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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Oh, I'm so happy to know that I'm not alone in my need to have my babies with me forever! They are all in my wall unit, and from time to time I touch them and tell them that I still love them.
Dawn... I am so sorry about your loosing your husband years ago. I can't imagine how awful I would feel if I ever lost mine!
Bob, I'm so sorry that your sister lost her young son to a brain tumor. I do brain tumor research for a living, and know what a horribly devastating disease that is!
Emily, my thoughts will be with you this week when you go and pick up Emily. It's just so hard to grasp in your mind, that your big baby's remains end up fitting into such a small box... But it's still a part of them... and I know you will also be relieved once you bring her home.
Jerry's dad (and mom)... Wolfie was the alpha male the moment he arrived in our home as a puppy. Jake was always the very laid back, mellow guy... But he was Wolfie's best friend, his giant chew toy, his partner in crime...
My husband keeps telling me that we need to get another dog as soon as possible, to help Wolfie (and us) fill the void... But I am not ready emotionally, nor financially! We need to finish paying off our current vet bills, and then catch up with all the other bills we've fallen behind in. So that definitely won't happen for another couple of months. Plus we still have a house filled with other animals that we need to take care of... a saltwater aquarium, 2 fisher lovebirds, 1 bluejay, a senior cat, and a giant albino pacman frog. They all take time and money to take care of... Oh, if I only won the lottery one day... I would have a giant house overrun with ton of animals!!!
Thank you again for all your comments... I feel so much better knowing that I'm not alone in all this!!!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Might have a little wisdom to offer on Wolfie's chewing. At the least, I can say "been there!" Chewing was Yoda's reaction after roommates (with or without dogs, but worse with dogs) would move out. It was temporary. I think a week - definitely no more than two weeks. I had to hide everything he might possibly chew on when he was home alone. Sounds like Wolfie's chewing reaction isn't too severe. (Knock wood). Yoda chewed everything from my checkbook to remote controls (and an eletrical cord once, but thank dog it was one that wasn't plugged in!). I never came up with a fix, it just had to pass on it's own. If I could have gotten another roommate and dog in immediately, that might have fixed it, but you can't rush finding suitable roommates, and you can't rush your grieving process.
Wolfie will be okay. He's grieving like you. And you sure don't want to add financial stress to everything else by getting another dog at this time. That wouldn't be good at all for the household overall , even if it did alleviate Wolfie's acting up.
More thoughts and prayers coming your way!
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
Jake's mom,
I lost my Newfoundland mix named Bo dog in 1986. I still have his collar, and still tell stories about him. I have also lost many family members and one thing I know is that it does get better. One day instead of tears there will be smiles when you think of Jake(most of the time anyway). And one day when it is right a new pup will come into your life. Jake will always be part of who you are, just one of the gifts he left to you.
Karen and the pug girls.
Oh do I feel for you... It was almost a year ago that we lost our other rottie, I don't know when I cried harder. Holding her head as she left us, or picking up her ashes to bring home. It does bring a bit of closure and now I have her photo's back on the wall.. Shilo didn't go through a severe depression although I think the 2 of them just did stuff all the time to irritate eachother. 
My thoughts are with you and I am glad you chose to stick around and continue to give support to those who need it...
Shilo's Mom
Shilo diagnosed with osteosarcoma 9/4/2009, amputation 9/9/2009. ShiloAnne lost her battle 11/23/2009 where she regained her fourth leg and is patiently waiting for her parents to join her. We will always love you baby girl.
Thank you for posting those videos. It was nice to see Jake how he was in life and the fun times that Wolfie and him had together. What a sweet face and disposition. He really was lucky to have you as his mom and to have a best friend like Wolfie to play with. Reading your post about crying with the ashes definitely made me cry. I have gotten out Mac's ashes a few times and today I just felt like doing it again and of course I was bawling while clutching them to my chest. I don't think there is anything in the grieving process you can do that can be called crazy. Well, someone I knew crashed his car into his house when his dog died....so maybe there is. But y'know, you have all your animals around you to help and you are lucky to have them. Try to take solace in their presence and love, which I'm sure you are doing.
Well I guess we are all part of the same club. If this is "crazy" than so be it! We love our animal friends darnit, and when they go, it breaks our hearts into a million pieces. It takes so much time to learn how to cope without them. Cry all you want, give yourself time to grieve. This is healthy and everyone here understands how you feel.
When we finally found "Jerry's Acres" last summer, both Jim and I reached the conclusion that we couldn't bear to put his ashes in the ground. Until that day when we both admitted it, we had fully expected that when we found his land, that is where he would rest. But even after finding it, burying or scattering his ashes just didn't feel right to us. So when we packed up the RV and left for winter, we brought Jerry with us. Even though we place such a value on keeping his spirit in our hearts, fully understanding that his spirit is what made him and not his physical body, we still can't bear the thought of not having some physical part of him with us. So he's along for the ride with us and Wyatt. We still grieve for him, yet remember to celebrate all that he gave to us whenever we start to get sad about his passing.
Now, about Wolfie's behavior. Dogs do grieve in their own way when one of their pack passes away. I would try using some "Rescue Remedy" and see if that helps. Check out this other thread where we discussed it, and Google "Bach's Flower Essences" for more info. Lots of people swear by it.
Good luck. And remember, you are not alone in how you feel.
-Rene
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jake's Mom,
I loved the story you shared on Tika and Caya's post on how you came to have Jake and Wolfie in your life. How lucky you are that you opened your heart to Jake and then Wolfie. As much as it hurts, oh, the love he gave you!
Debra & Angel Emily
P.S. How is Wolfie?
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Wolfie is still moping around... maybe even more the past few days. He walks up to us and just starts whining... like he wants something, but doesn't really know what. My heart just breaks for him... 
At least we have the next 4 days off for the holidays, so we can spend time with him... though we are really not in the mood for any celebrating.
At first, I wasn't even planning on making anything special for Thanksgiving... we will be alone... but then I changed my mind and decided to make a big turkey dinner, just for me and hubby... At least it will keep my mind from wandering too much. As for Christmas, well we were so sure that Jake would still be with us, and we could have just one more holiday with him. After he died, I did't want to celebrate Christmas this year, no decorations, etc... But then my husband said we really need to start doing things to get out of this sadness and depression... It's not good for us or for Wolfie. So this weekend, we will attempt to put up our tree and decorate our home... I'm sure I'll be crying the whole time, so I'll have to make sure I have enough rum in the house to get me through it! 
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Keeping busy is good at this time. Keep the mind focused on tasks. Your husband is almost right in that you do neen to start to do things but it will be more of a transition from the constant sadness, depression, and lonliness to a time when you will be able to remember Jake with a smile. I can honestly say that more than fifteen years after after loosing "the Girls" (my two white Standard Poodle liter mates) I still have periods of deep sadness and depression. (Especially after all this community's losses lately.) However, now I mostly smile when I remember them - of Sandy who could keep up swimming with any retriever and I am sure would love to be Jake's swim buddy - of Cassy who would explode with uncontrolled excitement at the sound of laughter. Yes, it is good to keep busy and Jake will be beside you. Listen really hard - you may hear his collar.
Praying that you find peace and comfort at this most difficult time.
Bob & Cherry
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