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.
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We can't fight the tears back hearing that Captain Jack has moved on in his journey. But the tears soon turned to smiles as we pictured the Captain pain-free and chillin' out on a dock. Laura, it's always been such a pleasure seeing you around Tripawds. You have always been one of the people there to pick me up when I was freaking out about something or another. I wish we would have had a chance to all meet (Nova and Jack) when you were still in Michigan.
You have inspired me! I hope that someday I can face the inevitable with your strength and pawsitive attitude.
Sue and Nova
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
Jack was such a great dog! To know he's happy somewhere chillin' on a dock probably checking out the ladies just makes me smile.
Laura, you have a great outlook on things. Your humor and spunk is much appreciated here. 
Michelle
Ah Laura,
I can't help but shed some tears. But lots of smiles come too as I read through all of these posts. I am glad that Jack is free of that pesky (but oh so cute!) body that was giving him such a hard time. I am reminded of what a gift it is to be able to set our dear ones free. The waiting is over, the burden is lifted, and Jack runs free again. We will miss hearing new stories about the Capn', but we won't miss him, because he is here in our hearts, and will be forever.
Our thoughts are with you,
the Oaktown Pack (Martha, Ralph, Codie Rae, Travis Ray, and Smokey B.)
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
You are an inspiration to me. I wish I could have some of your strength right now. I am at the stage where walking is getting harder for Jersey May. I just hope when the time comes, which i think will be soon, I can be strong like you.
Thank you
Jon
My Sweet Jersey May. Lost her back left leg in 2001 at 1 year old. diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the remaining right rear leg May 2010 Left our world September 2010.
We miss you Pea Pie
well, Human of Invisible Jack - you aren't really letting us say much, are you?! I remember your journey so vividly. You have come a long way and you owe it all to Jack, don't you?!?
Against your wishes, I did cry and I do feel it is the end of an era in tripawd life. But it won't be so bad since you promised you will hang around and continue to tell Jack stories.
Do take care if you find yourself having a few weak moments like the rest of us bipeds.
Susan of Tazzie
Thanks again everyone! I managed to get through today without crying, and yesterday I only cried once. I think its a lot harder for my sister and Jack's daddy because they weren't able to see him as a sick dog...he was never really affected by the cancer, just the stupid liver failure which only lasted a month. Jack's dad told me today that he's been crying at work and is taking it really hard...in a way, I almost feel bad that I don't really feel so bad. I took the initial diagnosis really hard, spending weeks on the computer looking up cancers, crying daily for probably a month straight...I just got to the point where I didn't want to be sad anymore...there was not point to it. We were lucky in the fact that he never really slowed down at all until the last 4 weeks. I am sincerely greatful I got to be his mom and to learn so much from this little fuzzy body with a cute face. Gracie has been stuck to me like glue since Saturday night after we got back from the hospital...I really don't know how I would have done this without another dog to snuggle with (i have to force her to snuggle because she is anti-love). I feel that to be sad or upset now would be a disservice to Jack because he loved happiness (CRAP! now I'm crying again...well, maybe tomorrow will be one day w/o crying...), he loved having fun. I don't cry because I'm sad, I don't cry because I miss him, I cry because the strength and will that this little dude showed is overwhelming. So I will not be sad, but I will be appreciative for the 6 long years I got to be his mom, and I will remember him everyday of my life 🙂
<3 Laura and Invisible Jackers
So I will not be sad, but I will be appreciative for the 6 long years I got to be his mom,
...and so will we.
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.
Laura, you are so right in how you think. We need you to stick around and just keep reminding us, and keep reminding us. It is rare to find someone who can be that strength and inspiration so you are a gift to us all.
I understand exactly where you are coming from. My dad fought a horrible, long fight with lung cancer. When he passed, it was a matter of following all the formalities, for I had lost my father many months earlier when the disease devastated the body, and made his sole purpose to live one more day. And yes, I cried for the same reason that you cry for Jack - because I missed him, not because I was sad. I was actually relieved he no longer had to fight.
