Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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This is one I was trying to think of. A limb sparing procedure
stereotactic radiosurgery
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!
Lisa I x2 Sally's input. Please give us a call on the Tripawds Helpline on Wednesday ok? I'm on duty and have some suggestions. Can't get into details now as my internet is awful tonight. More tomorrow. Stay strong!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
July 27: after the appointment with the oncologist last week, and the second X-ray at our regular vet, it looks like a Taffy has osteo sarcoma in her right leg, the one that doesn’t have the soft cell tumor. This is heartbreaking news, but not a shock. Our vet is recommending hospice for her now, and I think I have to reluctantly agree. He would recommend amputation, but that would leave @ ticking time bomb on her left leg. Plus she has hemangioma sarcoma, and another soft cell tumor growing on her upper chest. I don’t think I have any options that wouldn’t make her suffer needlessly for a few more months. Gather vet thinks it could be a matter of a week to 10 days before the osteo sarcoma starts to attack the bone aggressively.
Ohhh....so very sorry to hear this. Just shaking my head in disbelief. Hate this piece of s**t disease. It is so brutal and cunning. You have certainly been dealt a bad hand, that for sure.
You n eed to know that "Hospice" does have a therapeutic benefit and actually has been proven to beat some of the most glum statistics. When given the right pain meds, or whatever the dog needs for comfort, their energy is used to support their quality rather than trying to fight the health issues.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is.have the Vets actually mapped out a plan to keep her comfortable and to support her as long as she is willing??
A good hospice plan gives you time to spoil, spoil, spoil, take lots of pictures, give her an forbidden food she was never allowed before!
As impossible as it may seem, try to stay on the moment and savor each sacred day together. All Taffy knows is she's getting more spoiling and loving than she ever thought possible! Rem, she has no worries and still embraces the present with a wagging tail and Happy smile.
We are all jere for you and sending yoh love and peace and clarity. We would delight in seeing pictures of sweet Taffy. Here's a link to help. adding images
((((((((((((((((((((((((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!
Oh you guys I'm sorry, this sucks. Stupid cancer. 
How is Taffy doing otherwise? How's her spirit? Any signs of pain? And how are you guys holding up?
I'm totally in agreement that hospice does have benefits and can boost her quality of life for however long she has left (hopefully much much longer). You're in a good area for hospice vets, and if you'd like any referrals let us know OK? They are so amazing and compassionate, and make such a difference for everyone involved at a time like this.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Wow, guys. Thank you so much for the support. Yesterday was hard, today is a bit easier. I would very much appreciate referrals for hospice vets! Taffy’s primary care vet is Dr. Maavi at Arroyo Vet in San Lorenzo. We have been with Arroyo consistently for about 5 years now, and feel we have gotten good care. I am open and eager for any guidance you can give me to help with this transition. My main concern is for her, and Ginger and Mark in that order.
Taffy is is still Taffy. She LOVES her groceries (food), and is pooping like champ. I am cherishing every single moment with her and giving her all the love and cuddles I can. So is a Mark. I’m all over the place emotionally, but trying to keep taking deep breaths emotionally and keep it together. Physically, she is no worse gait-wise than she was last week, but I am fearful that may change. Vet said to start limiting her movement, but how is that even possible? Ok, I’m rambling now... thank you for listening, and for your help. What a godsend you are...
You are so very welcome, it's an honor to be here for you at a time like this. It's awesome that Taffy is still Taffy! She is not aware of the status of things, she is living life the way she knows how and I know she is so proud that you and Mark are following her lead!
Yes, take the deep breaths, hold back your tears for some other time. Right now, it's all about doing what she loves. Yes, her mobility may get worse over time but that's in the future and honestly you just never know what will happen. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best! Do what you can to make her happy, keep her comfortable and reduce her injury risk, but don't let that keep your pack from helping Taffy make the most of every moment as only she knows how.
