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.
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Oh Shannon... My heart aches for you as I read your post tonight. I am so very sorry you had to say goodbye to Xander. You are such wonderful pawrents to him. Bless you for doing everything you could for him, and for staying strong for him. I have admired your strength throughout your battle and can only hope that I can find the same strength when Nova's time comes some day. I too know the joy of Great Dane spooning, and am so glad that his passing was peaceful and you got to hold him in that way as you said goodbye,
Rest in peace, handsome boy.
Licks and Dane Leans from Nova and mom Sue
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
Shannon, I am so sorry to hear of Alexander's passing.
Sadly, we've lost too many of our kids, especially lately. I fell in love with Alexander immediately...from your first posting with his photo. Such a handsome, graceful boy....so full of love. Alexander's diagnosis was just a month after my Kona Kai's diagnosis (also osteosarcoma) So, I think I felt an added connection with you. Your boy lasted two months longer than my girl, but, it's never enough.
My heartfelt sorrow (and tears) go out to your huge loss of your special boy.
Big hugs,
I also understand completely (and felt the same way) when you said of knowing when he was gone, left his physical body, when he passed.
Denise
Kona turned 9yrs on April 16, 2010.
Kona was diagnosed Memorial Weekend 2010 with osteosarcoma.
Right rear leg amputated on June 4th. First chemo June 18th 2010
Second chemo July 9th, 2010 Third and final (yea !!!) chemo July 30th, 2010
ONE TOUGH GIRL this Australian Cattledog !
***Kona's journey/fight ended late in the evening of December 22, 2010***
We Love you so much Kona….always
Bella 9yrs, albino lab/aussie shep/pit?(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind (from birth) in one eye limited vision in other.(laid back, ok lazy 73 lbs)
Cotton, 5yrs, albino hound/terrier of somesort/???(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind in one eye(from birth), excellent vision in seeing eye. (ball addict…destroyer of Kong balls…yes,etc), high energy 55lbs knots of muscle)
Kona Kai's pup brother and sister as well as her buddy and playmate cat, Shaymous 12yrs (like Seamus), miss her terribly.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I think many of the things you are feeling are completely normal, and nothing to feel guilty about at all.
Because our situation with Zack at the end was an emergency, we got to say goodbye and be with him, but in the middle of the vets' operating area. Once he was gone, they asked if we wanted time alone with him in one of the normal rooms, and I remember thinking what an odd request that was, since it really wasn't him anymore.
My husband and I also felt a sense of relief - constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop is exhausting, and doing our best but not being able to ultimately save them is heartwrenching.
You & your husband will be in my thoughts as you deal with this difficult loss.
Zack, King of Dogs, 1996 to 2010
Zack lived a full 14 years, even to the end.
The joy and memories he provided us will last a lifetime.
Surviving him is his sister, Izzy, a 12-year-old boxer mix quadpawd.
And the latest addition, Zula, an 11-month-old pit bull mix tripawd.
Shannon,
Your feelings are normal (even though nothing seems normal right now.) It sounds like his spirit left his body peacefully, and to be able to hold him is really special. If you didn't feel some relief that your boy is no longer suffering....well, THAT would be the abnormal thing. So, don't feel bad about that at all. My wish for you is that the happy memories will soon bring smiles instead of tears, and comfort you as you heal.
Lisa
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
Shannon,
Your efforts and Xanders fight was epic, it bought you some wonderful time together. Cancer is the most horrible disease in the world, it robs us of so many loved ones. My hope is that you will find comfort and peace in knowing that you gave Xander the best chance you could. I am so sorry for your loss, he was a beautiful boy.
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
I am terribly sorry that Xanders time has come to say goodbye, you were wonderful pawrents to a very wonderful boy. My heartaches with you, I no how hard it is to say goodbye.
I hope soon you will be able to remember all the years filled with with wonderful memories and find a sense of peace.
My thoughts are will you.
Rest In Peace Xander
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
We are so sorry about Xander. I am sure that the big handsome boy had a wonderful life with you and will be eternaly grateful for that and that you let him go in such a loving and dignified way to end his suffering.
Thinking of you
Mitch, Roger, Cobweb and Io
We're honored that Barney got to spend some time with Xander, and hope it shed a ray of hope, if even dim, during this difficult time. Thank you for sharing your big beautiful boy with the Tripawds community.
We are so very saddened to learn of your loss. Our hearts ache every time there is a loss with our Tripawds family. Sending you lots of golden hugs!
Cathy/Jane/Spirit Skyler/Chloe
I am so very sorry to hear of Xander's passing. Even when we know it is coming we cling to the hope it may not. It was easy to tell how much Xander was loved. Who amongst us that has had to make the same decision could not be glad that our dogs were no longer suffering?
You didn't get enough time with Xander (is there enough time?) but my hope for you is that your many memories with Xander will warm your heart and give you the strength that you need in this difficult time.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
I am so sorry to hear about your sweet Xander. Oh what a huge loss this is and how my heart goes out to you right now. I lost my Mackenzie just 2 months ago and I still feel so much pain and heartache. I can't even talk about it really. It truly pains me to know that you now have to face this huge loss too - my heart is absolutely breaking for you.
My deepest condolences.
Kami, Angel Mackenzie and Kobe
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
I am so sorry for your loss. And echoing what others have said - feeling relief is a normal reaction. I have had to make the decision for 3 of my 5 pets in the past year and half - including Sophie - my Tripawd golden retriever. As you said, Xander told you it was his time - and they all do in their own way. Because we are so connected to them - we know, too. With all of my pets, I held them tight, spooned them (my golden retrievers), and made sure that they knew that it was ok to go. That we'd be ok, too.
Sometimes I still feel one of my cats jumping on my bed, even though she's been gone for over a year now. I know she checks up on me. Sophie - I know she and her brother are busy playing at the Bridge. She's no doubt introduced him to all of her Tripawd angel friends.
There are no words to ease the loss you're feeling now, but your memories of Xander will keep him forever in your hearts. Knowing that you let him go with grace and dignity will give you peace. Sending you my most sincere condolences.
Tana and Angel Sophie (and her angel siblings)
Sophie (1998 – 2010)
"Going Dog" def: living every day in the moment
"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."
–Unknown
It is not uncommon to feel relief, the cat I grew up with (2 months older than me) got to the ripe age of 18 and the last year of her life was full of ups and downs. In the end, she had diabetes, kidney failure, arthritis etc... and it really was a relief to know that she was no longer living in her troubled body.
I know you will be missing Xander and we are sending you positive thoughts at this time.
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
I'm so sorry for your loss. Xander was a beautiful boy and although his time here was too short he was lucky to have been part of such a loving and compassionate family. Please except my most sincere condolences.
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