Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello Everyone, (WARNING, sad update ahead)
coming back after a long break, but with very sad news.
March 14 we had to say good bye to our 17 years old girl Mimi and September 8 our tree-pawed wonder boy Jimmi followed her to the other side.
After living for almost 2 years absolutely symptom free post amputation I woke up finding him on the dining table unable to lift his head, holding it in a weird position. He instantly greeted me and was amazingly calm, but when he got off the table his head was still tilted and he walked very wobbly. It was a saturday and we were lucky the vet clinic agreed to see him an hour later.
In this hour he kept on trying to walk and even had some raw beef before he just rested on a chair.
After some neurological tests the vet unfortunately had to tell us his brain stem was affected, either through a stroke or metastasis in the brain. In the following hours we left him there and even though they tried everything to improve his state by giving him fluids and cortisone infusions he kept on deteriorating. His blood results were flawless and everything else, too, so any infection could be excluded.
In the evening he collapsed every time he tried to get up ... and after a long conversation with the vet who's specialized in oncology we made the incredibly hard decision to let him go.
It was very peaceful. Jimmi was kneading our fingers until he all calm went on his last sail.
The vet said after the diagnosis he got two years ago his quality of life and time of survival was 150%, we were very lucky to have him for 2 years longer. Two years so active and full of joy. He really lived life to its fullest in this time!
Up to his last day he was playing like a kitten, was very talkative, stole food from a plate the evening before.
He never had a hard time breathing, he never was in pain, he never was exhausted and always had great appetite.
We will never regret what we did, neither the amputation nor the chemo he dealt so very well with.
SO GRATEFUL for those extra two years with our so very loved Boy!
After going through 6 human losses and losing both of our senior cats in 2 years, including both of my parents, losing Jimmi for me was the straw that broke the camel's back.
I apologize for the delayed update, but the past two weeks I just couldn't function. I spent night and day in a pretty pathetic state battling a huge wave of depression and "cumulative grief" (to many losses in a short period).
Slowly working myself out of it, focusing on gratitude and letting go.
THANK YOU ALL SO SO SO MUCH for all the heartfelt outpouring support through our journey! 
It was all of YOU who guided us through this!
I'll be always available to answer questions and to share our experiences to help others.
Jimmi's story is a testimony that there is always hope, he was a warrior and WINNER!
Sending love to all of you and to all your three-legged heroes!
Bettina
Bettina:
It has been an unbelievably difficult time for you, I know, and grief, even the sharing of it, is at your own pace. We are honored to have been a part of the extraordinary Jimmi's journey. He was a remarkable feline warrior - he lived every moment he was given and then some. Such a remarkable story of hope. And you were such an incredible advocate for him, even when this ending took you by surprise.
Love to you.
Wishing Jimmi catnip scented dreams and butterflies to chase after in sun dappled meadows.
Wishing you comfort in so many wonderful memories.
Lisa
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
It breaks our hearts to read this. I'm so very sorry. The grief is ours, not Jimmi's. Jimmi knew he was loved and he knows he will ALWAYS be a part of you. And he will ALWAYS be a part of the community💖
You have been through so much sadness. Too much. Too much all at once.
Give yourself time to mourn. You won't get "over" these losses, but you WILL get through them. Be kind to yourself and don't rush through any of your feelings. They are a real expression of your grief and deserve to be honored.
Thank you so much for sharing him with us over the past two years.You have done a beautiful job of honoring how he lived, always surrounded by your love. And you have done a beautiful job of releasing him with peace and, again, surrounded by your love. It was as though Jimmi orchestrated how he wanted his transition to play out. Eating, no pain, playing like a kitten, so peaceful and content knowing you would be with him to celebrate "home". And getting to be a senior on top of that!
Jimmi lived a life of meaning and, goodness knows, he will have a legacy here of hope furever!! It has been, and continues to be, a privilege and honor to travel with you and Jimmi on this victorious journey.
PLEASE STAY CONNECTED. Lean on us. We understand the depth of your love and how important Jimmi and Mimi are to you. And please know, the three of you are important to is too.
When you can, we would .love to know more about the adventures you and Jimmi have shared . What was something funny that he did that made you laugh out loud? What was one of his favorite naughty things he liked to do thst, no matter what, you laughed everytime? Oh, and don't forget to watch and listen for signs from Jimmi and Mimi. I'm sure it will be quite unique and creative.
I love the way Pofi's Mom visualized Jimmi chasing butterflies in sun dappled meadows. 💛 Sweet
Love and light
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!
