Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Oh I do hope that the rads come back with good news.
Have you checked out Jerry's Required Reading List ? Start there to prepare yourself.
Your strength comes through in every word, that is very clear. Kudos to you for following your gut instinct, it's not easy.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Alina and Buddy......yes, as Jerry said, your strength comes through with every word!!
At the same time, I know you are having moments of absolute panic and fear! That's called "normal pre-amp jitters"! And that's when you lean on us like crazy....vent, cry, scream, throw things! And then go back and give him a treat and watch his tail wag and remember, Buddy isn't worried about a thing!!! Ahhh.....the bliss of being a dog!!!
We're all sending you all the positive energy in the world!
Have you ever sprinkled your chocolate ice cream with salted peanuts? Really good! And nutitional too!! Peanuts have protein!!
Also chocolate ice cream with Coca Cola poured over it! Yummy!
Surround you with hugs and calm...
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
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!
I'm glad that you decided to move forward, Alina -- and as you can tell, my friend Sally (aka Benny55) -- always has good advice.
Every dog is different but in our case I would have amputated sooner with Lexie even with her mets. Our first few weeks were rough on and off, but if you scroll earlier in this thread you'll see the videos I posted from a few months post-amp...she was loving life! The advice and resources from folks here was invaluable. I also highly recommend getting a hard copy of Dr. Dressler's Dog Cancer Survival Guide from Amazon (see the book and order via the link on this site, and a small portion will help fund this great community). There is so much there on the emotional aspects of cancer for owners, in addition to the invaluable scientific plus alternative approaches, and I think some of us who are dealing with mets early on can drive ourselves a little crazy...Dr. Dressler's book helped calm me down and take things one step at a time, and enabled me to think things through when I was ready.
One other thing in the FWIW category...I wish I had looked into physical therapy for Lexie a bit earlier in our journey. I think it helped with her overall well being. Some vets suggest PT as soon as 2 to 3 weeks out, so I would ask your surgeon about it. We had to go to a neighboring town and only went once every two weeks or so, and I would have gone more often.
Please keep us posted, and make sure to stock up on that chocolate! (As long as it's out of Buddy's reach, of course. I have a theory that our Tripawds get an even better sense of smell post op!)
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.
debva said
I also highly recommend getting a hard copy of Dr. Dressler's Dog Cancer Survival Guide from Amazon (see the book and order via the link on this site, and a small portion will help fund this great community).
Aww thanks Deb. We agree, this book is invaluable as is the entire kit. Here's a link to the book.
Dressler’s Revised Dog Cancer Survival Guide is a Must-Have for Pet Pawrents
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I have cried my eyeballs out today. Buddy and I drove our 2 1/2 hours again to UF to visit the oncologist for amputation tomorrow, radiographs were repeated and my worst fear came true. In only two weeks his mets have doubled in size and new ones have appeared. His breathing is not as smooth as it was, I tried to tell myself that it was because of the hopping that he has been doing this, but reality is he's had progression of mets in his lungs. I was hoping for no new mets and slow growth of the existing ones, but no such luck. I am now devastated since I told myself if this happened I wasn't going to amputate. According to the surgeon with this progression his recommendation was to let him go with dignity he only a very short time, it was about him and not me this time. I have now made the hardest decision of my life to lay him down to rest this weekend. My friend who is a vet is coming over this weekend and I will have to say my goodbyes in his favorite place at the house by the pool on his lounge chair. Everyone please say a prayer for him. I tried with every thing I have but this is something that money nor prayer can fix this time around. This is his time and I have to respect Gods decision. Alina
P.S. I will never be ready for this!!!!!!!!
My heart is breaking with you...and for you. I also am full of sobs as I. know everyone who reads this will be. In all my time here, this is one of the most heartbreaking journeys I think I jave witnessed.
I am so very, very sorry.. so sorry. There are no words.
Know with every fiber of your being that you jave done EVERYTHING POSSIBLE for Buddy!! EVERYTHING! This is the nastiest, most brutal piece of crap disease on earth. It does what it wants and there is nothing we can do in cases like this.
No, you'll never be ready for this. The only thing I want to say at this point....and this is for whatever it's worth....if you feel like you need more time for spoiling and loving.... it probably would be okay to delay his transition for a week or so without any ramifications for Buddy.. Regardless, you are giving Buddy the most selfless gift of love any of us couldever give our beloved soulmates. Whenever the time comes, he will be at home, not suffering and surrounded by everything and everone he loves.
I also was able to release my Happy Hannah before the quality of her life took a downward spiral also. I made sure it was a day of celebration (as best anynhuman could) and was feeding her steak and ice cream and deer poop! Yep! Deer poop! What the heck difference did it make now?! She loved searching for it so I put it on her plate next to her steak! I made sure the vet came in the house with an uplifting energy and we gave Happy Hannah applause...she liked that. I'm giving you and Buddy a standing ovation right now!
