Rachelle, Clyde, and "Sister",

First and formost, let me say just how sorry we are to hear of Clyde's diagnosis but also to welcome you to the community that no one really wanted to join. However, you will find that it is filled with the most wonderful people and their companions who will share their collective experience base, provide excellent guidance, and give the greatest support in the world. Shanna and Trouble are right, when describing my poodles. Your first post brings back so very many images of the day of when Miss Cherry was diagnosed on Friday, November 14, 2008 - just 726 days ago, but who is counting. The decision was a gut wrenching decision, but she saw her surgery/oncology team on the following Monday, and became a Tripawd on November 19, 2008 (the day after she turned eleven) - just seven days before Trouble. In all, there was five who became Tripawds during a four week period that November. Starting with Nova on the 11th, followed by Cherry, Max, Trouble, and Tika. Tika survived just weeks short of a year, Cherry for 13½ months, Max slightly longer, and both Nova and Trouble are presently planning their two year ampuversary's. However, in Miss Cherry's case, her 405 days does not do justice because her diagnosis was extremely bad and included an additional growth on her kidney. Thus, I feel extremely blessed by the 405 days.

Clyde's first few days sound pretty much normal including the "poop". It never ceases to amaze me how we can get so excited about "poop". The amputation was far easier for Cherry than the chemotherapy. Her first chemotherapy treatment was literally hours after the amputation as her body warmed back up to normal temperatures. During her chemotherapy protocol, she lost all appetite, but even with that complication, we managed quite well. Her journey was well worth all our struggles.

Let me offer a few suggestions in addition to Jerry's above.

1)  Remain as positive as possible around Clyde.  They will pick up on your feelings and if you are down, it will only make it harder.  I often left Cherry, left the house, and then totally lost it before regaining composure and returning with a smile.  It will make a difference.

2)  Remember to treat the spirit as well as the body.  Find something that they love and can still do during recovery.  Then exploit that love to give them purpose.  For Cherry, it was her trips in the truck/car.  It was the first and for a long time, the only place that she would willingly take food when offered.  As the time when she thought that she is going for a ride approaches, you could see the excitement grow.  Jake's mom would probably tell you that for Jake it was the swimming pool.  Once Jake saw the pool and was allowed back in, the improvement appears to have been remarkable.  View the Fun!  Doug and Heidi will tell you that for Molly it continues to be canoe trips.  Watch her celebrate her one year anpuversary!  Finally there is Calpurnia who loves the life filled with the outdoors and sledding and has survived the amputation for more than two years.  View the fun!  Help them find a purpose to fight.

3)  Consider keeping a journal.  I kept a journal and posted much of it on-line.  It allowed me to go back days/weeks/months and make a good comparison.  The detail that you keep in this journal is more than I would ever put into a blog, which is also a great idea.  This very detailed journal really helped to make honest assessments of Cherry's progress during the ups and downs of recovery.  Our oncologist actually used these journal postings to keep up to speed on Cherry's condition.  I have a page of thumbnail photos (with links to larger versions) covering from just after the diagnosis, first days home, chemotherapy treatment, through recent days.  View Cherry’s TriPawd photos.

Well, I have taken a great deal of space with all these suggestions, but we want to wish you all the very best during Clyde's Tripawd Journey. Sending nothing but pawsitive thoughts to PA for all your family.

Spirit Cherry's Dad - Bob