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.
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No one is ever prepared for a diagnosis of cancer. No one is ever prepared for a treatment plan that removes an appendage. It literally takes your breath away and leaves you unable to comprehend the simplest of thoughts. Then survival instinct kicks in and you become the world's fiercest advocate for your pet.
Zeus was 11 years old and had a lung met and a liver met at the time of diagnosis. His prognosis was grim - best guess was six weeks. We struggled with the news. Was it fair to amputate only to lose him immediately after recovery? Was it fair to put him through such a major surgery at an older age? Our answer came from him, from his eyes. He just wasn't ready to go yet. So, we amputated and did chemo. Zeus lived ten months after diagnosis. And, let me tell you, they were ten outstanding months. He got along just fine without that extra leg.
Zeus was always a quiet, reflective, intuitive dog and I never imagined that he had such a fighting spirit in him. He enjoyed every moment of that ten months. He never cried, never pouted, never felt sorry for himself. He just LIVED. That is the legacy that he will leave with us. Just live your life with happiness every single day. All of his life he was My Little Gentleman. Who would have thought that he would become My Tripawd Warrior? We have no regrets.
Lisa and Angel Zeus
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Wow your story brought tears to my eyes, as I'm still coping with my dog's amputation two days post-op. Very inspirational
Whenever I see Zeus's face on the cover at the top of the page, I always smile. I love that picture. Yes, you are an inspiration.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Beautiful, Lisa.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Lisa, we will never forget your sweet Zeus!
xoxo from COdie Rae and the OP
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Lisa, I think of you and Zeus often. I also smile when I see his pictures-he lives on in our hearts and smiles. Thinking of you and your handsome furbaby.
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
I am president of the Zeus Fan Club and I can't get enough of his smiling face! Zeus is a perfect example of a completed circle: He and Lisa and Greg just recycled the love round and round. There was no telling who began or ended where. It was complete, and it was wonderful to be here and witness. All three of you lucked out. But you know that!
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Zeus' avatar never fails to bring a smile to my face. Lisa, both Zeus and you were and continue to be an inspiration to many.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Zeus' story was an absolute inspiration to me when I first came across this site some 8 months ago.
Thank you for having taken the time to share your story ... and to show that despite the odds, he lived far beyond expectations. His story reminds me that those statistics are just that ... statistics ... and that our tripawd's journeys are all unique. 
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