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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Member Since:
21 May 2016
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3 January 2017 - 6:45 pm
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Sweet, sweet Christine 🌹

I hear you 🌹🌹

The void our babies leave behind stays with us forever no matter how much time goes by ... or how many times we loose a beloved pet 💔 

I still miss Kinky enormously and she left 5 1/2 years ago ... it is like she left yesterday ...

As for Eurydice I am savouring every second and shaking off negative thoughts and for the most part I have been successful ...

But the day will come for us to part just like you, Otis and Tess 😔

I really feel your sorrow sweet girl and wish I could give you a big, big, big hug ✊🏼💗💗💗

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

Santa Fe, NM


Member Since:
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4 January 2017 - 10:26 am
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A little late, as seems to be my usual.

I too feel a little guilty that Isa is doing so well now. And I do what is apparently the required freak-out if she starts panting or can't be bothered to get up (I'm beginning to suspect I've spoiled her beyond any rational hope of redemption).

I can't tell you how much I appreciate those of you further along this journey to show me (us) that even after the unimaginable, you still get up and go to work and do what needs to be done. I was crying so hard after reading about Hank this morning that I had to hide in the bathroom. Very mixed feelings entering this new year, knowing that the odds of Isa surviving until next Christmas are very slim.

At least we're in this together. That counts for a lot.

Peace and hugs to all.

Right rear leg amp 7/12/16 due to OSA. Metastatic lesion on her right front leg, January 2017. Joined the Winter Warriors January 19, 2017. Run free my sweet girl.

Michigan
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2 April 2013
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5 January 2017 - 9:27 am
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tinsch said
" I was shell-shocked when the x-rays came back clean a month ago. Yes, in a good way obviously, but I was so set on this being the beginning of the end that there wasn't even room in my mind for a better outcome. ok, writing this down actually makes me realize how stupid that is. still true, though.

I guess it feels like a walk on a tight rope all the time: a huge high with the constant impeding danger of the lowest fall.  

Oh, Let me tell you!  When Murphy had his x-rays done back in September, I thought that he for sure had some mets.  I mean, it had been 3 1/2 years since his surgery, so of course he did!  When I looked at the x-rays, when I saw with my own eyes that his lungs were clear, I had tears in my eyes right there at the vet's office!  I felt like my knees were going to buckle!  I really couldn't believe that his lungs were perfect, that he was still good, that we still had more time!  I mean, you try so hard to Be More Dog , to live life day to day.  But to have proof that you still have time is amazing!  It's scary, too, because you're so afraid to look at them ..so afraid that you're going to see a bunch of white dots all over the place.

Keep enjoying the runs in the woods.  We have snow today, so Murphy is happy smiley

Donna

Donna, Glenn & Murphy 

Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17  
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs

Donna.png


Member Since:
21 July 2016
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10 January 2017 - 12:18 am
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I stumbled across everyones posts and stories above as I can't sleep, I completely relate and I have been and currently am a wreck.  

I'm completely heart broken.  Cooper was doing so well (Left front amp 7/21/16) and then went down so fast. I adopted Cooper at my College graduation, living 1200 miles from family, so he was with me for everything in my adult life through adventures and journeys and moving back to Texas.  Single with my pup, that is how I know myself.  Just a huge void and I am questioning every decision.  Was it the right time?  Was it too long?  Was it too short?  I was out of town for Christmas and came home and he was laying around and clearly less active, we went to the vet and his liver levels were highly elevated, he was urinating blood clots and they saw significant mass on his liver from X-rays, prior to surgery he was 71 pounds, now down to 58 lbs, and also had pale gums.  But he was still wagging his tail and playing with toys, and the next day he wasn't.  He didn't get up or even move when I came home at night on Dec. 30th so I stayed with him in the living room, he didn't get up, didn't want water, didn't want food, but would pick his head up here and there.  The next morning, he was the same, so we went to the vet, begrudgingly knowing he probably wasn't coming back home with me, his blood was worse and he just looked less and less himself.  New Years Eve I said goodbye and now feel so guilty.  I want my dog back and I can't have him.  I knew eventually the time would come, but not this soon.  He was just short of 12 years old, but full of life and so happy all the time.  I know with time it will hurt less, but at the same time I don't want to let go of thinking of him.  I don't want to move his gigantic bed, I don't want all the dog hair to disappear. I never saw the x-rays of the mass on his liver, they just told me it was 'significant' and I think if I ask to see them it might make it easier to accept and know it was truly the right time.  Am I crazy?  Does anyone have any advice?  I'm okay most of the day, just night is really hard and I think it is so much worse today as I am worn out.

