Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My Rottweiler, Diva was diagnosed a week and a half ago with osteosarcoma and had her left leg up to the shoulder amputated last Tuesday. Last night she developed bloat and her stomach flipped. She underwent emergency surgery and never regained consciousness. I dont know what to do or think. Im sick, my eyes are swollen and I feel like my whole world is spinning. Please, if anyone has advice or words of any kind of comfort, I need them now. I just want to hold my girl.
We just couldn't believe it when we read your blog post this morning. Last night when we were talking to you in the chat, as Diva was in surgery, we truly thought she would pull through.
It's just terrible that things can change so quickly and "sorry" just doesn't seem like it can do anything right now. I wish we could bring her back and into your loving arms. I am so, so sorry. Please, whatever you do, know that you did everything right and this was completely beyond anyone's control. Bloat is such an awful, mysterious medical condition, and nobody really knows for sure why it happens. Please know that all of your decisions leading up to it were made with love and concern, and didn't cause this horrible tragedy.
We were so looking for meeting her. I know you loved her very, very much and gave her a fantastic life. Always remember that the bond you shared can never ever be broken. That is something that lasts for eternity.
{{{{{hugs}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I don't have the words to tell you how very sorry I am. Diva was a stunningly beautiful dog and I was so happy when she seemed to be doing well after the amputation. You did everything you could for her with the amputation and she knew you were helping her - I truly believe that they can sense the love in our hearts and the goodness in our souls when we fight for them. That is what she will remember - the love you gave her and the fight you waged to save her. I wish you strength and peace through this difficult time.
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/
sometimes, we can find no answers. allow yourself to grieve, for this is so very sad. diva is not suffering, and her spirit will remain with you always. love never ends.
charon & spirit 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
There are no words on this earth that will make it hurt less! I am soooo very sorry.
This kind of pain is so personal and intense. I only know that it is important to let it out and take your time. Even if that means years (like me). And understand that the pain may never go away.
But time will soften the hurt ... and bring the loving memories into focus.
My heart is with you!
Karen
Thank you for your words friends, I know I will walk through this because it what my baby would want. It just hurts so bad right now. My heart is broken. She will be buried tomorrow in our yard, her favorite place to be... Forever...
I'm so very sorry to hear this sad news. I was thinking about Diva last night, and have only just now logged on to see she has passed. You did everything you could, and you made all the right decisions. She was so lucky to have you as her Mom. Sending healing thoughts to you.
I am so very sorry for your unexpected and sudden loss of Diva. In time, may memories of your sweet girl bring smiles and happiness instead of only tears and sadness.
Godspeed Diva. Run free at Rainbow Bridge with all of the heroes that have gone before you. Send your mommy pennies when you can!
Wishing you peace, strength and courage...
Hugs and chocolate labby kisses,
Ellen & Charley
Charley's Blog: CHOCOLATE KISSES
DOB: 3-29-08, male chocolate lab
Dx: OSA L proximal humerus 10-19-10
Amputation: L front leg & scapula 10-28-10
Chemo: 5 rounds of Carboplatin
Video (12 weeks post amp):Tripaw Charley Playing
♥♥♥ Lots of supplements and love!!! ♥♥♥
I commented on your blog, but wanted to say here as well how terribly sorry I am. I don't know that there are any words that can make you feel better, but hopefully by sharing your pain with us it will lighten your burden a bit.
I know how hard this is. For me there were a couple of things that helped us get through losing our girl in January - it helped me to write about her, it helped me to talk to others about her and it helped to remember that grief is a part of love. It's maybe the worst part, but it is in fact part.
She would not want you to be so sad. She is your special angel now. Look for her sending you a penny - a special little sign that she's ok.
We're here if you need to talk or if you want to write and tell us more about your girl, maybe you will find that helpful when you feel up to it.
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!
I am just so utterly sorry for your loss in Diva. No, it's not fair.....and it's incredibly sad.
