Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I don't know how talking about it could be counterproductive...you just talk away and we are here to listen. I have always thought that I wished my animals would go when the time was here and save me from having to make that call time after time after time...and now I have read on here about several that happened the way it happened with Shadow (and Ge'Lena's beloved pooch) and now I'm not so sure. Especially with the no warning. I feel so bad for you today .... you guys NEED this mourning time and don't let anyone try to convince you otherwise.
On the practical side....Call your ins. company and see if your home owners will cover sending a company to take out the stain...it doesn't hurt to ask and if they DON'T, call somewhere like servicemaster or ask the ins. company what places they use when they DO send them out, call that company and ask if you can get what product they use. There are companies (okay, adult warning here) that clean up crime scenes that are awful so they should give you some guidance in that area. No, you DON'T want to leave it there to see day after day and act as a reminder.
Big hugs to you, it is certainly unfair when life comes at you from the direction you AREN'T looking in!
Hi Krispi, by counterproductive I mean that sometimes it helps but sometimes talking about it just makes me sad all over again. I have to get to a point where I only think about the good times and not about his death. I know it's a natural progression but there is a certain amount of feeling guilt - that I could have prevented it - kept him calm and kept his heart from being stressed. It's a pipe dream but there it is. We cannot control cancer but maybe I could have done something about this. I don't know - maybe not but there it is.
Oh Connie,
You can't beat yourself up! You cannot blame yourself. It's our maternal/paternal instincts that tell us to protect our babies and when we can't we feel like we have no control and have done something wrong!
I can promise you that when I, (and Spirit Jake's mom) lost our babies to hemangiosarcoma (the cancerous tumor on the heart), we had no warnings! It's a blood cancer that just burst and fills up the heart sac making the heart not able to pump. Rugby was happy and silly just moments before! It's like he had a sudden heart attack and went almost semi-comatose. My vet thought it was a black widow bite so I didn't think much of it and left him to run test. I didn't even say goodbye! Spirit Jake's mom was lucky to get a quick diagnoses and she tried to save him but it just didnt work out.
I beat myself up for months because I would have gone to the ends of earth to save him! Instead, I just left him at the vet's to run tests - like everything was going to be just fine! I could have at least sat in the waiting area! No, I come home and get the dreaded phone call.
I didn't have anyone to talk to except my husband and he was a wreck, too. My mom was in the hospital and I tried to keep a brave face to her. I was miserable. His death was almost unbearable. I had just lost my only sibling and brother suddenly a couple of years earlier and I somehow coped even though it was horrible. But I always had my sanctuary of my home, husband and furbabies to get through his death. My sanctuary was shattered when Rugby died and no one really understood.
That's how I come to find tripawds. This site and talking with others got me through it all. I was able to share my fears of having Comet and the fear of her not having her Rugby and the fear of being without any family one day. I talked and talked until probably most here got tired of it! (Thank goodness for new members all the time!) 
So, talking will help. It'll make you sad but it will help in coping of the loss, too. Sadness is part of the recovery.
We are here for you.
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.
Connie, my deepest condolences and apologies for not seeing this sooner, I've been away.
The shock of losing a loved one when you least expect is a horrible experience and one that makes my heart ache just thinking about. Sometimes we like to think that dying suddenly is a blessing but then how can that be when you hardly get to say goodbye? Either way, it's heartbreaking and miserable, I am so, so sorry.
You are a strong Dog Mom who has an incredible knack for understanding the canine psyche. I know you will find your way through this grief with all of the courage and fortitude of your furry kids, but while you are, please know we are thinking of you and ready to listen at a moment's notice OK?
As for Blade, again, these things never come when we are prepared for them. I'm sorry. Please keep us posted on the diagnosis OK?
Many, many hugs coming your way.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
krispikritter said:
There are companies (okay, adult warning here) that clean up crime scenes that are awful so they should give you some guidance in that area.
We actually know some people who do this kind of work. I used to think it was horrible to even ponder, but you know their philosophy is? That the gory work they do is a huge gift to the families, who don't have to have those terrible reminders in the house.
Terrific advice Diane, thank you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am so very sorry. I felt your pain while reading the post. 
I also understand the part about thinking what you could have done differently, as an old "trick" of mine was to go to my head and think rather than stay with my heart and feel. It seemed less painful that way, as I was preoccupied by thoughts. But you know what? I've learned that it's always better to feel in these situations, and to grieve, and to talk and cry as much as I need to for however long. In time you will think more about the good times and less about his death, but you can't rush it.
Sending you and your husband peace and comfort.
Lexi
Daisy, 12 years young, had left forelimb amp on 5/19/2010 due to osteosarcoma. She left her body behind and joined the other spirit tripawds on 7/16/2010.
So grateful for each day with her!
Lexi (Daisy's momma)
I'm so sorry to read about Shadow. And about the latest news for Blade. I'm sending hugs across the miles, and wish there was something I could do... We're all here for you.
Hugs,
Susan
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
Thank you all so very much. And thank you Jerry - I like thinking that I'm a strong dog mom - that made me smile. Again thank you for being there for me.
I am so sorry Connie and Dan, for your loss of Shadow.
My first Cattledog died quite suddenly and unexpectedly. I totally understand your shock and loss.
I am just so so sorry.
Peace be with you both.
Big hugs,
Denise
Kona turned 9yrs on April 16, 2010.
Kona was diagnosed Memorial Weekend 2010 with osteosarcoma.
Right rear leg amputated on June 4th. First chemo June 18th 2010
Second chemo July 9th, 2010 Third and final (yea !!!) chemo July 30th, 2010
ONE TOUGH GIRL this Australian Cattledog !
***Kona's journey/fight ended late in the evening of December 22, 2010***
We Love you so much Kona….always
Bella 9yrs, albino lab/aussie shep/pit?(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind (from birth) in one eye limited vision in other.(laid back, ok lazy 73 lbs)
Cotton, 5yrs, albino hound/terrier of somesort/???(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind in one eye(from birth), excellent vision in seeing eye. (ball addict…destroyer of Kong balls…yes,etc), high energy 55lbs knots of muscle)
Kona Kai's pup brother and sister as well as her buddy and playmate cat, Shaymous 12yrs (like Seamus), miss her terribly.
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