Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello everyone.
Bogart, my now 8 and a half year old pit mix, has been diagnosed with Metastatic disease.
5 years ago, I posted here looking for hope when we had to make the hardest decision ever, and remove his back left leg when we found an inoperable nerve sheath tumor. A year later, we found another one on his front left leg. We had as much of it surgically removed, and Bogart went through 30 days of pretty rough radiation treatment. After much healing, he bounced back. A little slower, a little less endurance, but still, 100% Bogart. For four years, he has thrived. He has helped socialize and raise over 20 foster dogs. He has traveled across the country. He has been an incredibly ambassador for both pitbulls and tripawds. He even went on national television and appeared on Americas Got Talent. He was my best man at my wedding and was right there, between my wife and I while we exchanged vows and said "I do." As I am writing this, he is laying next to me on his favorite dog bed and waiting for the rain to stop so that we can go on a walk. He has lived more life and touched more people and dogs than I could have EVER imagined and I am so so so proud of him.
Unfortunately, in the exact same spot that we had a tumor removed on his front left leg 4 years ago, a new mass began to develop. Over the last couple of years, it grew slowly and we would get it checked by vets frequently. It always appeared to be just a fatty mass and we were told that it wasn't anything to worry about. Well, over the last few months, that mass began to grow more, so we were recommended to see the oncology specialists at NCSU. That appointment was yesterday and the news could not have been worse. The mass is a resurgence of the previous cancer and is in too deep into the muscle to be operable. A CT scan also revealed that Bogart has some rather large masses in his lungs (about 5cm) from the cancer metastasizing. The oncologist does not recommend radiation or surgical treatment and suggests that we enjoy the time we have left. However long or short that may be. They fear that radiation could make an already aggressive cancer more aggressive and weaken Bogart as well. We are completely devastated. He's fought this cancer his whole life and he's beaten it twice, but I don't think he'll beat it the third time. It's so incredibly unfair, but we have to accept it and live with it.
On the positive side, other than being a little groggy from his sedation yesterday, Bogart is in great spirits. The last several months, he seems to be happier and more puppy-like than ever before. We moved to this new state and were able to get a bigger yard and he loves to go outside and bake in the sun and explore around his new home. Everyday around 5 o'clock, he barks and yells at my wife and me to take him on a walk. He has to have his walk at this time or we won't hear the end of it. He is more playful than normal and became best friends with our neighbors' puppy. He is so gentle and aware while playing with her.
I don't know how much time I have left with him. The oncologist said that this cancer could change and spread pretty fast and that when the time comes, it will come quickly. So, yeh, we're going to enjoy the time we can for as long as we can. None of this is fair. None of this makes sense. Bogart has fought and been so so good his entire life. He is my heart dog and there will never be another Bogart. I really cannot imagine my life without him, but know that it's coming.
Here's some images of my best boy. While the future is uncertain, we will continue to cherish each day for as long as we have.
BOAGART!!! I absolutely remember when Bogart first joined and I remember how we cheered with each victory. The video of him hopping so perfectly so bery shortly after surgery....such an inspiration on so many levels!!!
I loved...and continue to love ..every sweet morsel about who Bogart is as a Soul...as a delightful and fun and smart dog...as a mighty Triapwd Warrior....a fighter with a fierce resolve to be Bogart as long as he can! He's still showing that fighter Spirit that defines who he is.
Sure, no one wants the news you just got. Of course, as you know, Boagart didn't hear a word of it and ""prognosis" doesnt mean squat to him.
HOWEVER....this is BOGART::
The last several months, he seems to be happier and more puppy-like than ever before. We moved to this new state and were able to get a bigger yard and he loves to go outside and bake in the sun and explore around his new home. Everyday around 5 o'clock, he barks and yells at my wife and me to take him on a walk. He has to have his walk at this time or we won't hear the end of it. He is more playful than normal and became best friends with our neighbors' puppy. He is so gentle and aware while playing with her.
I delighted in reading this part of your post. Hang on to this...Bogart feels good now and he will tomprrow...and that's all you need to think about. One day at a time.
With extra ((((((hugs)))))
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 for the kind words!
Bogart is napping next to me, like he does most days. Probably wondering why his mom and dad have been so sad and crying lately. But I imagine these initial feelings of dread will pass. I hope they will at least.