I doubt I can say anything that would offer any words of comfort as you asked, because you already know in your heart that Diva loved you more than anything and knew you did all you could. But I will say, once the immense shock has worn off, perhaps you can come and tell us all more about Diva. Talking may help ease your pain and we are here to listen - if you want.
My heart goes out to you.
Lots of hugs coming your way.
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.
Shedding many tears for you right now. 
You are so right, It's just not fair!!!!! I know that losing Diva this way is excruciatingly hard. You did everything that you could to help her and what happened was beyond your control. I lost my Great Dane Valentina on Feb. 3rd. What happened with her seemed so fast to me but nothing compared to what happened with Diva. When I first noticed that there was something very wrong with Valentina it was only 5 days later that we had to put her to sleep. It was very very hard for me knowing that I was the deciding factor that ended her life by signing the paper. The first days for me were of just severe shock. I layed on the couch mostly staring at the ceiling not knowing what to do with myself. Then I had no choice but to do my normal Mom duties so I pushed on and tried to make myself super busy so I wouldn't think about it as much. I just wanted the day to hurry up and be over everyday so I could sleep and not think about it. It didn't feel like my life anymore. Then about 3 weeks after she had passed the reality hit me and it was just awful. I think I was suppressing alot of my feelings and then all of a sudden they erupted. I cried and cried and couldn't sleep. I didn't feel like myself without Valentina in my life. I felt lost and like I would never find my way again. Then I realized that I needed to cry and feel all of those feelings. It was super hard and there was no easy way around it. Just time. I didn't believe everyone when they told me that I would feel better in time but they were right. I did start to feel better and I decided to become a foster Mom for Great Danes. I will get my first foster any day now and I am really excited. I wanted to be a foster Mom for Great Danes as a tribute to Valentina and I think it will really help me also. And of course some deserving Danes will find their forever homes in the process. So I would just say to let yourself cry as much as you need to, lay around if you have to and even let your anger be released and then you can find something to do that will help you in rememberance to Diva. Even if it's just making a scrapbook for her or something like that it will help you. So terribly sorry that Diva's journey had to end so quickly and suddenly. Praying for your strength and comfort as you try to make it through this difficult time. (((Hugs))) to you.
As others have said, there are really no words to offer that will take this away. "Sorry" isn't a big enough word. It doesn't hold nearly the thoughts and feelings we would say to you if we could. But there is great benefit to being here with people who have gone through so much themselves. When we say "we understand," we really do!
Please take cometdog's and Jackie's advice and, when you're ready, share Diva's life with us. We want to know what made her who she was. We want to hear about the things that drove you nuts and lit up your life and made you crazy in love with Diva. And it's ok to shed some tears in the middle of the laughing about her.
We take a tremendous chance when we decide to love a dog. It's about the only thing I can think of where we know going into it we'll have our heart broken before it's done. And we do it voluntarily because the alternative seems empty and shallow. We are humans, but dogs make us better humans.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
I have nothing too wise to say; I really wish I did. But grief just has to run its course. That doesn't mean you will ever forget your Diva or stop missing her. But, time will allow you to remember her with more smiles than tears.
When the shock wears off you will see that you did everything you could to try to save her. Bloat is impossible to predict and so hard to treat. You didn't do anything wrong — it was just one of those things. I'm so sorry your time with Diva was cut so short.
Beth and Spirit Smilin' Sammy
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.
There really are not words... I couldn't belive when I read your blog post this morning.
Hold tight to the fact that you were doing the best you could for Diva. Life throws some bad stuff at us sometimes- and there is nothing you can do but get through it. It is so hard when a family member is taken from you so suddenly- I know you must feel lost and helpless and although it does not seem possible now you will get through this, things will get better. Let yourself grieve for your girl and I bet you will find strength you didn't know you had. Perhaps that strenght is a gift from Diva.
Although Diva's journey with us was short, you will always be part of this community, and are always welcome.
When you feel up to it, and if it helps tell us more about Diva.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
I don't know what to say other than I'm just so very very sorry. My heart is breaking for you.
Laura, Kali and Angel Tai
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
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