Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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"How do I live without you?
I want to know....
How do I breathe without you,
if you ever go?
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I, how do I, oh how do I live?"
It has been one year today, and sometimes it is still hard to get through the day, and keep remembering to breathe. I will never forget the day I let my precious girl go, from her pain of this ugly disease. She will be my soulmate forever, even if she is no longer here with me.
Yes, I have a new crew now, sweet Pearl, who I got when Polly was just starting her journey, and spunky Zuzu, just adopted the first week of this new year, both of which I love so much, and they have added joy back into my life. However, my life has changed forever from the loss of Polly, and nothing will ever feel the same again. But the one thing that will never change is, no matter how much time goes by, I will love greatly, miss terribly, and grieve whole-heartedly, my girl forever......
Bonnie, so many hugs to you today. I knew Polly's angelversary was coming up soon, she joined the rainbow bridge pack just two weeks after my Jake. I think you captured the feeling we all have in our hearts when you said: "But the one thing that will never change is, no matter how much time goes by, I will love greatly, miss terribly, and grieve whole-heartedly, my girl forever……". Polly is so proud, because of you those who have lost greatly still feel like they have a place here. Her memory will live on forever here, and I know I will never ever forget her either. I was grieving so much for Jake and I remember praying for him to find her. I just know he did and welcomed her to the bridge with tails wagging! (And I can still envision Polly walking on the beach with her master, and I will never ever forget that either).
HUGS and much love to you today
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Bonnie, we send lots and lots of hugs to you, especially today, which I know is so difficult to experience.
A year without our beloved hero is a hard reminder that we were forced to go on through without them, even though we didn't really want to, even when we never thought we could see ourselves on our own, twelve months or twelve years later. The time goes by so slowly and yet so fast, it's hard to explain but it feels like it knocks the wind out of you to think about.
So instead, we look back on those good times when we were together, and we smile, and we thank the Universe for even having those precious days in the first place. And the reason we're able to get to that point, is because that's how our furry heroes want it. We honor them by remembering them, and living life as they wanted us to, in the moment and to the fullest.
May all of your moments be filled with Polly's sweet spirit, today and always. {{{{hugs}}}}
P.S. You are so sweet for posting pictures of the earrings we mad for you, thank you!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sending hugs to you today! This is the one place that understands the feelings that we express. This is a hard journey, no doubt about it. Sometimes, the grief lets go just a bit, never, really goes away, but you can remember without crying. Then out of the blue, it slams into you. Precious pictures and I LOVE the " Polly" pillow. I think all of our precious pups have met and will be having Their own parwties at the bridge. I am sure they are observing with love our friendships that have been built here. Thinking of you today, Love from, Lori, Ty and the canine 3
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
This is a big one .. and I know how much it must hurt ... to realize a whole year has passed. I knew it was this month and I know how much of a comfort and beakon of strength you are for me and for all of us here! Polly's spirit will live in forever her and I promise, she will never be forgotten. No possible!! Know that the Tripawd nation stands by you today and I hope Polly (and Shelby and many others) are sending you signs they are here with you ... always.
I saw a penny at breakfast today. It's been a while since I have seen one but I have to believe it was our girls sending us a message. I know Polly sends dimes but perhaps today, she and Shelby together, placed a penny out there for me to see.
Sending you love and hugs
alison with the spirit of shelby fur-ever in her heart (and little jasper too)
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Bonnie,
I know it has been a rough year. Thinking of you & Polly today. One of the toughest days is the 1st year Angelversary. I love each & everyone of these pictures that you chose to share with us
Hugs
Michelle & Angel 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."
Bonnie,
I can't believe it's been a year. That sweet face of hers makes me cry every time I see it. You have been a big inspiration to all of us who have lost our fur babies and I thank you for that. Pearl and Zuzu will never replace Polly but they will sure help ease the grief.
Penny, Hank, Blink and Angel Maggie
yup... one year.... really? wow... just seems like it was a couple of months ago I was telling you to tell Polly to keep an eye out for Franklin... as he always had a thing for blondes.... one year.... *sigh*
Congratulations... you did it... you made it through the first milestones... the "firsts" that we all have when we are sharing the same adventure.. and feelings. Hug yourself, pat yourself on the back, or better yet.. pour yourself a nice big drink and raise your glass to Polly girly!
We smile a bit more at this stage..... we look back on pictures and videos with a little less pain, but a little more warmth in our hearts because we know how much we loved and were loved.. and then *BAMMMM* a wave of emotion can come over us and we become a blubbering mess... and that's okay too. It's all a part of living.... and loving.. and always remembering.
We all have our other furkids to make us smile.. and fill up those pockets in our hearts with more memories and adventures that make us love them up and cherish the moments that we have with them. It helps... and that is a good thing.
Do you know what I am afraid of? I am not afraid of losing my furkids as we all know that happens... it's the circle of life and I will always get more dogs to "build up our Bridge Pack" to knock me down when I arrive and get soaked with slobbery kisses.... I am afraid of the day that will come that I can no longer have a dog in my life... when I am older, possibly in a home? or a hospital? Hopefully when I am really, really, really, really old!! I just can't imagine my life without dogs in it.... And as I get older.. the smile gets bigger remembering all those pups that have been with me.
I am sure your smile is pretty big with Polly in it!
Christine... with Franklin in her heart♥
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!