The oncologist said that with this disease, he can have anywhere between a few weeks to a few months, and that it can all go downhill very fast. What are other people's experiences with this? Because we have no clue how long these masses in the lungs have been forming. His last CT scan was in 2022 and there was nothing found, but this time, there were several and the biggest was around 5cm. The last year or so, we've noticed his stamina isn't what it used to be, but he's still active, wants walks, has a great appetite, and loves his outings and playdates. It's sort of beyond belief to think that his time left can be so short.
I'm really sorry to know that you and Bogart are going through this. Cancer can be so mean. My heart goes out to you all.
Your sweet boy has been an incredible ambassador! He has reached so many people who never would have known how amazing a Tripawd cancer fighter can be. Bogart is leaving pawsitive impressions on the world! Be proud of all that you have achieved together to open minds and hearts to three-legged animals.
OK about that cancer ... It's hard to say how quickly the mets will develop. Some dogs have it happen faster than others. There is no way to tell how fast they are growing but you can look for signs like lack of appetite, more decrease in stamina, and coughing is often the next sign. We discovered mets in our Jerry in April, and by October it was time to set him free. Other dogs have gone longer, you just don't know.
There are things you can do to keep him comfortable when mets do impact his daily life, like starting him a low dose prednisone and cough suppressants. Be sure to ask about palliative care so you're ready with these things. A good way to learn more is to get in touch with a hospice vet, so they can guide you through this very emotional time. Your vet should be able to refer you to one nearby but if not let me know.
Meanwhile, yes, soak up every minute. Some day there will be time for tears, but not now. He is still the same old Bogart, and only wants the pack to be one and enjoying the days together, whatever they look like at this point.
Please keep us posted and feel free to ask any questions so we can help you all OK? Lots of hugs and love headed your way.
Those photos are precious, by the way. What did he do for AGT? Is there a youtube clip of his appearance? Would love to see it!
Thanks so much for the advice and kind words Jerry.
I hate that I always seem to post here when it's terrible news, but this forum has helped me so much to express my feelings and my fears to other people who know exactly what I'm going through. I know this is probably just me being overly optimistic, but our vet mentioned that most people don't find out about metastatic spread until it's already far too late. And that most of the time, they go to the vet because they think their dog is just regularly sick with a cough or loss of appetite and find out that there is a cancer that is quite far along. We seem to have caught this "early" since we were getting him checked up on for something totally unrelated. That might not mean much of anything for how long he has before it gets bad, but it gives me some amount of hope.
For AGT, my wife did a really simple agility routine with Bogart... Bogart was a sport dog, so it was kind of difficult to do something interesting for a couple minutes since he doesn't do a ton of tricks. I joked that it was like asking a track and field star to show off their "talent" in a talent show haha. But we knew we were there to be an uplifting sob story, so we welcomed the experience. A lot of stuff gets cut for the television release, but the judges chatted a good bit with my wife Heather before the act and we made sure to namedrop this website for the audience. Unfortunately, that doesn't make the tv cut haha.
AGT did have this video on their official Youtube, but it was removed recently. Fortunately, we have copies!
We even got a couple fluff piece news articles:
https://www.nbc.....3-audition
It was a surreal experience. Bogart did so great around all of the people and cameras and weird costumes and noises. He felt right at home and became best pals with many of the backstage workers and other acts for our stay during the shoot. He's such a champion.
What an amazing boy! And you have given him an amazing life!
I'm so sorry you have this bad news- cancer is a nasty beast.
My Pug Maggie lost her left back leg to cancer and did great for about 3.5 years. She was given 6 to 9 months but actually beat that cancer and I thought we were done with that stuff. But she developed a second, unrelated cancer. Because of the toll treatment for the first cancer took on her as well as some other developing health issues I couldn't aggressively fight. I knew time was short but I didn't ask for a prognosis.
One thing I did was that I defined her minimum quality of life and what things would tell me that she was ready to go. I did that right after the diagnosis while she was still feeling pretty good, she was still herself and i was thinking clearly (after I came to grips with the second diagnosis!). I wanted to try and make it clear in my mind while I wasn't so emotional so that as she declined I could make the right decisions for her at the right time. Since I had chosen not to do any aggressive treatments I actually wrote down my thought process because I knew when we got to the end human nature would make me question my choices.
