Hurray for Dakota - another Pawdy - another chicken strip - or 2 or 3 or.........

We love pawdy's in this place

your loving friend -

Riley

Shari -

So sorry things are not so good for you right now......Sending you positive thoughts and warm hugs...

Hang in there -

KaCee

Aw. We're REALLY late to this party for Dakota's ampuversary. We're sure, though, it was a truly special day.

And three months is absolutely worth celebrating.

Shari, I'm sorry too that you're having some other difficulties in your life right now. Sometimes the challenges can seem unrelentingly merciless. Been there, believe me. I'm pretty sure we all have been.

I'd like to add my own "hang in there" as well as an abundance of strength and some mighty pawsitive thoughts.

Carmen

Sory we're late to the party, way to go Dakota, hope you got spoiled the right way, happy ampuversary, Paws up to you, Spirit Gus and Dan

I was trying to read this while you were posting so I lost it on the way Dakota's mom.  I know so well what you are talking about.  It does seem that life, once it slaps you down, it then gets out the steam roller and comes at you for more.

I can't imagine trying to handle children, Dakota health issues, working, and life while dealing with the most painful of all things, living life not being a "we" when that is how you dreamed  and planned your future to be. 

My hopes for you are that your family stays complete.  I will pray that is the case for you.  In the meantime, I hope you do find joy in the moments like the "head on your lap", and whenever your children or your pup can make you laugh, grab it.  Life is so short, time isn't a guarentee that is true. 

I have been driving special needs kids for several years now, up until this year.  I love how honest they are, how in the moment.  I find it to be so refreshing and challenging in learning to see things in a way that I can relate it to them.  Also, when my own life has gotten too painful or intense I am reminded how lucky I am when I am with a kid with cerebral palsy, or a child who is completely mentally there but their body is failing, that they would probably trade everything they have for just one day to be healthy like me and be able to walk, drive, have a life.  My downs -syndrome kids always make me smile. 

Just like the children I know, the puppies I love inspire me.  I hope that happens for you too.  I pray for a happier today for you, and send you lots of hugs.

Elizabeth and Sammy

Hi Shari, Chloe too had a soft tissue sarcoma, something that was "cured" by amputation and something I feel I have taken advantage of knowing in the last couple months. Before I say more, Hoppy 3 month ampuversary to Dakota!!!!! Really it is a milestone to celebrate since we never know what will come next for our pets.

Case and point: Tuesday night, after a week full of crazy school hours and many things going on, I had to make an emergency visit to the vet. Chloe had something in her eye. That led to an expensive visit just to get the nasty foxtail out, a follow up appointment to check it out and finding out she has another lump. Only this time it looks like a fatty deposit, a lypoma. It's 9.5 months since her amputation and if the lypoma gets too large, we could be facing another surgery. She is doing fine now that the fox tail is out of her eye, however the tumor scare it has brought me more clarity.

No matter what the circumstance and how good you think you have it compared to others, it is still just as crucial as ever to celebrate the little things. I do celebrate monthly ampuversaries, yes maybe a little less whole heartedly than before, but this recent emergency and tumor scare has forced me to again appreciate the little moments.

I too understand big life changes, having upheaved my life less than a year ago, facing the unknown starting grad school hundreds of miles away from family and close friends, dealing with my dog's separation anxiety, having neighbors call animal control on me forcing me to find another solution for what to do with Chloe when i have class. I felt like I couldn't catch a break and celebrating ampuversaries were the least of my worries since I had no idea how to mitigate the situation at the time. However, the tripawd community certainly helped me through that tough point and I hope that the support from fellow members can help you do the same. So even if you don't feel like celebrating an ampuversary exactly on the day if you are feeling down, then one day when you do find a quiet moment and are feeling up to it, just smile and know you have a wonderful Dakota in your life.

Best wishes.

-Chloe's mom