Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I can't believe it's been a year since I had to let Willow go. The things that happened during her last week are so fresh in my mind that it could have been yesterday. I still miss my girl so much. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her. I smile and laugh about things that she did, and yes, sometimes I still cry. I cry because she waited 11 of her 12 years of life to find her forever home, because she didn't have someone who loved her to take care of her while she recovered from her amputation, because I miss her so much. Every day I think about how lucky I am to have had such a wonderful dog, such an amazing soul, in my life. When I originally saw her story on the rescue's website it
touched my heart, but when I met her I knew instantly that we belonged together. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made...but I think I had more than a little help with that decision from Willow. I brought her home, but the truth is she rescued me.
I miss hearing Willow's tail wag when I come home...she would bang her tail so hard against whatever she was next to, so very hard that I'm surprised the furniture didn't break and the walls didn't have holes. I miss her begging me to share my apple with her...she loved sweet Fuji apples as much as I did, and honestly, apples just don't taste the same now that she's not here to share them. I miss her running over to try to help me transfer my mom to or from her wheelchair , and I miss seeing her laying on the couch next to my mom, with her head in my mom's lap, showering my mom with love and affection...even though mom couldn't show or tell Willow how much she loved her. I miss her kisses, her silliness, hearing her bark like a crazy girl at the sound of the mailbox closing, and even her snoring. I miss everything about my sweet, quirky, feisty, loving girl.
I knew Willow was living on borrowed time when I adopted her. Still, knowing that I would lose her sooner
rather than later didn't make it any easier when the time came, even though I never imagined she would be with me as long as she was. It was a privilege to have known and loved her and I'm so lucky that she was my sweet girl, even if only for a little while The sadness I still feel is a small price to pay for the love and happiness that she brought me.
I will love and miss my sweet Willow forever.
Gosh, has it really been a whole year since Willow left us? You and she sure packed alot of love into the short time you had together. That really does make it all worth it, doesn't it? And I am sure that, for Willow, her time with you made up for everything that had gone before. I am so glad you found each other and so glad that you shared your beautiful girl with all of us.
Sending you all our love,
Codie Rae and the Oaktown Pack
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Aw, what sweet pictures and a wonderful remembrance of Willow. The time we have with our critters is never long enough and I'm sure she only remembers the good. I'm still at the beginning of the healing process but I don't think the sadness will ever go away totally, but I think that's normal.
I'm glad you are still here because your caring and support means so much to me and many others.
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
Very sweet pictures, and a very beautiful pup.......nope, the pain never goes away, you just learn to live with it........I still think about my very first Lab that I lost almost 15 years ago when she was almost 16 years old......still cry from losing them all, but losing Polly has been the absolute worst.....so nope, the pain will always remain, but I will also always want a new pup to shower with never-ending love, knowing how much it hurts to lose them.......
Keeping you in my thoughts.....
Bonnie & Angel Polly
I can't believe its been a year. It seems like yesterday Carol. I know you miss her just as much as you did on day one. Thinking of you today & Willow
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
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."
Wow, Carol... I'm in awe of you. I'm still relatively new here and I just assumed that you had Willow most of her life.
What an amazing person you are to have rescued her when you did. Do you have a blog? I'd love to read more about Willow and your journey together.
She was clearly an amazing girl, like her mom.
Thinking of you and Willow and sending hugs and admiration.
-Deb and Lexie
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
I'm with Deb .... what an amazing gift you gave Willow ... it does sound like you were together her entire life. You are a blessed soul and what an amazing time you had together.
I didn't realize it was an entire year... feels like we just learned about Willow and her special life.
Thank you for continuing to support all of us here. My hope is once my grief subsides a bit, i can return to being a positive ray of sunshine .. I think that is what Shelby would want me to do do.
Sending you much love and hugs!
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
Thank you all for your kind words.
Martha, Codie Rae and the Oaktown Pack, it's true...we packed in a lot of love in a short time and I wouldn't trade it for anything!
