Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I am so sorry to read your tripawd hero has joined the other angels. They will watch over her and keep her company. Allow yourselves to grieve, and be kind to yourselves as you adjust to a new normal. And above all, remember the happy times.
RIP sweet Sylvie. Run Free at Rainbow Bridge.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
We are so sorry for your loss. It is so difficult to give them that final gift of love, but Sylvie is running pain free now. I know our Tripawd angels were there to welcome her. Run free, sweet girl.
your post does not sound clinical, it sounds full of love and the facts, the cold hard facts. Your love for Sylvie has been more than evident the whole time I have known you and I so sorry for your loss , as I know how truly overwhelming and hurtful it is. I always had a big soft spot for Sylvie and hope that she and Angel Cooper get to spend some time together at the bridge. Since he has been there 3 months yesterday, he knows the ropes and can show her the best time ever!
Coopsdad
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
i am sure there will be other tripawd angels at the bridge with Sylvie so sorry for your loss wish words were enough to make us humans feel better at such difficult times
Dizzy diagnosed with osteosarcoma 24 may 2011 amputated same day doing fine hopping around on three legs giving the neighbourhood cats what for
To all of you in this caring, supportive Tripawd family -
I can't begin to tell you how much your kindness and empathy has meant to us over the past few days, and will continue to over the difficult days, weeks, months to come. You know, over the past year when I followed the stories of all those amazing, courageous canine warriors, I was always so shocked and saddened by the passing of those who left us such a short time after diagnosis, and those who overcame the odds and lived happy lives for so long and everyone in between. As I read the posts and the sensitive, supportive responses I never really imagined the time that I'd be posting such news. I never dreamed that so many of you would offer your support and love to my family when the time came for us. You are all so wonderful!
The fact that you used such phrases as "she was an inspiration", "looked forward to reading about her antics" . . . knowing that my Sweet, Silly, Sheepdog Sylvie brought smiles to so many and touched so many who knew her through my posts made me realize how very important this site is. My husband always told me that posting here would help others going through the same difficult times, and now I truly know that "what goes around, comes around".
Thank each and every one of you who posted AND all of the rest of you who send sympathy and good thoughts our way.
- Karen, Jim, Banjo, Charlie . . . and the silliest angel sheepdog ever, Sylvia 
Sweet Silly Sylvie, the Old English Sheepdog
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma 11/04/2010 at almost 7 years of age * Left hind leg amputated 11/09/2010 * Chemo on 12/10, 12/17, 01/10, 01/31
Sweet Sylvie's earthly journey ended on Nov. 3, 2011, one day short of a year since her diagnosis and 6 days short of her one-year ampuversary. Her family celebrates her life as a sheepdog – ever the puppy, ever silly, ever sweet – and are grateful for our 7 years together.
RIP Sylvia! Go find my golden girls Skyler & Chloe - I know you'll be friends forever.
I am so very sorry for your loss. The first time I saw Sylvia's avatar, I just wanted to kiss her snout. Take time to grieve with your family. May the love you have for her live in your hearts for eternity!
Sending you many golden hugs!
Cathy
Oh no, Karen. Oh, I am so so sorry to have just read about Sylvie. I too had a soft spot for your silly sweet girl and, like Cathy, I wanted to kiss her snout and ruffle her furry head. Oh dear.
I am so so sorry for your loss. I know the depths of your heartbreak, truly.
Rest in sweet peace, Sylvie.
Carmen, Spirit Catie, and Riley.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Today is another tough day. November 11. Yep, it's Veterans Day. It's my Dad's 85th birthday. These are good things.
But when I returned home following an early morning doctor's appt., Jim told me that the Medvet folks had called. That meant that Sylvia's ashes were ready to be picked up. I would prefer that both of us would go down to get her, but I am working today, and Jim is working on Monday. He really wanted to go today, so as I type he is probably on his way back to Dayton from Cincinnati with "Sylvia".
This is why this is hard: It was exactly one year ago that we were picking Sylvia up after her amputation surgery to bring her home to recuperate. It was scary, but the beginning of the "new normal", and we knew that the decision that we'd made would give her more pain-free time with us . . . and maybe LOTS more time enjoying life as a sheepdog. We were optimistic.
It just hurts so much that she was diagnosed on Nov. 4, 2010 and died on Nov. 3, 2011. It hurts that the note I'd written on the calendar (the 12-months-of-Old-English-Sheepdogs calendar) for November 9 as her one year ampuversary (with big happy exclamation marks) was just another day. And now on the anniversary of her homecoming, she "comes home" again.
Most days that go by get easier – The other dogs make us laugh as they romp and play without their pushy sister lunging at them. But today is not easy. At all.
- Karen and Angel Sylvie
Sweet Silly Sylvie, the Old English Sheepdog
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma 11/04/2010 at almost 7 years of age * Left hind leg amputated 11/09/2010 * Chemo on 12/10, 12/17, 01/10, 01/31
Sweet Sylvie's earthly journey ended on Nov. 3, 2011, one day short of a year since her diagnosis and 6 days short of her one-year ampuversary. Her family celebrates her life as a sheepdog – ever the puppy, ever silly, ever sweet – and are grateful for our 7 years together.
Hi Karen,
For me there were days like this for the first year after saying goodbye to Maggie. Days that are filled with meaning, but not the meaning you were hoping for. I think the year after is so hard because it is filled with 'firsts'... the first Christmas without, the first birthday without, the first 'fill in the occasion' without...
Another member once posted after losing her pup "there is no way now but through".
Dealing with the grief from loss is hard, there is no way around that. As with most parts of this cancer journey it is not for the weak of heart. You were strong enough to deal with the cancer battle, you will get through these hard days too. The pain is the price we pay for loving so much.
It will get better, and know that you can always come here when the days are hard.
Karen
I feel for you. Picking up the ashes is just not a good day.
I had a terrible day when I picked up our sweet angel Bailey's ashes 2 years ago. It's a long story, but I just want you to know that I can totally empathize!
You guys hang in there.
Sending hugs,
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
we're feeling your sadness with this. having them 'back home' is such a mixed blessing.... picking up jane's ashes was just one of the hardest days, but having them next to me as i type this, is priceless... hugs to you all, it is indeed a hard day.
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Oh Karen,
I'm sorry for the extra sadness today. Time seems to stand still in these moments and yet time is what heals. We want these moments but yet we don't. However, Sylvie is home and that is where she belongs. That makes today, a good day.
I wish I had magic words for you. I'm 2 1/2 months shy of 1 year of lossing my Comet. I still struggle in some ways. My practical mind tells me that dogs don't live long and that's just reality but my emotional side says, "but it was Comet and she was everything to me, how can she not be apart of my life now?".
Please know we understand. Your world is going to seem foggy without Sylvia for a long while. But with each passing day, it gets a tiny, tiny bit better. And then finally one day, you catch yourself laughing and smiling as you remember all of the good times with Sylvia.
May you find peace and comfort soon.
Hugs.
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.
Sorry for your loss, but so happy that you had her an extra year. And it sounds like it was a good one too.
Prayers going up for you and your family.
Maddie Mae and Mama Kelly
So sorry for your loss of your sweet super sheep dog Sylvia. I can tell how much you loved her and I know she felt the same about you. I am so happy that you had the time that you did after her diagnosis. Dogs are one of life's greatest blessings!!! Sylvia will live on in your heart forever. Praying for your comfort and healing as you move through this difficult time. Sorry that I am a late responder.
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