Much love to everyone as I know you can relate.

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This was Cooper chilling in the leaves before we went to the vet to get checked out 12/29/16.  

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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10 January 2017 - 7:52 am
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Linda, I'm so sorry ((((hugs))))). Cooper was a beautiful boy. 

on my phone now but wanted to get your post approved so others can see it. I'll be back later today. 

Stay tuned for support from our wonderful community.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Minneapolis, MN
Member Since:
23 April 2016
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10 January 2017 - 9:19 am
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Linda, I am so, so sorry. I know exactly what you mean when you say that Cooper was just shy of 12, but full of life.  Pofi had turned 12 in mid September, but he was never an old dog and now he never will be.  He was so strong and so engaged in life. I got a lovely card from the surgeon who performed the benign lump removal in later Sept and also saw him when the neuro symptoms started.  He absolutely did not think it was the cancer because of how strong and full of life Pofi seemed, so he was shocked to hear what we discovered a few weeks later and that we had to let him go.

If it helps at all, though you did not look at the imaging of liver mass, the pale gums and weight loss are so consistent with hemangeosarcoma or other mass on the liver and a compromised liver is just pretty devastating to the body.  I think your timing was what it should have been.  It is just your longing for his company that is making you think otherwise.  

The day before we noticed the start of neuro symptoms, we were at the dog park and a man talking to me about Pofi told me he was utterly shocked to find out Po was 12 and that based on his appearance and energy, even with three legs, he thought Pofi was 3 or 4 years old.  He barely had any white hair - not even in his muzzle.  And he was vibrant, always.  Even up till the final days.  My nights are tough.  I was just weeping inconsolably last night - saying out loud over and over again, "I love you so much, Pofi" and "I miss you."  I couldn't stop myself - it just had to come out.  I had to say it aloud instead of only in my head. 

I hope you can find comfort in knowing he knew how dearly loved he was and how important he was to you.  You did what was best for him at great cost to your own happiness and he was very lucky indeed for that and all the love you gave him in his life.

Lisa

Lisa, Minneapolis

On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly.  His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.

Blog: Pofi, Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Amputation

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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10 January 2017 - 9:32 am
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Oh zweet Linda. This just breaks my heart to hear about zweet Cooper. I'm just sooo sorry, so very, very sorry.

And yes, we understand every single word you wrote and every single tear that is falling and every single second guessing mo.ent you are having. We understand the grief seems unbearable. We understand you are absolutely taken to yiur knees in heartache. We understand the void a d thst all the routines stopped in an instant.

And we all underdtand that you will NEVER stop thinking about him, okay? But we also understand that your thoughts will eventually become happier as you remember all of the thousands of joyful and fun times you and Cooper shared. And goodness knows, you and Cooper definitely shared some exciting adventures!

You don't have to move his bed, or anything of his ever if you don't want to! In fact many of us still have things in certain spots even years later. Some have made a @ittle tribute corner or shelf filled with special mementos. I have a little baggy with my Happy Hannah's fur also. So maybe it would help to save any fur of Cooper's that you find.

Linda, you loved Cooper enough to give him release from an earthly body that no longer served him. He KNEW you loved him enough to give him that gift. You didn't need to see an xray, or do anymore test kr ask any more questions. COOPER TOLD YOU he was ready. He could not have made his wishes anymore clear.