I remember talking to you about Dr. Maavi, he sounds great! And the transition to hospice care is a good suggestion. Here are some pet hospice vet resources. Call as soon as you can, they tend to be busy:
Here is a link to Pet Hospice Vets in the San Francisco Bay Area.
These pet hospice vet are on the Peninsula, I can't remember if you are there or in the East Bay.
And Lap of Love is probably the best place to get started if you don't want to have to do tons of research on practices. They contract with a number of hospice vets who are amazingly helpful and compassionate.
Promise me you'll give Taffy some smooches from all of us today! We are here for you. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just want to add a step you can take now, so you can fully free yourself up to be living jn the present with Taffy. As weird as it sounds, there is some comfort in knowing you can "plan" how you want the "transition " to go, eben though it's not immediately "imminent",
You can speak with your Vet or whoever you will use for the at home transition and ame sure they ow to come in upbeat and Happy. Uou want this to be a celebration for Taffy. As Jerry said, tears can come later. You can surround her with some of her favorite things, favorite treats, etc. You can save some of her fur now.. I always tape a clip of my hair over their heart when they transition, . Okay, rambling, but you get my pojnt..
As Jerry said, you want to reduce risk of e ergy, yet, at the same time and at this poi t in her journey, she can still enjoy her pack and enjoy doing things she loves.
And add me to the lineup of the smooches you are giving out to her today😘😘😘
Does she like ice cream? Give her a soooo of ice cream....maybe two!
((((((((((((Higs)))))))))))
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!
August 3. We scheduled Taffy’s transition for Thursday 8/5. And I know it was the right decision because her softcell tumor is now nearly ripping open her skin. And she is in some pain and i am giving her maximum dosage of Gabapentin. She does not like opioids. Over the weekend Mark got takeout from Val’s Burgers and gave her her own burger with fries. Last night it was meatloaf, tonight chicken and rice. She loved it all. I was able to take 2 days off at the job I work at that pays her vet bills so I can spend as much time as I can with her. Ginger went to the oncologist yesterday, and she has two mast cell tumors and 4 hemangiomas on her belly that need to be removed but no indications that it has spread internally. I’m grateful that Ginger is ok (relatively speaking) and I’m focusing on being present with Taffy for the next two days. I have loads of pictures to share as soon as I am able to share. Thank you for your support and hugs for Taffy! She is a well-loved dog. I am a better human for having shared my life with her. My big baby food hound, bed hog, foot rest, companion.
It breaks my heart to know the time for Taffy to transition has come. The sadness and grief are for us hoomans, but not for Taffy, one of THE most loved dogs in the world!
To be able to free her of her failing earth clothes which she is not in a crisis mode is what we would all want. It's what Taffy would want. You've tried everything to keep her quality as long as you could. She knows that. And she knows you love her enough to set her free to be healthy and whole again.
Staying fully present and focusing on Taffy being with you now is EXACTLY the way she is living every moment. She clearly has taught you that gift. As hard as it is, you and Mark are continuing to Be More Taffy right now. There will be time for tears, but right now continue to celebrate, celebrate, celebrate and, not sure it's possible to spoil anymore, but you can try. Yummy food certainly is always a great 'spoiler".
We are with you. Please know that. We are send you stren and love and peace. We are still right by your side this while journey.. Give her some tummy rubs for us, and sweet Ginger too.
Surrounding you with the ETERNAL loving light of Ginger💖
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!
Aww..."Be More Taffy." I love that Sally. It's so true! She is so wise and a great teacher for all of us, now, and always. In her own special way she showed everyone she touched what it means to savor life, and be present with those we love the most in this world. These gifts will always be part of your soul, and never leave your side.
I'm so sorry this time has come, and my heart goes out to all of you. I can't even imagine coping with Taffy's transition and Ginger's diagnosis (but what a blessing for no metastasis!). The strength and one-day-at-a-time attitude in your voice is clear. Taffy has taught you well!
