Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is the place 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.
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What does it mean to Be More Dog?
Find out in Be More Dog: Learning to Live in the Now by Tripawds founders Rene and Jim. Learn life lessons learned from their Chief Fun Officer Jerry G. Dawg! Get the book and find fun gifts in the Be More Dog Bookstore.
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Tears are flowing at Tripawds HQ, I'm so truly sorry Jessica. I had hoped that by some miracle things would have turned around, and I'm so sad it didn't. Cancer can be so mean.
You made a heartbreaking decision with all the love in your heart, putting aside your own grief until later, in order to give Maddie the eternal life and peace that she deserved. You didn't wait until she was suffering, or until the sparkle in her eyes disappeared. Her body failed but her heart and soul was pure Maddie until her last breath. Be proud of yourself. This was not easy, but you walked the talk of "Better a day too early than a day too late," that we all strive for but sometimes do not achieve. The tough call to set her free was the most compassionate, selfless gift to a dog who will never, ever be forgotten. Bless you two for being such amazing dog parents. No doubt, Maddie is proud of you too.
I love the beautiful ways you describe her personality and happy spirit. You knew her so well! And I am certain that somewhere in the universe her wide waggy circles and beautiful singing is sending ripples of Maddie Love across time and space, bringing joy to every living thing that her spirit touches, even the rabbits!
Maggie is an angel now, but you are always part of our family. As you cope in the coming weeks and months, lean on us when you need to. Share stories of your beautiful girl, and we will celebrate her beautiful life together. Take care of yourself and keep in touch.
Much love and sympathy coming your way.
It's better to hop on three legs than to limp on four.™
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It's taken a bit to come here and post. Jist sooooo sad and soooo many tears for you and with you. As usual, I try and search for words, but none can be found.
Jerry said ever so beautifully and expressed how we all feel, but just couldn't find the words.
So I'm going to focus on what made me smile through the tears.....and certainly the visual of Maddie going after the bunny with Jeremy trying to hold her up. Yes, sass, sass and lots of sass.
I am so glad you jave that memory at that time to remind you she still had enough spark so you didn't regret "waiting too late". To have that memory is a gift she gave to you....and to us.
Regrettably, some more beloved family members headed to the Rainbow Bridge these past several days too. Seven hears ago my Hapoy Hannah, along with three other tripawd members heeded to the Bridge within days of each other too. We called them APRIL'S ANGELS😇
So just know that they, along with Jerry and Wyatt, were there to greet Maddie as she ran free, ran rast and ran in all fours to greet them and to greet Barley💖 And I have ho soivt there were a few bunnies there for her to chase🐇
Surrounding you w1ith our love and with appreciation for getting to know this wonderful dog named Maddie and her hoomans who adore her..
Sall and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie .
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've come here a few times but haven't been sure what to say or what I want to say. So for now I'll just say thank you for the words and support. We are doing okay. 
Our dear Jessica and Jeremy....you don need to say anything because we all understand❤
I k ow I would try and come back when mu Happy Hannah transitioned and I would just look at the screen amd cry and not type anything. Or, of I did it was theu tears.
But what did being me comfort and what we hope helps you, is knowing you are surrounded by those who understand the heights of joy of this journey and the depths of despair when the earth journey is over. We all share a bond, a connection, where no words are necessary...we get it.
As you can tell, Maddie touched us all and we are all so privileged to ge avle to get to know her and her devoted hoomans. You dont have ro be 'here" posting, because you and Maddie are always "here"
With love
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
I do smile everytime I see her avatsr and think about her feisty self and how happy she is😊
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!
Jessica and Jeremy - I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved Maddie. I loved reading your posts about her antics and her zest for life that continued when she became a tripawd. It seemed like nothing could slow her down! Griffin, too, experienced hind end paralysis at the end and oddly enough, I was grateful for that undeniable signal that allowed me to plan for his peaceful, loving transition, just as you were able to do with Maddie. I know no amount of time would have been long enough for you to have her at your sides, but Maddie lived an amazing life because of your love and support, and I hope that brings you some measure of peace and comfort. May her memory be a blessing. Stacy
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
Hi all,
I know it’s been awhile since I checked in. I’ve thought about it so so so many times but just couldn’t quite yet. I know myself well enough to know that in coming back I would need to reread what I wrote in the days leading up to Maddie’s passing, even though it would make me sad, and I wasn’t ready for that quite yet. (Sure enough, I couldn’t help myself ha! 🤣)
July 4 would have been Maddie’s 9th birthday so I found myself thinking of her quite a bit. She has been gone three months now, and it is hard to believe it has been so long and yet it also flew by like the blink of an eye.
Maddie’s loss left our house dogless for the first time in almost 12 years. It felt like two different losses - of family and also of lifestyle. What do we do if we don’t have a dog to walk, feed, and plan our days around? It was certainly a bit of an adjustment, although I know without doubt creatures will be back in our house again, and probably sooner than later. After losing two dogs in less than a year, we just aren’t quite ready yet, but we will be.
Soon after Maddie’s loss, we decided to go on a vacation we couldn’t easily do with dogs. We already had some plans to take a short vacation with Maddie to a friend’s cabin for a long weekend. After she crossed rainbow bridge
, we decided instead to extend our vacation to three whole weeks and take a road trip to visit some of the national parks in the Utah area. It was so wonderful.
I imagine I’ll keep logging in, even if I don’t have as much to add now. This is such a supportive community and it feels good to be a part of something like that and something so positive.
Much love to all the tripawds still here and those who have crossed, as well as their families. ❤️
Thanks so much for checking in. You and Jeremy have certainly been on our hearts. And we all kmow it's not easy coming back, but we are still Maddie's family too💖💖
I know Maddie is having a blast st the Rainbow Bridge chasing bunnies (without hirting them of course)😉 And I also know she is glad you went on that extended vacation. It had to be theraputic and I also bet you sensed Maddie's presence every mow and then. She's always by your side through Nature's energy.
And without question, you will have another dog who needs your love and for you to love. Maddie will make sure of that. She probably already has something innthe works, so pay attention for "signs"👌
And I'm sure Maddie had one heckuva birthday celebration at the Bridge....steak, ice cream, chocolate..yes, lots,of chocolate with no consequences!!🍩🍪🎂🧁🍰
Lots of love to you and Jeremy
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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 wonderful to hear from you Jessica, thank you for stopping by. What an emotional July 4th! Contrasting her loss, and her birthday at the GBridge, with all of the Independence Day festivities going on must have felt like quite the roller coaster.
There is never a need to feel badly for not checking in, we totally understand this can be a hard thing to do and all we want is for you to feel the love of Maddie sweet spirit surrounding you always. We are always here when you are ready to share.
I'm glad you did come here though, that sounds like a nice time exploring and thinking about all the good times you had together. And I totally know what you mean about being dog-less, we are in the same boat. It's weird, and not a comfortable place to be. But as everyone says when the time is right, when Maddie brings you your next packmate, you will know it and be ready to share your amazing, generous hearts again. Until that time comes, be good to yourselves and know that she is never far from your side, and neither are we. Share anytime, we will furever celebrate your pretty girl's legacy here.
xoxo
It's better to hop on three legs than to limp on four.™
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Read my story here.
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