Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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There have been a lot of losses lately (I know; duh!) and they do seem to come in batches sometimes. Please remember that life is a series of ebbs and flows. We don't get to choose when things are good or bad, so the best we can do is climb on the surfboard and try not to wipe out. Losing our friends and companions hurts and breaks hearts, but please don't overlook all the goodness still going on. When we are discouraged and cast our eyes at our feet while we move through life, we literally miss the birds in the trees and the trees flowering and the kids at the playground swinging to the moon. We miss the sunshine on our faces. You have to look up to experience that.
I want to encourage the newer members to try to stay connected here after that loss. I know life interferes a lot (it does with me) and you may only be able to check in once in awhile, but doing so helps with healing. We have a pretty tight bond with our dogs and cats during this journey; we develop tight bonds with those here who go through the same thing. I get more love from some folks here than I do from the family I was born into!
I managed to meet 3 Tripawds families in the last year. I decided to always try to meet members if my travels take me reasonably close to them. Those were wonderful experiences. If you have the opportunity, meet! It helps. I spent an afternoon and evening with spirit Jewels's family (including her rowdy and adorable twin packmates). I spent a weekend with Michelle (spirit Sassy's mom) last summer and I think it helped us both. And I spent a weekend with Bud from Wyoming and his pack of wild Bohemians (human and furry) and they are all a delight. (And in 2012 I spent a weekend with Jim and Rene and had a most entertaining time! DD blogged about it.)
One more thing--don't be afraid to open your heart to another dog or cat or whatever makes your heart happy. We often feel that doing that is being untrue to the one we lost, but it's not. It's a great affirmation of what your heart is capable of and what your good friend taught you. Your love is unlimited and there are many who need you.
Chin up! There is much goodness in the world. It does get better, and this is a great place to get TLC to help heal. No one here will tell you "it's only a ___" or "you're still not over that?" And if you do add a new family member, nobody cheers louder.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Amen Shari. You always know the right things to say and you have said stuff to me similar when I lost Sassy. Yes, I brought 2 (yes 2) furbabies into our pack after Sassy left me. It was a couple of months but Sassy felt it time for me to open my heart and I have. It doesn't mean I have forgotten her because I could never forget that sweet baby but it has helped and I do laugh more at these 2 clowns. Don't get me wrong I have my moments but they have made me smile a little 
The meeting did help and I want to get to NYC & to GA sometime soon to meet Erica & Jill, Karma & Addy
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."
You know, Karma comes to NE Colorado a few times a year to see her grandmother. Maybe you and I could go ambush her there! I think a weekend in NYC with a few of us would make for a pretty good time, too. Erica, ready for a sleepover on your floor?
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Very well said, Shari.
Although it has been ten years since I lost my Cody, I still remember how badly I felt that I had a hard time letting Gus be there for me and that I wasn't able to be there for him. Somehow I couldn't help the feeling that was almost resentment that he was still there while my precious Cody was gone. Gus was so much more Garry's dog than mine despite the fact that I was home with him all the time. It took a while for me to let him help me through the loss. Over the years, though, we have developed a strong bond. That clingy pup has turned into Gentleman Gus and he will always be a special part of our lives.
Hope this makes sense. Somehow my thought processes don't deal well with being interrupted several times while trying to type a short message.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Nobody is more eloquent or well-spoken than you are Shari, thank you for putting down the right words to inspire and give hope to the community!
Perfectly said, your description of the ebb and flow is exactly right and reminding us to look up and really see the beauty even when it's hard is just what we need right now.
xoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Listen, if you all want to sleep in my 550 sq foot cardboard box, sure!............but you'll have cats crawling all over you
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
Thank you for this. As someone who is still in the early stages of grief, I do understand all too well how powerful and painful this journey is loosing my beloved soul mate. But like I have said, I feel my Shelby holding me up, sending me positive energy and letting me know I am going to be OK.
