Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Mulligan - our 9 year old "Tasmanian devil/black lab" mix was diagnosed on February 2, 2008 with bone cancer in his left front leg. We live an hour from Cornell Vet hospital where we did his palliative radiation treatments - until he broke his leg the Thursday before Memorial Day. June 2 and Mully joined the ranks of tripawd -- and promptly jumped on our bed 2 days after surgery! He amazed us - and his brother, 9 year old Finnegan, also a black lab. We had a wonderful summer, chasing squirrels and that pesky woodchuck in the front yard, getting in the creek, digging in the garden. I took the afternoon off on Friday, Oct. 3 -- it was a beautiful day and we walked on our creek bed. Saturday, Mully started to wobble - by Sunday he could no longer stand, paralyzed completely in the hind quarters. A call to our surgeon on Monday confirmed what we suspected -- the cancer had returned and was in his spine. And we had to make that decision -- the one that is the hardest for pet parents to make -- and so we all had a breakfast of bacon and eggs and waited for our vet. And in the sunshine, in his own backyard on his bed, Mulligan was set free of pain...the days of pills and procedures were put behind him. Now how do we fix our pain? Our vet was wonderful, never hesitating when we asked him to come to the house -- his 2 labs had gone through the same thing. A friend wrote to us and said that the squirrels on earth were breathing easier but the squirrels in heaven better lace up their shoes. Damn cancer! I know what we did was the absolute right thing to do. Mully was a wonderful dog, silly personality and had a good life. We did everything we could for him. But Finnegan doesn't understand this as he runs out the door everytime we come home, looks in the car and whines as if to ask "why haven't you brought him home yet?" He doesn't know that Mully is home. Home of no pain and lots of treats. So we want to tell you how sorry we are to here that Jerry is no longer on this earth either -- perhaps he and Mully are finding the treat jar...
I'm so sorry you had to say "good-bye for now" to Mulligan. I know this one well, having just experienced the same with our Abbey on Thursday Oct 2. She became paralyzed too. Jerry's pawrents had to follow suit on Friday Oct 3...what's going on?? I imagine all three are running and playing together, along with many other former Tripawds.
I love that you guys were in your own backyard and in the sunshine. We were comforted to have our vet come to our home as well. May the pain ease into sweet memories for us all. We can be comforted in the fact that we really did all we knew how and I hope one day research will figure this blasted cancer out and it will be no more.
Peace to you,
diane riley
devildogmully said:
... Friday, Oct. 3 — it was a beautiful day and we walked on our creek bed.
I'm at least glad I got to heaven in time to welcome Mully. We're having a blast! Already chased half the squirrels over the bridge.
PS: Your devildog is actually quite an angel. 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sorry for your loss of Mulligan... . We need to pray for a cure. Just posted a nice poem about pet loss under Jerry's post.
Peace,
Kim&Buster
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
What a beautiful post; squirrels and a happy Lab, the image makes me smile. I wish you all the best - please give Finnegan a serious head scratch from us.
I am so sorry for you loss of Mulligan. You gave him the best in life and in his passing. He will be happily chasing squirrels with Jerry until you are rejoined with him. Hugs to you and Finnegan.
Connie & Radar
I am sorry to hear about Mully... At least you know you did what you could and that he is happy playing with Jerry & the others we got to know and love on this website. Thinking of you. Dee & Dee's Mommy xxx
I am speechless and full of tears right now...Not good at work, but who cares.
I am so sorry for all the loss. In my heart I knew Jerry had crossed the bridge...I wasn't on this site for a week for fear of reading the inevitable.
I am consumed with sadness and love for all of you. We celebrate Zeus' 6 month anniversary of amputation today and it's bittersweet because of the reality that is yet to come.
I love you all so much - thank for all your wonderful gifts and may God, the universe or whomever/whatever you believe in help ease the pain and help you find peace.
Heather
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Zeus said:
I am consumed with sadness and love for all of you. We celebrate Zeus’ 6 month anniversary of amputation today and it’s bittersweet...
You are too sweet. Please rechannel that energy into making every day a great day and give Zues a big happy ampuversary hug for us!
What's to come is so far away, even if it may be tomorrow.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Jerry - mom is working on it - the mind knows it, the heart is having a hard time with it this past week.
Much love to you in doggie heaven and love to your pawrents as always.
Heather
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss of "Mulligan". Sounds like a great dog and a great vet the way it was handled. It is good that you have another dog to comfort you, but you will always miss your "Mulligan". When you said,
"Saturday, Mully started to wobble - by Sunday he could no longer stand, paralyzed completely in the hind quarters. A call to our surgeon on Monday confirmed what we suspected — the cancer had returned and was in his spine".
it made me think of my German Shepherd, Luna. She was stumbling and wobbling. It sounded very much the same. Reports that we just received today from the Univ. of Florida showed that she had cancer in her abdomen and lungs, and possibly in her spine, as well as her brain. It was so hard to read that report, but I know it helped me feel more certain about what I did on Sept. 16th, 2008, which was to set Luna free so she would not have to suffer anymore.
Sandra
We, too, are very sorry to hear of your loss. Mully sounds like she was a grand dog. I think it is absolutely wonderful that your vet was able to meet you at your home and Mully was sent to the bridge laying on a soft blanket. No more pain and pills, but now she is chasing the squirrels and looking for those treats.
I apologize for just now finding your posting on Mully, but I figure it is better to be late than never say anything at all.
Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki)
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