Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello All!
It has been way too long since posting on this forum. I am the mom of a Rhodesian Ridgeback, Jack! In September of 2009 he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and had his amputation on October 6th. As of today, Jack is still cancer free. He now gets check ups every six months and today we stopped his chemo treatement. I cannot express how proud I am of my boy. He turned 8 years old on August 20th. I am truly a proud mom and feel very lucky.
But with all good things there is a small "but"... Jack has formed lumbosacral disease. His discs in his lower back are slowly begining to put pressure on his spine. One day he will no longer be able to stand. I noticed around six months ago that he looked to be having some pain in his rear legs and had him xray'd. He has some issues going upstairs but is still very much able to do it on his own. I am hoping it develops slowly but know that one day it will get the best of him.
He still loves being a dog and loves life... I am really lucky. Keep hope everyone. These old dogs have much to teach us about living life the way it should be lived. Hope this finds everyone well!
Erin
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Wow! 2 years! Jack, I think that makes you a super star! I think you should start celebrating now and just keep the party going until your ampuversary. 
I sure hope things improve with your back, at the very least not get any worse any time soon.
Keep truckin'!
Leslie
Two years is awesome! I am sorry to hear about the other problem, but I hope you are lucky again and it develops very slowly. I hope you have a lot more excellent time with Jack. He is a very handsome boy!
All the best,
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
It's so great to hear from you! Oh my gosh, this is what we always hope for when we hear the dreaded cancer diagnosis. Congratulations to you and Jack for beating the odds since October 2009!
(everypawdy, if you want to catch up on Jack's story, just click on Jack's Mom's avatar picture and scroll down, where you can see all the topics she's posted about Jack since she joined so long ago)
I'm sorry about the back issues, however that "but" won't keep your boy down, I'm sure of it! Follow his lead, live life one day at a time and remember that this community is cheering you both on. Thank you for checking in and showing us the possibilities. Cheers to you and Jack!!!!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
eholm314 said:
Keep hope everyone.
Hi Erin! You're right. Congratulations to you and Jack. Cemil is still here too. These guys are amazing.
I'm sorry to hear about the back problem--hoping for very slow development.
Mary
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Jack, you are one awesome guy! 2 years is amazing! And I agree with Leslie and Roxy: start celebrating now, it's close enough to October 6!! I hope you have a great celebration! And I hope that back of yours doesn't start bugging you for a long time to come!
what an inspiration you are jack!!! sorry to hear your back's giving you issues, but sounds like you know how to keep everything in perspective and get the most out of every day. we're celebrating for you here in ET - through the month of october!! cheese and ice cream for everybody!!
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Two years is fantastic! Sorry to hear about the back issues. Hope that can be resolved soon.
Wow! 2 years is PAWESOME! I agree, start the celebrating now and pawty till October 6! You're a super star!
Jenna
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
Jack and Erin,
With just a few days before the big TWO YEAR AMPUVERSARY, your planning should be in high gear. It is so very wonderful to hear that you are reaching this great milestone. We know that it has not been easy, but your success is a tribute to your dedication, hard work, and shared love. Make sure that you have a wonderful pawrty to celebrate – Extra Hugs, Extra Playtime, Extra Treats, and ICE CREAM!!!
The whole family just got back from a Fall trip to Yellowstone with absolutely no internet connection. This is why we are a little late to express our feelings of joy. However, much like our June 2010 trip, we finished our trip with Grand Geyser, and a TriPawd toast with Three Legged Red for all our TriPawd heros – past, present, and future. There was also some ICE CREAM for these types of celebrations. On more than one night, Dad sat on Geyser Hill overnight waiting for a moonlit Beehive with just me to keep him company. This gave him alot of time to remember and think of all the wonderful TriPawd heros. So when we say that we have been thinking of you all – it is so very true. The Ice Cream break occured on the same swing on the porch of the Lower Hamilton Store over looking Old Faithful and Geyser Hill where I was able to meet so many of his Geyser Gazer friends on my last trip to Yellowstone before crossing over the Rainbow Bridge.
So we want to hear of the spectacular pawrty that you have when you hit that two year ampuversary milestone. Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy!!!
Spirit Cherry & Dad
That's incredible news! Two Years! YOWSA! That's great!
Wishing you lots of good thoughts that the back issue stays at bay.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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