Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It is a sad day. I took Tai in for her 9 month check. She has been very energetic and playful, full of life, I didn't expect to hear anything bad. The xrays reveal 2 or more lung mets. We are going to stay on the current metronomic protocol and recheck her with chest xrays again in a month to see how fast they are growing/spreading. She seems so healthy. My Vet just broke down when she told me. I don't think any of us saw this coming. As she said, and I believe, Tai is the same dog today as she was yesterday, she doesn't feel any different, she doesn't know she has mets, she's loving life just the same. I am trying to be strong and only show her happy postitive me. No idea what the future will bring but I know I will love her everyday and in everyway just the same as always.
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
Oh, please give Tai a hug for us. And we're sending one for you, too. This is the news we all dread to hear - and your vet is so right about her not knowing anything is different. We'll keep all fingers and paws crossed that she will continue to be a happy girl for a long time to come. We're all here for you, Tai - please keep on loving life!
Send lots of pawsitive thoughts,
Holly, Zuzu and Susan
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
I'm so sorry to read this 
Hugs to you and Tai.
As your signature reads:
"Loving life to the fullest and being spoiled beyond belief."
Keep on doing that! For you and for Tai!!!
Many hugs,
Tracy & Maggie
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
It sounds as if you discovered the mets during a routine visit to the vets. Since Tai isn't coughing or behaving lethargically, I would try and relax and just continue on like you have been. I know that's easier said than done but a month will fly by and then you can get a feel for how aggressive the mets are. You don't want to waste time worrying if you can help it. Enjoy the time you have with zest and enthusiasm whether it be a month, a year or more. Sadness and worry are normal and even healthy in my opinion. Just don't allow these emotions to consume you and rob you of what ever time you have remaining with your sweet girl, Tai. Your already doing everything that you can with the supplements and metronomic treatments. As you have already said........love life and live it to the fullest. Thanks, I like that!
Sending good wished and happy thoughts,
Fortis'Dad
Your dog sounds like much healthier than my dog when we found out she had lung mets!!! Keep enjoying every moment (like everyone else has said)!
-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
We're so sorry. You have a great attitude though, Tai is a great teacher.
When my pawrents found out I had lung mets, it was almost 17 months after my amputation. Until then, we hadn't done any x-rays, so we really don't know if the mets were there before or not. I was fine, loving life just like Tai, and my pawrents really didn't want to know so they opted out of x-rays. They too never would have guessed that I had mets. When they found out, it was devastating but we did our best to keep on the way we had been, and I lived for several more months after that. Life was good, we just did our best not to let that news get us down.
Paws up to a great outlook and pawsitive energy coming your way from all of us. Keep on Keepin On, Tai, you're showing us all how to live.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm sorry to hear this news. But Tai doesn't know so you are right to keep your chin up and smile. And give her lots of hugs and ice cream.
Tail wags,
Pat, Angel Ruthie & Tess
Hi Laura,
So sorry to hear about Tai - I sent you a PM earlier (from my phone) and now am finally able to get on the internet. Just wanted to add that as you know they found lung mets with Mackenzie almost 3 months ago - about the same time as Tai at about 9 months following her surgery, So far, you wouldn't know that anything is wrong. She has more energy than ever and still seems to be doing great. I sent you some info on Mackenzie's protocol (cytaxin and palladia) and like everyone has said, there is definitely life after lung mets. I know hearing this news can be so devastating, especially when things seem to be going so well. After getting over the initial shock and then seeing how well Mackenzie was doing despite these mets, I became more hopeful. It was even better when we did a 2nd chest x-ray a month later and found that the mets hadn't increased in size and 1 nodule actually shrunk in half. I was on cloud 9. We take Mackenzie in for her next chest ray next week (it will have been 2 months since her last one.) And I'm still feeling hopeful (a little nervous I have to admit) because Mackenzie still seems to be doing well. If Tai seems to be doing really well now, I think you're that much farther ahead of the game, which would be great.
Best of luck to you and Tai and I really hope Tai continues to do well like this for a long time to come. Will pm you some add'l info shortly.
Kami
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!
My sister and I were talking about Tai yesterday and so sorry to hear about the mets (and MacKenzie, too) - Tai and MacKenzie are lucky to have such great pawrents. Kami's post sounds really hopeful and we hope Tai keeps doing well and loving life! Kami, hoping MacKenzie has good results next week!
Alice
Dx Osteosarcoma 3/31/10. Amputation 7/21/10. Honey put up a valiant fight and lost her battle 9/22/10. Missing her and treasuring 9 years with our Honeygurl.
