Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So sorry to hear about the loss of Shan. I lost my baby Spirit earlier this month and I know the excruciating pain you're going through. All you can do is take it one day at a time. Give yourself the time you need to grieve and heal. Thinking of you and hope that you are comforted knowing that Shan is free and at peace.
Liz
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You are some of the nicest people and its a little hard too understand why folks who clearly have such big hearts should be here sharing love because they are walking or have walked the same rough road with some other wonderful big (and little - Jill, you cutie) furry boys and girls who didn't ever deserve this deal of the cards. But life just isn't always fair and I sure have learned that cancer isn't fair. However, you all have said this in many special ways, for all the agony I feel tonight, my 8 years with my girl still gave me thousands of times more of joy. I don't know if I made all the right decisions for Shan, but I know that as strange as it sounds these last few months of trying to fight through it together was a oddly beautiful bonding experience for us. I volunteer w/ rescue so this house has been a multi-dog home for many years. Shan was a rescue pup, but the only one I actually picked (didn't take her to keep her from being euthanized, didn't take her because she had issues - just laid eyes on the puppy and fell in love). She's been my special girl from the start but has always had to compete for one-on-one time. She found her ways to carve out niches (always slept forehead to forehead with me, walked best on the leash so she was first choice for "walkies"), but during cancer treatment I focused so much on just her and she lapped up that attention. So, maybe it didn't buy us much on the calendar but the days we got were good and I don't regret the effort. I know she had friends from home and a lot of Tripawd friends in spirit to greet her today - her passing was so easy, it seemed that I could almost feel the love from the other side reaching out for her. I know I'll see her again - I just don't believe that love ever dies and I know the love we feel for the fur babies and the love they give back is the REAL DEAL and it is eternal. Bless you all for your love and sympathy - it is a HUGE comfort to me. And, I will go on cheering for those of you still fighting the good fight!
Shari,
Oh Honey I know it's hard. Today has been 1 year since Tank lost his fight. I still find myself crying any time I let the memories come back in. There is nothing we can do but know that we loved them every day that we had them and that a place for them will always be in our hearts. We, as well have had many losses over the years of our beloved dogs and cats, but there is something terribly different when they are taken from us in this way. I learned very quickly that this website is full of caring families with shared feelings, so let it out, when you feel like you need to talk to someone and the words can only find a way out from your hands, let it go here. Here, we all know how you feel, you have my deepest sympathy!
Lisa & Spirit Tank
Three legs and one ginormous smile!
Tank's adventures can be enjoyed in his blog:
http://tanksjou.....pawds.com/
I'm sorry Shan's journey has come to an end. She was a beautiful girl, you gave her a wonderful life. The cancer journey does indeed strengthen the bonds that tie us together.
Shan will always be in your heart and so will always be by your side.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
jerry said
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.
You are so completely right about my anguish being partly due to the sudden turnaround - I just wasn't ready at all! Shan "flew through" the amp and the chemo and I was all set to enjoy some normal life and it all went South SOO fast. She was not officially diagnosed with a cancer tumor until Tuesday. Even then I told the onco I wanted some good pain meds to have a couple more days. He gave it his best shot but my girl had a tough night Monday night and terrible night Tuesday night and I could not bear to ask any more of her. Still, I feel more numb than grieving right now because some part of me just can't yet believe it is true. As the reality soaks in, I know the pain will get worse for a while.
I did try the link to send you pics of Shan, but it is taking me to a 404 error message. Of course, like all proud pawrents, I thought my angel was the loveliest of them all, but you don't have to go to extra trouble for me. I'm just so glad I have my pictures right now - that pretty Shan face is kind of holding me together for a little while.
Thanks so much for the kind words and for all you do to help bring some nice, but frightened folks together to assist each other. When we have the TriPawds reunion in heaven, that will be some kind of a big, crazy party!
So sorry for your loss. May Shan's spirit run free. We are all here for you in your time of grief. She knows how much you tried and how much she was loved.
Maricela and Spirit Bruno
These are cruddy shoes we walk in, but as you say we are not alone. Shan seemed like a wonderful spirit. Loosing them is so difficult. Fortunately for those of us in the "cruddy shoes" we are left with the lessons only a tripawd can teach. Often people tell me Jake is on four legs at the Bridge, but I disagree. She will always be in your heart.
I am so sorry about Shan. This cancer battle does not fight fair and has cheated a lot of good people out of time with their babies. Our Cadence went on her final journey the same day that Shan left on hers. Its the worse feeling in the world letting them go. You showed Shan a final act of love. Her days will no longer be filled with pain and uncertainty. She will wake each and every morning and eat all the food she wants and run around all day through fields of grass and flowers. Then she will cool down in a nice stream filled with water and butterflies flying all around. That's how I imagine in my mind doggie heaven being. I also think they are still watching over us and still sending their love to our hearts.
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Shan will always be with you and you with her.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
I'm so sorry to read of the loss of your girl. She was a beauty. There can never be "enough" time with our pups. I know how much it hurts.
Shan is your special angel now, and will always be with you in your heart.
Hang in there,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
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!
Shan was such an adorable puppy. Lisa, her mom, has asked us to share these sweet photos with everypawdy:
Run free Shan, may you watch over our Tripawd heroes forever.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks so much to Tripawds for posting my pics for me and for all the love and support that I found here. All of you running the site and the members have kept me going through the fight and have given me so much comfort after Shannie earned her wings. I am blessed to have many friends who love dogs and can sympathize, but even though I've never met anyone here, it has still felt like the condolences expressed here are very meaningful because I know you all REALLY know.
I included one of Shan's baby pictures in my "album" because you'd have to see her as a puppy to know why I always felt so smug about adopting Shan. She came into the shelter where I volunteer as a throwaway - thrown out on the highway (people can be so awful
) - maybe 8 weeks old. I was so attracted to something in her right away, but didn't plan to adopt because the puppies usually go fast. Unfortunately, I watched the girl get passed over for two months - her uncoordinated gangling legs, too long tail, giant ears made her look like a goof and she acted like a crazy nut because she had had little socialization. But I had a feeling the little girl was going to be a gorgeous big girl so I adopted her. As she grew the smugness set in - she was not only lovely and athletic, she was smart, easy to train, and had a huge heart. I patted myself on the back repeatedly for being the one person able to recognize this amazing diamond in the rough. I never thought about how bad it would feel to lose a diamond - now I know and it's pretty awful. However, unlike someone who loses an actual jewel, I still have the best of Shan in my heart forever.
My cell phone photography doesn't do her justice, but I love the two post-amp pics. The first isn't of Shan resting, it's Shan laying in wait to spring out at her Schipperke mix sister. Her rowdiness and love of fun came back so fast after the amp it was great to see. The last pic is Shan on the last day and it is very dear to me. That last day was tough - a lot of pain - but the last car ride was still so fun for her, her big car grin broke through the pain and she found joy right to end.
Run free, Spirit Shan. I will always love you my girl. And, I will always appreciate Tripawds! Thank you all so much - Lisa
I am sorry to be so late, but had to add my condolences. Shan is stunning, we will miss her - not as you will, but there will be a tear in our heart as there has been with each beautiful tripawd who went before.
The losses always make me cry, regardless of the time we have shared. A tripawd is a special angel from their first day til their last.
I sincerely hope your heart heals quickly, and the sadness is replaced by only happy memories.
RIP sweet Shan. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
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.
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