Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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As hard as this is to write I need to share this with my Tripawd family. I'm crying so hard it's making me dizzy. We tell each other to breathe and yet I can't catch my breath. The grief is hard to describe but I know so many of you have been right where I am.
Libby wasn't getting better and no one gave us any hope she would. Without the use of her back legs, laying around so much didn't help her lungs. She started coughing/gagging more. She wasn't able to get in the sphinx position to alleviate the pressure. I would turn her from side to side throughout the day to try and help. She was losing control of her bowels and bladder as well. Seeing her legs drag behind her as my husband tried to carry her out to the yard, just broke my heart. Her spirit was still there which made it so hard. It's never a good time to say goodbye but I hope we will look back and be glad we made the decision while she still was herself and had some light in her eyes. It's not comforting right now though.
I can't put into words what a fighting spirit Libby was. She never stopped fighting for us, or more accurately, her daddy. For as much as my heart aches my husband is hurting twice as much. I feel so bad for him. She loved us all so much but my husband and Libby were just bound by something I can't describe. When my husband and I would hug, she would start whining and put her head between us to try to get us apart. It always made us laugh. One of her favorite things was to lick my wedding ring. We joked she was trying to get it off my finger. I took it off last night after she licked it and put in on her toe.
She was our pack leader. Becoming a tripawd didn't define her life. It was just a hiccup in the road for her. BUT, being a tripawd allowed me to share her with all of you. Your friendship, guidance, love and support helped us make it further than I could have imagined. In another month she would have turned 11. We are 11 days away from what would have been her 14 month ampuversary but I'm counting it because 14 months ago, we had the diagnosis.
I know I need to concentrate on those 14 extra, wonderful, precious moments and I will, but for now it's a time of grief. Time will help but it doesn't feel like it right now. I like to think my dad (one of her favorite people) was waiting for her at the Rainbow Bridge.
I would like to post some pictures of her and I will do that in the coming days. It's just too difficult right now.
Thank you so much, my Tripawd family, for reaching out and always being there for us.
Love and 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
I'm so sorry Amy. 
I never have the right words here. Or hearts are with you
Lori and the family
Amy I am so so very sorry. As I've stated - Libby fought this battle with so much dignity and grace. She truly truly did. You helped her along that path and we are so honored to have gotten to know you and your family on this horrific journey.
There's no words to describe how much this one hurts me so deeply. You know how much I loved Libby and I hope you can feel this entire communities arms around you right now.
Sending you tons of hugs and strength.
Erica
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Amy I'm so very sorry. I wish I had the right words to take away the pain, to ease your broken heart.
Yes, you absolutely did right by your girl, you helped set her spirit free and gave her a life of eternal puppyhood, free from illness and growing old. Imagine her on all four legs as a young dog once again, only this time, it's forever!
As you cope with this great loss, try to remember that her journey on this earth is over but her role as your teacher and spirit guide is just beginning; all of the beautiful lessons she taught you throughout your time together are only going to get stronger as time goes by. She will never, ever leave your side, you three will always be a pack.
My heart goes out to you, I'm so very, very sorry. When you are ready, we would love to see those photos.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Amy, I am so very sorry........as I am sitting here in tears, I truly know the heartbreak you and your husband are feeling, and will feel for quite awhile. Our pets reach into, and grab hold of our hearts forever. May the coming days, weeks, months, and years ahead, help to ease all our pain, after losing such wonderful, special companions in our life, that is our Tripawds.
Keeping you and your husband in my thoughts...what a special bond they had......
Love and {{hugs}}.....Polly is waiting for you, Libby girl....
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Amy,
I'm so very sorry. You, Libby, and your husband will always be part of our family. Sending you and your husband love and strength.
Hugs,
Carol
I am sorry to hear of your loss...I wish I knew the words to say
Take comfort that Libby is running free and will be waiting for you just like she has all these years! I am very sorry for your loss
Thank you so much. It helps to have you all here.
I keep going over the events that started all this. I shouldn't do that, I know. Everything happens for a reason. Our regular vet told us she could come back from this but I think his mistake was not putting her on the floor of the exam room and seeing how she could or couldn't stand. My husband carried her in and put her right on the exam table. We told him we thought she might have pulled something and he just kind of followed that info. No matter now, I know.
Lori, I'm not good with words in these situations either but I feel your emotion and I thank you.
Erica, Libby is still a brave Winter Warrior in my heart. I feel your love and the love of all the Tripawd community. Give Jilly some extra scratches for me.
Rene, your words are very true. We all learned from Libby. My husband came home for lunch today and he said he is going to do what Libby would do...press on and keep moving forward...no looking back. I love that guy.
Bonnie, this is all still so fresh for you too, I know. Thank you for taking the time to send your kind words.
Carol, again, thank you for reaching out to me. I appreciate all you have said and I take it to heart.
dmpond, I hold on to the belief that she is running on all 4's now trying to find someone to boss around. Thank you.
Hugs to all,
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
Sweet, sweet Amy...I can't add much to what I wrote you last night... I actualy think I'm cryingnharder now than I was then.
And that's, in part, because you gave her the most selfless gift while she was still able to be Libby. Yeah, things were going downhill, but you were able to put on the brakes when she needed it most.
