Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Happy Birthday to Sammy. This was a beautiful tribute that made me cry. We are in the fight but I'm afraid that it may not be a long one... so your post hit my heart hard.
K, an 8 year old chocolate lab, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the radius and ulna on 12/23/11. She had stereotactic radiation to kill the bone tumors, and 3 rounds of carboplatin. On 3/16/12, lung mets were found. We tried several different kinds of chemotherapy to slow the lung mets but none worked. Finally, mets appeared at other sites, including her spine. She earned her angel wings on July 15, 2012. K changed my life, and I'll never forget her. Our/my journey is chronicled at romp-roll-rockies.blogspot.com.
Angel Abby's mom, that image makes me smile 🙂Â
Valentina, thank you.Â
Kbear, you are in a very challenging place right now. All I can say is save the grief for later, believe me it will be there. You still have your beautiful red head, hug her, love her right now. What I would give to be able to hug my boy again, hold him and hear his sounds of happiness. It is really important that you concentrate on the joy of being able to do that now. If you are sad, she'll be sad too and that would be one less happy day for her.
 I'll send up many prayers for you that she has lots and lots of happy days ahead.
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Elizabeth, Sammy's mom
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
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I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Happy birthday to Sammy... I miss him too, I still remember when I first came to tripawds, someone commented on how much my Cooper looked like Sammy, and how Elizabeth was a little on the shy side. But despite any shyness , Cooper and I did come to know Sammy and Elizabeth. And how glad I am that we did! I was scared to death, my own dog of my dreams had cancer , and had just lost his leg and I didnt know what to do! But this smiling boy and his mom were such happy role models for Cooper and I that many of our fears melted away over time. I shared the same dream that Elizabeth had for Sammy with my Cooper, that he would beat cancer and remain cancer free for the rest of his life... that was not to be, but by watching how Elizabeth, Sammy and others on tripawds coped - we were ok. I hope that Cooper and Sammy have met and shared time running and being happy together at the bridge, Sammy - your namesake, my Samson, has a wonderful smile too, I dont think it is nearly as infectious as yours, but it brings me lots of joy. Happy brithday Sammy!
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Coopsdad
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
Awww Coopsdad, that makes me smile through tears. Those were some intense and oddly comforting days. We cried, we worried, we laughed. I remember when you and Coop first showed up, I could feel the love you have for him shining in every word. I instantly bonded with Cooper, he was our "brother from another".  We rooted for you both, I cried so hard when I learned about Coop crossing the bridge.Â
Shy.....lol 
 You still make me smile
Sammy's name sake Samson is one of the best things that came from this experience. We are honored to watch him grow, I love all his pic's and news of his adventures. It is like getting a chance to see Sammy all over again, a joyful and bright Sammy, all his legs, young again, this list is endless. It gives me great comfort and was a wonderful gift that you gave us by letting Sammy's name live on. Also, by being our friend!
ElizabethÂ
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
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I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Elizabeth, I somehow missed this post. I am so sorry you are hurting and understand it too well. These first birthdays without our Sammys are pretty horrible, aren't they? My Sammy would have been 8 March 16. I miss him so much that I sometimes just freeze with grief. But, more often, Rick and I smile as we remember our perfect furbaby and his giant personality.
I am very conflicted because we get to bring Wrigley, our new golden puppy home Saturday. I know we will love him but, as the date approaches, I find myself dwelling even more on Sammy. He leaves big paws to fill.
From the beginning you and I felt a connection: Elizabeth & Sammy and Beth & Sammy. We both called them Smilin' Sammy. (It is even on Sammy's papers.) Because of that, I feel sure your Sammy and my Sammy are best buddies now. I bet they are celebrating in style, playing and wearing those big happy grins. Talk about a big Tripawds party — I bet those tripawds at the bridge know how to parrttteee! Fresh water for everyone!
Run free, and happy birthday, Sammys!
Lots of hugs,
Beth
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
Beth, I didn't see your reply until now. It makes me sad that your boy was even younger than my Sammy. I was so hoping my boy would make it for his 10th birthday.Â
I too felt the connection with you and your Sammy, your fight. How you got him, all of it. When my Sammy died, I went from intense worry, the constant struggling to figure out how to pay for things, the daily planning to nothing. It was a huge crash and burn. It was a momentum build up with nothing at the end but grief.
I felt awful, but almost immediately I started looking for a dog to bring home. I needed to be in the companionship of another dog, I needed to be needed. I wasn't trying to replace Sammy, (impossible!) but over the years with all of my dogs being old and dying, I haven't had a dog that I could take places for a walk, or to play games with. I just felt completely let down and wanted to start something positive with a dog who needed someone like me.
So, when I brought home Golly, with all her puppy energy it breathed new life into my heart. She has given me hope and joy. She has given me a job. There is lots to do with a new puppy. Teething, potty training, going for shots, teaching them their place in the family.Â
Don't worry about your Wrigley (awesome name 🙂 You will love him immensely. You can't love him like you did Sammy, because he won't be Sammy. You will love him like Wrigley, for that is who he will be. I think of my boy almost every day, sometimes with lots of hurt, sometimes with laughter and smiles, then the ache. I look forward to reading of your new arrival.
Elizabeth
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
Â
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Cheeto is very precious 🙂 Hugs back!
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
Â
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Elizabeth, I don't think I have seen a picture of Golly, have I? How old is she now? I am so glad that she is bringing joy into your life.
This weekend has been so much fun and so crazy. My son was here with Yoshi, Wrigley's brother and littermate; our daughter was here with Sosa. Sammy's brother and littermate; and today we had 18 other people here to celebrate my mom's 88th birthday. Geez, what was I thinking!
Wrigley was soooo good. He loved everyone and is really good about letting us know when he has to potty. He and Yoshi bounced around the yard and learned to go up and down the stairs to the deck. He also bit Sosa's tail and elicited a ferocious (for a golden) ruff and pounce. Wrigley slunk over to me with his belly practically scaping the deck. Two minutes later he thought he would try it again ... Sosa, who we babysit for five days a week, is going to be sorely tempted to run away. I am sure he would never intentionally hurt Wrigley, but these first few weeks are going to be interesting. Sammy would love him — well, probably not right away, but I am sure Wrigley would grow on him just like he will on Sosa!
Right now he is snuggled next to me on the coach, nursing in his sleep. Too, too cute.
I will try to post photos tomorrow. I took a few today, but I am not thrilled with them. I hope Rick has some better ones on his camera. I didn't have mine with me Saturday.
— Beth and Spirit Smilin' Sammy
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
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