I remember the day very well....you hear the news of lung mets...you cry and fall apart.....the vet cries with you...and then you get home and you look at your beloved Tripawd and they are the same dog! I am sorry you got the news about Tai, it is always out there when you are battling this horrible disease. Tai needs you to continue to love and care for her.....she needs to live her life to the fullest.
Paris lived fully after lung mets traveling, being with family and going for special treats whenever possible. (cheeseburger at Sonic) These dogs of ours are the best lesson in life, teaching us that every moment is important.
Love your girl everyday to the fullest, in the end that is all that matters. Take care.
Ginny, Addy & Angel Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
I was at the vets office today and was told that this disease almost always spreads. That means that there is only really a slim chance of remission. She said if we manage to keep it from going to the lungs it usually attacks another bone, or spleen and liver. With the attack of the lungs at least you get more time than the others. This is the harsh reality of of cancer. So what we are doing is buying quality time with our furry family. We can hope to beat this, but we would be one of the really rare lucky ones.
She said she knew of a rottie that lived 4 years with a very vicious form of osterosarcoma, and a golden retriever that lived only a couple of months with a mild form. It is a horrible pot luck! I am so sorry you have had another blow, but you are right, Tai is still here so enjoy every moment you can. We understand how this can rock your hope, bringing saddness and pain. Give yourself a time limit on that feeling, then go out and take Thai on a special day.
When I first understood about Sammy I couldn't stop grieving. Then somebody explained that I was missing him before he was gone. I gave myself 30 minutes to be devistated, then forced myself to start playing with him and trying to be happy with him. It kept coming over me and I would fight it back. Pretty soon I saw that my boy was still here and I wasn't going to let cancer steal that day with him from me. He did something that made me laugh, and then it got better.
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.
fightingforsammy said:
When I first understood about Sammy I couldn't stop grieving. Then somebody explained that I was missing him before he was gone. I gave myself 30 minutes to be devistated, then forced myself to start playing with him and trying to be happy with him. It kept coming over me and I would fight it back. Pretty soon I saw that my boy was still here and I wasn't going to let cancer steal that day with him from me. He did something that made me laugh, and then it got better.
Excellent advice Elizabeth!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am so sorry to hear about Tai (and also sending good wishes for MacKenzie's next pics)....I remember well the day I took Magic in and we just took xrays as really an afterthought because it was so early on...I had absolutely no clue anything was going on from his behavior and there they were....It was so aggressive it just ate one organ after another....and on the other hand, look at the ones who do well!! You just never know and I had quite a time with that anticipatory grief....don't let it eat up the time....because that's what it does...you spend all the time anticipating the "bad thing" and you forget that your tripawd is right there, loving you and perhaps wondering why you are distracted!!
It is such a crap shoot, you do the best you can and enjoy every minute you have. Realize there will never ever be enough minutes, and go on from there.
sending hugs and pawsitive thoughts...
I am so sorry for your sad day. But I am so happy to hear your positive attitude!
"Tai is the same dog today as she was yesterday, she doesn't feel any different"
Best wishes to you and keep up the 'pawsitivity' it is good for both of you. And a special hug to Tai.
Spirit JD's mom
JD
One Tough Girl
(1999-2010)
-Diagnosed with osteosarcoma of her left front leg –
-Amputation July 23 2010 –
-The cancer didn't get her, but she is gone-
-She fought the cancer and loved life till bloat brought her down August 29th, 2010-
Now she watches over her mom and two new sisters, the Quad-Paws Serena and Maya
THANK YOU EVERYONE!!! As usual, your words of wisdom and support were just what was needed. Tai and I spent the weekend at a horse show, she was digging moles, getting lots of pets and treats and generally having a great time. I will NOT let cancer steal whatever time we have left! I was sad and I cried, now I am stronger and living "Dog" as much as possible. Your input was truly appreciated. I know the future will be difficult again, I pray that I will have the strength to give her the final gift of compassion when that time comes, but for now....lets go dig up some more moles!!!! By the way, for those of you with new front leg amputees...one front legged dogs can still dig really fast!!!
I also owe a HUGE THANK YOU to Kami and Brett for their information and insight as well as to a tripawd friend who had the signature line "if you start missing what isn't gone, you lose what's left". I can't remember who you are but that phrase is truly inspirational and I have it written on my fridge. Thanks for the reminder.
Laura and Happy Hoppy Tai
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
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