For whatever it's worth, I was ow ed by a wonderful dog named Mickey Motto who also had liver "failure". His transition was very, very similar to Cooper's. Once the decline started, kt was very quick. It wasn't a "painful" thing per se, just a yucky feeling. Like you, I was able to give him the gift of release within about 24 hrs of all the symptoms Cooper was displaying. Your timing could not have been more perfect.

Cooper wants you to remember all the great adventures you and he had. He wants you to remember his smile..a d what a great smile that boy has!! Does that mean it will happen instantly? No! The grief is too suffocating right now. Too raw. And it will hit you in waves when you least expect it. Everyone here will tell you that, even years later. But it does lessen Promise!!

Cooper will never leave you. He is nestled in your heart always. Yes, his "earthly" body is no longer there, but his energy, the essence of who he is, his Spirit is always around you. He WILL give you some signs to let you know that. I hope you will share that with js when it happens.

Cooper needs to know you will be okay, because he is. In fact, could you do him a favor right now? Cllse your eyes aand d be still. There was a certain thing that Cooper would do that would make you laugh out loud. He loved it when you laughed! What was it? Yeah, those are the memories that Cooper and you shared that will always be with you.

Cooper wants you to know he had the time of his life with you, and he wouldn't change a thing!

When you can, start a thread for Cooper and tell us more about that sweet boy. We would looove to see more pictures too!

Surrounding you with Cooper's eternal love

Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being 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!

Member Since:
14 February 2016
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10 January 2017 - 12:19 pm
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So sorry to hear about your loss of Cooper.  I also thought of myself as "the woman with two black dogs" so felt like I lost part of my identity as well.   Move stuff when and if you feel like it.  I still have the nicer industrial floor mats on the hall and kitchen floors, and my bed is still minus its frame.  (That 6 inches made a difference for Otis getting up and down)   Gator has started sleeping on two of the dog beds, but there are five that are unused and still sitting in various rooms.  He won't touch Otis' and Tess' toys - Tess' stuffed squirrel, the last toy she played with, is sitting on my living room mantel.   Other things, like Otis' favorite (and very old) bed and the yoga mats all over, are gone. 

In terms of the final x-ray.  I saw Otis' x-ray the day before he passed, but not the one the night of.  At that point, the symptoms were obvious to me, so the vet's confirmation was enough.  I did not see Tess' x-rays, but her condition was deteriorating so rapidly that when the vet said that the x-rays showed more tumors around her heart, I knew it was time.  I don't feel any real need to see them (but if you do, I am sure the vet still has them).   From your description of his condition, I am not sure that seeing the x-rays would have made a difference.

And the dog hair, you will keep finding that for a long time to come!   big-grinIt seems to reproduce in my closet.   Actually, one of the most depressing things was the first Saturday when I did not have to vacuum dog hair - my ritual for years had been to vacuum up all the dog hair on the weekends.

Hang in there, and post more.  This is a community that truly understands the very real grief in losing a companion.

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

Green Bay, WI


Member Since:
18 May 2014
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10 January 2017 - 4:51 pm
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Oh Lindsay....I've been wondering what happened ever since I saw your facebook post; so sorry to hear the story. I remember chatting with you the very first night when he came home - you both have a special place in my heart. I have no words of wisdom, to help with your sadness. Just know I wish you peace in the days ahead.

Paula and Nitro

Nitro 11 1/2  yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms.  Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"

http://nitro.tripawds.com

"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior

Member Since:
16 October 2016
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10 January 2017 - 5:10 pm
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Linda, I'm sorry about your loss of Cooper - what a great picture there.  No, you're not crazy to want to see the x-ray, if you think it will help, then go ahead and ask.  Leave his things down for as long as you need to. 

It's easy to keep busy during the day and then as the day winds down you start to feel the sadness; you can't rest - feel free to come here to post or look for someone to talk to.  Everyone here is so understanding and supportive and knows how difficult this is.

As hard as it is, try not to feel guilty - remember how much you loved each other and took care of each other, you and your handsome boy.

