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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
We set McGwire free today. He told us it was time-he'd stopped eating and drinking Friday and couldn't move anymore. His front leg was very swollen and he felt warm. We don't know what it was that finally did it, though part of me thinks it could have been kidney failure. He was ready. Brent and I were both able to be there to comfort him and it was over quickly. I kept some of his hair but left him with his collar and first toy. He was such a good dog- the nanny-dog, the lifeguard, the grump old man, the southern gentleman. He is loved and missed so much.
Explaining it to the boys has been hard. Parker's preschool hamster died this weekend too, so that is helping him understand the finality of it. Carter is 2 and just doesn't get it. It's also hard when all I want to do is to curl up in bed and they still need dinner on the table, bottoms wiped, etc. I'm sure the next few days will be that hardest on them, but we've been preparing them in some ways without trying to scare them or overwhelm them.
The house seems empty without him. I don't know what to do with his stuff. Part of me wants to get it out of my sight, the other part doesn't want to deal with it yet. In time, I will. I also want to create some sort of memorial for him. Just not ready yet.
Honestly, I just feel kind of numb and almost a relief that he isn't suffering any more. The last week was really bad, and I find peace in the fact that he's OK now. He's laying in the sun somewhere in heaven, woofing at the dogs who are running around him, telling them to settle down or else. He's not in pain, not itching, and whether he has 3 legs or 4, he's happy. That provides me quite a bit of relief, though that isn't quite the right word. Words don't matter anyway. Relationships do. Hug your dogs and each other.
Offline
Hi Amy
I haven't been around recently, so I did not know that McGwire was having a rough time lately, but just logged in and saw the sad news. McGwire has had a really good time since last July. I am so sorry to see him go (and particularly sorry to lose another July tripawd). It is hard to stay busy when you want to just curl up and cry or hold something that reminds you of McGwire. But maybe it is a good thing to stay busy. I hope you and your family can take pleasure in all the great memories you have of Mac.
Take care of yourself!
Tazzie's Susan
Oh NO!! I'm so sorry Amy, and I'm so sad for you.
Just put his things away for awhile--you won't see them, but they won't be gone. You can deal with them later.
I hope you get a chance for some space to cry and be good to yourself. Sending you comfort prayers.
Mary
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
I know it comes down to personal preference, but I want to keep Tazzie's things out, when he passed and even now, including the bed and doggy sweater my neighbours loaned me this fall (maybe I am showing just how nutty I am 
). I want to have things around that have his smell, although it is hardly a faint whiff anymore. The cards over his food and water bowls have become a bit of a shrine, largely thanks to you tripawds and a few others.
I am sad that McGwire is no longer around you in visible form, but I am happy that you guys got almost 8 great months together and a chance to open your hearts and minds a little wider 🙂 He will be missed, but he will forever be a part of who you are. My thoughts are with you.
<3 laura
Oh Amy - I'm just so very sorry and sad for you and your family! McGwire is going to be missed by all of us, too.
Don't do much thinking today, it's too soon. Just get done what needs to get done. You are still in shock right now and your body and mind needs to adjust to the loss.
I wished I could say something profound but I never can come up with the right words to help cope with a loss. All I know is how it feels.
And for that I feel so sad for you.
May his spirit bring you happiness in the months to follow.
Lots of wuv and wags,
Comet's mom
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
We understand, no words can describe ... but we are so sorry for your loss, and thank you for the update. Run free of pain and rest in peace Big Mac!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am so sorry to hear that Mc Gwire lost his battle. I hope you will be able to find some peace with all the wonderful memories that you all shared together.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
I am so sorry for you and your family. I know you are feeling a pain that only time can heal. And you are so right, MacGuire is out of pain and is now at peace.
I'm with Comet on what to do with his things - leave them until you are ready to deal with it. You will know whether that means leaving them out or putting them away. We do what we must do to keep going, and then one day our brain is ready to face the reality of it all.
