Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Wendy and Henri,
I am so sorry to read that you appear to be on a downward slide. Through my tears of sympathy of the tough conditions that you face, I have only a few things that Miss Cherry would like me to say. First, Cherry had a large number of these downward slides that I would have sworn it was time, and she would rally. One always wonders if they will have the strength to make the right decision, and if they will be able to see what is necessary. My experience is that the answer is a simple yes.
Falling apart is just part of the journey that we travel together. I totally lost it many time, but only a very few times with Cherry. As crazy as it sounds, I was more likely to sing to her (or at least what passes for singing from me.) We often started the morning with a variation of "Good Morning" from Singing in the Rain. Anything to help lift our collective spirits. If Henri loves to lay at a special spot for him, then just move into that space. I was very lucky that Miss Cherry loved her rides so very much. She loved to take long walks also, but like Henri, they were just too much so we just enjoyed our time riding around the Valley together.
For the vast majority of the time, I had to hand feed Miss Cherry. Bringing over a huge variety of foods to see what was of interest today. During the two months of her chemotherapy, I had to stuff approximately 85% of her calorie intake, so hand feeding to us was an improvement. Please take it as a positive that Henri is still eating and drinking.
Last, DO NOT FEEL GUILT FOR WANTING MORE TIME!!!! Henri would not want to be anywhere else just as much as you would like to hold on. You will find the strength when necessary.
Huggs, Postive Thoughts, and Prayers for a Bounce Back
Spirit Cherry's Dad - Bob
Dear Wendy, my heart is breaking for you. You have such a difficult decision - and only you and Henri know the answer. Like Carmen said, listen to your heart. We're here for you.
Sending lots and lots of hugs across the miles,
Holly, Zuzu and 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
Hours of typing only to delete over and over again. I'm just at a lost for words at these terribly sad times. I guess that is why I spend most of my time on the "anything goes topic" We started this journey near the same time Wendy and I have always had a soft spot for you and your Dear Henry. Such a beautiful boy. I pray your heart is at peace during these difficult times and that Henry isn't suffering.
In all the places that I have lived in my life there lies a Pet Cemetery. So many friends left behind and I suppose a part of myself as well! My peace has always been in knowing that the love felt and memories had will endure all.
I just recently had to let my dear friend Wookie go. He was 21 years old at the time. On two different occasions I took him to the Vets prepared to say goodbye. I couldn't do it and returned home with him each time. On the third visit I finally was able to let him go but not until after spending more than two hours in the Vets office just holding and petting him. So you can see that I too struggle deeply with this decision and I suppose have always waited longer than I should. 
Please Know that you and Henry are in my thoughts and prayers.
Fortis'Dad
Gosh, I'm like Fortis' dad. You know from my post yesterday that you and I Wendy are at this same place…praying desperately desperately for some kind of miracle and looking for any POSITIVE sign. My mother says to me today when I made the MISTAKE of telling her that the cancer was now in Magic's kidney…"why are you making that poor dog suffer" and I responded that he wasn't suffering, he was wagging his tail, seemed to have fun at the park etc etc…she said "how do you know he isn't suffering" I changed the subject.
I wonder when Magic coughed up blood (like some today) if I am holding on too long and yet I don't think so..not yet. I believe you WILL know when it is time and I wish there was some way I could reach out and give you a huge hug…I KNOW EXACTLY what you are thinking and feeling. it is so so hard, but I keep telling myself that it is my responsibility because he can't drive himself, or make the call for the vet to come and that it is going to be the last thing I can do for him, beyond tri tip, beyond miracle biscuits, beyond trips to the park. I too worry that I might not be looking at him with eyes focused on HIS needs and not mine. Then on the other hand I worry that I might jump too soon…it is a deeply personal decision I believe…but know that whenever you make the call to let him go to the Bridge, we will all be here (maybe me more than most, or actually Karen {Maggie's mom} even more since it was so recent) holding you in our arms and crying our tears right along with yours, for you and for ourselves.
God keep you during this awful wrenching time.
Wendi,
I am very sorry for both you and Henri....so very sorry. As hard as this all is, we all have to make quality life decisions for our pets...they depend on us... Be strong for Henri.....
Thinking of you and sending many cyber hugs to you, Wendi.. Follow your heart...
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Wendi, so sorry to hear of your trials. Don't know what to say except I feel I belong to a great family that only we know what this journey is all about right from the start, and when one of our family members hurts, we all share, so I hope you know you are not alone. I know none of us likes this part of the journey, and we probably all wish that maybe our buddies would just not wake up when that time has come and save us the agony of making that decision, but if I have to make that decision, it will be like every other one I made, for Gus' comfort and quality of life, and for me, whenever that time comes, I will know I did everything I could to give him a great life, and he gave me great memories that can't be taken away, same with Henri, you'll always have that. We are thinking of you, Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
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