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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I admire how you're putting Jack's needs and comfort ahead of everything else. I am so very sorry that it has come to this point for you. We are all thinking of you in this tough time.
K, an 8 year old chocolate lab, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the radius and ulna on 12/23/11. She had stereotactic radiation to kill the bone tumors, and 3 rounds of carboplatin. On 3/16/12, lung mets were found. We tried several different kinds of chemotherapy to slow the lung mets but none worked. Finally, mets appeared at other sites, including her spine. She earned her angel wings on July 15, 2012. K changed my life, and I'll never forget her. Our/my journey is chronicled at romp-roll-rockies.blogspot.com.
You are doing the best you can for your situation, and yes it is heart-wrenching. We are sorry you must deal with this difficult situation. Jack is loved and that is what will help you.
Spirit Shadow' mom, Heather
I'm sorry, I know how hard this day is for you. The house becomes so quiet...
You are giving Jack a last, unselfish gift. It will be sad and lonely for awhile, hopefully the good memories bring you some peace.
Jack will always be in your heart and so will always be by your side.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
You are giving him the best gift you possibly can by setting him free from the pain. Hold on tight to all your happy memories as they will help you through the dark days to come. Many of our friends will be there to greet him when he passes over. Dont hesitate to come on here and talk. We all know the pain and it bloody sucks.
Be strong, Big hugs
Sarah
I am so very sorry you had to make the difficult decision to let Jack go, but I know your decision was the right one. Like the others have said, the pain is now over for Jack, and that is what you must cling to. He is running with the tripawd pack now (on all fours). While the pain is overwhelming for you, Jack is at peace. I know the next few weeks are going to be utter hell, but hold tight to the happy memories, they will get you though. Look for a sign from Jack-- he will send you one.
hugs and condolences,
Catherine and Spirit Scout
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
Sending you many warm thoughts. I'm so very sorry.
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.
My very deepest condolences to you and your husband on the loss of your boy Jack. By releasing Jack from his pain and taking the heartache pain on as your own, you've shown a level of strength, wisdom and unselfish love, that we all truly honor.
This is especially poignant to me, and I have so much empathy for you because of the fact that Jack was never able to even become a tripawd. My husband and I had to endure this same cruel dilemma with our girl, Spammy. Hope.....for a good recovery and some extra time with our pup was yanked away. It's hard enough coming to grips with this horrible diagnosis; but having to almost count down the days is especially cruel.
Jack was very lucky to have you as pawrents...the great memories you made together will help to sustain you during these sad days. May the memories become sweeter and the love become deeper.
{{{{hugs}}}}
Anita, mom to Xena & Roger and my angels, Spammy & Chloe
I'm so sorry to hear you had to let Jack go. As others have said, it's hardest thing to do, but the greatest gift you could give him was to release him from his pain. Sending healing thoughts to you.
Thank you so much to all of you. My husband and I have read and re-read all the comments as we have mourned. The kind words and thoughts have deeply touched us and helped more than you might know for some an anonymous person across the country. The disease is so cruel and I am so angry at cancer and so deeply sad. We adopted Jack shortly after our relationship started and he has been our constant companion ever since. In nearly 7 years, he only missed 2 trips that involved cross country flights. This has been the hardest thing we have ever done, Jack was so deeply engrained in our lives. The house is too quiet and Jack's bowls, bed, toys and fur are still all over. I can't bare to move anything yet. No enthusiastic greetings at the door anymore. The jingle of his dog-tags or tapping of his nails on the hardwood floor. Too quiet.
Redbud- you are so right- our hope was yanked away. No chance to become a tripawd or try the other medical options. And yes I think we did trade Jack's pain for our own pain at his loss.
Even knowing how it all ends, I still would do it all over again. Just short of 7 years with Jack, more than payment for this current pain at his loss. Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
I have learned through this amazing community of tripawds and their pawrents - love never ends.
Heather and Spirit Shadow.
Sincere sympathy going out to you and your husband. It's so hard to see any Dog go on Tripawds. And even though Jack wasn't a Tripawd we are all so happy that you have become part of this wonderful community. The pain from losing my Valentina is still on the surface for me. I am doing better than a month ago but it's still very hard some days. It will be very hard for a while but it does get better. It did take alot of courage to take the step that you did and Jack appreciates you helping him to be free from his pain. Valentina will be waiting with open paws to welcome Jack to Rainbow Bridge.
Kate,
I am so sorry to hear about Jack, and I know how much you and your husband are hurting right now. Catherine is right about the sign — Jack will send you a sign to let you know he is pain-free, happy and waiting for you by the bridge. For us, it was the appearance of pennies (if interested, I wrote a post called "Pennies from Sammy" a few weeks after Sammy died Dec. 5). I was both flabbergasted and comforted. For others, it might be a sound or a feeling — but I am convinced our sweet furbabies do their best to relieve our suffering, just as we tried to do with theirs.
You said
Even knowing how it all ends, I still would do it all over again. Just short of 7 years with Jack, more than payment for this current pain at his loss. Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
I feel exactly the same. As excruciating as losing Sammy was, the joy of sharing our lives with him for 7 1/2 years was far greater. I hope the memories of your happy years with Jack comfort you during this terrible time.
Beth and Spirit Smilin' Sammy
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
Kate, I'm so sorry. Take your time, there is no rush to remove his things. Your grief is normal and it shows that you did love him deeply. Don't be in a rush to end this process, there will come a time when you feel it's right to take small steps toward moving forward.
One of the things that really helped my folks when I earned my wings was, playing the "Remember when?" game every time they felt like crying. So, when you feel overcome with sad emotions, think of a good time you shared, or something goofy Jack liked to do, to help you feel better. It tends to work, but it takes practice.
In the meantime, we're here to help you though this. Our condolences go out to you tonight.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Again, I am just so sorry. Your Jack was a tripawd in spirit and that makes him a tripawd forever with us.
Not having them there to fill the house with love and joy is almost unbearable. My heart breaks for you as you have to endure this hurt.
And seven and half years isn't long enough. As one that lost one at 8 years old, it seems like you are robbed. You can still vividly remember them being a puppy more so then when they age into their senior years. It's so unfair.
I hope you feel comfortable enough to stay with us so that you may heal. Being here has helped so many of us heal.
Hugs to you.
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.
You don't have to move his stuff until it seems right. When I came home that day without Maggie I immediatly put all the bad stuff away. The meds, sub-Q fluids stuff, all the incontenece pads... the stuff that reminded me how hard the last few months had been. I don't remeber when I picked her bowl up. Her leash and harness hung in the closet for weeks. Some of her toys are still floating around- her little sis sometimes plays with them. Her blanket, the one I held her in the first day I met her, stayed on my bed for a year after Mag passed. Those things had good memories associate with them, and after some time had passed they would mostly make me smile.
One of our Tripawds friends posted: there is no way but through. There is nothing to do but grieve your loss, it wouldn't hurt so much if you hadn't given your heart away.
But, day by day it will get better, eventually there will be more smiles than tears when you think of Jack.
Sending peaceful thoughts your way tonight.
Karen and Spriit Maggie
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