Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Its with a heavy heart I report my baby Zeus lost the battle last night. I was told after amputation and 2 biopsies that he had Fibrosarcoma. I didnt do the chemotherapy because I thought the chances of this type of cancer spreading was slim. Zeus never really adjusted to his 3 legs and I noticed 3 weeks ago his appetite was decreasing, he was somewhat more tired than usual though still happy. I went to the vet for a dx and a chest xray; I almost passed out when I saw the film. The lung lobes were full of masses. I immediately knew what was happening and wondered why my baby got such a horrible hand; it wasnt supposed to spread. I made appt to see an oncologist who read me the pathology report; Zeus had Osteosarcoma...Turns out this 3rd pathology report was never mentioned to me and "ended up in someones mailbox". I managed to keep him going for the last 2 weeks. I found no help with his veterinarians. It was heartbraking disappointing to be left pretty much to my own devices. Being a nurse Im sure I spared him alot of discomfort but last night he went into respiratory distress after his walker came and took him outside. It was after 8PM and I tried to get in touch with numerous vets to no avail. His regular vet said to me; "I cant come, I have kids". Well Zeus was/is my kid and after all the money I have spent trying to save his quality of life, I resent someone who took an oath to help turn her back on us. I couldnt possibly get Zeus in a car by myself so I called a ambulance company that takes pets to the vet of their choice. The driver was nice but alone so I had to ride in the back with Zeus and administer oxygen. He was calm and a good boy but this is not how i envsioned his last goodbye. When we arrived at the hospital he was immediately triaged to ICU. The vet came out and told me that his right lung had collapsed. I stayed with him while he was sedated and whispered how much his mommy and all his aunts loved him. I shared many kisses and held on tight. I did not stay when he was sent to God, but he was returned to me for private time. He was warm, strong and handsome again. Im devastated that such a beautiful animal had to be maimed and given the wrong information never had a chance. I wanted to let everyone know that second opinions, even thirds is the least we can do for our babies. I wish I researched better. My life has been changed forever; I miss my boy so much...WE LOVE YOU ZEUS, Mommy and Belle
OMG... I am speechless.... I am so sorry for your loss.... so incredibly sorry that it ended this way for you all. Zeus knew he could trust you and he was with you and in his world, that is all that mattered. I just cannot imagine the kind of pain you must feel right now (don't even get me started on that vet - these pets ARE our children).
I am just so sorry for all that you went through. I wish I could say something more comforting but I wanted to send you love and peace and hugs ....and we will all hold Zeus in our hearts tonight as he runs free across the bridge with our other heroes.
Much love,
alison with spirit shelby 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
I'm so sorry for your loss. You did the best you could based on the information you had. Zeus couldn't have asked for anything more from you. May you hold all the special and happy memories of Zeus in your heart.
Kerren
Our dear, dear Deb....This is beyond shocking. I am absolutely devastated to hear this...stunned and heartbroken...speechless.
Your entire Tripawd family is crying with you tonight.
I would give anything to have been there with yiu last night to try and help in some way. All that mattered though was you were there by Zeus's side. That's all that mattered to him....that's all that mattered....you were by his side.
I'm just sick for you right now. Speechless. Cannot form any thoughts right now.
I'll be back.........
With love to you and Belle and a knowing that Zeus is okay...he is okay
Sally and My Eternal Light 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!
Debbie, there are no words that can adequately describe the tragedy you, Zeusy and Belle have been though. I wish I had something to help ease the heartache and shock you have been though. I am so so sorry.
Please, please know that you did everything anyone could do. You did your very best with the information they gave you at the time, how were you to know that it wasn't fibro? You couldn't possibly. You did all you could for Zeus and I believe with all my heart that he knew that. You gave him the best life a dog could ask for.
Cancer is a terrible ordeal but it cannot take away the life you, Zeus and Belle shared. It cannot steal the memories or the happiness of a life you created for your sweet boy. Although we cannot undo his last few days, we can offer you this poem that was shared here a while back, I hope it brings you comfort.
Your Pets in Heaven
To have loved and then said farewell, is better than to have never loved at all.
For all of the times that you have stooped and touched my head, fed me my favorite treat and returned the love that I so unconditionally gave to you.
For the care that you gave to me so unselfishly.
For all of these things I am grateful and thankful.
I ask that you not grieve for the loss, but rejoice in the fact that we lived, loved and touched each others lives. My life was fuller because you were there, not as a master/owner, but as my FRIEND.
Today I am as I was in my youth. The grass is always green, butterflies flit among the flowers and the Sun shines gently down upon all of God's creatures.
I can run, jump, play and do all of the things that I did in my youth. There is no sickness, no aching joints and no regrets and no aging.
We await the arrival of our lifelong companions and know that togetherness is forever.