I've said it before - we are the lucky ones to have these great animals in our lives. The chosen ones - we were chosen to help them fight the battle and learn the Dog way from them.
It is truly an honor to have Jack live in my heart.
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.
hugapitbull said:
It is truly an honor to have Jack live in my heart.
Here. Here. Or, shall we say Yo! Ho! Ho!
We have not chimed in on this topic because, well... we too have a secial place in our hearts for Jackers. A Spirit like the Captain's simply cannot die. Besides, we didn't want to get all choked up like we are now.
"Now, bring me that horizon ... And really bad eggs. Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho!"
— Captain Jack Sparrow
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh, Laura, I'm sorry to be late on this, but I wanted to tell you I'm sorry. But as my vet wrote to me after my NekoCat's passing, and I really didn't get at the time...but....
Congratulations. Congratulations on facing a challenging time with your best friend and making it all the best you could. Congratulations on being a fighter. Congratulations being a hero.
I found the card and read again after losing Tika, it all slammed home then. We do what we can, we live for each precious moment, and our animals, they know and they appreciate, and they love us for it.
So no rainbow bridges, just a dedication do the 'Cap'n' taken from our boat on Lake Perry, KS, a decent tribute methinks.?
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
ldillon81 said:
I feel that to be sad or upset now would be a disservice to Jack because he loved happiness (CRAP! now I'm crying again...well, maybe tomorrow will be one day w/o crying...), he loved having fun. I don't cry because I'm sad, I don't cry because I miss him, I cry because the strength and will that this little dude showed is overwhelming. So I will not be sad, but I will be appreciative for the 6 long years I got to be his mom, and I will remember him everyday of my life 🙂
<3 Laura and Invisible Jackers
Laura,
You are the BEST. I love to read your posts. You are so strong. Jack was such a great dog.
Hugs to you..
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
OMG WEIRDEST THING EVER!!!!! Today I was eating lunch in the living room where Jack used to like hanging out. My mom and I were talking about something random when all of a sudden there was a "WOOF!" from next to the couches. Even Gracie heard it. My mom and I just looked at eachother and started cracking up...I've never experienced anything like that before in my life.
COOL!
You see, we are around, we never, ever leave. These bonds can never be broken.
Jack reminded you of his presence, much like how I barked out to my pawrents just days after I left, while they were hiking in the woods.
It's weird and comforting all at the same time, isn't it?
Hugs coming atcha.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm sorry for being so caught up in my own self pity to have missed Jack going from the visible to the invisible.
The invisible Tripawd. I don't doubt for a minute that Jack let out a woof! Laura, I can only pray for just a piece of the strength, wisdom, and courage that both you and Jack have shown to this community. I loved reading your post and Jack was and always will be an inspiration to Fortis and I. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Brett, Fortis' Dad
Laura,
I don't know how I missed your post.
I am sorry about Jack.
What a great boy, who, yes, I know is at your side and will be as long as you need him to be. Then, yeah, he'll be dockside 
Here's to love and healing.
hugs,
Denise
Kona turned 9yrs on April 16, 2010.
Kona was diagnosed Memorial Weekend 2010 with osteosarcoma.
Right rear leg amputated on June 4th. First chemo June 18th 2010
Second chemo July 9th, 2010 Third and final (yea !!!) chemo July 30th, 2010
ONE TOUGH GIRL this Australian Cattledog !
***Kona's journey/fight ended late in the evening of December 22, 2010***
We Love you so much Kona….always
Bella 9yrs, albino lab/aussie shep/pit?(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind (from birth) in one eye limited vision in other.(laid back, ok lazy 73 lbs)
Cotton, 5yrs, albino hound/terrier of somesort/???(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind in one eye(from birth), excellent vision in seeing eye. (ball addict…destroyer of Kong balls…yes,etc), high energy 55lbs knots of muscle)
Kona Kai's pup brother and sister as well as her buddy and playmate cat, Shaymous 12yrs (like Seamus), miss her terribly.
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