Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Shortly before 9AM this morning, Shelby's balls-to-the-walls spirit slipped out of a tired body and flew off to the Rainbow Bridge where she could be whole and healthy again.
The last couple of days had been awful....she was so weak but in typical Shelby fashion, doing what she could to mask it. I had hoped this was simply a side effect of the Prednisone, but this morning's xrays confirmed my worst fears: The lung mets had multiplied in growth.
With her beloved squeaky tennis ball, her Mr. Man crinkly toy and a few other favorite woobies, my wonderful vet helped her on her journey. I stroked her head and repeatedly told her how proud I was of her. She was, is and always will be my Rock Star....my Tropical Storm Shelby.
To the girl who stole my heart, Godspeed Shelby-Ouiser-Boudreaux-Strickland......chase those lizards, dive in those pools and party like it's 1999 until we're together again.
What a ride, my girl..................what a ride.
P.S. Spirit Jerry, I have some photos I would like to share but I'm inept at most things on the computer. My email is BHS74FlyGirl.....if I email you some photos, can you post them for me please?
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Oh no! This is just not what I was expecting to read today. Wow.
I'm so very, very sorry. I can't imagine how much this hurts, to have to decide so quickly like that, I'm so so sorry. Please be good to yourself, you did what you knew was best for her.
Shelby was so lucky to have you, she really had the best life a dog could ever hope for thanks to you. The love that you shared, the good times, all of it, will never, ever go away. Her memory will live in your hearts for a lifetime.
You are not inept but yes, please send the photos, we would love to share them. You can attach them to a PM in our system if you'd like or just email them to me at jerry-at-tripawds-dot-com.
{{{{hugs}}}}} & condolences. We are thinking of you today.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh I am so sorry. I read about Shelby a few weeks ago or so when you posted and was hoping those mets would just stay put. To see her running in her avatar -- Shelby looks like a blond Harley. He just left on Wednesday and together they will be thunder and lightening.
She remained cancer free for a long time, but not long enough.
Take care. Hugs from Kathy and Harley
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
I am so sorry for your loss. God speed Shelby and run free.
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."
I am so sorry, Pam. Shelby is one of the ones that inspired all of us who joined this site and searched frantically for success stories of pups beating the odds. Please know that she will continue to inspire all of us. Cancer may have finally taken her from this journey on earth, but she still won by never letting it take her spirit. Please know that there are many hugs, prayers and good thoughts being sent to you at this sad time.
Thank you for sharing Shelby and letting us walk the journey with you....
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Thank you everyone and Lisa, your words especially touched my heart.
She had an infectious smile and an unconquerable spirit.........she truly was a force of nature (hence the nickname Tropical Storm Shelby)
Spirit Jerry, I want to thank your pawrents and you for your blog....Shelby's final hours on earth were basically a footprint of your's. She was so tired, and last night after she struggled (with my help) to go outside to potty, she was so weak she just dropped. Half on the porch stoop. Half off of it. The look in her eyes said it all: Frustration. At the risk of putting human emotions on a dog, she tried to be so brave for me....I ultimately had to be the one to tell her it was time.
I will send the pics tomorrow......tonight, I need to hug Phoebe, Kona & Farley. They are sad and confused.
God I miss her.........
Pam, I am so sorry. Even when you know the end of the journey might be near it is still a shock to see it in a post.
Shelby was an inspiration- not just by beating back cancer for so long, but by never losing her Tropical Storm approach even with all the obstacles life threw at her.
Shelby will truly live on in your heart and so will always be by your side.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Pam, I had hoped you'd get to squeeze in some more time. I'm sorry that wasn't to be. We never get enough time, even when the time we get seems to defy the odds. But you did what Shelby needed and put her first.
I'm so sorry.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Pam, I am so very sorry. Shelby is an inspiration to all of us-a true tripawd warrior princess! Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
So sorry that you had to say "see you layer" to your spunky sweet sassy girl!
Bleepin cancer!
Sending you Golden heart healing wishes!
Oh dear! I haven't been on tripawds recently, so I didn't know about Shelby's lung mets, and I am so sorry to see that you had to say good-bye to your sweet girl. Like Bud's mom said, "bleepin cancer". I know how much you are hurting right now, the time we have with our special dogs is never long enough. What a special girl she was and an inspiration. Sending you hugs,
Spirit Chili Dawg's pack
ps- Chili Dawg is most likely showing her all the good places at the bridge- he has a thing for pretty golden girls 
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
Thank you, everyone.......................I will write more. For now, I'm trying to concentrate on helping my 3 *left behind* dogs (Phoebe, Kona and Farley) who seem utterly lost without her.
I miss every fiber of her being..............
What a sweet girl. Clearly a very happy being, and very fortunate to have had you in her life...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
There's my girl..........................................oh Shelby, I miss you baby girl. Thank you Spirit Jerry.
Oh, no — not sweet Shelby. It seems like years ago that I fell in love with her flying body and flopping ears photo. She looked so happy that it was apparent how much she was loved. I am so glad we got to meet her and so sorry you had to lose her, Pam.
I had hoped she and Wrigley could meet this year, but I guess it was not met to be. Instead, she will join the golden platoon of the Tripawd warriors. Shelby — run, play and swim all you want, pain-free and full of energy — I hope we meet again.
Hugs,
Beth
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
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