Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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The last post I wrote on here was worry about Kobalt's cough. Well we ended up taking him to the vet and his cancer was metastasized in his lungs.
We took him home that afternoon with the intention of having the weekend to say goodbye. But once we were home he went downhill rapidly. He had two bowel movements while laying down and didn't try to move. We had to clean him up both times. His breathing was getting weaker and weaker.
So we called the vet and made the most difficult decision, we'd be coming back in a few hours to say goodbye. We spent those few hours giving him hamburger meat and petting him. We just loved him the best that we could.
We took as many pictures as we could with and of him. We hugged and cried, and the other dogs did too. They came over quietly and one at a time (we were amazed because we didn't plan it.) Sat with Kobalt and us for about 10 minutes each and then would get up and walk away.
When the time finally came to go to the vet we rolled all the windows down in the car so he could enjoy the car ride. When we got there we just sat and waited and loved him as best we could. When it was time the vet was gentle and kind. She cried as well.
I was relieved when he went peacefully over the rainbow bridge. He wasn't hurting anymore and he would always be remembered as our goodest boy.
We're still grieving here and still have moments where we expect him to come up to us to ask for hugs and pets. It's always painful when he doesn't.
We received a lot of support from our friends and family. Many of them knew and adored Kobalt as much as we did (Kobalt was my service dog for a while and so he knew how to make people feel better no matter what was wrong.). We received beautiful gifts including a gorgeous hand drawn portrait of him, a plaster paw print from the vet, and a beautiful remembrance shelf for all of his mementos.
This is one of the most difficult things we have ever gone throug . Seeing him go from a happy go lucky gentleman to an old tired dog was painful. We are extremely lucky to have spent 7 years with him. He was my wedding gift from my husband. He has been with us since we got married and the house feels empty without him.
Thank you for all the support we have had here. It has been a wonderful experience.
Kobalt Jaimison: February 7 2012-April 4 2020.
Alisa - My heart breaks for you and your family. I just read through all of your posts. It is so clear how much Kobalt was adored and how you made decisions that were always in his best interest, including the hardest one of all. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him. 
Stacy
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember when you first joined this site. I remember you writing about how everyone loved Kobalt, and it is easy to see why, and easy to see how much he meant to you and your husband. What an extraordinary wedding gift! There comes a time when it hurts more to watch the ones we love in pain, then it is to say goodbye. I know even though you can rejoice in knowing that Kobalt pain has ended, that yours has begun. But you did everything possible for him, and he knew that.
I know My Brownie was there to welcome him to the magical place of Rainbow Bridge, where they are whole again and their spirit is free...
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Oh no, I'm so sorry Kobalt got his wings. My condolences and love go out to you. I wish I could ease your grief somehow, it's always so hard when we must set our fur kids' spirits free.
Kobalt had a look of adorable mischief in his eyes that struck me the first time I saw his photo. He was striking and strong, yet that sweet look on his face told me that he had a tender side too, a real love bug. It's clear that others saw his special personality too, and cared deeply for your boy. He really did touch everyone he met!
Cancer is so unfair, but please know that you did all you could for him. You took a chance on amputation to give him a better quality of life and in the short time that he was with you as a Tripawd, Kobalt got to live without pain, and be with the people he loved most in this world. He also showed people that life on three legs couldn't stop him from anything he wanted to do. He was such an inspiration! You gave him a true gift, and he knew he was so deeply loved. No dog could ask for more.
May his memory live on in your hearts and ours for all time. We grieve with you, and hold his memory close to our hearts.
(((hugs))))
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Im just so cery, very sad to read this. Jist was not expecting it. It just makes me sick to read this. This disease is so brutal and unpredictable.
You gave him the gift of release from his earth clothes that no longer served him. They hindered him. They prevented Kobalt from being Kobalt. He knew you loved him enough to free him.
Even though the extended time was too short, it was chock full of a lifetime of spoiling and loving and making eceryday the best day ever. You got that lesson right from the start and that is what will help comfort you. That, and knowing you did everything possible for your handsome boy.
The Rainbow Bridge fot a huge dose of handsomeness when Kobalt went running free and strong towards his greeting pawty!! Several years ago my Hapoy Hannah, along with other Tripawd Heroes, headed to the Bridge during the month of April. We called them "April's Angels".They, along with all the other Bridge occupants were there to welcome him back home.
Jist as his light tpiched us all, his light is still shining brightly in the Heavens. Je is your Guardian now, just as you were his here on earth. Kobalt will connect with you. He will so pay atrention.
Thank you for allowing us the privilege to get to know this sweet voy. When you can, please share more and, with pictures of his handsome self.
Surrounding you wotn our love💖
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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!
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