TRIPAWDS: Home to 22974 Members and 2152 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

Tripawds is your home 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.

JUMP TO FORUMS

Join The Tripawds Community

Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:

Instant post approval.

Private messages to members.

Subscribe to favorite topics.

Live Chat and much more!

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon-c
Rico's story with osteosarcoma and a message for Thanksgiving
sp_NewTopic Add Topic

Member Since:
5 July 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
23 November 2020 - 9:02 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Greetings everyone, 

In light of Thanksgiving this week, I wanted to share our experience with Rico's leg amputation and battle with osteosarcoma. It is a tradition in my family to share messages of thanks during this time. So I wanted to say how incredibly grateful to the Tripawds site and this community. 

Rico was diagnosed with osteosarcoma on June 23, 2020. His left front leg was amputated on June 30, 2020. He underwent secondary treatment but unfortunately his cancer metastasized into a subcutaneous lump... this was removed with surgery on October 1, 2020. We found out earlier this month that there are two suspicious lung mets... we will go for another scan the first week of December to see what is going on with these and if there is any additional action that we can take. 

Rico has had a tough time, especially given the metastasis. The past five months of our cancer journey has been incredibly difficult, deflating, and heartbreaking. To see your best friend and family member go through something so painful and life-altering, is very hard to deal with. We have tried to change everything in our life possible to make his life easier and more fun. 

However, I want to send a message of hope. In the first few weeks after his amputation, I never would have believed that Rico would be able to run, jump and play like he used to. I would see pictures and read stories on this site and think they were anomalies. But, low and behold, given some time, and patience, Rico's personality and energy and movement returned. He can now run pretty fast on three legs, and still can chase the squirrels in the park. Of course, we will never be able to do our long hikes on the AT again. He looses his balance from time to time, and gets frustrated about not being able to do everything he wants to do. But, watching him recover and adapt has been amazing. Your dog will amaze you too. They do not want cancer or an amputation to ruin their lives. They are not preoccupied about the future, or the past, but about living in the now - "Be More Dog ." It has been unbelievable to see this transformation. It is a good lesson for us too. 

I have been very grateful to this site and this community because it has been here for me during some of my darkest moments, and will be there as we confront more in the future. I do not participate much, but it is helpful to read the posts and learn that I am not alone. As well, it has reinforced to me the importance of being there to support my dog on this new journey - to advocate for them, fight for them, and most of all - encourage them along. I hope that we continue to have more memories with Rico along the way, and most of all I hope we are able to find a cure for osteosarcoma. In the meantime, I am thankful for what moments we have had with Rico, and also to this site and this community for supporting one another through such difficult circumstances. 

Happy Thanksgiving, and please hug your pets tightly and let them know how much they mean to you. 

Sam and Rico 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
23 November 2020 - 10:41 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Oh Sam!  You articulated  everything about your journey with Rico so beautifully. It was honest and Pie and real and so heartfelt.  Yoir acceptance of his "-new normal" and celebrating  everything he CAN  do and celebrating  all the joy of Rico being Rico!  Even with challenges  you  did indeed, send a message of hope.  

Rico is so lucky to have you as his hooman.  You clearly adore him and are doing everything  possible  to make every moment together the best ever!!

Regardless of mets or xrays, etc, Rico feels good and that's  all that matters!  He has no worries and is blissfully unaware that hoomans worry a lot.  Of course, once hoomans master the art of Being More Dog like you have, they learn to live in the now with no worries about the tomorrows

And we are grateful for the priv of being on this journey with such a special  doggy and his devoted  hooman. Have a good holiday and know that we are all cheering for Rico, okay?  And always remember,  you are not alone.  We are your extended  family😎

Hugs

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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
24 November 2020 - 11:09 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Sam, thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing such a beautiful story of perseverance and hope. I'm teary-eyed right now, just knowing that you and Rico have had a rough go of it. Yet, despite that, and the recent x-rays, you still have an attitude of gratitude and hope for the days ahead...WOW! I'm in awe of how much strength you have. This is so helpful for Rico, it's exactly what he needs and wants for you no matter what the future brings.

Thank you so so much for sharing your story, and letting us know how things are going. If you need anything at all or just want to talk, please let us know.

And oh yeah, we MUST have some Rico photos! Here are instructions for adding images . If you'd like help message me, I'm happy to assist.

Many hugs and thanks to you and your amazing boy for adding the magic that makes Tripawds what it is. We are better because of you!

Hoppy Thanksgiving!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet


Member Since:
5 July 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
24 November 2020 - 11:20 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

https://www.ins.....q66viJN4h/

Trying to add a few images here

https://www.ins.....xIXhlphuJ/

https://www.ins.....qt-Kgpt1U/

Thank you for all of the support!

Member Since:
15 July 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
24 November 2020 - 3:35 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Thank you so much for sharing your grief and your hope, Sam. I'm so sorry it's been a rough road these months. What you said about "watching your friend go through something painful and life-altering" is right on... it is so hard. Those pics of Rico are GORGEOUS -- I'm so glad he's been to the beach, the creek, and cozy home with you too. Thinking of you both this holiday.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
24 November 2020 - 10:11 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I'm madly in love with Rico! What a gorgeous, happy, strong boy. Doesn't look like anything is slowing him down or keeping him from enjoying life to the fullest. Thank you so much for sharing the photos!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Forum Timezone: America/Denver
Most Users Ever Online: 946
Currently Online: Victoria_3
Guest(s) 251
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1268
Members: 17736
Moderators: 6
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 18610
Posts: 256809
Administrators: admin, jerry, Tripawds
Tripawds is brought to you by Tripawds.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG