Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It's been three months, (and 1 week for me who yes...Im counting...) since my baby Salem left me. It hit me very hard then and seems to have just hit me like a truck all over again this week. I knew it would be hard, I mean I think we ALL know it will be, but I never expected it to be THIS hard. How are all of those who have lost someone dealt with this pain?
I think I'm doing ok...I mean I finally stopped smoking, I don't drink... I'm trying to better my self because I know there are things I did that I KNOW salem hated, even if he was a cat.
Even with three other furballs in my pack, I still feel like my home is empty 
<3 Kendi
Mommy of furbaby Salem Bynx
came to my home in 2007
Lost his leg due to cancer
Left us Dec 2013 :(
{{{{hugs}}}}
Counting the days here is pretty common, you're not alone. Three months or three years, the loss is still there but the whallops of pain just get easier to deal with as time goes on. Something that really helps to get to that point is immediately trying to turnaround that sudden onset of sadness before it becomes overwhelming. You do that by thinking of a happy time you had together, by remembering his pretty eyes, his playful nature, whatever it was that made him special to you. We call it the "remember when" game, and in time it becomes easier to smile at the good times and be thankful for them, instead of mourning what is gone from this earthly life. You can do this in your blog too, writing helps tremendously. Better to let it out than keep it bottled up inside you know?
Hang in there, it does get easier. Take your time and remember your grief is on nobody else's schedule.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jerry said it so well and with some helpful "tips"
You and Salem are family here...always will be. Everyone here knows you did everything possible for him and so does he! He was sooo lucky to have you as his human partner.
And applause tomyou for taking charge of your life as a way to honor Salem. That's a beautiful tribute!!
Continue to let those happy me ories he created for you to come nto your heart and, bit by bit, the heart only has room for thlse wonderful good times.
And keep that "attitude of gratitude" for all the loving times the two of you did share and let those warm fuzzies wash over you.
And then go fix Dodger a bowl of popcorn and laugh as he plays with it! Salem would like that!
Surrounding you with love and Salem's eternal grace.
Sally and 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!
I think we all here know how you feel. For me it help to think of Penny that her soul is up there in dog's heaven and still alive. Soon it will be one year since she died. I cry some times every week, but also smile at wonderful memories. Hope you will find a way to cope. Sending hugs!
Gunilla, Wilbur, Bellis and angel Penny
I don't know when/if it ever gets better. I don't really have much advice, I'm in the same boat as you (2 months) and I still look for my Jake. Sending you lots of hugs....
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”
Kendi,
I am so sorry I missed this. Salem is there with you watch for the signs. Like a penny from Heaven?? I found one today walking out to take a bag of trash to the curb before the trash men got here. It was laying in the driveway. No one had been there before me. I know who that was from
It will come & go. Trust me I still have moments & its going on 8 months (whose counting) but I know. Salem loves you & watches over you.
thinking of you
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."
Thank you everyone. If it wasn't for the group I do not know where I would be. In fact it was because of you all that I made the decision to follow my heart and get that second opinion. Salem was a wonderful soul. He loved in such a way it can not be explained. He was different. He was mine and I was his.
Michelle you mentioned pennies, I pick them up all the time, perhaps they ARE from Salem. I think of him constantly, I cry all the time, but it is because I truly did and still do love him with all my heart. I miss him being there by me, but I also know that he is still here. His light was just too bright to have gone out completely, and I will do my best to keep that light going.
Some days... I see that light in Dodger, mingling with his own beautiful light.
<3 Kendi
Mommy of furbaby Salem Bynx
came to my home in 2007
Lost his leg due to cancer
Left us Dec 2013 :(
Nicely said Kendi.....helpful to all of us.
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!
"Some days... I see that light in Dodger, mingling with his own beautiful light. "
That is beautiful Kendi. {{{{hugs}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Kendi, sorry I missed this first time around.
I remember 2 months to the day after Maggie crossed the Bridge it hit me again. I was finally picking up some of the rugs I put down for traction for her and it felt almost like the day she left all over again.
We had some number of YEARS with our heart dogs and cats, it takes more than a few MONTHS to get used to the new normal. I used to say 'get over it', but I don't think that is true. You don't get over these huge events in your life, it becomes part of your life experience.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Have you thought about a scrapbook or photo page? Sometimes doing something to remember the good times can help. I remember the picture I found of my 14 year old Aussie mix that had passed away. I really looked at it, and I could see the "smile" on her face and how contented she looked resting by my chair. I realized that she had had a pretty good go of life in my household. I know everyone is different and I think our healing happens in stages! not all at once. Just letting you know you are in my thoughts tonight.
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.
How to deal? I don't know. Cry. Sigh. Mourn. Be mopey. We all mourn differently. You catch me on the right day and I'll still shed a tear about my first dog ever that also likely had OSA....20 years ago and was freed to the Bridge then. Memorialize today, like you're doing, and recognize it. It's a special and sad day. One day, though, I hope you see this day as a gift to Salem rather than a sadness. I hope that for all of us, actually.
HUGS
~Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
I think a photo album would be wonderful, actually I love making scrap books (its been awhile but it is fun.) I lost two cats in the last few months so maybe it is something I could do in honor of both of them.
I just had images made up on canvas of both of them too, I can't wait to see how it turns out. I have been trying to do little things like this as it is actually helping me heal.
I have also been taking photos and videos of the kitten I have now as I realized how much I lacked at doing so with Loki and Salem. Things you dont think of until its too late
<3 Kendi
Mommy of furbaby Salem Bynx
came to my home in 2007
Lost his leg due to cancer
Left us Dec 2013 :(
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