Amy, you're right...it's never long enough. And while the sadness definitely gets easier I don't think it ever completely goes away. But I smile and laugh when I think of Willow now. It's mostly only on the "anniversaries"...a day like today or her "forever home day", or when someone else goes through the loss of their beloved baby, that I still get weepy.
Bonnie, the pain doesn't go away but gets easier and only sometimes comes back with a vengeance. The pain is the price we pay for loving our babies...who give us their hearts and souls unconditionally.
Michelle, it does seem like yesterday, and I do still miss her so much. I always will.
Deb, thank you but Willow was the amazing one. I don't have a blog, but I've told her story in the forums...if you search for her or me you'll find them.
Alison, you're so sweet to post to me while your grief is so new. I promise you it will get better. I did just recently post about Willow's life...that may be why you remember just reading about her. And look...you're already here giving support! You're a kind, loving, strong woman!
Love and hugs,
Carol
Sweet Carol,
What lovely remembrances... and loving remembrances.
Not oly did Willow know whar she was doing when she picked you, but your mom knew what she was doing when she picked you! There is such a contentment on Willow's face as she lays soul to soul with your mom. And there is peace on your mom's face. What a pair. What a trio!
I love hearing more about Willow. Clearly she enjoyed her spot in your life and it didn't matter what her life was like before, she was "home" with you. I think if you asked her, "Willow, if you could have had an easier life, but you never would have spent the last year of your life with Carol, would you have preferred that?" And Willow would have said as her tail was wildly knocking holes in the wall, "Don't be ridiculous!! I would do it a milliom times over jist to ave my year with Carol!!! And, Willow would add, "One year in human years is...yeah...you guessed it...seven in my years!"
I'm going to the frocery stor Monday and I'm going to buy some Fuji apples. Happy Hannah and I shall share one and "toast" to the beautiful and gentle Willow and her best friend Carol! And a toast to your mom too! And BTW, Willow "felt" your mom's love. Words aren't needed when love is "spoken" from one soul to another.
From our hearts,
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!
Sally, I think you're right...I think Willow was meant to be mine. And if things hadn't happened in both our lives exactly the way they did I might not have found her. You are a very kind and wise woman.
With love,
Carol
Thank you Carol for sharing Willow's story with us.
Tuck and I have only been on this journey for seven months but you were always there to offer kind words and support to us.
Many thanks,
Linda and Tucker
Linda, the support of this community helped me so much, both with learning about Trioawds and dog health in general and comforting me when I most needed it, and again now. I want to be able to do the same for others.
Thank you for your kindness and support.
With love,
Carol
Carol,
Wow. A year?
A year just flies by in some ways, and in others, the pain of losing a loved one seems to last forever and drag out the months. It's weird how time has that paradoxical effect isn't it?
Those pictures are so sweet, what a special gift Willow was to you and your Mom and everyone who had the privilege of meeting her. I have to believe that she found her perfect home just when the time was right, just when she could make the most impact on this world. What a lucky human to have her in your life, even if only for a short time. Sometimes it's the shortest relationships that leave us with the most powerful impacts on our lives don't you think?
I know these milestones are difficult, those "firsts" tend to hit home especially hard. I'm sending lots of hugs across the miles to you. Thanks so much for sharing your journey then and now, and for continuing to be here to offer your wisdom and support to others in the community.
xoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So hard to believe it has been a year. The picture with your Mom shows that she was already an angel during her time with you and was just waiting for that great set of wings so she could fly. Your time was so short yet so full of love and happiness. She will always be remembered.
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
A whole year, already? Wow. That pain never really leaves, huh? Especially when trying to enjoy a Fuji apple. Tell you what - I'll enjoy Willow's presence now every time I have a Fugi! A celebration of her marvelous life with you! Her strength, resiliency, devotion, love, and determination!
Thanks for sharing more about her again. She was a lucky pup and I'm so thankful you two had each other.
HUGS
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
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