This is the hardest part of the journey and when Bogart needs you most. Being calm and confident will let him know things are normal. Getting in touch with a hospice vet and making plans for the end are best done now, then you won't have to worry about those things and you can focus on making every day his best day.
So many of us have experienced this part of the journey. Sending you strength and peace.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thanks Karen,
We've been recommended Lap of Love by several people as well as our vet, who has also gone through this with his own dog.
The last several days have been overwhelming and full of intense emotions and grief. We know that we have to make the right choice when the time is right though. Someone told us that "it's better to be a week too early than a day too late" when it comes to making this decision for the comfort and dignity of our boy. That quote is really sticking with me and I hope that I have the strength to do what is right for him. But for now, he's getting extra spoiled.
We always knew that Bogart probably wouldn't make it as long as other dogs. It's just a fact of his previous health issues. We were really hoping to make it to 10, but that feels like an eternity away now. My wife and I wanted to foster a child in the next couple years and have Bogart be the "big brother." He absolutely loves children. There's so much anticipatory grief. All of these plans that we had that included him. The future with our other dogs and how our household dynamic will be without their big brother. God, cancer is an absolute nightmare.
That video...WOW!!! 👏👍
Okay... okay....I have to catch my breath because I am all choked up with tears of pride ...tears of delight...tears of appreciation for how Bogart has touched the hearts of so many! OMD! The way Bogart has raised awareness and inspired is so heartwarming.
This dog came to earth with a purpose. His Soul knew his purpose but until he found you he was not able to express it. You saw his Soul...his Spirit...his purpose..and you let him guide you to all the various platforms he knew that would best showcase his purpose.
We all understand anticipatory grief. Feel it, acknowledge it and then move on.
I know it I know it's not easy to move through it, but it's absolutely necessary to help you stay fully present, 100% focused on the now and the wonderful moments you have with Bogart and will continue to have. If you let thoughts of the future grief overwhelm you right now it will change your energy and your focus, Bogart will know that. He will know that you are not fully present with him in the now. The way to beat this crap disease is to not let it interfere with the time that you have now!
Here's a little tool I've used in the past to help me stay in the present with my dogs if I'm worried about a health challenges they may have. It may sound silly, but I promise it works. Put a rubber band around your wrist. Maybe two or three. And every time you start going down the rabbit hole of anticipatory grief snap that rubber band as hard as you can. Do it really hard, make your wrist red! This is to "snap" you back into the present with Bogart right then! And then immediately get up and do something fun with him, whether it's rubbing his tummy or doing something to make his Tail Wag or give him an extra treat. After snapping the wrist like this a few timesyou would be surprised how quickly you change your focus just so you don't have to wound your wrist!
Bogart absolutely is a champion on so many levels, as are his humans! We are so honored to be on this journey with him and to continue to be cheering for him. We are just so darn grateful to know this sweet boy and to know the impact that he has had on so many.
(((((((((Hugs)))))))
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 Benny and everyone for your kind words and hope.
I have an update on Bogart, but it's not great and not what we were expecting.
It's been just over 3 months since we got the news about his lungs and we have been on the lookout for signs of the metastasis. Unfortunately for Bogart, the regrowth on his arm seems to be a lot more aggressive than the tumors in his lungs. The growth began expanding a ton until it reached a tiny rupture that began to leak and form a small round scablike abscess. We have been trying our best to treat it, but the skin is so unhealthy and thin and the wound keeps getting larger and larger. The small abscess that originally formed is about 6 or so times bigger now after only a week. He has been in a cone and is obvious pain and discomfort for over a week now and there's no signs of his little body being able to fix this. The wound on the lump just keeps expanding and I know it's hurting him and is incredibly sensitive. He's on amoxicillin and mupirocin to avoid infection and we've increased his normal gabapentin dosage for the pain.
My wife is convinced that this is it, but I'm having so much trouble letting go. It's so difficult, because the rest of his body and mind are so healthy and he's still Bogart. Despite the obvious pain, he still wants to do all the things that he always does. But I recognize that it's not fair to keep him perpetually coned, constantly in pain and discomfort, and always having to treat an ever opening wound. It's so difficult to parse, knowing that all the rest of him is seemingly fine.