I thank you both so much!!! I've been absent for so long yet you are welcoming me back in such warm fashion and providing
SO much comfort! THANK YOU
I love the thought of Jimmi chasing butterflies in sun dappled meadows, too!
And what offers me the most comfort is that he is with Mimi again. They came into our life and went with the same time span in between. Mimi was our first and a few months later we adopted Jimmi as her companion. She was practically feral and very shy, we adopted him to break the ice and he did! Through observing Jimmi she learned she doesn't have to fear us humans.
The two were a gift to each other, and to us!
They both left behind a third one. Bruno, our 'youngest'. He's 10 years old and alone for the first time in his life.
We back then found him alone on the street ... the vet guessed barely 4 weeks old. Way too early to be separated from his Mom, why he's lacking some social skills. He still behaves like a kitten and it's a bit difficult for him to read the body language/ social language of other cats. But he was always solid part of the trio, in his own way.
Since Jimmi passed and he's alone it's very evident he's out of balance, kind of restless, lacking appetite, what is very unusual for him, and searching for his companions.
It feels a bit early for us, but our vet recommended to find one or two new friends for him soon.
We visited the cat shelter we adopted Mimi from 2 decades ago and we sponsor them since.
There are two 14 weeks old boys who have a strong bond to each other, one of them is half blind and will get one of his eyes removed when he gets neutered. The healthy one is kind of the "guide" of the handicapped one.
Friday we'll take the two home with us and if Bruno agrees we'll give them a FURever home.
Please cross your fingers for the three boys finding a family in each other!
Ohhhh Bettina, I'm so sorry for Jimmi, and Mimi, and all the losses you've had in your life lately. No need to apologize for just now updating. My heart aches for you knowing that the depth of your grief must be so deep. I cannot imagine. You have my deepest condolences.
I hope that in time your heart finds healing through Jimmi's amazing story (and Mimi's as well!). You are so right, Jimmi's quality of life was fantastic. Really it was stellar, amazing, through the roof PAWESOME! What you did for him was so loving, and compassionate, he knew it and he gave back a thousand times over by making the most of his life...he was the rock star model of living with cancer! He left this world ("set sail"...I love that phrase you said) knowing that he was loved and a treasured part of your family. What a gift.
Do you have any photos you'd like to share? Of him? and Mimi of course! We would enjoy seeing them and remembering your sweet kitties.
I think your vet is right about finding a friend or two for Bruno. I sure hope the boys get along! Please keep us posted on how they do with the introduction OK?
P.S. I just want to send extra thanks for your joining us. Since then, we've published our first "Cool Tips for Tripawd Cats" book because of good cat parents like you who helped expand our knowledge by sharing stories like Jimmi's. Many, many thanks to you for making the book happen.
((((hugs)))))
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Our Cancer Warrior Jimmi!
We are so sorry to read this Bettina!
Jimmi defied all the odds 14 years old with mets and lived almost two years he was and will always be our hero & warrior. Jimmi blew those Statistics out of the water if I recall they only gave him weeks with mets. Jimmi will always be remembered the senior kitty who kicked cancers arse.
Jimmi kneading your fingers in his last hour he knew his journey had to end and loved you even more for letting him leave in such dignity.
Bettina your world has been turned upside down over and over, ALL entirely too much! Anyone of us would be in a pathetic state more like crawling each day if we were lucky. You are stronger then you realize and give yourself credit for!
Please feel our Huge HUGS across the miles and our deepest sympathies for everyone who has passed. Your Mom and Dad are watching over Jimmi and Mimi and YOU!
Fingers are crossed for Bruno to allow his new mates to fill the house with more love and needed distractions. You are never replacing that is not possible you are allowing more love into your heart, and that is what Jimmi & Mimi would want for you & Bruno.
Watch for signs from all of them you have a force of guardian angels watching over you!
Run and fly free Jimmi and Mimi check in on Mom ok!
(((((((((((HUGS))))))))
Holly & Purrkins❤️❤️❤️
Sweet picture💖 Thanks Holly.
I also want to add what a lovely way to honor Jimmi and Mimi by, not only giving to kitties rhe gest furever uome possivle, but for giving Bruno some companions. It's only fitting that, when Jimmi and Mimi decided to head to the Bridge together, that they made sure Bruno was not lonely. And they wanted to make sure you had plenty to do so you wouldn't be lonely either!
Can't wait to see pictures of the crew.
Extra higs
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!
Love it Holly, thank you for sharing the photo!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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