Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Some of you may know this already. But for those that weren't with us during our journey here's the background.
January 23rd, 1999 is the first day I held Comet and she kissed me. The shelter worker warned she was "snippy" but when I reached down and picked her up, she let me without hesitation and gave me a kiss. A million kisses later on January 23rd, 2011 - she collapsed suddenly, was bleeding out and was dying; so we put her down. She wasn't a cancer dog here, she was born with a deformed leg, so this came as a shock.
It's been 13 years for the best January 23rd EVER! And 1 year for the worst January 23rd EVER!
It's been really hard to learn to live without Comet. Outside of the terrible, terrible, terrible loss of just not having her adorable self here with me - it's been a lifestyle change. I'm not the mother of a disabled, emotionally traumatized dog anymore. I'm not in constant worry about her being scared, hopping, stumbling, falling down the stairs or worried that her gimpy leg would get caught up on something. And I'm not shopping for cookies or donuts on Saturday night at the bakery anymore. (She loved her Saturday night deserts! The one thing we had so in common!) After 12 years, it seems so strange to not be *that* person anymore.
However, Rocket has become an absolute doll so I can't really complain. He is so agile and easy to have, which contrasts Comet completely! He has started to love food and wants a bite of whatever you have now (even flamin' hot cheetos!) - which is great! Us Southern-born women have to show love through food - it is in our genes!
In this post, I wanted to thank everyone in my journey with Comet and my recovery afterwards. But then I realized the list was so long - and with my memory, I'd leave someone out and make an enemy!! 
So, I won't.
So, I think - I'll just say thank you to EVERYONE! It was an amazing time! I loved all the laughs and love we shared when she was with us! Some of you were with us in the beginning and some came along afterwards, which was just as important to me.
So, thank you all! I can honestly say, I don't know that I would have made it through her death without all of you!
For anyone so inclined, here's the back story of Comet which I wrote when she died.
Comet reacted to me smiling at her - and she loved to smile back at me. When she was scared, I smiled and it calmed her down. Crying scared her and she would hide, so I never cried during her time with me. I won't cry on this date because it will scare her wherever she is.
On January 23rd, I will spend it smiling - just like she liked for me to. I hope others will join me in smiling.
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.
Ge'Lena, I joined Tripawds just after Comet died but I didn't know it. You welcomed me as soon as I signed on and introduced myself. You gave advice as I sat in a hotel room waiting to take Dakota for his surgery. You were a gracious, helpful, concerned, comforting presence. And I had no clue till days later that you had just gone through such a devastating loss. But in the last almost-year, I've learned that's typical for you.
You are always there right away. You always jump in and say helpful things. You aren't afraid to call a spade a spade ("No dammit, don't give aspirin!" and "Damn right I am the avatar police" are my paraphrases of some of my favorites). I don't know you, but I know we'd be good friends. I appreciate what you do here and I know Comet had to love you with all her heart and soul because it's what you inspire others to do. Everybody here loves you and is so appreciative of what you do.
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/
Oh, Ge',
I remember this day all too well. We'd barely joined Tripawds, and you and Comet were there for us at one of the worst possible moments of our life. And then Comet was gone, so suddenly, so tragically. Yet you continue to be a source of support, energy and humor for the rest of us who came to this site in pain, confused, scared, and hurting.
Thank you so much for being there, for making us laugh, and for propping us up. Now it's our turn to return the favor. We're smiling tonight for Comet!
PS: Please, can you ask Comet to look after Rio? Comet was always a tough girl (I saw those videos), and although Rio was a fighter, she always needed somebody strong at her back. Can you be that for her, Comet? If you can, then I won't worry so much about her...
 |
~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
I came to Tripawds exasperated, sad and tired from the journey to and from amputee with Bud.
You helped me heal my heart with hope and encouragement at a time that I did not even know was so very painful for you.
Thankyou for being here for all of us newbies at one time or another.
Thanks for sharing Comet with us......she is still a rock star on the Tripawd site, fabulous in pink!
Most of all, thankyou for your humor! That lil MBVPB has been such a welcome distraction! I can't tell you how many times I was in tears than I would go to a forum post by you and could not help but Giggle!
Heartfelt wishes for smiles until you two meet again!
Hey G, I'm smiling with you. I was fortunate (or unfortunate depending on how you look at it) enough to be around almost a year before we lost Comet. It was great getting to know her through you. And just like the others have said, you've been a great supporter, sounding board, and comedian. You're a wonderful part of this community. We're all very lucky that you stayed around after Comet left.
Leslie
Ge'Lena, I couldn't agree more with the posts above. You have been a vital part of our experience so far. You have helped us to move on from that terrible diagnosis, to learn the best ways to care for our tripawds and mostly, to laugh, which is so important through this mess.
We joined this site well after Comet left for her next adventure, as Charon so wonderfully puts it, but I still feel like we know her. I hope that gives you peace to know that she is not gone from your life, or ours. She lives on through you, your stories and the goodness in your heart that inspires you to remain a part of this community and help countless other tripawds. Peace and smiles to you today!
Lisa and Zeus
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/
Ge'Lena,
I remember too. It was so unexpected, so sad. But, I love your video, I love Comet's smile. Your love is so evident 🙂 She had the sweetest expressions! I am charmed by her happy face.
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
you have been our rock. comet is very proud of you, gayle told me.
love never ends.
sister 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
I joined Tripawds before Comet gained her wings. But I wasn't active on the site back then. I thought this was just a place where you came to get some info once in a while when you needed it. So I wasn't there for you when she earned her wings and I'm so sorry for that, since you've been so helpful in dealing with losing our beloved Abby.
