Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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One year ago today, Sammy died. It has been a very emotional day and I can't stop thinking about him. He was such a good boy — smart, handsome and lovable, with a just a little bit of attitude. When I told him to come and he didn't want to, he could walk slower than any creature living. And he had a sidelong kiss-my-a—— look that always made me laugh. He was so tough — not! He loved to be hugged and was never more than a few feet from us — usually up on the couch by me. He was ball obsessed and, even with three legs, could out-run and out-swim other dogs. This morning I laid in bed remembering how he would leap up every morning and snuggle with me. He was so big that he stretched out the whole length of me and tucked his head under my chin. I'd put my arm around him and then he would puff gently until he fell asleep. It makes my heart hurt thinking about it, but I am so grateful to have shared a part of my life with my beautiful Sammy. I miss him so.
This afternoon, I found a penny on my closet floor. Maybe he is still thinking of me, too ...
Beth
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
Beth, I wish I could have met your Sammy. He was a special one, and I know just how difficult today is for you. I am sad for you today as you grieve for Sammy. I know how much you loved him, and how much he loved you. I think it's fitting that he sent you a penny-- he was always one to send messages. I am glad you are able to remember him so vividly; he'll never leave you as long as he's etched in your memory-- and as a bonus, he's slowly making you rich 
Thinking of you and sending hugs,
Catherine
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
Sammy was a beautiful boy and I have no doubt that he is thinking of you often. I know how much you miss him and I wish I had some brilliant words to help ease your sadness. Please know that you are in our thoughts and that we do understand. As you remember your sweet boy today, please also know that we remember him too. His story touched our hearts and Sammy will never be forgotten.
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
They are pennies from heaven, have no doubt!
You made me laugh when you talked about that sloooooooooooow walk when he didn't want to come. I had a dachshund that used to do that, I would always say the only way she could walk slower is if she started going backwards. Dogs are the funniest creatures.
I hope your heart is warmed by your special memories of Sammy, even though it is hurting at the same time. The one year anniversary is always hard for me too.
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
I saw one of your posts over the weekend and today I was thinking about Sammy remembering that it was one year that he has been gone. I wasn't on the forum when Sammy became a Tripawd, but this summer I found your original blog and read Sammy's story and he reminds me so much of Harley who is or was also a tennis ball addict. It's funny because after Harley has his breakfast, I like to go back to bed with a cup of coffee and slowly begin the day and "boyfriend" as I call him jumps up in my lap to snuggle. Little Wrigley must be a big boy by now.
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
A year? Already? It's hard to wrap the brain around how quickly, yet how slowly time goes by. I'm sending lots of hugs your way, I know how these anniversaries are so bittersweet and mixed with different emotions. If only those we love could live forever.
Of course Sammy is thinking of you! Our loved one's presence is always nearby, in so many different ways. From the pretty sunrise to the penny on the floor, their love is always there for us, it just takes us time to slow down enough to feel it. It's anniversaries like this when we reflect back, and really sense their love by remembering them so vividly.
I love your story about the pennies from heaven. For those of you who missed it, check out this link to Beth's post, Pennies from Sammy, it's a wonderful story.
Sammy, you are always in our hearts, always and forever.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The pain of missing them is the hardest part of love. Thinking of you and your beautiful boy.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Can understand how much you miss him and how much it hurts, but it's so true what you wrote that you are so grateful to have shared a part of your life with him, because all the wonderful memories our dogs give us mean so much and really help us to survive when we loose our furbabies. Sending hugs!
Gunilla, Penny and Wilbur
Sammy was a blessing in so many ways. That you can look back and see the things that made you smile is a wonderful gift even if it comes with a tear. Those days will come further apart, but may never disappear. It isn't a sign of weakness, it is confirmation of a great love.
Love never ends.
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.
Love hearing your stories of how special Sammy was.
We are coming up on our 1 year anniversary. Not looking forward to it as I expect it will be a tough day. Love that he left you a penny! Just a little reminder that he's doing okay and thinking of you too.
Hang in there,
Jackie, Angel 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!
Many hugs. So many of us understand... Loving so deeply means that you miss him for a long long time.
My K used to snuggle with me in a very similar way. I miss her every single morning because she isn't cuddled against me. I love hearing about your Sammy and his wonderful ways. I am thinking of you.
K, an 8 year old chocolate lab, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the radius and ulna on 12/23/11. She had stereotactic radiation to kill the bone tumors, and 3 rounds of carboplatin. On 3/16/12, lung mets were found. We tried several different kinds of chemotherapy to slow the lung mets but none worked. Finally, mets appeared at other sites, including her spine. She earned her angel wings on July 15, 2012. K changed my life, and I'll never forget her. Our/my journey is chronicled at romp-roll-rockies.blogspot.com.
Thank you all for your nice comments. I cannot tell you how the people on this site have buoyed me up during the most difficult times. After Sammy's death, I spent hours on the site reading about others' Tripawd warriors — feeling optimism for those just beginning their journeys and grief for those faltering. It helps to share our stories.
Catherine, thank you for making me laugh. In these times, every penny counts! Seriously, I know you were just a little ahead of me on this journey and because you had a golden, I've always identified with you. Now we have new babies, very different from our first, that we got at about the same time. My little brat (now about 80 pounds), who is part devil-part angel, climbed into my lap to comfort me while I cried yesterday. I love him very, very much. He will never replace Sammy, but he doesn't need to — he is Wrigley! How is your little Tom?
Lisa and Karen, I know your hearts are still hurting from losing sweet, sweet Zeus and princess warrior, Magnum. And, Kelly, I know how fresh your sadness is. You are all so kind to think of me at this time. Thank you.
Kathy, I send positive energy to you and golden boy, Harley, and I hope his blood count returns to normal. His case is baffling to me, but I am glad he seems to ignore his symptoms and get on with enjoying life — being more dog.
Jim and Rene, my fingers are crossed for Wyatt Ray . He couldn't be in better hands. Thanks for posting Sammy's "halo" photo and referring to our "Pennies from Heaven" post. I am still amazed by what happened.
Gunilla, your babies are beautiful and I hope Penny beats this horrible disease. Shanna, I cannot tell you how many times your advice has helped me.
KB, I am so glad that Shyla is OK. Please keep posting so we know how she is doing.
Last, (but certainly not least!) Jackie, I will be thinking of you as the date approaches. It is a hard day because it concentrates those little moments of sadness we feel every day into a whole day of suffering. But it is also a day for remembering all the endearing qualities, quirks and special behaviors that made our fur-babies so special. I didn't realize until today how young Abby was. Sometimes life is just not fair.
Thanks again, everyone. You helped get me through the day.
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
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