STAY CONNECTED TO US, OKAY? You and Buddy are family. We understand like no others can. Please, please lean on us and stay connected.
BUDDY IS HERE WITH YOU NOW!!!!!! STAY IN THE MOMENT WITH BUDDY!!! That liece of scrap disease will NOT rob younof your time together! It only takes seco ds to transition......up until that time you and Buddy are together sharing ,the love and slopoy kisses and tail wags!!!
,
Go get ice cream! Get cake! Steak! What else does he like to eat or like to do? Do it all! You and Buddy are together right now in the moment and he just can't believe all the junk food you are letting him have!
Sending you all the love in the world and supportive hugs....
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
PS. If I can help in anyway....804. 551-1799
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!
rdreams17 said
P.S. I will never be ready for this!!!!!!!!
None of us are ever ready for this. HUG!!!!!
My heart hurts for you. This is so hard. This disease is just so vicious. You deserve so much respect for the decision you have made to let Buddy go. I held out too long and my poor boy suffered more than he should have had to. Yhis is a tough journey and yours will get tougher. Buddy however, will be running, jumping and pain free at the bridge. Stay close here for support, it really helps. Hugs, Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
My heart is breaking for you ... I cannot even imagine but you are so brave and selfless and giving Buddy the ultimate gift - the release from his tired body. My Shelby will meet him at the bridge for sure and they will run and play together!
You are amazing and always did every thing for your sweet Buddy.... he knows how much he is loved. And we all love you!
Hugs and love .... stay close to us. We are all here for you.
Alison with the Spirit of Shelby fur-ever 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
Alina I am so very, very sorry. Please know that you did everything humanly possible for your sweet boy, there is no greater gift than the amazing life you've given him. And now he will leave his earthly form with dignity and beauty, and as hard as it will be, you are doing the right thing for all of you. Try to remember, it is far better to say goodbye to him now than wait until his condition deteriorates rapidly and drastically. It's so hard, nobody is ready for it, ever.
Try to treasure these moments you have left and remember there will be lots of time for tears later. He is still here, enjoy his beautiful presence and mourn later. We will be here to hold you up for as long as it takes.
Lots and lots of hugs coming your way. My heart breaks for all of you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Alina,
I am just catching up with your posts from start to finish, and my heart is breaking for you........like everyone else has already said, you did everything you could for sweet Buddy. We all very much know that helpless feeling when we have done all we can for our beloved pups and kitties, and that no amount of money can save them. The hardest thing to do in life is to be courageous enough to release them from their pain. Just love on Buddy every single moment, give him anything he wants, make every second count.
Praying for you and Buddy, to help you through this excruciating time......and you are so right, we are never ready for this.
Sending healing {{{hugs}}}
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Alina- Ughh so heartbreaking! Stay in the moment with Buddy. He is not afraid of the bridge. Enjoy your time and spoil the crap out of him. You are in my thoughts!
Laurie
Alina-
I'm so so sorry to read this update. This disease is just so nasty and unfair. I am sending you a ton of strength and lots of hugs.
Erica
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
To my tripawd family,
Yesterday was the hardest day of my life. Contrary to what I wanted I had no other choice then to let my big boy Buddy go. His last day on this earth was a happy one. He spent his day outside on his blanket enjoying the beautiful sunshine with people he loved. For the first time in the past six weeks I actually saw him very happy. He even rolled on the grass like he used to. At the time of his passing he was very peaceful laying on my lap surrounded by both his aunt (like I call them) which one of them was the one who performed the procedure since she is a vet. I was with him till the end of his time on this earth. It's been the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Buddy and I will always have a special bond in this life and in the next.
The day before we had an adoption event near my house and there was a pet psychic which I went to see. She described Buddy exactly as he is, very grounded, liking only his dog siblings but what stood out the most is when she told me how he was very protective of me (many occasions when I had to stop him from chomping on someone because he feared they would hurt me) I always felt so safe with him. But what gave me the okay that I was going to do the right thing is when she told me he seemed SAD, just very SAD. That was the breaking point for me when my decision was validated. Buddy was always playing by the pool area with my IG and chasing the squirrels, since the cancer took over he couldn't do much since he would start gasping for air. His will was so determined but his body was not cooperating.
I am now left with a part of my soul missing. I loved him so much. I keep playing an old NSYNC song for him. "This I promise you" I loved you forever in lifetimes before, and I promise you never will you hurt anymore, I give you my word, I give you my heart, this is a battle we've won and with this vow, Forever has now begun. (NO MORE PAIN BUDDY)!
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