I know exactly what you mean about that feeling of relief. I felt that way when my dad lost his long battle with lung cancer. My heart is with you. The beautiful MacGuire will be missed by all of us.
RIP sweet MacGuire. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Amy, our hearts break for you and the family. We are so deeply sorry.
In your most recent post, all of us were hoping for a rebound. McGwire was a strong boy, who did his best to take care of his family for as long as he could. And now, that sense of relief you are feeling is McGwire's spirit soaring through the sky and running free with his Tripawd friends. May his spirit shine forever in the universe and here at Tripawds.
We know your decision to say goodbye was very hard, and we send many many hugs your way. Be good to yourself and take your time to process your grief. We are here if you want to talk OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Amy,
I am so sorry to read that McGwire has left you physically. What he has brought to you emotionally and mentally will be with you forever. Sometime, hopefully soon you will smile as you think of him and the joy of sharing his life will be stronger than the sadness at losing him.
As far as putting his stuff away don't worry about it until you are ready. Although it kind of depends on your children and especially how Parker is handling it. He might find comfort having McGwire's stuff around him. Death is so hard for young children like yours to understand. It is hard to deal with their grief and questions and curiosity while you are dealing with your own grief. When I went back to work after losing Emily my preschool children had so many questions about her cancer and death. I really didn't really want to talk about it but I think it is important to be honest and upfront about it.
You are right though. He is in a better place and is no longer suffering. There really is comfort in that. You and your family are in my prayers.
Debra & Angel Emily
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.
Amy I am so sorry to read of McGwire's passing! I know that there were a lot of wonderful Tripawd angels waiting to meet him at the other side of the bridge my Tehya being one of them. I totally feel your pain and am sending you and your family a huge hug. I too do not know what to do with Tehya's things. I have put her dishes away but have kept her toys in her toy box in our family room I just can part with them yet. Which I don't think is a bad thing they were part of our family for a number of years and we have to deal with our grief the best we can if it means keeping things in the open and around for a long time so be it.
Last night my niece gave me a beautiful scrapbook on Tehya's life it is very hard to look at it but it is something I will treasure forever perhaps you could do something like that to honor McGwire.
Sincerely,
Darlene (Angel Tehya's Mom)
I'm so sorry, Amy, in your loss of McGwire. We love them so much...they are never here long enough.
Hugs to you and your family for your loss.
Thinking of you, Amy.
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
I'm so sorry to hear of McGwire's passing. But you are right when you say you "set him free." He is now free from pain, free from the cancer that harmed his body. His spirit will be with you always, and that is something that cancer can never take away. I hope all your great memories of him can bring you some comfort in this difficult time.
Words cannnot express how sorry we are to hear of McGwire's passing, but would like for you to accept our deepest sympathy at this time. In our minds, we know when it is time. In our hearts, we know when it is time. We can look into their eyes and see that this dreaded disease has drained all their remaining strength. I also know that at this moment, none of it is much consolation for the extreme loss you are now feeling.
As I look about through the tears that once more stream down, I can see some of Cherry's things still about, others have been disposed tossed, but there are very special things like her three special TriPawd sweaters that kept her warm after the chemotherapy, that have been placed in very special places so that I will never lose them. There is no hurry - time will let you know when and where to put everything.
Since it has been less than three months, I can understand the numbness that fill you now. It is normal, and it is a way for us to deal with things that we do not know how to deal with. It was more than a month before I could put words together to make sencences, but they eventually did come. Two very important things to remember at this time. First, we and all this community will be here to support you through this very difficult time. Lean on us! Second and even more importantly, you will never be totaly without McGwire for the gifts that McGwire gave you will live with you forever. Listen closely and you can still hear the collar! I know that I can still hear Miss Cherry's voice as I enter the house.
You will be in our prayers - for the day when you will be able to remember McGwire with a smile and not just this lonliness. I myself have with the help of the dearest friend imaginable and the adventures of her newest addition.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
1 Guest(s)
