Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Finally, some good news for us! Clyde had his 4th and final round of radiation on Monday. He had essentially no side effects other than being a little bit more tired than usual after getting home from his treatments. Last week, they said that part of the tumor did appear to be dying, so fortunately I don't think that he is one of the dogs who don't respond to it at all. We also started him on a course of cipro to clear up a secondary infection...turns out that was what was causing the horrid smell coming from his mouth. Fortunately, that has gotten much better so he is more pleasant to be around!
They mentioned this week that the tumor looks better, less inflamed etc., but we don't have a ton of info yet...we go back on Tuesday for a recheck and to discuss with the doctor how everything is going. He will also get his 3rd (of 4) melanoma vaccine, and then will have his final one two weeks later. Fortunately, that is not a big deal at all, so I feel like we are basically done with traditional therapy for now. I will have to dig out my notes and start thinking about what alternative therapies I want to try...we never got to most of it with Holly, so this will be a first.
I'm so happy to see him doing well...hopefully the doctor will feel like we have bought some time. Of course, I am hesitant to be too optimistic since I know how fast it can all turn.
Naturally, everything kind of has a sad twist....Holly would have finished her chemo today, so it is hard not to think about that. I was so looking forward to moving to the next stage with her - the part where we weren't doing many vet appointments and when we got to just sort of enjoy life. I can't imagine how excited we would be to have them both finishing up their treatment this week.
For now, though, lots of spoiling for Clyde...I'm so proud of what a brave, tough boy he has been!
That is wonderful news for Clyde. We will keep everything crossed for him. Meanwhile, you just spoil him rotten. He has been very brave. And don't forget to spoil yourself 
.
I understand not wanting to get too optimistic. It's hard when you have been burned. Plan for the future but live for today. I'm sure that Holly would want that for you and for Clyde. And we will be sending you heaps of pawsitive thoughts.
lots of hugs
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/
Go Clyde! That's great news for you and the pack, I'm so happy to hear this, dog knows you all deserve it. That bad breath of yours sounds awful! Ick! What kind of infection was it?
Of course it's impossible to forget that wrapping up your treatment is so bittersweet. I know Holly is proud of all of you though, for remembering to celebrate the little things and treasuring each moment. She wants you to be happy, and enjoy your life together, so go for it!
Paws up to all of you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
This IS good news, even though there is a bittersweet element to it. Clyde can look forward to feeling better and you can enjoy him and his summer. Sure it's hard not to dread or predict, but try to remember to enjoy the moment the way Holly did and the way Clyde does. Don't blink and miss it!
Is there a picture of Clyde here somewhere? I really want to see him.
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/
Way to go Clyde! Glad to hear things seem to be going well! Keeping all my fingers crossed and sending positive thoughts that Tuesday's check-up will offer some very great news!!
Hooray for good Clyde news. Holly is his special angel, keeping an eye on all of you.
Giving him some extra lovin's from us,
Jackie, Angel Abby & MBBunny Rita
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!
Great news on Clyde! Spoil that boy rotten, he deserves it!
Its hard not to think of what our dogs that have crossed the Rainbow Bridge would be doing. I remember 2 weeks after Lupe's amputation, all I could think of was it would have been the day her stitches would have come out and we could have started to tackle stairs. Holly is looking down on you and Clyde, dancing that he is doing well and giving you both all the love and strength she has.
-Kori & Angel Lupe
Diagnosed with possible synovial cell sarcoma of right front elbow 5/31/12. Amputation surgery performed 6/7/12. Final diagnosis of histiocytic cell sarcoma 6/11/12. Her soul and spirit were strong, her body was not...my little girl earned her wings 6/14/12. "If there are labradoodles and goldendoodles, why can't I be a cockadoodle?"-Angel Lupe (June 28, 1997-June14, 2012) http://lupepod......pawds.com/
Yay! Congrats for Clyde! What a tough boy to go through that with minimal effects. I'm so glad for you guys!
Jack - adopted with a crooked leg at 4 months old, managed for six years, and now much-happier Tripawd as of 5/24/2012!
SO glad to hear this update. I was thinking about you guys yesterday and wondering how he was doing. Keep up the good work, Clyde!
Lisa
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/
Way to show 'em Clyde! This is news to celebrate!
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.
Thanks so much to everyone for the encouraging words! I don't know what I would do without all of you to share our victories and sadness.
Jerry - I'm not sure what the infection was...I will have to get a little more info. from the doctor b/c I'm not 100% sure if they meant that the infection was somehow secondary to the tumor or if it was secondary to the tumor death being caused by the radiation, or somehow to the radiation itself.
Shari - here is a picture of our guy. 
And an even goofier one....
I've been meaning to blog and get some of these pics posted...this was our celebration of Holly's adoptaversary. You'll notice he is wearing his Tripawds bandana
in her honor. (Not to mention the fact that we had ice cream and party hats!)
I'm fairly certain that Holly would be rolling her eyes about Clyde getting all of this attention....I know I've mentioned that she thought her job in life was to take care of me and protect me, and for some reason she always guarded me from Clyde. She was a goober. They did play together some though, and my husband assures me that she wasn't as much of a bully to him when I wasn't here...she just didn't want him taking her mommy's attention away from her I guess!
I think Clyde is a real looker. You would need to keep him away from the girls. I love the icecream photo.
Holly and Magnum have a lot in common. Magnum was also very possessive of her mum. She didn't have any other dogs to compete with but there was my husband! He had lots of fun stirring her up. He never considered the possibility of her biting him and fortunately for him she was too well brought up to think of it either!
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/
Awwww, too cute. He looks so cute in yellow. Holly is definitely rolling her eyes!
Yeah I'm curious about what could have cause such bad breath. I'm sure you had your share of being overwhelmed with medical terminology though, can't blame you for not catching everything the docs said.
Enjoy your weekend, your pack deserves it, and a million more too!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good job Clyde!
Sorry I'm late to the celebration but I have been working a volunteer job this summer.
Quad pug Tani was diagnosed with mast cell cancer one week before Maggie finished her chemo! Our story developed differently though, but I can relate a little. Around 9 months after Mag passed we were back at the oncologist when Tani's cancer re-curred. I really like our oncologist, but still....
I hope Clyde kicks some melanoma butt!!!!!!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Karen, I know what you mean! I adore our oncologist, but I really don't need to know him quite this well!
I also have this weird fear that sometime I'm going to run into him out in the real world - at the dog park or grocery store or something - and just burst into tears since that is what I am now conditioned to do when he's around. 
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