Yeah, we all no not to visit the dreaded "what ifs", but it's a natural part of being human...visit...then let go. The vet taking the path he did gave you more time with Libby while she still was Libby! And had you not "tried" the route he suggested, you would have added that "what if" to your list. Being human really sucks sometimes.
I smiled through my tears as you told me about the weddng ring. That was the most beautiful gesture I've ever heard of!! Libby was so proud to be Brett's "wife"!! You three had a real "Sister Wives" thing going!!
Words are failing me right now Amy. Other than to say...we all want to be Brett's sister wives...what a good guy!! But you deserve only good!
I do just want to remind you again though, just as privileged as you were to jave Libby your lives, she was just as privileged to have you in hers.
My heart aches with you..... and I smile with you when I think of how proud she was to have your husband's weddng ring on her toe!! I'm sure your Dad was grinningnover that ne when she jumped p and licked his face when he gretter her.
With love,
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!
Oh dear Amy,
I'm so very sorry for the pain you are going through. There isn't a damn thing we can say to take it away, but please know that all of us would if we could. Libby was blessed with loving parents and she returned that blessing with how much love she had for you and your husband. While going through these terrible times, she was most likely putting on the happy good face for you both. While it hurts like hell, you gave her the best gift last night and it is a selfless one. Many hugs to you and your husband.
Karma, Adelaide and the crew, and our forever angel Brendol
Adelaide is a young tripawd Husky, from an injury. Her amp was on 10/1/12. She has 4 sisters, Aissa (a senior border collie/chow), Maggie May (a puppy Great Pyrenees), Mathilde and Morrigan and 1 baby brother, Bagheera. We are all watched over by our angel Brendol, who was dx with OSA 1/30/13, amp on 2/6/13, and left us on 8/20/13.
You can read their stories at http://adelaide.tripawds.com and http://brendol.tripawds.com
I actually learned of this on Facebook from Jill's page before I had a chance to log on here but I wanted to reach out and tell you how incredibly sad I am for you and your family. Libby was an amazing dog - a true fighter and one that we hope ALL our furbabies can learn from. She was the epitome of grace every step of the way and you are too.
My heart ACHES for you ... for your loss, for your pain. But I agree with Rene and hold that close to my heart for you right now, that Libby was here and we can all learn so very much from her and what she shared with the world. In all her beauty, she stood tall in the face of this awful disease and she beat those odds!!! She was a true warrior.
I hope you can find some comfort in knowing how much she meant to all of us and how we all grieve for and with you right now.
Lots of love and hugs!
Alison
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
I am so sorry for your loss, it's completely heart breaking. But be proud that you did the right thing. You loved her and managed to do right by her at the end which is all any of us can ask for. Her body was done and you did absolutely everything you could to make her happy and comfortable while you could. Sometimes things are taken out of our hands. You acted with love to the very end.
Online
Amy and Family,
I know there are no words that can ease the grief, but know that the Tripawd Nation is here to help you carry the weight.
It is normal to go back and wonder what if- and I know we say not to do it. But I hope that when you do (I did too), that if you follow the thought through, you end up in the same place. You did your best for Libby, gave her every chance, and gave her one final gift last night.
I promise that as the inital pain and grief subsides that all you have done for Libby, including your decision last night, WILL bring you peace.
For now I am very sorry. Libby will live on in your hearts and so will always be with you.
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
Oh Sally, through my tears I had to chuckle at your "Sister Wives" reference. Thanks for that bit of levity. I hadn't thought of it but you are right...had our vet not taken that path we would have ended this journey a little sooner. Thank you for that.
Karma, thank you..I know the whole Tripawd family is helping me carry this pain. It's very therapeutic for me to read the kind words from yourself and everyone. I always told myself I was doing everything in my power to fight for her so I would have no regrets. I hope she knows that too.
Thank you, Alison. Libby DID handle everything with strength and grace right to the end. She was just incredible. I'm happy she touched your life as well.
ripple...thank you for pointing out the fact that sometimes things are taken out of our hands. I have a problem with acknowledging that at times. Thank you for the reminder.
Karen, I know all your words to be true in my head. My heart will take a little more convincing but I will get there thanks to you and this amazing family of animal lovers. The grief can't subside soon enough for me. This seems like a very long day.
Hugs and Love,
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
Amy I am so sorry. I wish there was something I could say to take all the pain away. Libby was able to live life to the fullest for 11 years, and when life got really hard, you guys had her back! You gave Libby 14 months she may not otherwise have had, 14 months to be happy, to just be a dog which is all they ever wish for. She was so lucky to have you guys. In our grief, we all go through the "what if", "if only..", "I should've"..... but when those creep up, try to remind yourself that you were doing everything you could have and rest assured that Libby knows it!!! It'll take time, but eventually the good memories will start to make you smile again. Thats how Libby would want to be remembered. She was so much more than that stupid disease. I envision them just shaking their worn out bodies off and their souls just RUN FREE!! Please share some of her pictures when your up to it, she is so beautiful!
The rainbow bridge sure is a busy place these days 
My heart is just so sad.
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”
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