Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that Wookie is gone, but what a wonderful experience to feel his spirit running free. He was letting you know he was okay. (Abby let me know she got "there" okay too, so I definitely don't think you are a whack job - and I'm the same as you, not super spiritual except when it comes to dogs!)
I'm so glad you were able to bring Wookie to our meet up in San Diego. He was a beautiful sweet boy. I'm sure he and Abby are running wild right now. She is flirting shamelessly with him and showing him all the best beach spots.
This time is so hard, but eventually there will be more smiles than tears. (still tears... but lots more smiles).
It sucks to lose them so young. Thinking of you and Gustavo.
Jackie, Angel Abby & BunnyRita
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
I am very sorry you had to say goodbye. I know how very difficult it is. To have the spiritual experience you had was amazing. If we could all be so lucky, wouldn't that be wonderful. May that peaceful feeling never leave you.
RIP sweet Wookie. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Kelly,
Wookie is at peace. I do understand your story, when my Rudy (Jake's fur-brother) died I felt it too. A strange happiness knowing he was going somewhere without pain or the constraint of a failing body. Knowing he was going with all the love I had given him and that was all he ever wanted.
Thank you for sharing Wookie's story here, as it extended his life by giving us all a piece of him to carry.
I am sorry for your loss, but happy for your joy.
Lori and Jake
I am so sorry that you have lost your beautiful boy. Thank you for sharing Wookie with us.
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
I was in tears reading about the special moment you and Wookie shared after his spirit left his body to run free. While I am so very sad for you, I am glad he was able to let you know he was ok. Wookie was such a special boy; the special ones often leave far too soon. I guess the Earth wasn't big enough for such a dog; he needed to roam the heavens, happy and free. He'll always be a part of you, and I hope memories of your precious boy will comfort you. Thinking of you and hoping you are still at peace (as opposed to falling to pieces like I did).
-Catherine ans Spirit Scout
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
kathyl said
This is part of a favorite poem of mine and I find it comforting and it makes me think of Wookie.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow . . .
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there. I did not die.
Yes, Kathy, that is it, exactly. I know he did not die, I'm pretty sure he's wrestling with another dog right this minute!
And thank you all so much for the kind words and thoughts, it meant so much to us. I am still at peace, which is not to say that I don't have my weeping spells, because I miss him so terribly. But then I just think how happy and free he is, I hope I can always keep that feeling in my heart.
It is odd to be feeling this way, so at peace. I took this week off of work, because I know how destroyed I usually am when I have to let one of my beloved friends go. It's a pain beyond compare. I feel so blessed that Wookie let me go with him, just for a few minutes.
And maybe our dogs do come back to us, I don't know. When I lost one of my dogs, Mrs Kulo, more than 10 yrs ago, I asked him to please, please, please come back to me. I did not get another big dog for years, because I was waiting for some "sign". But it never came. The funny thing is, Mrs Kulo passed away on May 24th. After we adopted Wookie and I was looking through his medical records from his original vet (just vaccines and routine puppy stuff), I saw his birthdate. It was May 24th. So who knows, right?
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
Feel so sorry for your loss of Wookie. Amazing what you felt! Our dogs really can tell us some special things both when they are alive and when they die. We always be together in some way! Sending you hugs!
Gunilla, Penny and Wilbur
This day marks one year since my beautiful Sammy died so I was already in tears before I read your post. Now I am bawling like a maniac because your description broke my heart. I can tell how much love you shared with your sweet Wookie and I am so, so sorry you had to let him go.
But I am glad you got to share such an experience with Wookie. Your description sounds very much like something I read in one of my favorite books, "The Art of Racing in the Rain." In it, Enzo, a dog and the main character, tells of how he saw a National Geographic special that talked about the Tibetan belief that when dogs die their spirits are free to run across the plains before they are reincarnated. Enzo wants to come back as a human because he wants to speak in words.
So I don't think you are crazy. Maybe you were just lucky enough to share those moments with Wookie.
I had my own miracle moment after Sammy died and though I wanted to share it, I also worried that people would think I was unhinged. A few days after Sammy I was dusting a glass table and a penny literally bounced in front of my face. I was flabbergasted, but then started to laugh. It was so like my rambunctious Sammy to make sure I noticed it. For the next few weeks we found pennies in the strangest places.
I never believed in miracles before, but I do believe our fur-kids teach us more than we teach them. Hugs and strength to you ...
Beth, Spirit Smilin' Sammy and MB Wiggly Wrigley
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
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