Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Today is Isabelle's One Year Ampuversary!!!
These are words I never expected to be fortunate enough to write, but am overjoyed to do so. The past year has been full of lessons, love, tears, and happiness…so much happiness!
Isabelle's had two cancers, two surgeries, NO chemo, small scares (admittedly, many in my imagination!), dodged a few bullets, and as some of you know, last week, by some remarkable alignment in the universe, surprised everyone and eluded destiny again…I am grateful for it all…OK, I could have done without last week, but all is well…Through everything, she's never, ever had a bad day. A promise I made, then, now and forever.
Twelve months ago I started counting the weeks and months we had left together and vowed to make every moment special. The experiences and love we shared during that time are priceless and will be forever in my heart. About four months ago, I stopped counting time and no longer think about Isabelle having cancer every day. It was then, I was able to fully immerse myself in the joy she finds rolling in the grass, running on the beach, or chewing a hole in my North Face jacket to get to the treats…well, that was her joy, not mine…
I began to deeply value the lessons of this journey. Our life together is extraordinary, we've made treasured friends, we wouldn't have met on four legs, and something exceptional happens everyday. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I have a profound appreciation for all I have learned and wouldn't change anything about the past year…It is a happy, peaceful place to be.
Cynthia
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We have the happiest of tears falling, watching Isabelle's video. I loved it when she was rolling on her back. She looks so happy! Sweet Isabelle, I am so glad you have had this year to be you. You are precious!
happy 1 year, you have made me smile!
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.
cynthia and isabelle - congrats on your ampuversary!!!! what a beautiful video of a perfect girl just 'getting it done'. we are so inspired by your bravery, your commitment to each other, your grasp of the now and your appreciation of every moment.
Major celebrations here in ET for this major accomplishment!!!!!
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Cynthia,
What a great video!!! And a great year with your girl...even with all the 'bumps' in the road! She looks fabulous!!! What I find even more inspirational about her case is she has spinal arthritis to deal with as well. Happy, Hoppy 1 Year Ampuversary Isabelle!
Tracy & Maggie
(PS what happened last week, I missed it?)
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Hoppy Ampuversary! That was a terrific video...really made me smile. I think all of us here have learned some very valued lessons thanks to our pups.
We will certainly celebrate this very hoppy occasion in your honor! And keep taking pictures and post them!
Sending you many golden hugs...
Cathy
Congratulations Isabelle! One year is pretty awesome, and so are you! Wishing you many, many more!!
The most surprising thing to me when I see video of Isabella is not how well she does as a tripawd (which is pretty spectactular!) but that she is loving life at 13 years old!! She looks so good, and so happy.
Congrats to Isabelle on one year, for fighting off two cancers, and for showing the young pups how it is done.
And congratulations Cynthia for getting to this place:
I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I have a profound appreciation for all I have learned and wouldn't change anything about the past year…It is a happy, peaceful place to be.
We all know it is not an easy place to find on the cancer journey.
Extra treats for the pugs tonight!!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Happy ampuversary Isabelle!!!! You are strong, brave, and an inspiration to us all. Cynthia, what a beautiful video tribute to your girl. It is obvious that she is a very happy pup! Today, Miss Isabelle, it's all about YOU!!!
Congratulations!
Lisa and Ranger
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
Hooray for Isabelle! One year is pawesome! What an amazing doggy she is. Our family seems to always lose our pups at or before age twelve, so I am super impressed with how great she is doing, with cancer no less!, at age 13! Keep it up Isabelle!
You have such a great attitude and I'm so glad you are getting to enjoy this time with your beautiful girl.
All the best,
Jackie, Abby's mom
(btw... I love that my iPad now recognizes things like pawesome and Monkeybutt as being correctly spelled... It even capitalizes Monkeybutt for me, although I'm not totally sure they deserve a capital M...)
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Dear Cynthia,
I'm so happy I got to see Isabelle doing lots of things, because it is so obvious that there truly is no reason to regret anything about her life! She is joyful, playful, engaged and loving. She has fun. As long as any creature has fun, what is to regret?
So congratulation dearest Isabelle! You scored so many times. There must be an angel assigned to you. You were rescued once, twice, three times. Now you get to have a party, and so will we! Keep hopping, smiling, rolling, wading, snow-snuffling and loving your life, sweet girl!
(I did notice two black cats. Did Denali clone himself? Just wondering.)
Shari and Dakota the ever-vigilant cat observer
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/
Isabelle - oh wow, what a wonderful way to live your life.
You have an outstanding mommy who cares very much for you - who said hurricanes were bad things. Just look where it took you!
And Cynthia, I know that feeling of finally letting go of the cancer fear. It just sets you free to truly enjoy each and every moment. You guys get a big Paws Up! for setting such a wonderful example.
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.
Hoppy anniversary, Isabelle! You are an inspiration!
Love, Rio
 |
~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Dear Isabelle,
Even though I sent you a private email wishing you a Happy 1 Year Ampuversary, I thought I would join in and wish you one here too! 
The video was so special and touching.
It's a great day to celebrate and we'll be doing lots of over here! We have proclaimed every 24th day to be ISABELLE DAY! (It's easy to remember: it's the day after Comet died and two days before Trouble and Cooper had their ampuversaries! 
)
Thanks for making this a great year! We LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
P.S.
And for those of us keeping a private tally – that's 365 days that Isabelle's mom, Cynthia isn't yet living homeless under a bridge because of Isabelle's expenses! And no one worry if it does happen, Isabelle will be living at the Ritz getting grain-fed lamb from room service!
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.
HAHAHAHA, so many times over…but it's GRASS FED! GRASS FED! If the Ritz doesn't have it, I'll stay at the Penninsula!
Isabelle
WOW…was that a BLAST of WIND??????
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