Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So, today, on this 5th month anniversary of losing my Polly, I woke up this morning after having the worst dream ever........sorry, but I have to vent through tears......I arrived in a place similar to a huge deserted beach, but the tide was so far out you could hardly see it or hear it; I looked all over for anyone or anything and finally in the distance I saw a young guy with two dogs.....as I got closer, I realized his two dogs were my two dogs, Polly and Maggie.......I asked him where he found them and that I had been looking for them everywhere, and he said they have been with him for a little while. I said " but they are mine" .....I called out to both of them and neither Polly or Maggie responded or knew who I was.....they looked at me with blank stares and then the young guy called to them and they all went on down the beach and disappeared.
I have NOT had Polly come back to me in any way since she passed away, why this, why now?? I am so heartbroken from this terrible dream, I can't even stop crying and catch my breath.......I feel like I am being punished for something but not sure why or what......these next several days and weeks are already gonna be crap, but this dream really did me in......I know dreams really do not mean anything, but for some reason, this one meant something.....what a crappy start to my day.
I have no words or idea how to make this dream of Polly and Maggie be a comfort instead of a sadness...
All I can say is I've not experienced any dreams of my Leland (yet) but I have not slept well (tossing/turning constantly) since his passing. The only night I slept decent was when my husband begged me to take one of his prescribed sleeping pills and then he had to check to make sure I hadn't passed away myself.
I think what you're experiencing is from all the stress this month has put on your body and mind. Stress does a lot of not so good things to our bodies if we're under it for a while. All you can do is keep moving forward the best you can.
Keeping you in my thoughts!!
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!
Bonnie,
I'm so sorry that you're so upset by this dream. I know that some people truly believe that a dream has hidden meaning. I truly believe that our dreams are a mix of our current emotions and stresses. Since this is such a tough time for you, it would make sense that you would have a dream like this.
Can you try to look at this dream as a way to show you that Polly and Maggie are okay? I think the dream was showing you that they're together, and they have someone looking out for them while they wait for you, and that you don't need to worry about them. And I think you saw them because they're watching over you and they're still close to you even though they're not physically with you.
Sending you lots of hugs and love.
xoxo
Carol
Bonnie,
I do believe dreams always mean something but not in the way that our conscious mind can understand them. To me, on the surface it sounds like this dream is addressing a fear of losing all the memories you shared with Polly and Maggie. But that's all it is; your fear. It doesn't mean it can ever happen. Those memories are here to say, always in your heart, in your conscious and unconscious mind.
Now, about that person walking the dogs... I believe that our animals all come to us for a specific reason, a job to do in our lives. When their job is over, I believe their spirit moves on to another "assignment" with another human who needs to learn from their wisdom in order to become an enlightened soul. Perhaps this was a sign that Maggie and Polly are sharing their lessons with their next human, and all is well in their world.
Just a thought. Sorry it was so upsetting, dreams can really shake our foundation sometimes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I don't know anything about dreams either but I like Carol's explanation. I know it's hard and there are dreams that rip at our core and shake us for the whole day. I haven't seen Shelby in months in my dreams but she came to me a lot in the beginning. I would like that to think that means she thinks I am doing ok and that I am strong like her.
Either way, I know how painful those kinds of dreams are. I am so sorry... hugs and love.
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 think that sometimes our dreams are a reflection back to us of our state of mind. You have been very focused on your losses lately, and with good reason. Your earlier post detailed how much loss you have faced and how the dates in July were bringing all that loss to the forefront.
I would interpret your dream to be your feelings of loss for Polly and Maggie and how you feel you will never get them back. Working through those feelings are a very difficult but normal part of grieving. This is important- it is YOUR feeling of loss, not what Polly and Maggie are doing or feeling where ever they are romping now. They live forever in your heart, they will never leave your side. You are just missing them so much, and hurting so much that you can't feel them close to you right now.
You will get through this difficult time, and you will feel close to them again. I rarely dream about my Maggie, I never really have and she has been gone for more than 4 years. But she makes her presence known to me in other ways. I don't think a day goes by where she doesn't cross my mind for some reason. I have had some tough times since she left, and sometimes thinking about my journey with her gives me the strength I need to face those difficulties.
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
So many insightful and spot on points have been made
Although for me, I'm very open to "dream messages", I have yet to have Happy Hannah visit me in any form and I can only assume the grief is still to thick for her energy to break through.....it will though. Wait...did I just hear "thump..thump.....thump..thump...the thumping of her tail wagging"? Hmmmm....
A couple of of.other scenarios to add to the, in my opinion, very valid observations above. What were you FEELING? Stay away from.the "specifics" of the dream and try.and focus on what your emotions and feelings were. Sometimes.the dreams of just."vehicles" to connect us with emotions that are bothering us, holding us back or a signal.they really need to be n processed. I guess the obvious feeling is one of loss...but dig deeper and see what other feelings the dream brought forth. And might as well through "LOSING FAITH" in there too as an underlying "feeling"! Hmmm.....losing Faith....
Another little "possibility"....Maggie and Polly were letting you know you don't need to look "outside of yourself" to find them...they aren't there...they are not "separated from you" ....they are WITHIN you always! They would never allow their presence in a dream that would hurt you...find their meaning of empowerment...that's their message.
Surrounding you with love today and always!
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!