I remember I came here one day to look up something - I forget what - but I most definitely remember what I found: posts about this thing called "Monkeybutts". That's when I realized that this wasn't just a place for the 411. This was a community, with a heart and a soul and joy alongside the heartbreak. I'm best at dealing with hard times through humor, and you were the one that made me want to come back here again and again. Even while you were dealing with your own terrible loss, you made the rest of us laugh, and I'm eternally grateful for that!
Comet is very proud of you. And she would only want to see you smile! She was beautiful - inside and out, just like her Mama.
Hugs on this day while you remember both the bitter and the sweet - but hopefully mostly sweet!
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!
What an uplifting post to log onto and see. Yes, we are smiling Comet and Ge'Lena! We are happy to oblige today, and always, to honor your spirit and all that you've done for this community.
I knew today was the tragic day we said goodbye to Comet, and I had planned to write some kind of tribute to you and your special girl. I went over and over it in my head because I wasn't sure how to even begin to say how much you both mean to us. I'm glad you beat me to the tribute with your beautiful video and remembrance, I can't even come close to topping the heartfelt words you've written and the sweet video.
But I'll try, because I want to make sure you know how special you both are here...
Before Comet came along, Tripawds members helped others just as they do now. There were lots of good times and bad ones too, but when the bad times hit, you could really sense the darkness hanging over the community. We mourned collectively and oftentimes it was hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Things would often get more serious than any of our pups would like (and which is also goes against the whole purpose of Tripawds, which is to help others by giving them hope and hoppiness!).
Then, this ray of sunshine named Comet came along, and she brought more laughter than we'd ever had before! And even when Ge'Lena was going through tough times and worries about her girl, she still managed to help us put things in perspective by helping us smile and learn to see that things DO get better, even when our worry or grief consumes us.
Oh how my pawrents wish she was around when I earned my wings . . .
Then one year ago, when Comet tragically passed away without warning, her death knocked the wind out of us. We just couldn't believe that this little spark was gone. The lights went dark here at Tripawds for the first time ever, as we mourned her loss.
We told Ge'Lena to take all the time she needed before coming back, if she even wanted to. We told her how we understand how many people can't face coming back here after their Tripawd passes on, and we would not hold it against her if she chose not to return.
But you know what? Ge'Lena and Spirit Comet, AND MBBVP came back, bringing us all free psychotherapy, laughter medicine and the sage advice from someone who shared a long life with a senior Tripawd -- even in the midst of coping with her own grief and new pack structure! We were astounded, and honored that she would return here to continue helping others. The fact that she has is a real testament to her generosity and kindness toward people and Tripawds, even those whom she'll probably never meet! How lucky we are.
Thank you Ge'Lena, for sharing Comet with us and continuing to be such a major contributing force to this community. We are thinking of you (and even crazy MBBVP!) today, and smiling 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I wasn't going to cry.................UNTIL NOW after reading these posts!!!! Oh my gosh!
You guys are worse than a Barbra Walters interview! "you're not gonna make me cry, you're not gonna make me cry..........WAAAA! WAAAA! WAAAAAA! WAAAA!!" 
Thank you all for the wonderful comments! Laughter is really the best medicine, isn't it? Would it be funny if I changed my user name to 12311? ............just askin'!!!!!!
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.
You could change your user name to a number, but you have TONS more text to delete .
I am one who deals with most things in my life with humor- so I really appreciate the levity you bring to the site. But I really treasure the video you made for Maggie when she passed. The love, care and time you put in to it were evident. While I wish it wasn't necessary, I am honored to have a Cometdog Production in my play list. I enjoyed the time I spent sharing pictures with you, and swapping stories about our pups and our brothers.
It is hard to believe it has been a whole year since Comet went on to her next life. I for one am glad that you are still here.
Karen
cometdog said:
I'll just say thank you to EVERYONE!
No, thank you. Period. Tripawds would not be the same had you not introduced us all to sweet Comet.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ge'Lena,
I've been thinking about you all day - what a beautiful post and of course beautiful video of your dear sweet Comet. This was always one of my favorite videos you made - it's just so perfect and Comet really did make us all smile. So today we will remember Comet and smile. You have been such a great friend and support to everyone here. I don't know what we would have done without you and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I know for sure that Comet is looking down at you with her big pretty smile (and of course we can't forget about those pretty teeth 
) letting you know how proud she is of you and all that you've done for this community.
Thank you Ge'Lena and thank you Comet for all of your love, caring and support!
Lots of golden love to you both!
Kami, Angel Mackenzie, Kobe and Scarlett
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Much hugs to you as you remember this day. I am sad that I never got to know Comet since we joined long after she crossed. But like everyone said Ge'Lena, you have been so amazing in your support for those of us who joined after. I am thankful that you have been there for so many of us. Here's to more smiles and laughter!
Spirit Jewels' Mom Geraldine
Jewels was a gorgeous Lab-Shep mix that found us at the pet rescue when she was just 3 months old. Born June 2000; Diagnosed OSA on June 1, 2011; L-front Amputation September 12, 2011; Crossed Rainbow Bridge December 30, 2011. My "baby dog" will always be in my heart. Now she is running fast and free on all four legs after the rabbits and squirrels! Jewels was loved by her crazy-busy mom, even-keeled dad, pesky twin human brothers and monkeydog sister Aspen. Read about Jewels' Tripawd Journey here.
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