I started this FB challenge - 100HappyDays and it is helping me really seek out and find the good / happy each day. Most days, I find more than one thing and that is a gift and I know my Shelby is helping me.
I may or may not open my door to another fur-baby ... I do know that if I do, I will love but not to the same capacity. There can only be one "love of my life" (as I have always called Shelby) but when the time is right, Shelby will guide me.
If you ever find yourself in Los Angeles, coffee/drinks are on me!
Alison and her Shelby fur-ever in her heart
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
Shari.. you rawk.. dead on girl!!!
It's true... so very true....
Christine... with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
I don't think that could have been said anymore perfect.
Hugs to ALL
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”
Shari,
Very well put. It would have been my Maggie's 7th birthday today and in 2 days her death. She was such a wonderful dog, game to do anything, horseback riding, fishing, quad riding or just hanging on a beach. I was proud to be her momma. It took a year but I have a new puppy Hank. He, of course doesn't replace her but helps her sister Blink with the loss. I would love to meet members but we are so far away. I'm not too far from Jim and Rene so maybe one day I can meet up with them. Thanks for the uplifting message.
Penny, Blink, Hank and Spirit Maggie
Online
nice Shari...as are you.
Yeah, I look forward to the "it gets better part"........hell, .right now, I'd settle for thirty secnds of it!
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!
That was perfect Shari! I already had 3 others so had to keep looking up for them. Some day the right "one" will pop up to bring us back to four mini pups.
Thanks for the reminder!
If it would ever be possible it would be so much fun to find a couple central places to have a major meet and greet to put faces (human ones!) on all the wonderful people that hang out here.
Take care-
Luanne
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Both of these have popped up on my Facebook page recently. I'm sure many of you have seen them before, but I thought I would share them for those who haven't. I think they express some of the things we have all been thinking and writing. I apologize that they are written for dogs, because I know there are many kitty lovers here and it applies to all of you, too.
We can never replace those we have lost because they are all unique. When we are ready, we can love another for who they are. They are all special.
Hugs,
Carol
Oh Carol, that photo gets me every time. I was doing a lot of "i'm never ever getting another dog" when I lost my Jake, then someone posted that picture of a dogs last will and testament. The dog in the photo looks just like my Jake and that photo is solely responsible for me looking online at the shelter where Jake adopted me. It was there I saw Tanner, staring up at me through the camera lens sitting on one back leg. I almost busted the door down at the shelter to get him. He could never replace my Jake, but I can't imagine ever living without a dog in my life. I like dogs more than I like most people, and I know my Jake would have been sad if he thought his being called to heaven caused me to close my heart to dogs forever.
I wish we could have our pups our whole life; but, we all know that no matter what its just not possible. Whether they pass from cancer, old age, or something else. In the story of a dogs purpose according to a six year old, the child says:
“People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life – like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” The six-year-old continued, “Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”
They were put here to teach us all how to Be More Dog . The greatest gift I think we can give them(and ourselves) is to give another dog a chance to continue the lesson.
HUGS to ALL of you
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”
Carol - those are so great! I've seen them before. I would like to think that Shelby was indeed that selfless... she was QUITE the only child and not too keen on sharing but I also know that Shelby hated to see me sad. I think I was talking to Sally about this - I grew up with dogs but I grew UP with Shelby. She was my first dog on my own, as an adult and boy was I clueless... Shelby 'trained me' and she 'trained me' to be a great mom and her gift will hopefully be passed on to another pooch someday. I know I am not ready but like, Elizabeth, I definitely like dogs better than most people.
Change is hard and it's scary and that is where I am right now (with my grief)... being a mom was all I knew for 13 years. I need to embrace and accept my new reality before i can think about the commitment again. Because any dog that would come into my own would deserve the same amount of love and respect as Shelby got and I'm frankly not that strong right now. I applaud those that have so much love to give ... I envy you. I will get there, I hope.
XOXO
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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