot in common.
I lost Ortega in 2015 and 2017 looks to turn into an even worse year. I hope seeing Arlo takes your mind off things a little and not only brings back memories. I am wishing you strength and I hope I got across that Mosby will not be forgotten. He left an imprint.
Hugs
tina & Manni
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
I am so sorry to hear of Mosby's passing. My heart grieves for you.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Oh what a beautify boy your Mosby was and now is over the bridge with so many other champions. He's telling them now what a gracious, courageous and loving mom you are. I so loved reading what you have posted about your wonderful dog. I am heartbroken for you, and hope the wonderful memories you have serve you well. I will be sending my beautiful Bella off tomorrow and I am devastated. She is beside me now loving herself a big soup bone from the butcher. Next up is ice-cream. This is the hardest part of loving such wonderful creatures. I will make sure to tell Bella to look for your Mosby. Hugs
Brenda said
Oh what a beautify boy your Mosby was and now is over the bridge with so many other champions. He's telling them now what a gracious, courageous and loving mom you are. I so loved reading what you have posted about your wonderful dog. I am heartbroken for you, and hope the wonderful memories you have serve you well. I will be sending my beautiful Bella off tomorrow and I am devastated. She is beside me now loving herself a big soup bone from the butcher. Next up is ice-cream. This is the hardest part of loving such wonderful creatures. I will make sure to tell Bella to look for your Mosby. Hugs
Hug beautiful Bella tight and give her a kiss for me, and spoil her rotten. I'm so sorry you have to say goodbye to her tomorrow. Like me, you've been forced to make an awful decision, but it's the right one and the kindest one. Mosby's best friends were always girl dogs, so I'm sure he'll rush right up to greet Bella. Hugs to you, too. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.
I love the video of Mosby trying to steal all the attention. You can see he really loves his momma in that video.
I like to think Otis, Mosby, Eurydice and all the rest of these precious babies are hanging out together just waiting for their time to see us again.
Hubby's hardest times are when he comes home and there is no Otis at the door, tail wagging and a toy in his mouth to greet him.
My hardest times are when I wake up and have no cute, well rested face lighting up to start the day. No morning routine, no bedtime routine. Nobody for me to care for like I cared for Otis.
Otis - 121 lbs pre amp - 114 lbs post amp and now 118 lb Great Dane - English Mastiff X. Started limping on 12/24/16. Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 12/28/16 - amputation of front left leg on 1/6/17. Stitches out and 1st round of Chemo on 1/19/17. 2nd round of Carboplatin on 2/10/17 - 3rd round on 3/2/2017. 4th round was scheduled for 3/22/17 - however due to low WBC postponed - 4th Chemo completed on 3/28/17. Had breathing difficulties, stayed in Tufts ICU overnight. Due for 2 more rounds of Chemo but we are opting to go with homeopathy with Dr. Loops instead.
tinsch said
He and Arlo look so much like Manni and my horse, Ortega, did. They recognized each other in spite of not even being the same species. Ortega would love to breathe on Manni's head and he was the only horse that Manni allowed that close. I also remember your barn pictures and remember thinking that we had a lot in common.
I agree, I think we have a lot in common. I'd love to have met Ortega. Arlo loved to breath on Mosby's head, and like Manni, Mosby wouldn't get that close to any other horse. Mosby would even kiss Arlo's muzzle, which kind of freaked Arlo out, but I thought it was so sweet. He tried to hard to love Arlo for my sake.
Hugs to you and Manni.
otisgreatdane said
Hubby's hardest times are when he comes home and there is no Otis at the door, tail wagging and a toy in his mouth to greet him.
My husband is really struggling, too. He's the one who picked Mosby up from daycare, too him home, fed him dinner. And then they puttered around the house or garden together. They were such good buddies.
We both miss waking up in the morning and now having Mosby thumping his tail, waiting so excitedly for us to get up. This is on weekends. He hated if we slept in! He wanted us up, spending time with him. He loved his family so much, and we loved him so much.
We are waiting now to get him home. I can't decide if this is more comforting or if it will be really hard. I already have his collar on the mantle, so he's always with us. I haven't vacuumed up his dog hair yet. That seems too final.
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