What has yalls experience been with a nonhealing abscess? Is there any hope of it closing when it's on skin that has already been radiated and stretched to it's fully extent? Am I holding on to something that is inevitable at the expense of my boy's comfort?
We all hate this crap disease so much!!! For your Bogart to have to deal with it yet again just piffes us all off!
It's so difficult, because the rest of his body and mind are so healthy and he's still Bogart
That is such an important observation. You know your boy better than anyone.
He's on amoxicillin and mupirocin to avoid infection and we've increased his normal gabapentin dosage for the pain.
While their may be some pain and some discomfort, it doesn't necessarily mean it's so excruciating to the point his quality is so severely compromised he cant be Bogart.
I dont know enough about these types of tumors to shed much light on whether they will clear up 'some" after so much festering and rupturing. It may be that, although I'm sure it's yucky to see it, the rupture could release some of the pressure. I doubt that makes much sense but maybe a possibility.
Also, wondering if some form of laser therapy coud help. It's used in wound treatment so might be worth checking it out.
Here's a link one of our members posted a out along those lines.
Photizo red light therapy device
https://tripawd.....py-device/
Wish I could offer more insight. You are doing, and have always done, more than most are able or willing to do. Continue to spoil and follow Boagart's lead. Right now he is still enjoying being Bogart. He KNOWS he's so loved and that is all he cares about....being loved and loving you back. As you have always done, you will make dec best for Bogart because of that deep love you two share.
((((((((Hugs)))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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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!
Ohhhh I'm so sorry for the situation, I can only imagine what a struggle it is to be where you are right now, and at this time of year.
Can I ask, what does your vet think about the possibility of the area healing with how how you are treating it? Are there other options like possibly electrochemotherapy ? And is your dog showing lung mets signs like being out of breath, loss of appetite etc?
It's so hard to look at the big picture when your dog is still themself. My only experience with this kind of situation is that when our Wyatt Ray 's body no longer served him, despite him still being 100% himself personality wise, we made the decision to set him free. A body that didn't allow him to do what he wanted was in our eyes, not the quality of life for Wyatt. But, that is not to say the same decision would be made by us for any other dog of ours. Every scenario is sooo different.
We talk about quality of life around here quite a bit. Here's a recent article:
A Veterinarian Guides Our Tripawd’s End of Life Discussion Time
Hey guys
I'm going to start this off by saying that we have made the most difficult decision. After years of fighting and overcoming, Bogart needs his rest. I have been sobbing all week, and I'm never going to be ready. But we can't keep asking him to suffer just for our sake.
Our vet originally thought that the wound could probably close, but would continue to reopen as pressure builds and we would go through recovery over and over until it reaches a critical point. In reality, it isn't healing and is getting bigger. There's also another abscess on the bottom growing that would burst soon and form another hole. We made the call to let him rest with dignity before this happens and before his arm gets worse.
Today, we got him a steroid shot for the pain and he did really well. He had a mostly great day, but with the arm wound situation, it's only a temporary fix for the pain.
Tomorrow, Bogart will finally rest. And it's the hardest thing for me to write. I still can't really comprehend it. But I don't want him to lose who he is and deteriorate. He's still himself, despite the pain. I want him to go with dignity and love.
Thank you all so much for the kind words and support all of these years. Bogart is an 8 and a half year old pit mix. His life is shorter than many dogs, but filled with so much. He's traveled the country, touched the lives of countless people and pets, helped support dozens of fosters and puppies as "Papa Bogart", and he's been my best friend.
Thank you all so much for the kind words and support all of these years.
Our tears are falling with yours. I really cant find any words right now....there really are none anyway.
I want him to go with dignity and love.
This is what Bogart wants too. He knows he can count on you for the gift of being free from a situation that can only get worse. When you are able to help him transition in a way he would want, that shows the depth of love you have for him.
We will be wrapping you and Bogart with lpve and peace as he heads o to his next adventure. Bogart's earth life is full of meaning and purpose and we are soooo privileged to get to know him♥️
Surrounding you with Boagart's eternal love brought light of inspiration
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!
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