Tracey & Tai

Schofield, WI
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13 August 2015
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10 January 2017 - 6:12 pm
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I'm so so sorry you had to let your ❤️ Dog Cooper go!  Loosing a ❤️ dog is like loosing a big piece of who you are.  They were with you so long and are such a part of your life it feels like you can't even breathe.   We know how hard this time is for you.  Let yourself grieve now and someday in the future it will get easier.  To love so deeply one must grieve deeply also those two go hand in hand.  As the days go by you will still feel sweet Coopers presence all around you.  He hasn't left you his love and spirit remain in your heart forever.  Sending you healing light and peace at this hardest of times.

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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10 January 2017 - 6:22 pm
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Oh my gosh, no Linda, you are NOT crazy. We all had those feelings of regret and wondering if it was our pet's time to get wings. That is SO normal, every pet parent feels that way. All of us process the grief in different ways, at different time frames. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. As the saying goes, when we love hard, we grieve hard. All of us here understand that. 

There is never enough time with our beloved animals. To lose that deep connection to such selfless souls is a real blow to our daily lives. It takes time to learn to live without their physical presence, but always remember that Cooper's loving soul is now embedded in your heart and your life forever. His body was just a shell, it's his beautiful energy that manifested into a timeless, eternal presence in your life that never dies. I promise you that.

Take your time. Process as you need to. We'll be here to listen. And if you want to do an entirely separate post for Cooper, or write up a Tripawd Tuesday feature for the news blog, we would love that. It helps heal.

Much love & condolences coming your way from our pack.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Michigan
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2 April 2013
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10 January 2017 - 8:16 pm
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Oh Lindsay ~

When we first adopted Cassie, way back before Murphy (or Max) ...we had Taz.  Taz was my baby!  My son & I adopted him after I graduated nursing school.  We got the pick of the litter big-grin  He was the best dog - he slept with me during the day because I worked midnight shift, he was house-trained easily, he loved everyone he met - including cats.  He was so gentle when we adopted Cassie, it took about a week before he would play with her.  He was 11 & had some lipomas from eating cat food.  Most of them were fine, and he was on fat free dog food.  We kept an eye on his blood work - his lipids were coming down.  In June we had 1 removed because it was on the inside of his thigh, so we were worried about it pinching a nerve or his femoral artery.  He had blood work done at that time so that he could undergo anesthesia.  At the beginning of August we went on vacation & took the dogs to our groomer's to stay.  On that Friday she called me to ask if Taz had ever had a stroke - no, why?  Well, he was just laying on the deck, not really interacting with the other dogs & she thought that was weird.  I told her that if she was concerned to take him in to our vet, so she did.  I talked to him a bit - he thought he was in pain - did blood work & x-rays, gave him a pain shot & sent him home.  I just knew.  We left Cape Cod & started driving - it's a long drive to Michigan & it would have been a little faster to drive through Canada, but then we would have lost cell service, so we stayed in the States.  Around 6 am Saturday morning she called me ...he was gone ..we were less than an hour from home.crying  I will never forget that feeling - I wasn't there for my baby.  My vet did show me the x-rays:  he had very large masses in his liver & spleen.  Typical of hemangiosarcoma.

I get it Lindsay.  I'm so sorry about Cooper.  It's so fast.  And it really sucks.

Donna

Donna, Glenn & Murphy 

Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17  
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs

Donna.png

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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10 January 2017 - 8:27 pm
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Donna....heartheartheart

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!


Member Since:
21 July 2016
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10 January 2017 - 9:03 pm
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Thank you everyone, the reassurance really does help.  I'm learning that yes, this does come in waves.  I'm so comforted that this website exists, I feel like a lot of my friends and people at work don't understand and it's hard to actually talk about this with them.  It may just be in my head.  Luckily I don't have to be in my office and I have a lot of flexibility where I can work.

I managed to go back to sleep after a conference call this morning only to wake to the vet calling a couple hours later.  His ashes are ready.  I think I will try to go tomorrow and take the vet's office a box of goodies; I can't imagine the things they see and deal with and they were all so nice and sent a very nice condolence card with notes from everyone in the office.

Scrolling through pics on my phone.... Cooper was no dummy when it came to comfort.... laughing  

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