Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Just read your note about the "a**holes". Don't even waste your breath trying t o explain to the uniformed...they'll never get it.
And to not understand the love from a dog....pity them....their lives are so incomplete.
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!
Sally and Happy Hannah- You are so wise! Evan and I just had a 20 email long chain going back and forth about our favorite things Theo did...AND we're still going!!! Thank you!!!! <3
Awww! Now that's a way to make it through the work day!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Snagglemom,
I'm so sorry for your loss. Theo loved you and you loved him unconditionally. Know you're in our thoughts and prayers.
I went back and read your posts. Nothings easy when you're dealing with the terrible "C".
Once again I will light a candle like Sally (She's a big supporter of mine too, such a sweetheart.)
Much love to you and your hubby and praying for comfort at this time. I know it's not easy.
I cry every time I read heaven gained another Angel... it's not fair, but they are pain free and running free.
HUGS,
Tracy and Bailey
I know your thought is to "just keep busy" and that will help...for me and my husband we took a few days away from work. We were both just a wreck and I didn't have it in me to face co-workers and deal with the endless looks and questions. You and your husband were extremely strong to face that challenge. If you guys are able you should consider taking some time (especially these first few days) to just "decompress" for lack of a better word after all that you guys went through. There is nothing wrong with tending to yourselves after experiencing the loss of Theo.
Now that's not to say we didn't find every reason under the sun to stay out of the house because for several days we didn't go back home till late in the evening to just go to bed. Like you the house was just too quiet and we just missed our boy so much. We ate out a lot and spent time with family that was there with us when we had to let Leland go.
As time continues moving forward the hurt will lessen. There will be better days than others but know that is normal. Heck, both me and my husband still cry at times because we miss our boy. I don't think we'll ever stop shedding tears for Leland but at least we are able to talk about him and smile more than cry.
Sending you and your husband a warm HUG!
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Rachel,
I love the fact that you and your husband emailed back and forth like that. I would be doing the same thing.
Love and TIGHT HUGS,
Tracy and Bailey
benny55 said
Just read your note about the "a**holes". Don't even waste your breath trying t o explain to the uniformed...they'll never get it.And to not understand the love from a dog....pity them....their lives are so incomplete.
AMEN TO WHAT SALLY SAID!!!
FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART...And to not understand the love from a dog….pity them….their lives are so incomplete.
I'm so very sorry for your loss. I can't say anything better than what everyone else already has and I'm never very good with things like this. But wanted you to know I'm sending love and light to you and your husband as you make your way through this.
~Melinda and Tri-Kitty Angel Kender
Follow Kender's story here
I am so sorry for your loss and understand the pain you are going through. I know many people see our pets as just that "a dog" but we know they are definitely more than that. I can't tell you more than what everyone else has already told you but know that I do feel your pain and hope you can find some comfort.
Danell and Kasey
Snagglemom and Snaggledad,
also very sorry for your loss. Not much can be added to what others have said in this forum. When the ugly "C" knocks at our door, none of us know what the outcome will be, because this is not in our hands. Allow yourselves time to mourn Theo's passing. This is a very intimate moment, and not everyone understands when mourning involves losing a fur child. Mourn, but also be thankful for his life and be grateful for having had the privilege of being mom and dad to such a wonderful creature, and for all the joy and happiness Theo brought to your lives.
tight hugs,
Daniela & Johnnie
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
I have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes because your story reminds me so much of what I went through with my Chance just a few weeks ago. First of all, you did the BEST thing you could have for Theo at this time. I know that it's hard not to think about all of the "what if's" but DONT! When you have a bond that you did with Theo, you know when they are tired and not interested in the things that they love. That's when you know its time. They tell us. I did the same thing with Chance. He was playing with his ball until his last day, but not the same as before. It was a struggle for him and I hated to see him only doing something because I asked him to.
The pain gets easier, day by day. Put up a memorial for Theo with a picture and his collar in your home. It's ok to cry for him, but just think about all of the Tripawds he is playing with now and chasing balls with. Eventually, the sad memories turn into happy ones. You will forget the bad days and just remember the good. We are here for you, I know it's beyond hard.
Hugs,
Taylor remembering Chance
Chance is a 10ish Shetland Sheepdog Mix who was rescued from the shelter in January of 2013 and diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in September of 2013. He had a front left amputation and 6 rounds of carboplatin. He had a great 11 months and was diagnosed with lung mets on 8/23/14. He was released to the bridge on 8/28/14.
Oh Taylor, thank you so much! I kept a close eye on Chance's story too. I felt they had a connection. Except I hated that you had such a short time with your boy after rescuing him, it didn't seem fair, but I know he had a purpose in your life, as Theo did in mine. I bet they found each other first, of course after Jerry greeted him! 
We have the start of a beautiful memorial for him. It includes a painting I did of him in the beginning of the year. I'm no artist so it was more impressionism than anything, but it captures his essence to me! His perfect baseball collar and I remember how it jingled especially loud once he became a hopping tripawd, and the baseball he had with him when he crossed Sunday night.
I feel like the days are getting harder because the permanence is setting in...but hopefully it will start turning around soon.
TAYLOR....Holding you and Chance tightly in my heart everyday. You are continuing to reach out to others on behalf of Chance....that makes his tail wag so proudly!!
The painting....what a very, very special treasure! I do hope you'll share that with us...I know it absolutley captures the essence of Theo...every single stroke was etched with such love and connectedness.
The Rainbow kids are having a blast playing baseball now! I don't think they've nhad a major league pitcher and outfielder until now!!!
Shhhhh.....I think I hear the Angels trying to sing a rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame".....It's really off key though!
Love and Hugs!
Sally and My Eternal Light Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too
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!
It will be a roller coaster for many more days to come but stay close to us! We will help guide/heal/hug you through this! I know how hard it is... And especially when you have to be at work. I was, also, blessed that I was able to take a week off after Shelby passed. But my job is one that requires me to be 'on' and social and around people and there was no way. My boss saw it and she's not even a dog person but sent me on my way. I do think that week helped me get some clarity and I was better able to cope, somehow. I still have moments (many as you saw on my blog) of weakness....
I would love to see photos of your memorial if you are up to it! I have a mini shrine for Shelby. I got her paw print from the place that cremated her and I had it framed w/some of our favorite photos. I have her box with her ashes next to some more photos. My apt isn't that big so it's really a Shelby-shrine.
I also got a necklace that Rene (aka Jerry) did for me that I wear every day that has Shelby's name on it. it helps me feel close to her. I hold it in my fingers and I talk to her!
So whatever you do to make it through the day is the right thing ... I love that you shared happy memories back and forth... those will help... I try and force myself to think more and more happy stuff... and remember always, our furbabies like to see us smile!
Much love,
Alison with the Spirit of Shelby fur-ever in her heart (and little Jasper too)
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
Everyone on here is so compassionate and I keep coming back here to read and try to be supportive. I hurt when anyone on here loses a fur baby it breaks my heart. I just want you to know I am thinking of you and my heart aches for you. If you need to talk just to get it out I understand PM or call me 314-732-5834.
Love and tight hugs,
Tracy and Bailey
1 Guest(s)