I agree... Sorry you have been so disturbed by the dream. I think Polly and Maggie came to you to show you that they are alright. Maybe you felt slighted because they were with another human? Because they didn't acknowledge you? Please try to find comfort in this.
Laurie
As hard as it was to have that dream, I too think Polly and Maggie were showing you they are ok. I tend to be very spiritual with these sorts of things, and when you said they were with a man who called them and they came...my thought was God. All creatures do really belong to him, they are only ours for a little while :). I think maybe he was showing you that, so you know they are ok, hoping you find some comfort in it...especially at a time when you really need it. HUGS
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 is beautiful! That was my first thought also, that they were in Heaven and the man was Jesus. I am not trying to push my beliefs onto anyone. If this offends anybody, please accept my apologies. That was just the first thought that popped into my head. Bonnie, I am sorry that you had this upsetting dream. Unfortunately, some dreams just hang with us the next day. I have also heard that our dreams are just our brains trying to process and sort out the information we are thinking about. This would definitely make sense in your case as this is such a tough month for you. There is just no easy way through this grief thing. I wish I had the right words to help, but I don't. Just sending hugs and support to you. Lori and Ty
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.
Thank you all again, for getting me through a tough day....... I took the day and pondered each and every post from you, and kind of took a bit of ideas from each one to help me form my own belief or reasoning for this sad dream. I also got out of my house for the day, and got involved in other things to keep my mind off of anything unpleasant. One of the things I spent a lot of time doing, was looking at all the many pictures I have of both my girls, Polly and Maggie, and videos as well, and just looking at them, I knew how much both loved me in our life together, especially Polly.......that can NEVER be taken away from me.
So, I will continue to trudge through the next two weeks, but keep reminding myself that life was and is great, and I have been so lucky to have spent my life with very special pups, and a very special sister....... We just made the best of what we had together, time-wise.
Much Love to all of you,
Bonnie & both angels, Polly and Maggie
So funny, I had a dream this morning also. Nothing like yours, however. I was in one of those where you wake up for a few seconds and wonder what time it is, then you realize you have a delicious 20 more minutes to sleep. I was just drifting off when I saw so clearly, Ty coming down my hallway with my purple sneaker in his mouth. Oh, I am tearing up here. He had all 4 legs, yet he sort of hopped like a Tripawed. It was oh so brief I jumped awake and reality hit. He is gone. I cannot get those words out of my head. When the vet said gently " he's gone". I am not sure when the tears stop or if they ever do. It has been like 15 years since I put my Lastheart dog to sleep. It was so hard but she was 14 and I think I was preparing myself a bit for her leaving. I am so thankful that I can walk through this with people who understand. We are all just walking in a big parallel line holding each other up. Love from ,Lori and Ty
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.
Lori,
You and I have a lot in common......my first heart dog, Duchess, which was my first Lab, and she was black, lived to just short of 16 years old......I was so blessed to have her in my life, AND to have her for such a long time.....I truly believed when I had to say my final goodbye to her almost 15 years ago as well, that I was going to wilt and die right then and there. I somehow survived, and got my Maggie a few months later, and a few years after that, got my precious Polly. I always believed that I would NEVER, EVER, suffer another heartbreak as bad as I had with my Duchess......I was SO very wrong.......I truly adored my Maggie, but my Polly trumped all and will forever. There is always that one dog, and I even like to believe I have had 2 of the most special dogs in my life, but Polly took the largest part of my heart with her when she left me. I now have Pearl, who is the light of my life, and I am so in love with her. However, Polly was the ultimate center of my universe, and even in death will somehow still reign #1 in my heart forever.
I loved your dream about Ty.....sometimes something as simple as a dream like that about our beloved fur babies, is their way of just saying "Hi mom, I love and miss you, but I am really ok.....please don't be sad, because I will always be with you even if you can't see me". I had several dreams and "other strange things" happen with my first Lab, Duchess's death, and I was completely at peace in coming to terms with her death.....I also had a coming-to-terms dream about Maggie, I just truly wish I had this with my Polly......I have not, at all, and it is half killing me.....
You are also very right in that we have each other here, who understand everything, and will always be here to support each other.....I am so happy I found this place.
Much Love,
Bonnie & all her angels
Lori and Bonnie,
To hear you two describe not one but TWO heart dogs gives me so much hope that perhaps my heart will heal and I will be able, one day, to find another true love ... Shelby will always be my soul-mate ... we grew up together on so many levels (getting her when I was single and in my late 20s) but perhaps, just perhaps.... my story didn't end with her passing. While I tear up thinking about her today and missing her and not quite feeling that kind of love for Jasper ... I feel cautiously optimistic that there may be MORE great love in my life again....
Thank you both for always sharing your stories!
With love,
Alison & 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
Alison,
I am so glad our stories could help your heart.......I remember you mentioning after Shelby passed away, that you COULD NEVER hurt that much again, I wanted so much to tell you that, yes, you surely can.....As much ultimate and eternal love that I have and had with Polly, does NOT in any way diminish my ultimate and eternal love of my first Lab Duchess. I too, got her when I younger, at 25, and had her till I was 42......we went through SO much together, including her being there for everything, including my first failed marriage......I have loved all my Labs so very much, and hurt horribly when they left me, but you know, there are those one or two special pups that will never let go of our heart. I still believe I will experience close to that again.......and I truly believe you will, too.....and no, your story with Shelby will NEVER end....
Much Love,
Bonnie & all her angels
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