Dear Bonnie,
A big hug to you. Anniversaries are difficult, they bring out the loss and emptiness,for sure. But I hope it also brought smiles and that never ending love for you on a difficult da. Those pictures you shared of Polly were beautiful and precious.
Esther and her Angel Snoop
Thanks to you all once again, for your un-ending warm and caring support.....these last few days and a bit ahead are very difficult, as most of you know yourselves. Not only is Polly's passing on my mind constantly, my mom's anniversary of her passing is also coming up on the 22nd, in which she will have been gone for 4 short years, and I miss her more than anything too. This last year has absolutely been one of the worst in my entire life, and I am still dealing with the fact that life is very different for me and will never really be the same.....I am resolved to go on and be happy with my new pups, and keep Polly close in my heart and mind on a daily basis. My other pups that have gone on to the Bridge, I find I am remembering them much more often as well, and keeping them in my heart right next to Polly, my mom, my dad, and my sister, always.
Elizabeth, your kind words always cheer my heart and soul, and I know Jake did find Polly, as well as Franklin, and Shelby, and Sassy, and Ty, and King Jerry, and all those Maggies, and Snoop, etc. What you said about remembering my dream about both my girls, still hits me very hard but in a happy way now, it runs breath-taking chills up my spine, but good ones. I will forever be grateful to you for giving me that truly lovely and spiritual interpretation of that dream, always.....
Jerry/Rene, you definitely have an amazing way to put everything in so much good perspective, it is a joy just reading your posts to help me, and everyone here in their time of need.....and yes, I had to include a pic of the beautiful earrings you made in Polly's honor with those perfect pink and purple beads, I cried when I saw them, and I am wearing them every single day since I received them, thank you so much.
Lori, thank you as well for your warm words of comfort, and they are perfectly precise as far as our grief goes....and I am glad you noticed that treasure of my "Polly pillow", that was given to me by a friend that I worked with at my veterinary hospital, when Polly was diagnosed with Immune mediated thrombocytopenia....I would like to think that loving gift is what helped get me through that awful, uncertain time in Polly's and my life.
Alison, you have always been there for me since the beginning, and I hope that I can always be there for you.... I am glad you got a sign from Shelby with the penny, and yes, mine is definitely dimes , and I did find one in my coat pocket on Sunday, one day before her anniversary....I thought I had thoroughly cleaned out all my pockets to wash my coat, but it came out of the wash with the dime in the pocket....that is where I always seem to get my dimes from Polly, in the laundry! So I am positive it was from her.
Michelle, thank you for your wonderful words of support, they warmed my heart as well....yeah, this first year is always the worst, but our pups will always be right there with us. I am glad you enjoyed the pictures, I could sit and look at them all day.....
Penny, thank you for your kindness.....my inspiration comes from very caring supportive members like you, who have been there for me since I first came to this amazing community, so I thank you so much for that....
Christine, your words are so true and hit me hard, everything you said is so accurate and still uplifting, but I whole-heartedly agree with your fear of the one day when we get old and may not be able to have a pup in our lives....THAT is very scary and upsetting to think about, so I try my best not to and just enjoy my time now, one day at a time every day.....will NOT worry about the future.....and I am positive Franklin found Polly, how could he not?! She is the most beautiful, gentle blonde he could ever find over the Bridge.....!
Esther, thank you for posting your lovely thoughts, and although I know you probably don't post as often as you used to, it means the world to me that you posted in Polly's honor, and I also know you, and so many others are going to be coming up on this milestone yourselves in the next few months, and I will be there for all of you as well....this is a very difficult first year, but the breathing does get a bit easier, and I think of Snoop often, especially when his precious banner comes up....thank you...
Much Love to you all,
Bonnie, Angel Polly, and new crew
I am just now seeing this fiive months later, almost to the day, and it's as though all "this" just happened. But maybe it was meant for me to see it today. I just saw a "Tripawd Tuesday" post on Riley Gibson. In it she said so ething like
Life ends....but love never does
So maybe the "delay" was so I could remind you of that today.
My version would be more along the lines of
When we transition, our life may change form.....but love never does
Now, talk about SMILE MAKING PHOTOGRAPHS!!
And to think I almost missed seeing these....r u kiddinng me? Almost makes me sick!!
Bonnke, you've been holding out on us! But this is a special remembrance well deserving of special photos! What a great way to celebrate such a glorious life!!!
These pictures are ADORABLE! The one of she in Pearl in their "snow tunnel" and loving it....the HEARTWARMING pictures and you and sweet Polly are so filled with love! I keep scrolli g back up to see them all over and over!
Her little celebration of life table with her Polly Pillow....sooooooo sweet......soooo touching!
The look on Polly's face with that big ball (?) in front of her....CUTE!!! She's looking so proud of her toy! And that SWEET CONTENTED look as she's getting her chin scratched....OMD! That picture defines BLISS!!!
And Bonnie, she had bliss with you and John her whole life. Those pictures show that!
But her puppy pictures, yeah, they would melt the hearts of the coldest person in the world. I have to say, yellow Lab puppies are just about the cutest thing ever created!
You've celebrated Polly's life so beautifully. The pictures speak volumes on behalf of your words from your heart.
We ALL love you so dearly my friend and are so grateful to be sharing this journey with you.
Surrounding you with Polly's love
Sally and My Eternal Light Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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!
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