Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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She had such a good afternoon and evening yesterday, but this morning was very lethargic again. I took her right into the vet so he could check her and do an abdominal ultrasound to see if he could figure out why she hasn't been doing well. As I carried her into the vet's office, she began to cough and choke. They rushed her into the back to examine her. When the vet came to talk to us, he said he thought it was aspiration pneumonia and needed to take an x-ray. Only it wasn't pneumonia. Her cancer was back. She had many mets in her lungs. My sister and I were with her. She was peaceful. She turned and looked at me when I walked in the room to be with her. I told her how much I loved her. I will miss her so much.
Carol
I'm so sorry for your loss. May Willow run forever free. We will be thinking of you.
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
OMG. I'm crying my eyes out...I'm so sorry for your loss. She was clearly trying so hard but this friggin' disease just doesn't care. She was so loved and so well cared for; at least her pain is over. 
May the passing of time soften the sharp pain of your loss.
I'm so very sorry.
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 you loss Carol. You gave Willow all the love in the World. Taught her what love was and gave her the best home. RIP Willow. Run free and play at the Rainbow Bridge until its time to see Carol again.
Michelle & Sassy
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."
Oh Carol! We are just devastated to hear this, we are so very sorry.
Willow fought so bravely, and you gave her the kind of love and home that she so deserved during her last year of life. At least she was able to have a great pawrent like you there for her when she needed it most. What a gift.
We send lots of love and hugs to you across the miles. You and Willow are in our thoughts.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So sorry for the loss of your lovely Willow. Such a pretty girl. Such a pretty name. I truly believe our furry friends don't go far when they "leave" us. Continue to hold her in your heart and she'll let you know that she still stands nearby. God bless.
I'm so sorry, Carol. The rules of this game are ever-changing and unfair. Willow had a lot of love, and I'm sure she was grateful you were with her to help her into her wings. I hope all your memories sustain you.
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/
Carol,
The Oaktown Pack is lighting a candle tonight, to light Willow on her next journey and for you, to remind you that this darkness in your life shall pass in time.
You were Willow's rescue angel, not only did you adopt an older dog, but an older tripawd. It never ceases to amaze me how very few people will even consider adopting an older dog, not to mention an older dog with a 'disability'. You are one special human.
Thank you for giving Willow a loving home and taking such good care of her. She was one very special girl, I was looking through your posts and ran across the one where you talked about how Willow took care of your Mom. So incredible.
Thank you so much for sharing Willow with us. She will live forever, in your heart and in ours. Please know that we are thinking of you and sending you all our love and strength.
xoxox,
Martha and the OP
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Carol, this just breaks my heart. I am so sorry that you had to say goodbye to Willow. You put your heart and soul into loving Willow and taking care of her. You were her angel on earth, and now she will be your angel in heaven. Willow will forever be watching over you and when you look closely, she will be giving you signs that she is running free and doing just fine.
I hope that time will ease the pain of your loss and warm memories will fill your heart. Sending you a hug.
“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
She's had the best time of her life with you. More JOY, more LOVE, more HAPPINESS, more COMPASSION, more SECURITY, more SUNNY DAYS, more PEACEFULNIGHTS, moreTUMMY RUBS, mor BUTT SCRATCHES, mor TREATS, more HUGS, more SERENITY, more CONTENTMENT and more BLISS......yo gave her so much more of LIVING thanshe had ever known. As she looked in your eyes today that's wwhat he was thinking about and that's what she is taking with her as she moves into another dimension over the bridge. I'm so glad you had some tail wags and barking last night....she said "Nope, mom's not ready. Better give her one more good memory before I head on out!"
That way she'll know it's time and she can hold onto that.
Our hearts cry with you, they really do.
Nothing can dim her light, Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
I am so sorry that you had to say goodbye to Willow. I was so hoping that she was on the mend.
I know that 1 year is not enough time. There is never enough time with our beautiful dogs. But try to hold onto the fact that for Willow it was enough time. Willow got to know the love and security of a wonderful family. She knew she was loved and safe. That is a precious gift that you were able to give her.
Sending you many hugs
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/
Sigh. Oh, Willow. We will miss you so much, deary. I'm sorry you had to leave, but now you're free to run as fast as you'd like! I'm so sorry for your loss. You tried so hard and did your best. What a lovely life you gave her!
~ Katy
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!
Thank you for all the love and support.
My heart is hurting so much right now. I miss her so much. I missed hearing her snore last night. She wasn't there to wag her tail and greet me as I got out of bed this morning. She isn't here to snuggle with me as I drink my morning coffee, or to sit outside with me to enjoy the day. We spent a lot of time together. It's going to be hard.
I wish I had known her cancer was back. I would have helped her on her way sooner. She never showed any lung symptoms, no coughing or shortness of breath. I just couldn't believe that she was giving up because her leg hurt, and she wasn't. Three different vets examined her in her last week of life. All of them listened to her lungs and none of them heard or suspected that anything was going on with her lungs. The vet was stunned yesterday. He had just seen her the day before. Even in the state she was in he didn't think it was lung mets until he saw the X-ray. I know it's not my fault, but I feel like I let her down. I really don't think she was in pain, just tired, but that really isn't any consolation. I only wanted the best for her.
I will love and miss her always.
Carol
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