Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Dear Xander's family,
I am sorry to hear your news. Try to remember that he is not aware of any diagnosis or numbers of weeks or months. He just wants to love you and be loved back. Make some plans and then just live and love.
Sending best wishes to you and pets to the big guy.
Deborah
Mom to Spirit JD and the quadpaws Serena and Maya
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
I, too, am very sorry to hear about the diagnosis. It has to be a shock similar to hearing that first cancer diagnosis. Everyone knows my phylosophy on statistics. They are numbers that won't fit every case - example Trouble & Nova, neither of them were given much chance of making it 12 months and they are both going strong. And for my other belief - there is no time stamp on their butt.
Yes, you must prepare for what is ahead. Take Laura's advise and life each day like there will be no tomorrow. Enjoy each moment, make as many beautiful memories as you possibly can.
We are all here for support when you need it. Sending tons of good thoughts to you both.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Again, Thank you everyone for the continued support. Hee's how things went down:
Saturday we took Alexander to a Pet's on the Patio event, A gathering at a bar where we chill out with the dogs and listen to music and relax with other doggie friends. After we got home, I noticed his rear foot on the amp side was swolen.... I think he got bit or stung by something. We waited it out and watched it go down over a few days. On Wed, I noticed it was still a little swollen and was bothering him. In addition, Tues night he was doing this weird hacking thing, like a cat with a hairball. I called the vet Wed, told her about the foot, as well as the hacking and about a suspicious hard lump, almost like a cyst on his side. She said "bring him in so we can take care of everything". So I brought him in expecting antibiotics for the foot and aspiration of the lump. They took him in back, did a physical exam, found another lump on his rear leg, did a quick chest radiograph, then brought him back out to me. The doc agreed the foot was probobly a bit or sting. But then she said the lumps were tumors, and that there are nodules on the x-ray. She showed me the x-ray, and I fell apart. There are not a lot yet, but with the quickness they have developed and the soft tissue tumors appearing, it seems the cancer is aggressive. I asked if there was anything else we could do, expecting more chemo or metronomics , but she just said pain management .
So here we are. I have had my few days to cry, but now it is time to keep living. He has no idea he is sick. He is still eating like a horse and playing his heart out. We have a big meet-up with all his great dane friends on Sunday.
Alexander is a fighter with a spirit stronger than my own. He enjoys every moment of life and doesn't look back. I have a thread on my great dane meet-up site asking people to share their favorite memories of Alexander. As I read each person's posts I realize that he has touched so many people and given so much joy to everyone that he meets. What an amazing thing for him to be able to do!
Today I told myself that I have had enough tears. I am going to live life for Alexander. I am going to keep him going every day and enjoy him. I am going to let him make me smile. I am going to play tug of war with him and laugh when he does his crazy zoomies. I am going to build the best memories. He wouldn't want it any other way.
Alexander The Great Dane
Suspected Osteosarcoma July 12
Diagnosed Officially 7/16/2010
Amputated 7/27/2010
Became Spirit Xander 2/20/2011
Oh we're so sorry, this has got to be ruff. You have a great attitude though. One thing that helped us through the hardest times of coping with advanced mets was to remember that there will be plenty of time for tears later. For now, love lots, play hard and have fun like there's no tomorrow.
We are thinking of you both. Write anytime OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm sorry you got bad news, but your last post is right on target.
I know how hard it is to hear from the vet that "there is nothing more you can do"- but really there is- and you said it just right:
Today I told myself that I have had enough tears. I am going to live
life for Alexander. I am going to keep him going every day and enjoy
him. I am going to let him make me smile. I am going to play tug of war
with him and laugh when he does his crazy zoomies. I am going to build
the best memories. He wouldn't want it any other way.
Build those memories, and enjoy every moment.
Karen and the pugapalooza
I am so sorry to hear the news that your big boy has mets. I was planning on trying Palladia if Tazzie ever got lung mets although the costs are high and there can be side effects. A low dose of daily prednisone (20 to 40 mg for your dog) can decrease the inflammation associated with the mets and make him feel better longer. Check with your vet on the amount but side effects at this dose should be minimal and this drug is cheap!
