Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
A TRIBUTE TO GRIFFIN
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Ohhhhhhhh 
I. Cannot. Believe. It.
Stacy, my heart is broken. I know everyone who has ever met your sweet boy is also feeling this great loss. From the bottom of my heart, I am so very, very sorry.
We have had so much fun getting to follow along with Griffin as he blazed a trail in the big city and the world. He spent his post-amputation time showing the naysayers and pawsitive people alike that amputee dogs are as joyful, hoppy and active as any other. He packed so much fun into a way too short amount of time, but the important thing is that he made an impact on tons of people who will now think differently when they see a three-legged animal. What a gift we have all been given. Thank you for sharing his journey with us.
My favorite memory of Griffin is hard to choose, every time I watched a video I couldn't help feeling so happy. But I'd say my favorite is one of his many rainy day romps. This most recent one just made me laugh so hard, he's like "Mom, come on, this is great, join me!"
We will always smile when we think of Griffin. Take comfort in knowing that he will never, ever be forgotten.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
brownie1201 said
A TRIBUTE TO GRIFFIN
Nancy, this is just beautiful. Thank you so much. You captured his essence perfectly. What a treasure.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I can't keep my tears from flowing. I'm so heartbroken for you Stacy (I sent you an email too).
Nancy, what a beautiful tribute for Griffin
He is in our heart forever. I will always take comfort in thinking about Griffin and Arktik being Tripawds twins. It made this whole thing a bit easier.
His always smiling face will be missed by many. I just want to think that he is now running freely with Arktik over the rainbow.
Ziva and my hearts are shattered. I'm so sorry Stacy.
Griffin was an inspiration for Ziva and I. I would sit here with Ziva and show her pictures of Griffin and tell Ziva that she could be just like Griffin!! Enjoy life, fight hard, make the most of what you've got. I know Griffin made an impact on Zivas fight as well as mine.
Just know that you made Griffins life as special as she made yours. Thank you both for sharing this journey, we know it's hard and not the easiest things to do but you two did them very well.
I'm sorry, I knew this would be the post. I checked my email from work but i couldn't do it because I knew i would cry. My heart is totally broken for you. You were the perfect couple....two peas in a pod. The love and energy you gave each other is a true gift.
I'm not sure i can pick a favorite positive thought but one thing does come to mind. When you first videoed him running in the park... so early. I was scared to death for thr both of you just about looking between my fingers with my hand over my face praying it wasn't too early. I guess you both told me!!! I giggle and smile every time i watch him run with joy.
Griffin has taken a piece of many hearts over the bridge with him. I think he wants to share them with our Angels❤
I'm crying with you right now. I found a photo and added a little to it. I know Nancy's video is going to be beautiful but I just can't watch it right now. I will later.
Xoxoxo
❤❤❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Oh Stacy, there aren’t words, but my thoughts are with you. Griffin has been a bit of an inspiration to me and my hopes for Maddie, and I will for sure remember Griffin that way. Your posts were full of such great stories of his post-diagnosis adventures and pictures that so clearly showed his exceeding joyfulness at being Griffin and your dog.
❤️🐾❤️
Thank you all for the love and support. I feel tremendously sad and the house feels empty. I keep forgetting that Griffin is not here when I look first before moving the ottoman or wait to hear Griffin howl along with the passing fire truck. But I am doing okay. I am so glad that I asked for people to share happy memories of Griffin. Through posts here, emails, texts, and comments on Instagram, the love has poured in. I spent the morning reading them, smiling and even laughing at times. Many of the memories are ones that I knew but some were new to me, making them all the more special. Some folks even shared pictures of Griffin that I had never seen before. Griffin's love and joy truly rippled across the miles, and seeing how much he impacted lives has been a salve to my heart. I'm compiling all of the shared memories into a keepsake document that I will forever treasure.
One silver lining to Griffin's cancer journey is that we took no day for granted and nothing was left unsaid. Reading Tripawd stories of unexpected losses and emergency situations, and one that occurred within my family a few months ago, make me so, so grateful that Griffin's passing was planned, peaceful, and on our terms. Throughout the last 11 months, no matter the diagnosis, Griffin always beat the odds. And frankly, that scared me a bit because I wasn't sure how I would know when the time came for me to say goodbye. Griffin's rapidly declining health was a signal that nobody could miss, and I'm grateful for that, too. I am so at peace knowing that we did everything, absolutely everything, we could do to help Griffin fight cancer. And in the end, our love won.
It is so amazing to me how much all of you love Griffin having never met him. Griffin was so cheerful and empathetic, qualities that made him an excellent therapy dog and I know it makes him so happy that sharing his story here may help other Tripawd families. Thank you for your thoughtfulness in creating Griffin's video, Nancy. I haven't yet been able to watch it, but I know I will love it. I'm also planning to make a video that will include photos/video of Griffin's full life, but that will take some time.
There is no way Griffin and I would have made it through this journey without the Tripawds family. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Cannot tell you how many times I wanted to come back here, but couldn't. I wanted to honor your request to focus on the special happy memories, but couldn't. Like everyone, I wanted to find some way to bring you comfort and lessen the depth of grieve we all know you are feeling, but couldn't.
