Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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i am going through something that sounds completly crazy, but I cannot seem to control it. My boy Chandler will be turning 12 this July. Seems to be in good health with the exception of us trying to reduce his waist size and some arthritis. He also has some old man moles that the vet said to watch, but let alone for now. I was worried again last week, What if he is wrong, what if......not sure if it is the one year Angelversary approaching or what, but I am so emotional and worried that I am going to lose him. He usually gets up around 6 AM to go outside. I jumped awake last night thinking it well past 6 AM and wondered why he did not get me up. I checked him on his bed and actually thoughtbhe wasn't breathing. He was so still. Heart pounding, I grabbed my iPad for light and realized it was 3:30 AM. He was just sleeping soundly. Took an hour to stop shaking. Not sure what this is all about, but not liking it at all. Just wondered if anyone else has experienced something like this or if I am a comlete wacko. Just hard to watch him move slower now. I mean I know he is old. I know the day will come, I just want to enjoy his daily smiles and belly rubs ( his belly, not mine) right after all this happened last night, I logged on the new site for the first time and on the 4 random pictures that are there, guess who's sweet face I saw? Yep, my TY Guy! Was such a surprise and just what I needed. I just needed a place to go with this and know my family will commit me if I discuss this. Just tears ready to flow at a moments notice. Uggggg! Thanks for listening to me vent. Hugs from, Lori, Ty and the gang
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.
Well I know that feeling ALL too well and I have a young, healthy dog; Jasper. My mom told me to STOP worrying about Jasper ALL the time but I get it. After we go through what we do, it is hard.
I know Chandler is older than Jasper Lily but he is still family and you want to see them happy and healthy for as long as possible. I think the "angelvesaries' really mess w/our minds (I am super struggling right now) and making mistakes at work and total brain fog. This a.m., on our walk at 430 a.m. Jasper stopped using her front foot and was bunny hopping. I had a massive panic attack, picked her up, mentally prepared to call in sick and was going to rush her to the ER. Grabbed her paws ... tiny thorn/rock. She was fine.
Hang in there, Lori. We are ALL here for you and sending you lots of love and hugs!
alison
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
Our Dear Sweet Lori!
Through all the "panic", you still made us smile. I say if YOU can get velly rubs, vo for it!! And if your family commits you....come on over and join the fun! It's a vlast over here in WHACKO LAND REHAB CENTER FOR TRIPAWD PARENTS!!! See, the rest of the world looks at us as if we were off our rockers. For Pete's sake, we celebrate POOPING and AMPUTATIONversaries!! But they haven't been through what we have!
Every single person nere understands what you are going through...all too well. And it is sooooo normal....especially around this these "dates"....these gawd awful dreadful dates!
Merry Myrtle just had to have her leg xrayed (more later) for what has turned out ro be a torn ligament and issues as a result. When he came in with the xray I nearly lpst it....everything ca.e flodding back like post traumatic flashback. He was trying to show me how the bone was popping out through the tear and all I could say was are you SURE it isn't osteo s**t and won't lead ro it and blah, blah. He had to PROMISE me it wasn't before I could even begin to halfway listen!
I think as these "dates" come around, our sub conscious is on a high state of alert it just takes over and becomes our conscious state!! The grief may "dull" and then there are those days it is so raw and painful and vivid it's as though it just happened.
But you saw Ty's photo message reminding you he is here with you and with Chandler. He's guarding over you all...even at 3 am!!!
And we are all right here by your side ALWAYS!!! Now go hug Chandler and apologize for disturbing his sleep this morning!!! And it's okay for old guys to sleep in a little later sometimes anyway!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
Lori,
Not completely wacko because if you are then I am too. Bosch will be 9 this year. For a Rottie that is older and I know some live longer and some don't. I have done the check them to make sure they are breathing stuff too. Bosch sleeps a lot heavier than he did when he was younger. It could be the 1 year thing but more than likely it is the journey we have been on.
I have been where Sally was every time an x-ray or thinking something is wrong is it that effing blah blah ugly C word. It doesn't get easier to have that thought jump through your head every time something happens but we have to learn to live with it and try NOT to let it rule our lives.
I had a break down too yesterday lol so it must be a going around thing.. Recovery of surgeries lol
Sending you love & lots of 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."
Oh Lori, I think we can all relate to that. It takes the smallest little thing just to bring those scary memories right back to the surface. I love that Sally said the WACKO LAND REHAB CENTER FOR TRIPAWD PARENTS...... LOL. If this is crazy, then I will self-commit b/c there is no other place I'd rather be than amongst people who care and love their dogs so much they jump out of bed to check if they're breathing 
Logging in and seeing Ty was his way of telling you it's ok mama, I'm here, you don't have to worry.
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”
Thanks everyone for listening and helping me see I am not wacko! Well, not totally anyway. It was last year at this time that things were really, really bad for TY. His last walk was a few days before he crossed the bridge. We went down the lane to pick some daffodils. I have one pressed in his memory box. It was 3 days before I let him go. The Daffodils are blooming again. Somehow seems not right at all in some ways and totally all right in others. I will never look at them again without thinking of TY. Michelle and Sally, going back to the vet for X-rays, surgeries or anything is just plain hard isn't it? Sally, does Myrtle have to have surgery to fix her leg? I am very thankful for the support and friendship each and every one here has shown me. Thanks again for listening, Lori, Ty and the gang
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.
Oh Lori, I am so totally on the same page as you. I watch my girls like a hawk, looking for the slight limp, or whimper of pain. Then it's "all hands on deck" time when I get to the bottom of what is usually an overreaction on my part.
I did want to add, speaking for myself, every time I log in and read stories about another pawrent petrified of their journey ahead, I find myself reliving my own. I think if I had to put my finger on the problem, is that I'm finding it hard to believe that my girls are healthy. I also know fur-babies don't have long lifespans, so I'm constantly looking for that one malady that starts out innocently under the guise of a harmless injury or "cold", as if my diligence will lessen their suffering if I address it quick enough.
Now who's sounding like a complete wacko????
<3<3<3
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Pam...excellent points...valid and spot on!
Yay for wackos!!
Lori, the Daffodils were blooming here last year too at this time. She stopped and sat down by one particular bunch. I picked a couple and put them on jer woodstove so she could see them as she transitioned.
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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