Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Shan had left front foreleg amp after osteosarcoma diagnosis in September 2012. She recovered quickly and started chemo 2 weeks later. 5 rounds of carboplatin finished 12/27/12. I was hoping we were starting the good times, but 1 month checkup showed a lump right at site of amp outside of chest wall. No cancer cells found, onco thought it might be hematoma. No such luck - that hateful tumor grew so fast and became so painful within 3 weeks that it took my 8 year old rowdy girl down to almost completely lame. We had such a bad night last night, that I had to let go. I have done this many times with many dogs and cats before but it is just never even a little bit easy. So I said good-bye to someone truly beautiful inside and out, someone who's been my best friend for 8 years, just a few hours ago and I feel like my heart will never ever heal. I know from experience it will, but right now it just plain HURTS. Shan, I'll miss you every day until I see your beautiful face again. Love forever my baby girl.
I'm sorry to hear that you had to let Shan go. She looks like a real cutie. And you are so right, letting them go is never easy no matter how many times you've done this. Take care knowing that she is free.
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'm so sorry for your loss. I know it's heartbreaking. My vet told me it's the last kind thing you do for your pet. I know it still hurts terribly. Hang in there. We are all here for you.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
I am so sorry for your loss. RIP Shan. Run free at that Rainbow Bridge.
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
I am so sorry. Shan look so sweet in her avatar. It hurts like hell but you did the right thing for Shan, you gave her the greatest gift of all - freedom from her pain. Take care of yourself. We are here for you.
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/
Thank-you for the sympathies. It really does help some when it's coming from people who have walked in my cruddy shoes. She really was a stunner, but I don't know how to post a picture so you just have to take my word for it, she was a big raving beauty of a very special mutt. There was never going to be a good time to let her go, but part of my pain is just anger at feeling like she was so "robbed" in only getting 8 years. But, I wouldn't take a million bucks for having had 8 years that with crazy beauty. No matter how many times I've done this, I am always sort of shocked by had gut wrenching it is.
Oh, Shan. What a sweet girl. I'm so sorry for her end and your loss. But at least now she is free of pain and can run on every limb she wants with all the speed in the world. You did a very kind thing for her. I know your pain and I ache for you. So much loss these days. Sending HUGS your way. May time's healing powers wash over you.
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Thinking of you during this difficult time. They carve a piece of our heart out and take it with them when they leave, but we accept the heartache because the great times and the memories are worth it. Take Care.
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
My thoughts and sympathy are with you. It is always hard, but it must seem especially so when you were hoping for a happy stretch.
After our daughter lost her golden, in the midst of her tears, she asked, "So you mean I am destined to have my heart broken over and over?" The simple answer to that is affirmative, but the more complicated — yet equally simple — answer is that loving a dog means accepting that we will most likely have to say goodbye to them.
I know that doesn't make it any easier. The pain is overwhelming. I wish I had words to speed your healing, yet only time seems to help. I hope you find comfort in the fact that you were lucky to have shared your life to Shan and that you honored her with your love and decisions on her behalf. Remember her with joy.
Sammy has two new friends coming to the bridge tonight and I told him to treat them right. What a great group of warriors await us there, and I truly believe we will see them again. How could it be otherwise?
Beth, Spirit Smilin' Sammy and MB Wiggly Wrigley
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
so very sorry,,,,does not get easier no matter how many times we go thru it..............knowing that you did everything for your baby hopefully will bring some comfort to you,,Godspeed your sweet Shan....i take comfort in the words of a song......"i'm glad i didn't know how it would end as i would of surely missed the dance'...8 yrs...is way too short however, i know you have a million happy memories in those 8 years...remember she will wait for you till you 'dance" again..
I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know I am thinking of you and your baby knows you fought the best fight you could for her and you were a loving, caring pawrent.
All my love,
Erica
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
I'm so sorry you have lost your girl. You are right, even from the avatar, you can tell she was a stunner! These pets of ours give us unconditional love and loyalty that we can never truly match; the most unselfish gift of love we can give in return is to not let them suffer. You did right by your girl. I'm sorry she had to leave you so soon.
My heart breaks with you... as all us pet owners do for each other. We truly understand how you are feeling right now.
She was a lucky girl to be loved back as strong as she loved you I am sure. Our condolences... and cyber hugs.
Christine & Franklin
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!
Oh no! I'm really sorry to hear this, I know you have to be stunned at how quickly things turned, I can't even imagine not getting more time to prepare. I'm sending my deepest condolences to you at this very sad time.
Shan had a beautiful but far too short life. But in those few years that she walked this earth, all of the lessons she taught you about making the most of life will never go away, her love and influence will always guide you on the road of life and every Tripawd who ever comes here looking for inspiration and hope.
If you want to talk, come to the chat, there's usually someone there every night. And I'm more than happy to share photos of her, so email them to me and I'll put them here in your post for you OK?
Lots of love, hugs and condolences are coming your way. We are thinking of you and lighting a candle for Shan tonight.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I had the same feelings when I lost Dakota. Cheated. And I felt that he was cheated. I wanted to give him so much more. So I do understand, most definitely. And I am so, so sorry. It isn't fair. But I decided that Dakota would say he had a good life and had no regrets. I have to believe that your Shan would say the same. In time, try to think of that: Her assessment would be that she was loved unconditionally.
For today, know that you have so many here who've been in your place and who would give anything to make this go away. We are here if you need us. Please come back and tell us some more stories of Shan and her life. Let her spirit live here.
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/
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