Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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First, I wish I could have been around the message boards and chat more lately. School has been keeping me so busy this semester. I have a lot to catch up on with Athena's blog as well.
Well, today I took Athena to the vet because she has been limping for two days on her back leg. I was hoping it was just me being paranoid, but the last few days, she seemed to be breathing 'differently', for lack of a better way to describe it. Louder and deeper sounding, it just didn't sound right to me. It had been 3 months since her last chest x-rays (which had no visible mets), so we decided to get those done at the same time her leg was getting x-rayed. It is almost 7 months since her amputation, and she now has lung mets and a possible bone tumor developing on the knee of the back leg she has been limping on. Three months ago there was nothing visible, now there is one that is 8 cm across (!!!) and a few smaller that are about 2 cm. I was not ready for this to happen so quickly. She is on pain meds now and I don't have a good feeling about this. I don't think that I have much time left with her before I have to make the decision I knew I would eventually have to make when this journey started. If we are lucky, maybe a month at most.
04/09/13- OSA Diagnosis ~ 04/23/13- Left Forelimb Amputation ~ Carboplatin Chemo (6 total)
July 2006-November 18, 2013
I will always love you, Athena.
Crap. EFFING CANCER. I am so so sorry. I know how you feel worse than punched in the stomach. I am thinking of you & Athena. 
Cancer just plain sucks Jess. I wish I knew what to say. Every time this happens my heart breaks even more.
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Oh Dear Sweet Jessica and the Sweet Athena,
I cannot tell you how much you've been n my mind this last week...really.....even to the point I've been "intending" to email you and just kept saying I'd "do it later". Now I know why.
No, this is not the news anyone wants to hear.
With that said, Athena is with you now and enjoying all the loving and spoiling you've been giving her ...and continuing to do so! The pain meds will definitely help to cntinue to give her more quaility time. Did her vet suggest any metronomics to try and keep things at bay awhile longer? Even without any treatments, remember, some dogs have continued on for quite awhile even with lung mets. And that could definitely be the case with that sweet, sweet soul Athena. And, again, the pain meds will definitely help her feel better as far as the leg goes. In fact, help ner feel better in general.
I jist love Athena. Her sweetness just oozes out n ever single photo.
Jessica, just try and take it one day at a time. I know you've probavly already mastered "livingin the moment" just like Athena is.
Remember, she doesn't kow anything about xrays...and could care less avout them. Let NOTHING rob you of your time together NOW! Athena is with you NOW and is doing okay! One of the quotes Shelby's mom shared n an older post is so true: "When you start missing what is not gone, you lose what is left."
And even though this stupid disease is rotten beyond words.....I'm sure, absokutely certain...Athena would cnsider herself one of the luckies dog souls on earth to have you as her human partner! And Happy Hannah and I are soooooo privileged to ben this journey with two twin beams of light who cntinue to touchus deeplh.
As you kow, I have that priceless sketch you did for us sittingn a table by my bed. Since Happy Hannah can't get up the stairs to sleep with me, because of your generous gift, I still "sleep" with Hapoy Hannah every night. I always have a smile in my heart and think of you two so fndly...so gratefully...everytime I look at my treasured sketch.'
Jessica, try and keep your chin up. No one kows time frames. When it's your time, it's your time. In the meantime...until then...co tinue to enjoy the wonderful life you two still have!
AND....you Know this is coming.....how 'bout some more pictures of Athena!! Her mug illum ates the sight with pure sweetness!!
How bout a picture of her eating steak!! Yeah! Athena is seco ding that motion
Surrou ding you with love, so much love.
Sally and Hapoy Hannah
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 so very sorry. Cancer sucks.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Well, this is really crappy news and not what I wanted to hear about your girl. I'm really sorry to hear this. You already know this, but just be with your girl and try not to think too far into the future. Just take things day by day, because that is what Athena is doing. She doesn't wonder what tomorrow may bring, she just knows today is great! We'll be keeping your girl in our thoughts.
oh Jess. I have no words. I am so very sorry. Each time this happens, I'm just at a loss for words. There is no rhyme or reason as to why this happens and its just not friggin fair. I'm sending you tons of hugs and strength from NY. Please come to chat if you need to talk.
All my love,
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
Jess, I'm so very, very sorry. This kind of news is never easy to take and it really knocks us to the floor. With our collective arms around you please know that you and your amazing girl are in our thoughts. We are sending you all the strength we've got to help you get through this journey with grace and peace in your heart.
Whatever happens next, remember that Athena knows no different about this news. She lives in the now, and all she wants is for you to be happy and strong. There will be plenty of time for tears later but for now, follow her example and unwrap each day like the gift that it is.
Please know we are here for you always. If you haven't already seen these hospice posts, they may come in handy, as difficult as they are to read:
Penny Jars Measure a Dog's Quality of Life
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jess-
So sorry to hear this. Know that we are here for you. Hugs to both Athena and you.
Blessings-
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Since you know the clock is running now is the time to really spoil your hound and thank her for everything she's given you. Dogs are with us for such a short time but they make such a huge impact.
Hi Jess, I am so so sorry to hear about this. Cherish the three months that you were able to have with Athena.
I'm at a loss for words. Thinking of you,
Heather & Barret
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
I hate to hear this about your dear Athena. Not long enough time. We hope for everyone when they get the dreaded cancer diagnoses that they will beat the odds. My Brendol drew a short straw too, she only had 6 1/2 months. You have all of our support. Love on Athena. Big kiss from us.
Adelaide is a young tripawd Husky, from an injury. Her amp was on 10/1/12. She has 4 sisters, Aissa (a senior border collie/chow), Maggie May (a puppy Great Pyrenees), Mathilde and Morrigan and 1 baby brother, Bagheera. We are all watched over by our angel Brendol, who was dx with OSA 1/30/13, amp on 2/6/13, and left us on 8/20/13.
You can read their stories at http://adelaide.tripawds.com and http://brendol.tripawds.com
I'm sorry seems so lame, but I don't know what else to say.
Do cherish your girl and every moment you have. It's hard not to focus on time frames, but take your cue from Athena- she only knows today is good. Make sure every day from here is her best day ever.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
You are wrong... you are sooooooo wrong!!! Athena IS one of the lucky ones.. she has kicked cancer's ass for 7 months!!!! How great is that? Some of our sweet boys and girls don't even get 7 months, some only get 7 weeks.. or less.. some get more. And we all wish we got more. But 7 months is great!!! Can you imagine if you had not gone through the surgery with Athena? There may not have been an extra 7 months... and those extra 7 months have been filled with pain free extra snuggles, extra walks, play times, treats and lovings every single moment.. she has loved life for much longer thanks to the love and care you have given her!! What joy she has had in those months... and you too!
Alas, none of us want to come to the next step in our journey.... none of us want to let go of that leash one last time to help them run free to the meadow at the Bridge. Whether it be from cancer, old age, accidents, illnesses or whatever happens to our fur babies... it sucks... it sucks big time.. yup.. it f#cking sucks....
You know we are here with you, we know how you feel, we know how it aches... BUT.. we know that you will spoil that girl rotten, extra snuggles, extra ice cream, extra pig ears.. whatever her heart desires.. And she will tell you when she is ready... she will let you know that she just wants to go play with all those other goofy guys and gals romping around the meadow...
Until then.. love her up.. come vent and scream with us... we understand...
hugs
Christine..... with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
Christine, you have a beautiful way of saying that (I couldn't find the right words). Thank you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes Christine! EXACTLY! Your words were "heart words"...comforting...nice.......
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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