Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I actually went to the SPCA to pick up another puppy the day we met. That puppy was getting adopted when they brought Jake to me (I swear those volunteers were angels in disguise). He had 10 people on his waiting list and not one of them showed up to get him. He waddled over to me, laid on my feet and went belly up (that memory still makes me laugh b/c that was so him his whole life). If anything was ever met to be, it was him and I. As sad as I am to have lost him, I could not have imagined the last 12 years of my life without him. Heaven became a greater place on January 29th and I know that when my time here is over, my Jake will be waiting for me. He was my heart dog.
I had a really hard time putting this together. Sally asked me if I had done one, and I hadn't been able to bring myself to do it. I guess a memorial tribute made it a little too final, like the period at the end of the last sentence of his life. Thank you Sally for your phone call, as happy as you were to see your Hannah, it made me realize that our pups stories never really end. Our tributes aren't the grand finale, they are a celebration of the greatest love on earth. So without further adieu, Happy one year ampuversary buddy, I will love you forever.
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”
Elizabeth,
That's a beautiful tribute for a beautiful boy. What a love!
You're so right, he was meant to be yours. And yes, a tribute is not a finale but a celebration of life and love. Well said!
Thank you for sharing Jake with us. I know how special he is to you.
With love,
Carol
Oh Elizabeth
What a beautiful tribute to your wonderful blue-eyed boy!
You can surely tell he was and is loved.
Happy 1 year ampuversary in heaven, Jake.
Much love
Linda and Tucker
So beautiful. Thank you for sharing your Jake with us.
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!
So beautiful, Elizabeth. Thank you for sharing his amazing life with us and more of his beautiful blue eyes. He had spots on his tongue too, like my girl.
What a wonderful life you all shared together. So much love in this. I hope this brings you lots of peace and comfort.
Sending love
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
My shirt is wet. I should know better than to watch one of these without a tissue handy!
Elizabeth, you took us on a wonderful journey through Jake's life with you. He most certainly was intended to be loved by you. I can't stop staring at those gorgeous eyes!
The tributes are hard to put together but when it's done it's a beautiful keepsake. I have watched Libby's a few times and it gives me some comfort. I hope yours does the same.
Hugs,
Amy & Spirit Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Elizabeth,
This was very beautiful. I loved Jakes blue eyes. They just are so piercing. He was definitely meant to be in your heart. Sally is so right our babies stories never end. They are just waiting for us to join them. The biggest tribute is you still being here and doing the things you are. We appreciate it
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."
Hello, waterworks. Wow, Elizabeth -- an amazing tribute to an amazing dog by an amazing dog mom...you two were clearly meant to be together.
Bet he's celebrating his one year Ampuversary with a lot of Tripawd Angel buddies right now. I love picturing them all in a huge meadow by a pond...running around and playing with each other, going for a swim to cool off, coming out and lying in the sun, and doing it all over again.
Thanks for sharing your blue-eyed Jake with us.
Big big hugs,
Deb and Lexie
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
Elizabeth, this video is so very touching, I know how hard it must have been for you.......I want to share something I read today, that surely is fitting for you, and all of us here.......
"Our loving pets teach us more than we could have ever expected,
And love us more than we could have ever hoped.....
That's why we miss them more than we could ever imagine."
May you soon have peace in your aching heart, and your happy memories of beautiful Jake also ease the awful pain.
Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly 
OHHHHHHH ELIZABETH!!! Through my tears I am cheering and applauding Jake!! I am! YAAAAAY JAKE!!
A life well loved and well lived indeed!!!
EVERY single picture...every o e shows happiness......contentment.......joy....and they show the gentle spirit Jake carried with him his whole life
There's one where your smile is as big as Kansas as you are hugging Jake outside....and ne's grinning too!! The joyis jumping off the screen!
I love the beautiful picture of Jake and your husband looking out the window together...truly two souls blending into one as the are shsring the bliss of being in the moment rogether.
And you and Jake snuggling on the sofa.....again, to souls blending into one as they share a loving moment of just "being".
YES ELIZABETH, this is a CELEBRATION OF THE GREATEST LOVE N EARTH!!! This is an exclamation point on a never-ending bond that can never be broken! You have captured the happiness, the eseence of Jake with every single picture you selected.
The love....it's all there for you Elizabeth to celebrate everyday.
I love the one too where it shows the picture of you and Jake hugging...doesn't show you "mugs", just shows you two from the back sharing a loving hug. Again, a blending of two souls into one.
OMD! and the song!! Perfect Elizabeth! Every single thing you put together here to celebrate the glory of Jake's love is just beautiful!
I'm trying to search for the right words...but when I saw the celebration tribute for my Happy Hannah.....somehow .....through all my slobbering sobs....it...for the first time....it is the first time I felt one small piece of my heart starting to be glued back together. I hope it does the same for you. I think being able to "see" the love, the happiness, the joy, put together in a FOREVER TREASURE is sooooooo life affirming. Somehow it wipes away any "misconception of finality" and reinforces the beauty of a life simply going through another open door without closing any doors behind them.
Kinda' like Jake just going "going for a car ride"! I LOVED that video!!! What a wiggley happy boy! Absolutely jubilant!!
Jake sure knew how to celebrate the simple joys in life! Let's all co tinue to follow Jake's lead.....wagging and smiling all the way!!
THANK YOU JAKE! You've made the world brighter because you are in it!!!
Sending you love and appreciation and ALWAYS srroundingnyou with the eternal love and grace of beautiful Vlue-eyed Jake!!!
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!
PS......Bonnie and Olly....Thanks for sharing that beautiful sentiment.....so true. May your heart contiue you be healed with the memories of the love you and gentle soul Polly shared. Lots of love to you. 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!
B E A U T I F U L............ absolutely beautiful.... I love seeing these videos... it's a celebration.. it a work of love... and a wonderful memory to share with EVERYONE!!!!! Love it.. thank you for sharing!
and I really do have to stop watching these at work!!! *sniff* lol and I really do have to make one of these too...
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!
Beautiful!!! I LOVE his eyes! He was truly meant to be yours. What a terrific life he lived. I agree, the tribute is a celebration of a life well lived. May it help your heart start to heal. Love, Lori and TY GUY
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.
benny55 said
PS......Bonnie and Olly....Thanks for sharing that beautiful sentiment.....so true. May your heart contiue you be healed with the memories of the love you and gentle soul Polly shared. Lots of love to you. Sally and Happy Hannah
Thank you, Sally, each day brings me a little peace within my heart.......I wish the same for you, with your pain being still so fresh.....I have come to believe for all of us, that even though our furry babies are gone from our side, our life with them will go on forever......
Much Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
"Our tributes aren't the grand finale, they are a celebration of the greatest love on earth."
Perfectly said! I agree completely. They're hard to do but once you find the courage, you do see how it's so necessary to celebrate your life together instead of allowing the grief to overshadow such great memories. Although something tells me that nothing can overshadow Jake's amazing blue eyes. What a handsome boy!
Thanks so much for sharing it, I'm glad you and Sally were able to connect.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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