Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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This morning Roxie followed so many other dearly-loved pets over The Bridge. Her fight with the lung mets that surfaced in last month's xrays is won, and she's now running again with her first Dad, Scotty, whose unexpected passing in June of 2012 resulted in our receiving the great gift that she was. 15 months of the best dog ever, and I can't even grasp it.
Her breathing became terribly labored yesterday with very little effort, and by last night her appetite was gone. And I saw it in her eyes. Slept downstairs with her, and every time I took my hand away she pushed at me to keep massaging her (ever the princess). Smokey and the 2 downstairs cats stayed very close to us all night. Discussed with my husband this morning and, when he heard hear breathing, he agreed. Vet's office cleared an appointment and we took Roxie and Smokey on a short tour around town and then headed over. My vet was startled at her change, but saw immediately that we were past any doubts. His great vet tech kissed her, hugged me, and loved all over Smokey. She went very peacefully and very quickly in my arms; with one breath, just as Smokey gave her a big smooch and I said my Mom stuff. We talked for awhile about how well-loved and special she was, hugged the vet, and went out to the car to bawl with hubby. He can't be with them when they pass, so this has become our routine with so many furries.
And it never gets easier. I'll write more later but I just wanted to thank everyone in this very special family for all the support and ideas and love that's here; it's meant the world to me.
Liz and Angel P-Roo
I'm so sorry 
I hope Roxy and Roxie are hanging out, playing and joking around about being name twinsies.
Love and strength to you and your family. *hugs*
I'm sorry Liz, I'm glad that Roxie was able to let you know that she was ready. You are right- no matter how many times you have been through it, it is not easy. The price we pay for loving unconditionally is the pain of the grief we must carry. I hope that we can lighten your load just a little.
Roxie will always be in your heart, and so will always be by your side.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Oh Liz, I am so sorry.
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
Liz,
I am so sorry about Roxie. I hope all of our babies are playing and enjoying each other. I really really hate cancer.
I know that it hurts and will for awhile. I know Princess Rooooo Rooo is going to be waiting for you to cross the bridge.
I am thinking about you & your family at this time.
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."
Liz, it's weird but you and Roxie were on my mind this morning. I am so very sorry to hear this.
Bless you for being so good to her, for always staying so in-tune with her needs and her quality of life. Cancer is a real energy drain for humans, you didn't let it, you lived each day in the now with her and didn't let it win. No animal could ask for more.
We send our deepest condolences to you and the pack. Please write when you are able.
{{{{{hugs}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh my dear, dear Liz. I am soooooo sorry. I also will write more later when I can catch my breath.
Take c fort in klwng, absolutely KNOWING you gave her the best life imaginable. Amd KNOWING that she trusted you would honor her wishes and give her the greatest gift of love today...as any loyal subject would do.
Roxie WON Liz. NOTHING took her spirit, nothing took her ability to love and to be loved and nothing took away from the precious moments you have had right up until breath that gave her the release from struggle she wanted. Roxie went out n ner own terms and in her own way.....surrounded by love of her pack. Roxie won!
Sweet Roxie has touched my life forever.
Always Auntie Sally and Happy Hannah
ROO ROOOOOOOOOOO ROO ROOOOOOOOOOO ROO ROOOOOOOOO ROO ROOOOOOOOOO ROO ROOOOOOOOOO
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!
Liz,
My deepest sympathy. You have been such a good mom to your Roxie Roo Roo through this journey. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Karma, the pack, and our special angel Brendol
Adelaide is a young tripawd Husky, from an injury. Her amp was on 10/1/12. She has 4 sisters, Aissa (a senior border collie/chow), Maggie May (a puppy Great Pyrenees), Mathilde and Morrigan and 1 baby brother, Bagheera. We are all watched over by our angel Brendol, who was dx with OSA 1/30/13, amp on 2/6/13, and left us on 8/20/13.
You can read their stories at http://adelaide.tripawds.com and http://brendol.tripawds.com
Oh Liz - my heart is aching for you. What an amazing bunch of friends she has found over the Bridge and she will be shining down on you always. Know that I am thinking of you.
Blessings-
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Liz I am so friggin sorry. I just am at a loss really for all the suckiness that has been happening lately but I do know these babies are all up there bouncing around having a grand ole time watching over us. I know that doesn't take away the pain. But I hope that during this difficult time it can bring you some comfort.
I'm sending you tons of love and hugs,
Erica
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Liz, I missed this yesterday. I'm still crying about the news of Sampson and now with Miss Roooing Roxie. She was so loved. So so loved. What a dear. I can still picture her Roooing. Isn't she still Roooing at us from above? I'm glad her end was peaceful and none too late. We miss you, Rooing Roxie. HUGS to you, Liz and your hubby and to Smokey.
I'm glad there was a birthday party!
~ Katy & Jackson
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!
Liz... I am so sorry that I missed this post.. I can't believe I missed this post.. I'm hanging my head in shame here... please forgive me..
6 months... too damn short after going through the Tripawd battle.. my boy Franklin, as I am sure you have read, was 5 1/2 months. I would have given anything, within reason, for extra time.. but he too told me that he was ready to run free...
but.. you are right.. they tell you with their eyes, their brow, their ears, their body.. they whisper to you that they are tired and that they want to go play and have fun with all the other dogs and pets in the meadow. It is up to us to hear that whisper... to listen... and to unhook that leash one last time to let them fun free and play...
Funny.. when Mr. Wilson does the rooo roo thing I was thinking of your Roxie girl.. after seeing the video.. I just chuckled. What a sweet girl..
I wish you strength, courage and some humour in there too, to get through the days ahead.
Thinking of you.... and yours
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!
Feeling her loss keenly tonight. I had to work late at the stupid job so couldn't take Smokey to Agility class (no school - woo hoo! was his thought bubble) this evening. He's been subdued and unsettled all week, so it would have been good to go. So instead we had a quick supper and took him out for a ride, a short run in the park, and ice cream. (no school AND the park AND IC - WOO HOOOOOOOO!!!) First time we did the evening cruise since Tuesday so it's been a very emotional night.
I thank you all for your continued kind words and thoughts. And Christine, no shame! and no forgiveness needed; these pages are filled with so many new stories and chapters closing in familiar ones it's hard to keep up. Comfort, whenever it arrives, is always most welcome. And it always arrives when it's needed most.
I'm glad the dogs' portraits are almost ready; I can't wait to see the finished version of the images on my computers. And having her 12th barkday was a big milestone for me to be able to give her a good pawty (and I just LOVE that musical cake, even if the furries roll their eyes). And I'm relieved that she didn't have to struggle through the last 2 days of heat and choking humidity. She used her new ramp on the renovated deck that I'd thought would never get done in time, so her pawprints are there, too, now. And Smokey's using it regularly.
And that's as far as I've gotten. I'll start bugging the vet Monday about her ashes; I want her home. But haven't ordered her urn yet. The artist who makes them asks for stories, pictures, and any information that helps her to create the urn. It's been therapeutic to do this, but I just can't string together the words yet to do justice to our Princess.
Maybe tomorrow. Getting dirty looks and deep sighs from the feline team so I'll head off to bed. Not looking forward to house cleaning and deciding whether to pick up rugs, extra beds, all those tangible things that right now are good AND sad reminders. BIG SIGH.
-Liz and Angel Princess Roo
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