And yet, here you are, bringing us comfort knowing how much we all love. Griffin, truly love him and will miss his earthly presence. You brought us comfort sharing that things unfolded as he, and you, prepared for his transition. It has always been about Griffin being Griffin. When not able to be who he was born to be, you gave him the gift.
You two absolutely 100% never took one moment for granted!! I am so glad you recognize that AND that you recognize YOUR LOVE WON!!! Yes, your words comfort us💖
As you know, Griffin's recovery was truly miraculous! Griffin never gave in to this disease and refused, absolutely refused to let it define him or interfere with his happiness and zest for life. He knew on a Soul level he had no time to waste and he sure didn't waste one second!!! So. when you think about it, because he sailed thru recovery and did waste any time "taking it slow" and because he didnt let those damn mets interfere with his quality or slow him down, he actually got even more extra bonus time because he didn't spend a time recovering or being sick other than a day or so. So it's like he really did beat the odds and celebrated beimg victorious for the equivalent of a year!! I know what I'm trying to convey, but I know I'm not making any sense. Ugh.
It's funny, as I'm writing this I actually have vision after vision of Griffin on his vacay with all the kids; Griffin sleeping next to the kids as their protector; Griffin tirelesslpy playing fetch and including a good face and side rub in the ground as he rolls onto a full back scratch. He swam so effortlessly in the pool. Such an athlete. Those legs, those wonderful ,long legs could run fast as the wind.
Oh, and the treasure hunt you and Griffin came up with. another fun time!
Stacy and Griffin, you two are the gift that will continue to give to this community and to everyone you have ever met...and even to those you haven't met. You ARE. Legend and zi mean that sincerely. And every kid Griffin ever met will remember him and tell tails of his adventures well into adulthood.
Stacy, thank you for making this agonizing sad time a bit more bearable by your example and by your request to share happy memories. This is in reverse. We are supposed to be comforting you! Just another example of how you and Griffin are truly enlightened Souls and great teachers for us all.
Surrounding you with our love and with Griffin's eternal light and happy smile
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
PS. And yes, it took me a few days to watch Nancy's tribute as I too, didn't want to cry anymore. It was chock full of a very hapoy Griffin and hoomans he adored. I watched it and I smiled. I did, indeed, find the pictures and song uplifting and cathartic.
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 think this video will continue to inspire and ahow the world how nothing can stop a trpawd from having fun. Griffin truly was unstoppable when it came to just getting on with life the way he decided to shape his every moment with pure joy.
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!
It's hard to follow such beautifully articulated posts about Griffin. Stacy and Sally, your heartfelt words so perfectly describe the shining light of Griffin's soul, the love in his heart that touched all of us, and his legacy that will never be forgotten. This community is stronger and wiser and more resilient because of him, and you too Stacy. Thank you so so much.
This is the hardest part of being a pet parent. We know the day will probably come when it's up to us to alleviate their suffering, rarely do animals transition peacefully without our help. We put our heartbreak aside for a few of the hardest moments of our life, so that they can ditch their worn out earth clothes for angel wings. It hurts like hell, but in their name we find the strength to put one foot in front of the other and embrace life the way they would want us to. Stacy, Griffin is so very proud of you right now. You are being the person he always knew you were.
I love that you asked folks to share memories about him! What a way to redirect heartache into something pawsitive and joyful. It's exactly what Griffin wants! The video Sally shared so perfectly portrays how we all need to follow his lead: when life gets us down, jump back up and celebrate that we are still here, still able to smell the grass and the trees and live live live! Thank you for reminding us Griffin, we will never forget!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Stacy,
We were so sorry to here about Griffin :-(. He and you were so helpful to us when Tabitha first became a tripawd in May 2020 - in fact Griffin recommended the bed that Tabitha LOVES (making the fact that she can't get onto the couch anymore much more acceptable).
We are thinking of you as you celebrate Griffin's life and grieve his loss.
Love,
JoAnn, Bill and Tabitha (the Greyt tripawd)
Stacy - Sending lots of love from the Krieger family... Griffin’s success lifted our spirits after we lost Oakley and the love you showed him was unmatched. ❤️
Griffin's heroic spirit shall live on forever here with periodic reminders of his presence in the random Tripawd Heroes above these Forums and the Live Chat.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh Stacy, I am so sorry! You and Griffin have given me so much courage and strength. You have blessed me with such optimism. I've always been amazed at your detail and commitment to Griffin and to the Tripawds family with your detailed journaling. I hold you and Griffin in my heart and in my prayers.
Griffin was, and is, always smiling!! He is now smiling at the rainbow bridge, because of who he is and because his Momma took such awesome care of him. Whenever I looked at him he was so happy. You could just tell the tight bond he had with you.
Now you amaze me with your strength Stacy! You have convinced me to keep telling my story of Jake for everyone here. You said you want to hear how he is and get more updates. I am sure you're thinking of others, also, that might be uplifted. We are a family, and family supports one another. Thanks for giving me the nudge.
Thank you Stacy, and thank you Griffin! May we all meet at the rainbow bridge one day! XXX Connie
1 Guest(s)