You live in our hearts as we do in yours. Companions such as you are so rare and unique.
Don't hold the love that you have within yourself. Give it to another like me and then I will live forever. For love never really dies, and you are loved and missed as surely as we are.
Your Pets In Heaven, by Ken D. Conover
Please call the helpline again if you want to talk Debbie. And do share photos of Zeusy, we would love to see them.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am so so sorry that you lost your Zeus. And I'm even more sad that it happened in those circumstances. It is probably not worth wasting your emotional energy right now, but I am sure I would be looking for a new vet if I heard that kind of answer when my pup was in distress.
Zeus was a big beautiful boy and I'm sure that he was at peace in the end. Please do not blame yourself for not doing more or asking the right questions or whatever. Each and every choice you made was because you loved Zeus. He felt that love every day.
We all know how much it hurts right now so take time to grieve for your Zeusy.
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Oh Deb I'm so sorry to hear this. You made every decision with Zeus' best quality of life in mind and with the information you had at the time. Just know Zeus is running healthy and whole now at the Bridge with all our Warriors. We will always remember your Mighty Warrior here and this nation mourns with you. Run free Mighty Zeus you've earned your place at the Bridge.
Linda & Spirit Mighty Max
When you look up into the Heavens tonight, there will be a star shining brighter than all the others. Yes, that will be Zeus's light. A light so bright it can never be dimmed.
Jerry always reminds us that the moments before the transition are just a blink of an eye compared to the thousands of happy moments shared day in and day out. Goodness knows, you and that adorable Zeus loved life to the fullest. And even though hks extended time was short in human terms, you surrounded Zeus with more loving and spoiling that mlst dogs ever experience in their lifetimes.
I just want to address the so called "diagnosis". For whatever it's worth, there certainly are no guarantees with chemo. Merry actually ppsted a study a bit ago that basically (and I'm loosely paraphrasing based on my unprofessional interpretation), the "script is already written" when it comes to the course this nasty piece of crap disease will take. As rapidly as the mets formed in Zeus, I don't think any chemo would have changed the course. He was able to have these past months free of Bet visits, free of poking and prodding.
This journey is one of the most intense laths we will ever be on. The depth of love we develop is beyond anything we could ever imagine. The depth of grief is equally as deep and equally as intense.
It's human nature to stay "stuck" in tne time leading up to the actual transition, especially in circumstances like yours. As soon as you can, .ove through that negative energy because that ks NOT where Zeus would want you to be. All that mattered to Zeus isnyiu were there with him comforting him. All the other external happenings meant nothing to him. You were there by his side comforting him as you always have.
I hope this makes sense. A hard as this may be ro wrap your head around right now, not knowing Zeus had osteo gave you the ability to truly live in the moment free from fear and worry.
You and Zeus are our family...always! Zeus jumped into our hearts with the first post and that great huge kissable mug!
And when you can, please share more "Zeus stories" and more adorable pictures.. Zeus, and the bond you two shared, touched us all.
His earthly journey appeared to be way too short from our human perspective. Zeus continues on beyond his earth clothes and will always be present in your heart and in your Soul, and nere with us. Zeus will connect with you in a way...in a Zeus way...to let you know he is still with you and is feeling good! Your grief is so heavy right now, it may take him several tries to get through, but he will..GUARANTEED! And when he does, please share that. We all marvel at the different ways our puls let is know they are, indeed okay, and definitely still with us.
Sending you all the love in the world and surrounding you with Zeus's eternal kisses
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Thank you all! I love you all! I'm traumatized right now but I know it will slowly get better. I have great support with the Tripawds community, friends and family. I pray for all your Warriors who went too soon because of theses terrible cancers. As much as I love to live, I know each day brings me closer to seeing my baby again. Prayers for all and I will look into the sky tonight and search for the brightest light.
Love you all!
Deb and Belle
I am so sorry to hear about Zeusy and what you went through. How horrible that he was misdiagnosed and no one could even be there for you in your hour of need. Know that Zeusy is 100% healthy and will see you again at the Rainbow Bridge. These days really suck. It will take awhile the hurt will lessen but you will always remember your boy.
Watch for the signs he will let you know he is ok. Sometimes in our grief we miss those and it takes our furbabies to smack upside the head for us to see them
xoxoxo
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."
Thank you Michelle and Angel Sassy! I have admired your beautiful Warrior Sassy from the first day I joined in November, I had so much hope for Zeus. I hate the way this ended. I hated this for him, such a good boy. Im looking forward to his signs, Im sure Im missing some in my grief. I havent even wrapped my head around the last 3 months, is this normal? At the anger stage too, he was only 7 and loved life, loved me, loved Belle. Why do Rotties get a bad rap? Zeus wouldnt hurt a fly and I hate how I felt abandoned the last hours. I miss him so....
