Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Jo Ann,
I am so so sorry to hear this news about Tasha. I am truly at a loss for words. My heart is breaking with you and for you. I've been thinking about you and Tasha and wondering if everything was ok. I can only imagine how devastating this must be and what you're going through. It doesn't seem fair at all and I don't blame you for feeling like she's been cheated. You've been cheated too - we all have with this ugly cancer no matter what form it takes. Please know that we are all here for you. So so sorry......Tasha will always be our tripawd hero forever!
Sending lots of golden hugs to you,
Kami, Angel Mackenzie and Kobe
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Jo Ann,
I think what Coop's dad said is true, and I also what everyone is is saying. I am so sorry! It is amazing she beat osteosarcoma. You have been wonderfully there for her with that fight. I hate cancer!!!
I am so sorry that you and Tasha have to face this too, it is so unfair. Sammy and I and the rest of our crew send you hugs and feel your pain. Love her, love her, love her.
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
When we had Tasha at the vets on Wed. he removed her large bandage and replaced it with a much smaller red one. Her Dr. felt she should have a bandage covering the stitches, he isn't sure how will the skin well heal or how fast being there is cancer there. We take her back again on Wed. to have her stitches removed or possibly they might have to stay in a little longer if it is having a hard time healing. At the time her bandage was removed her knee joint hadn't filled back with blood. He wasn't really sure if that was because he has slowed the bleed down or because of the compression bandage.
Tasha seems very needy, she wants me close, she watches me a lot. She is doing a lot of woofing for attention, she seems she wants to feel your hands on her. Needless to say she is getting lots and lots of attention and love.
I feel a little guilty about saying I feel she was cheated, I no really Tasha has been very blessed to have survived osa as long as she has. I think she might have even beaten it, what I really am having a hard time with is that she was a survivor of osa why did a second cancer have to appear, if the osa had come back it would still be heart breaking but it was something that you always knew could happen, I just never imagined another cancer taking her from me. I am just heartbroken and I needed to vent.
I really want to thank you for your support, you all understand the heartache.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
Oh No ! Jo Ann - dont you dare feel a little guilty about feeling cheated, or Tasha being cheated. I and everyone here know the full breadth width and depth that you love Tasha and believe you me, even if Cooper lived 40 years without any cancer and sickness and he left me I would STILL feel he had been cheated! There are few loves in the world such as the love we have experienced with our furkids! My earllier post only meant that in my heart I have been readying myself for the day Cooper does leave, because I know that (a) he is going on 11 (b) I could well have lost him 6 months ago and I am so greatful to his doctor and God that he is still here. You have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. we totally understand where you are with this!
Coopsdad
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
rubyaz said:
I feel a little guilty about saying I feel she was cheated, I no really Tasha has been very blessed to have survived osa as long as she has. I think she might have even beaten it, what I really am having a hard time with is that she was a survivor of osa why did a second cancer have to appear, if the osa had come back it would still be heart breaking but it was something that you always knew could happen, I just never imagined another cancer taking her from me. I am just heartbroken and I needed to vent.
I think I can echo that guilty feeling, and Coopsdad is right, if we had 40 years we would still feel cheated. So don't put guilt on yourself you have enough to deal with now.
The other thing I wanted to say is that through Trouble's entire time after amputation, her Dr warned me over and over again that likely we would not see osa repeat itself, but there was a chance of a secondary type of cancer at any point. And he wasn't overly concerned about lung mets, insisting they weren't as common as most believe. He would remind me not at every visit, but every 4-6 months, just so I wouldn't get over confident. So it isn't uncommon to see a secondary cancer in the long term osa free survivor.
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.
Oh Jo Ann!
I feel so badly for you.
When I was faced with hemangio with Comet, the ER vet which was incredibly comforting, let me know that cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over 10 years old. There isn't really a such thing as dying of old age in dogs. The rate increases even more with age. And most dogs die between 10-13 years old.
As an ER vet which is only open to an emergencies at night, he said that hemangiosarcoma is very common in senior and geriatric dogs and even breed specific (goldens and GSD), Rugby was only 8 years old but he was a GSD mix. Comet was at least 12 1/2 years old.
This why I didn't do any surgery on Comet and the vet was relieved once I made that decision because he said if she did survive the surgery, the recovery is too hard on a geriatric dog and the outcome is never good.
I know that isn't comforting to say the least but I only want to point it out so that you will not question anything you've done or feel guilty.
As my regular doctor who loves dogs dearly, just pointed out to me, it's just a sad fact of life but dogs don't live that long. It's incredibly difficult to lose one and it's heart breaking but they can't live as long as we want to them.
It's sounds trite and rather obvious, but for some reason his words struck a chord with me. I had humanized Comet so much when she was alive, I kind of forgot that there will one day be a life without her. I knew all of it logically but emotionally, I couldn't fathom it. I didn't think of her as really old but the reality was, she was really old for a dog. However, I still will humanize dogs because I love them so much. And when my little guys over here are old, I'll feel the same way. But his words helped me realize that Comet's time had come.
My heart really breaks for you. I wished with all of my heart that Tasha didn't have cancer when you first posted it.
I still hold hope for a miracle.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Jo Ann
My heart aches for you. I am so sorry. Sending you lots of love from the Dalmatian Den.
Daisy earned her wings on Oct 22, 2011 at 14 years old
She is now the official greeter at the rainbow bridge
Everyone is guaranteed a welcome sniff and Dalmatian smile
Jo Ann - I am so sorry to read about Tasha's diagnosis. Heartache always warrants venting. What a hideous disease cancer is.
But, that said, Tasha's been a valiant trooper. So have you. I know you have the strength to be there for your beautiful girl through the rest of her journey.
Hugs.
Carmen and her Goldies, Catie and Riley
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Hello Jo Ann,
I am so sorry to hear about Tasha's diagnosis. You were one of the first people I spoke to here on Tripawds when our Brandy was first diagnosed with OSA. Tasha is an inspiration to us all. She is a true hero! I will keep you in my prayers. Please give Tasha a big hug from Brandy and I.
Teresa, Brandy's Auntie
You don't need to apologize or feel guilty for anything Jo Ann, we've all been there. So many ups and downs, so many bits of anger mixed in with resentment and gratefulness all at the same time, it can make anyone's head spin.
As for the wound, I thought I'd bring this up: neoplasene. It might be worth looking into. Read the thread and click through to the other links, it might be worth talking to your vet about.
Give Tasha extra hugs from us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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