Pam
We are sorry to hear the terrible news; enjoy your remaining time and make every day special.
Chuck & Rusty
Rusty is a Labradoodle who was diagnosed with level 3 Fibrosarcoma on January 16th, 2010 and had his left hind leg amputated on January 25th, 2010 five days before his 18 month birthday. Please see Rusty's blog @rusty.tripawds.com. He is putting up one heck of a fight against this terrible disease.
Oh man, that's a full load all at once. Way to hang onto that pawsitive outlook. More thoughts and prayers are coming your way for you and Xander.
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
I am so sorry to read the diagnoses of lung mets for Xander, this is the news we all fear hearing.
Enjoy, play, love, make wonderful memories with Xander, try to enjoy life to the fullest, there will be a time for such sadness but until that day I pray you will be able to stay strong for you and your boy. Live life to the fullest and treasure every moment.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
I am so sorry to hear about this.
Yes, live share love enjoy your Alexander as much as you can.
Take lots of pictures.
Love that boy of yours.
Love him so more.
He loves you even more than you love him....we can't compete.......we try, but.......spoil spoil spoil him.
big hugs and choose not to follow that timeline that the doctor gave you. They have good intentions, but, no one knows, ok?
Sending lots of love and comfort your way,
Denise and my beloved free spirit Kona Kai
Kona turned 9yrs on April 16, 2010.
Kona was diagnosed Memorial Weekend 2010 with osteosarcoma.
Right rear leg amputated on June 4th. First chemo June 18th 2010
Second chemo July 9th, 2010 Third and final (yea !!!) chemo July 30th, 2010
ONE TOUGH GIRL this Australian Cattledog !
***Kona's journey/fight ended late in the evening of December 22, 2010***
We Love you so much Kona….always
Bella 9yrs, albino lab/aussie shep/pit?(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind (from birth) in one eye limited vision in other.(laid back, ok lazy 73 lbs)
Cotton, 5yrs, albino hound/terrier of somesort/???(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind in one eye(from birth), excellent vision in seeing eye. (ball addict…destroyer of Kong balls…yes,etc), high energy 55lbs knots of muscle)
Kona Kai's pup brother and sister as well as her buddy and playmate cat, Shaymous 12yrs (like Seamus), miss her terribly.
I, too, am sorry to hear of Xander's lung mets. Everyoe has said what I was thinking. HE doesn't know he is sick. Enjoy him every moment you can. Take lots of pictures and just love him. A prognosis is just a number and dogs don't know numbers, unless it is how many treats they can con out of us a day! Before Emily died (when the cancer went to her spine) we weren't even aware she had lung mets. They showed up in routine x-rays.
A few people have had experiences with lung mets bursting and the dogs spewing blood when one bursts so if Xander coughs and has blood try not to panic. Easier said than done, huh?
My onlooy suggestion would be to go to a craft store and buy a kit or plaster of paris or something like that and make a plaster impression of Xander's paw. The hospital made us two of Emily's and we treasure it.
My prayers are with you but I will keep my sympathy. You are still celebrating life.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
I'm sorry to read this about Xander - it's the news we all fear. You have a great attitude - love and have fun with that great boy of yours! When he's smiling it's sure to make you smile, too. We're sending prayers and lots of loving thoughts to both of you.
Hugs,
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
So sorry to hear the news of Alexander. In addition to this quote that I keep on my desk of "When you start missing what isn't gone...you lose what's left"...I have another one that helps motivate me..."It's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years"
Sending you many golden hugs!
Cathy/Jane/Spirit Skyler/Chloe
I am so sorry to hear about Xander. But as everyone suggested, you get time to make memories!
There is so much to be happy and grateful for right now. When you don't get the chance to spend more time with your fur baby and you lose them suddenly and unexpectedbly (like I have), you lose so much. But you get to and that's wonderful! You get the chance to take tons of pictures and videos that you will treasure later on in life. You get to make Xander happy with tons of treats! You get to spoil Xander and not feel guilty!! Later on, this will mean so much!
I know it's not easy to think about the end. So, try not to and just focus on happy moments.
Warm wishes,
Comet's mom
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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