Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Today is Shelby's six month angelversary ... it still hurts me to say that. I updated her blog: http://mom2shel.....-an-angel/
Sadness ... not as bad as the first week but I still feel sad and longing and a dull and constant ache. I am living my life but it's a little less full (even with Jasper Lily).
I hate that it feels forever long ago and that our time on earth is slipping through my hands ... I struggle w/long-term memory issues in general but losing the memories I have of Shelby are horrifically painful. I look through her baby albums and struggle to remember what I was thinking or feeling back then. Other than joy from seeing the world's happiest dog in my life!
I just miss her ... that's all. This is the part of the grief process that I truly detest ... hugs and love to my friends!
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
Six months already? Wow...I can't imagine how much you miss your girl Alison. I thank you so much for sticking around and helping others, I truly don't know how you and the others do it. I'm not sure I would have the strength to. I often think of Shelby and all the other friends running around up in heaven. I know it doesn't make the pain any easier, but I know they are all looking down smiling and have sent so many of you little pups for you to care for and love. I truly count Shelby as one of Jill's guardian angels now.
I had a long talk the other night with my mom after Jill's check up about my feelings when sitting in the waiting room surrounded by so many others less fortunate than us. I don't know why or how we got to be one of the few lucky ones, but what I can hope is to honor Shelby and all the others as we continue to fight. There is not one day that goes by that I don't count my lucky stars and think of those that have passed along the way. They are truly our inspiration and what pushes us every day.
We miss you Shelby girl....
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
it is so strange how that time thing works. 6 months seems a long time and yet it is actually pretty short. We are coming up on 6 months also. The 16th is a bittersweet day of the month because Ty left for the bridge on April 16, May 16 we welcomed our 3rd Granddaughter. So it will be Ty's 6 month Angelversary and Mia will be 5 months on Oct 16. That is also my wedding anniversary. I agree, the missing them is the toughest. As you stated, not as acutely painful, but this dull feeling of all not being right with the world. Don't worry overmuch about the memory thing. They will come to you as Shelby thinks you need them. Not having all long ago memories does not in any way mean you are forgetting Shelby or your life together. I think sometimes that when our brain shuts down for painful memories, it just takes time for some not so painful ones to return. Don't beat yourself up. You and Shelby had an amazing life and you and Jasper will also. Love from, Lori and 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.
Yep, seems like it was yesterday...seems like it was a long time ago....sometimes, it just seems so surreal you aren't even sure it ever happened!
Im just so sorry Alison. Get out your wine tonight and have a toast to your girl!
You gave her THE best life a dog could have! She loved being your best friend and your best tcompanion! The adventures you two shared were off the chart fun for her! She just loved being the cdnter of your world!
You do a beautiful job of capturing so many memories in such glorious detail in your chronicles of Shelby. Just keep a journal with you at all times and jot down anytime a memory crosses your thoughts.
Lori, you really hit the nail on the head about what we remember......" I think sometimes that when our brain shuts down for painful memories, it just takes time for some not so painful ones to return" ...It's so weird, it's really hard for me to bring forth memories before the amputation, diagnosis, etc. I need to work on that.
Erica, thanks for your kind words. I know Alison appreciates them...as do we all.
Yeah, Awful April for sure!
Love and hugs Alison
Sally and My Eternal Light 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!
You won't forget those memories Alison. I look at Sassy's pictures and don't remember what or how I felt at the time I took that picture but I do know I love her and that picture brings a little of that love back. The memory of her and the picture of what we were doing. The feelings are still there.
When you looked at that baby book this past weekend you felt joy & love and smiled at those memories yes you probably cried too. All of that is normal.
I still can't believe it has been 6 months.
and Erica you made me cry
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 can't believe its been 6 months already. I hope the smiles of her are starting to outnumber the sadness. Im pretty sure our hearts will always feel some sort of pain from losing them, but the pictures/the memories/the happiness fills our hearts with so much more. Many many hugs to you today.
Erica, we are so happy Jill is one of the lucky ones. There is so much sadness here some days that having even just ONE of us kick cancer's ass makes all the difference. Jill is all of our pups/kitties ambassadors..and she's doing a FABULOUS job!!
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Alison,
I am so sorry for your pain today........you said it so well, " the sadness.....not as bad as the first week but I still feel sad and longing and a dull constant ache. I am living my life but it is a little less full. (even with Jasper Lily)"
This is pretty much how myself, and many of us feel, and I am fully prepared to feel this way always. I wish I had good words of comfort today, but all I have is knowing you aren't alone with this struggle and the best thing to do is to pour out your heart here where we all certainly understand and will hold you up. There is no better place to be than here to help you through.
Those pictures of Shelby will be with you forever, and I am so glad your found them while visiting your mom.....what a treasure when you needed it most.
Sending {{{Hugs}}} and much love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
And I do agree with everyone .....the sentiments from Erica was lovely, and I am glad Jill is one of the lucky ones.
My Pal Merry Myrtle wanted to make you a card!
She was so thrilled that she and Shelby both have such great taste in toys!!
(You have to see Shelby's blog today to understand the card)
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!
So sorry about your loss - Shelby looks like she was full of life and very loved. I hope your memories stay vividly with you, and that the sadness can become happy memories in the future. Best wishes.
Thank you EVERYONE ...
Erica - I am glad that Shelby looks over Jill... she was never much into cats but she would love Jill - especially since Jill loves to dress up too! 
It warms my heart that Shelby can look over so many like Jill, Jackson, the other long survivors ... And like Elizabeth said, the "lucky ones" warm my heart ... you all give us hope and inspire us!
I feel like it's Shelby guiding me to come back here and help others. I don't know how much I help but I try and offer support when I can. That is Shelby's gift in her spirit world!
And yes, the smiles do outnumber the days of tears ... the days of tears are less and less ... But it's a process and I am working through it with her strength!
Lori - you hit the nail on the head. That is how my mind/world operates. Even w/the loss of my father, it is hard for me to recall the happy memories. I rely on my mom for that. I don't recall stories ... in fact, with every break-up I have had, I have always said, it's a matter of time before I forget it because I will push it out of my mind. I never thought I would do that with my Shelby ... but I do remember how my heart felt and feels full when I think of her.
And OMG Myrtle ... I didn't even know they still made that toy!!! I LOVE it!
The outpouring of love on this site never ceases to warm my heart, raise my spirits and give me hope that there is still so much good in the world! I love you all more than words can ever express .. thank you for always having my back, lifting me up when I don't know how I can and reminding me that our love story never ever ends ... because true love never ever dies!
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
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