Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Thanks for the advice Kim, I will try that but . . .
We just came home from the oncologist, and the news isn't good. Lulu has lost nearly a pound in the three weeks since her last visit and the doctor said Lulu probably wouldn't see much of November. I haven't stopped crying, I am trying to be strong for Lulu but it just isn't working. I am so scared, I'm not ready to lose her and I am afraid I won't know when the time is right. So for now I'll try to keep her happy and comfortable, try to give her food and the drugs, but won't force the matter and try to focus on now and not what tomorrow may bring. This really &*#@!^% sucks! 
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Stacy... I just read your post about your oncologist visit today... I am so sorry sweetie. That's definitely not the news you wanted to hear. None of us ever want to hear that news... This whole freaken cancer thing just sucks so much!!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your precious Lulu. Enjoy every minute you have left with her... and just keep doing what you're doing... keeping her happy and comfortable. I wish you had better news... I always hold out for some hope... miracles happen sometimes...
Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Oh Stacy:
I'm so sorry. I guess at this point, empty out the fridge and say have at it girlie.
Yes, you definitely need to get focused on living in the moment, day to day. It's been hard for my husband and I because we don't deal with the unknown very well, and since September 16th, it's been when? When will we be required to make the decision?
I dug out Tika's blanket today from her puppy days, I am going to get it washed up. We'll have her on it when the time comes, if we have to help her to the other side. So, as you can imagine, I lost it.
I spoke with our oncologist today about Tika's coughing and the blood coming up and what's going to be happening over the next few weeks. She was very encouraging and supportive. She told me......YOU WILL KNOW. She seemed so definitive and confident about it.
I thought of something else that we tried with Tika and she liked (I thought they were NASTY--but it wasn't me eating them) it was Gerber's graduates meat sticks, they look like little vienna sausages and are soft and easy to eat. Maybe Lulu will like them?
I will be thinking about you (and probably crying along...) I hope Lulu can give you a little rebound so that you can be better equipped to say good bye.
---Kim and Tika
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
Stacy and Kim,
I'm sorry to hear about the bad news. You are right this whole thing just really SUCKS! I too have talked to people and they all say you will just know when its time. I too pray that I will be able to put my feelings aside and do what is right by Zoe when the time comes. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Karin and Zoe
Stacey
Really sorry to hear your news. This seems to be one of those especially sucky days in the life of tripawds. There have been a couple in the short time I've been with the group. Hopefully LuLu will rally and surprise you like Tika has been doing.
Susan & Tazzie 2
Stacy said,
I'm not ready to lose her and I am afraid I won't know when the time is right.
Believe me, I know what a difficult time this is for you. A lot of us do. But you must ask yourself, "Is Lulu ready." Look in her eyes, she will tell you when the right time has come.
Another question to ask yourself about her quality of life is whether her good days (or moments) still outnumber than the bad. If not, she may be ready. Best wishes to you both.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Stacey,
I am so sorry about your vet appt. You are right, cancer does suck. It is so unfair. I don't mean to give you any false hope but Lulu does not have a calendar. I think we have had many dogs on tripawds that have out lived their prognosis. If I am remembering right, our very own Jerry lived way longer than he was expected to.
My prayers are with you and Lulu and also with Tika and Kim and all of us that are facing this horrible journey.
Debra & Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Emilysmom said:
I think we have had many dogs on tripawds that have out lived their prognosis. If I am remembering right, our very own Jerry lived way longer than he was expected to.
Debra, you are absolutely right! I was given the standard 4 months and I lived 23 past my diagnosis, without IV chemo even. And many, many other Tripawds here have done so much better than anyone expected.
I like to tell people, statistics are just guesses based on averages. Every dog is different, and nobody can say for sure how much time any of us have, with or without cancer.
The hardest, and most bittersweet lesson this disease teaches humans is to Be More Dog , and live every day to the fullest. Live in the now, don't think about the "what ifs" or the "tomorrows." I know it kinda goes against human nature, but it will free you up to be more present with your dog, and live a much hoppier life together.
{{{hugs}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
How's Lulu doing?
Debra & Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Yes, we were wondering how Lulu is doing. My six year old daughter saw Lulu's picture from your last post and just fell in love with her.Lulu is adorable. Hoping things are better. We're sending you both love and healing thoughts.
Take care, Eve and Romeo
Hi Debra & Emily,
Thanks for asking. Lulu isn't doing great, but she's still with me.
Yesterday I decided to try the McDonald's. I haven't ever given her that before because of the high sodium content and Lulu's heart disease. Now, however, it's a matter of Lulu enjoying life as much as she can, so I gave her a hamburger (I am still a bit afraid of the fries as her cardiologist said that one french fry could put her back in heart failure) and what do you know, she about 2/3 of the patty.
I just picked her up some KFC for dinner tonight, she hasn't eaten anything yet today and someone suggested it, so we will see (she's sleeping now, so I'll wait until she's awake to try it).
Otherwise, she is pretty weak, but still seems to enjoy going outside, visiting with the neighbors and just hanging out with me. Although I know Lulu isn't on any sort of schedule for her next adventure, I can't imagine she will stay with me much longer if she doesn't eat.
The hardest, and most bittersweet lesson this disease teaches humans is to Be More Dog , and live every day to the fullest. Live in the now, don't think about the "what ifs" or the "tomorrows." I know it kinda goes against human nature, but it will free you up to be more present with your dog, and live a much hoppier life together.
Thanks Jerry for that, I like the idea that we humans need to Be More Dog -like. I am doing my best to live in the now, but I still seem to cry everyday. I'm just scared.
On a brighter note, how is Emily? I hope she's doing better now, her neck is healing and she's packing on the pounds. Give her my best.
Stacy
Stacy, we are thinking of you and LuLu and sending our pawstive energy out to you.
When one gets to this point in the disease, it's all about just spoiling our furbabies rotten, and to heck with everything else. You are doing a great job of that, and I know LuLu thanks you for being there for her.
Ok, next up, Burger King! 😉
Much love,
Rene, Jim, Spirit Jerry & Wyatt Ray
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yoda loved salmon-skin sticks, even when he didn't want to eat in the mornings. A couple of the little local petstores around me have them. If you see any, I would highly recommend them, especially given her lack of appetite.
I should warn you though - I babysat my brother's dog this weekend while his family had to go out of town and gave her a leftover salmon-skin stick and she loved it. She loved it as a perfume as much as a treat. She chewed on it for a bit, then dropped in on the floor and rolled on it, then chewed on it some more, then rolled on it some more, etc., until she finished it. I reeeally wanted to be evil and send one home with her without telling my brother anything more than that she really likes them. 
Alas, I would have needed to buy another one and the pet stores that sell them are really small, and I didn't feel up to updating whoever was working that Yoda passed away. It's probably better this way. My sister-in-law might not have forgiven me, if I'd done it.
Hang in there. Good luck! I hope that she will yet bounce back from her lack of appetite. In the meantime, you're doing all you can and for now she's still enjoying life and that's a victory!
I was scared all the time for Yoda too. I still am some of the time. It's a hard habit to break. Cry as needed, but try to put it aside as best you can too while Lulu is still on earth.
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
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