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
Offline
It helped us to have Libby back under our roof. I hope having Shelby return home comforts you as well. You have been on my mind every day. I'm sorry you are facing this alone, even when friends want to help, it's still hard. We are your family too so lean on us whenever you need.
Katy is right about people asking how you're doing. They DO care and are sincere but I'm usually ok until someone asks me that question, then the tears come very easily. My hubby and I were sniffling in the car today remembering our girl. It's always right under the surface and that's just the way it is. Hang in there kiddo, it's gonna get better.
Hugs,
Amy & Spirit Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
yes... it is MUCH better having her here. Her little clay paw print warms my heart and soul (it's her actual paw print) and there was a single strand of Shelby fur on it. Her box is beautiful, subtle and has a heart with her name on it. It is very comforting. I talk to it in the morning, at night, during the day...
Mornings remain the hardest (as they always are with me and grief). When my eyes open, I feel punched in the gut. It takes me a lot more to get out of bed now.
Today has been a harder day. I found some old disposable cameras and figured I would see if there were photos on them and there were ... Shelby at the beach in Oregon. Shelby on the couch. Shelby being Shelby... and it's sad because usually I would share these photos with my friends but I can't ... I can't keep being the weepy sad one.
My mom gently reminded me it's only been less than a week and NO one expects me to be 100% back to normal. SO I have to find the happy medium to temper my sadness and allow myself to grieve. You all have been an amazing beacon of strength. @ Amy - yes, it is very hard living alone and not having any outlet except these forums...I feel tragically alone sometimes. @ Claudia - your relationship with JG is exactly how me and Shelby were ... we went everywhere together. She was my travel buddy, my lunch date, my cocktail date. Thank you for always checking in on me. The quiet it what kills me.
@ Katy - yes, tomorrow at work will be hard because you are right - people WILL ask how I am to be kind and I have to have a happy medium of being honest and being adult and professional. It will be hard. I don't know what I will say because the truth is that I feel like my heart was ripped out and all I find comfort in doing is binge watching TV and sleeping.
I find myself just staring off into space... like a zombie... BUT I did get out today. I did two back to back spin classes. I went to the store. I was nice to people. I tried to smile. You know those pet adoptions they have at the stores? I walked past one of them today and there was a cute little dog and she ignored everyone except me. I truly believe dogs can sense sadness... I told her that she was adorable and she would find a good home but it wasn't with me. Not today. Not yet. I don't know when will be the right time but I feel like Shelby will let me know...
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Alison I have been thinking about you so much - your mom is SO RIGHT, it has only been a week....you grieve all you want, it really is only natural.
It's OK to be the weepy one - it really is. And you are absolutely right - in time you will be able to open up your heart again to another doggy - there is absolutely not timeline for that, some need to right away and some need a lot longer and I guarantee Shelby will show you the way and bring the right baby into your life.
xoxoxo,
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
Hi Alison
Just thinking about you tonight and sending you lots of hugs as you return to work tomorrow. As everyone has said, it is still really early days.....you need to grieve in the way that works for you.
Many hugs
Linda and Tucker
Good luck tomorrow Allison, we will be thinking of you and sending lots of love and courage your way. xoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Alison,
Will you share some of those pictures with us? I'd like to see them!
I'm glad you got out today. That's a big step. Remember, one step at a time.
Hugs,
Carol
Dear Alison,
I am so very sorry to hear of Shelby's passing. Although I have only known the two of you for a short time, the bond between you was wonderful to see. I hope the love you shared together will comfort you in the coming days and weeks.
Love and light,
Kirsten & Fred x
I agree, we would love to see those pictures! You weep and yell all you want with us. That is what we are here for. yes sleep is great! We do not think when we sleep. I hope your day was ok today. It is hard to try to act normal when your heart is hurting. You hang in there. We are 100% behind you. Thoughts and prayers, Lori & TY
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Thank you all! I will scan and share some of the photos. I do want to and plan to continue Shelby's blog. It's cathartic for me and she had an amazing life and has more stories to tell for sure.
Work has been fine so far. I am inundated with stuff to do - the next 6 weeks are going to be crazy and hectic and as much as I miss my girl, her timing was spot on. There is no way I could manage the fundraising goals/projects/deadlines if Shelby was weak or ill.
So no pennies but I came into my office today and there was a single jewel - like a rhinestone or something that would have been on a crown or something. My office is my own and no one had any reason to be in here so I can only think it was a bit of sparkle left behind from my girl. At least that is what I want to think it is and that it's sign that she's bedazzling herself up and over the Rainbow Bridge!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
YES ALISON!! ABSOLUTELY the jewel is feom Shelby!! Rememer her tiara?? Yes, Pri cesses sprinkle glittery' sparky jewels as their Angel Dust!
LOVE!
Saly and Happy Hannah
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!
Definitely from Miss. Shelby. How like her to leave jewels instead of pennies. She was after all a Princess. She is probably gleaming it up at the Rainbow Bridge.
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Definitely Shelby letting you know she is ok & with you. Grief takes a long time Alison. I still have tears and its going 8 months. They are not everyday now but I still get them when I think about my Sweet Sugar Bear. I talk to her all the time too. Tell her good morning & good night every day. So there is nothing wrong with talking to them. They can still hear you. Thinking of you
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."
I had promised my friends I would stop posting about Shelby on FB but I had to share the story about the jewel. It's just so Shelby! 🙂
First day back a success w/out tears. I am exhausted yet can't sleep. It worries me that I didn't cry today but I did think about my girl all day. I definitely thinking having her back here is peaceful to me on some level. Tomorrow will be one week. I remember driving home from the vet a week ago, barely able to make the call to the service to come out Tuesday night for us and then going BACK to see her before bed and bringing her french fries that she couldn't eat.
I've gotten a ton of sweet cards in the mail from the various places that Shelby visited, telling me what a special girl she was. And my sweet mom called to check on me this evening when I finally had the strength to go back to the chat room ... we spent the last hour sharing Shelby stories ... what a bad little dog she was. Remembering her as a baby puts a big smile on my face. I think I'll update her blog soon. Happy stuff. Shelby would want that!
Thank you all again ... you are helping me be strong when I really want to just to hibernate for forever!!!
XO
Alison
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
A d het another reason to dump face booger!! Just kiddng!
You could post here every day ten tmes a day and we would still want mre Shelby stories!
As far as crying or not... think our body can produce only so many tears before having t to take a break to make more! and you're "fakng it til' you make it" in public and that's forcing you to keep them pushed aside a bit.
Yes, please, p,ease, p.ease keep posting about Shelby as you can! We are family and love to hear from family!
Give yor mom a hug for me.-.she sou ds like a sweet soul...she certanly raised a sweet daughter!
Love and hugs!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Post about her as much as you want here Alison, we love all the stories you share.
It's OK when you don't cry, really. There comes a point when we instinctively know that it's time for a crying-break. That doesn't mean you love her any less. Always remember, Shelby wants you to smile, to look back in happiness on your life together. Gradually that occurs, in time.
Haha Sally, Facebooger is right!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