We all miss the signs at first. I get the anger.. I also don't get the bad rap of our babies. Sassy would have never hurt a fly. Never fought back when she was attacked at a dog park by 2 dogs she just stood there and mom did the dirty work of getting them off my baby. Sassy had just turned 7 about 3 weeks before she crossed to the Bridge.
Very normal not to have wrapped your head around the last 3 months. I had almost 10 months but it wasn't long enough never is long enough how ever much time we get. I know and hope that some of the things I have been reading and researching that they come up with a cure so no one else has to ever go through this.
I am so sorry that the abandoned feeling is the worst that no one would help. Breaks my heart
xoxoxo
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."
Oh Deb, we understand. Stay with js. We understand.
To try and find meaning and lpgic as to why things unfolded as they did is beyond human understanding. We have to trust, trust on a Soul level, that the additional time you and Zeus had those last several hours, just basically the two of you, was the way it was supposed to be. When you can see through the traumatic and frantic efforts to get a vet to your house, perhaps you'll find a reason why it wasn't meant to be.
The intensity of this joirney from the moment of amputation is deep and life altering. My Happy Hannah transitioned 21 months ago (who's counting, right?) and I still haven't wrapped my head around the whole amputation journey! In fact when I try to pull up memories before the amputation, they are lost in a fog. It's like I can remember every single day leading up to her amputation and thereafter. The intensity just dims all the other memories. And Zeus DID have so many spectacular happy days after amputation that will stay with youiu forever!!
I guess I'm rambling. It's just that I, like everyone here, wants ro reach through the screen and try and bring you a comforting hug. Not possible, so we try and try and try to do the same with words. That's not possible either.
I'm just so very sorry.
Lpve
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
PS...Rottie Sassy sent Michelle TWO puppy Rotties to help make her laugh again...just sayin'
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!
zeusysmom said
Its with a heavy heart I report my baby Zeus lost the battle last night. I was told after amputation and 2 biopsies that he had Fibrosarcoma. I didnt do the chemotherapy because I thought the chances of this type of cancer spreading was slim. Zeus never really adjusted to his 3 legs and I noticed 3 weeks ago his appetite was decreasing, he was somewhat more tired than usual though still happy. I went to the vet for a dx and a chest xray; I almost passed out when I saw the film. The lung lobes were full of masses. I immediately knew what was happening and wondered why my baby got such a horrible hand; it wasnt supposed to spread. I made appt to see an oncologist who read me the pathology report; Zeus had Osteosarcoma...Turns out this 3rd pathology report was never mentioned to me and "ended up in someones mailbox". I managed to keep him going for the last 2 weeks. I found no help with his veterinarians. It was heartbraking disappointing to be left pretty much to my own devices. Being a nurse Im sure I spared him alot of discomfort but last night he went into respiratory distress after his walker came and took him outside. It was after 8PM and I tried to get in touch with numerous vets to no avail. His regular vet said to me; "I cant come, I have kids". Well Zeus was/is my kid and after all the money I have spent trying to save his quality of life, I resent someone who took an oath to help turn her back on us. I couldnt possibly get Zeus in a car by myself so I called a ambulance company that takes pets to the vet of their choice. The driver was nice but alone so I had to ride in the back with Zeus and administer oxygen. He was calm and a good boy but this is not how i envsioned his last goodbye. When we arrived at the hospital he was immediately triaged to ICU. The vet came out and told me that his right lung had collapsed. I stayed with him while he was sedated and whispered how much his mommy and all his aunts loved him. I shared many kisses and held on tight. I did not stay when he was sent to God, but he was returned to me for private time. He was warm, strong and handsome again. Im devastated that such a beautiful animal had to be maimed and given the wrong information never had a chance. I wanted to let everyone know that second opinions, even thirds is the least we can do for our babies. I wish I researched better. My life has been changed forever; I miss my boy so much...WE LOVE YOU ZEUS, Mommy and Belle
we don't know you or your wonderful boy but we are so so so sorry for you and him. with love emma and Polly x
Dear Deb,
I don't believe I have ever been so heartbroken from reading a journey's end of a pup..... The terrible heartache and heartbrake from sudden loss as well as the wrong diagnosis that wasn't delivered to you, I would be flipping out....... So not fair, and so many things that shouldn't have happened....... But the one thing that is MOST important, is that you were there for your Zeus at the end and gave him un-ending love and comfort to help ease his pain, and help him transition to the Bridge...... As hard as this awful situation is for you, please know there are so many of us that understand, and are here for you to help you through in this wonderful community, and I can surely say that Zeus will never be forgotten here. 😓💔🐾
Keeping you and Zeus in my thoughts and prayers,
{{{Hugs}}} to you.....
Bonnie Angel Polly, Pearl, and Zuzu
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