Thank you for all you've done for her, standing by her side through thick and thin and knowing her well enough to put your grief aside so that she can transition in a peaceful way. What a gift. It's been an honor to be part of your journey in some small way.
We are lighting candles for Taffy, and sending tons of love your way as you prepare for her transition. Lean on us when you are ready, and feel free to share those photos, we would love to see them when you are up to it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Aug 6: friends, thank you so much for your support these past weeks. It is with a broken heart I share the news that both my girls are gone. Yesterday morning, Ginger wouldn’t eat and was lethargic, and I became concerned when she started looking like she was in distress, breathing heavy, licking her lips. We took her to BAVS at 11:45 am, and the er vet told us she couldn’t find a cause for her distress, but she would need to be kept overnight, but perhaps euthanasia should be considered because her hemangio sarcomas on her belly could have spread internally, or she could have pneumonia.
I called Arroyo, and they more or less concurred, so at 2pm yesterday, I had to say goodbye to Taffy and Ginger. It was dreadful and beautiful at the same time. We started out together, and I let them go together.
Mark and I are struggling through this as best we can. My heart is broken, but I have to believe it was supposed to happen this way. They are together in doggie heaven, chasing deer and cattle.
thank you for listening
Just sickens me to read this. Shaking my head in disbelief. Cannot even begin to imaginemthe sheer agony uou are going thru...and will be going thru for awhile.
I was expecting to read about Taffy's transition, which was heartbreaking enough....and then to read Ginger too.
The depth of selfless love that it took to release both Ginger and Taffy....the devotion....the love....the commit to not letting them suffer...you and Mark are clearly their Earth Angels.
And now they are your Spirit Angel's watching over you...together...furever together watching never you.
I am just so very sorry. I truly have no words. Just wish somehow I could ease your grief, but of course can't. I do hope you find solace in knowing they ARE together and, as hard it is to accept it did happen the way it was supposed to. It would be too hard for Ginger to continue on without Taffy. As Souls, they knew they need to trans together. As Soils they embraced shedding their earth clothes together as they moved on to another dimension of energy.
For you to recognize this release was dreadful and beautiful at the same time is so profound. That understanding omes from such an enlightened and wise place. It is an awareness that will ultimately bring you comfort. For you to find a sloce of peace during this time says so much about your loving heart
As soon as Taffy and Ginger take a break from chasing deer, they'll connect with you so you will know they are okay AND still connected to you. They're gonna have some fun first because they feeling soooo good! I'm sure they'll find some deer poop to roll in too.
Nothing could ever dim the eternal light of these two beautiful Souls.
Surrounding you with every ounce of love and strength and peace I can send thru cyberspace.
Sally and My Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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!
This awful news just left me speechless. I am so very sorry! 
The pain of losing one dog is hard enough, but twice at the same time? Unimaginable. My heart goes out to you, what an incredibly tough time to go through, I wish somehow we could make it easier or help you get through it faster. And I guess that's the thing to remember about grief: there's no going around it, the process is something we have to go through before we can feel whole again.
While you make the transition to life without Taffy and Ginger, try to remember that yes, maybe this was how it was supposed to be. You made such a difficult decision, and put your own grief aside to help them leave their broken bodies without any suffering or pain. The awful situation had to be a sign that Taffy and Ginger were spiritual soul sisters, one giant fluffy ball of eternal love. They will travel together as one through time and space, always surrounding you with their wisdom and unending devotion.
If you feel up to it at some point, please feel free to share a tribute in Coping with Loss, it's a good place for us to celebrate their lives with you.
Many, many hugs coming your way from all of us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I, like everyone here,have held you in our hearts non stop.
Taffy and Ginger are definitely Spiritual Soul Sisters and, as Jerry said always traveling through space and time together. It has always been their plan.
So when you look up to the midnight sky one night, two extra bright starts with catch you eye as theh twinklh and sparkle. Yeah, that will be their eternal light always with you.
Sending you love
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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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