Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Today is the first day of the rest of my life in eternal peace and happiness.
Though my people held me this morning as my body was peacefully laid to rest, my spirit shall live on forever here in this blog and these discussion forums.
We'll share more experiences from my last days after we've had a little time to process my passing. But for now, suffice it to say that I am in a better place. Breathing easy and running free.
Let me just share with you this little Irish Blessing we first heard at my dear old friend Don's wake. It perfectly summarizes how we want you to feel ...
An Irish Blessing
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free!
I follow the plan God laid for me.
I saw his face, I heard his call,
I took his hand and left it all ...
I could not stay another day,
To love, to laugh, to work or play;
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
And if my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss ...
Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss.
My life's been full, I've savoured much;
Good times, good friends, a loved-one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all to brief –
Don't shorten yours with undue grief.
Be not burdened with tears of sorrow,
Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow.
Read original blog postTripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jerry we will never forget you. You and your pawrents are such an inspiration to everyone here. I wish all people could live by the examples you, your mom and dad set. We willl NEVER forget you Jerry G. Dawg!
Jim and Rene
We are so so sorry! No words can take away your heartbreak or sadness. Just know you helped Jerry live a VERY FULL HAPPY life. He was so lucky you could travel around and share so many experiences with him. Again we are so sorry.
Love, licks and kisses
Heidi and Titan
Dear, dear Jerry:
I was getting ready to go to bed, but I felt compelled to check my email one more time and while on the computer, I wanted to check your website. I had checked it earlier this evening, but something said to check it again. When I saw the title of your post, "My spirit shall live on forever", I said out loud, "oh, no..."
I had hoped that the new medication, the prednisone, would give you more time with your pawrents, but evidently, it didn't turn out that way. Although I don't know the details surrounding your "transition" at this point, one thing I do know, your pawrents did everything they could to help you and give you the best of everything. They did all they could to give you the ultimate quality of life and comfort. Your story, your website, your joy and energy will live on in this website, and I trust that your legacy will live on through your pawrents and this website to help all of the tripawds in the future who will come and visit and learn and live better as a result of learning more through your life and experiences.
I know that you don't want anyone to be sad, but I can't help the tears running down my face. Losing my own dog, Luna, so very recently (Sept. 16th), also makes it hard to hold back the tears, too. I know that Luna is there now, with you, both of you running on four legs again, racing with the wind at your backs. One of the last things I said to Luna before she headed for the Rainbow Bridge, was to look for you, Jerry, and I'm sure that she was. I had wanted her to meet you someday, and several weeks ago, when we learned that her mets had doubled in her lungs, I was planning on taking her out west to see Dr. Mullins and another vet who was using a new type of medication that I thought might help her. I hoped that while we were out there, we could meet your pawrents, and you and Luna could meet and play together. But, alas, that is not how it turned out. Instead, you two ended up at the Rainbow Bridge and are having fun there, instead.
Jerry, you lasted almost two years, you beat all the odds, and your pawrents did so much to make that long survival time possible. They packed a lot of living into that time, too, and they should feel so good about how many people they have helped during this time, and will help in the future.
Your spirit will, indeed, live on forever, and you will continue to help so many through this website. We just didn't want to see you go. I still think about that visit from the "spirit dog", and no doubt that spirit dog came back to help you cross over that Rainbow Bridge.
To your pawrents, Jim and Rene, our sincere condolences and love. They could not have done a better job with you, they gave you priceless time and love, something that money cannot buy. I loved that photo of you this week, with the stick, with the mountains in the background, that is the picture of the three of you that I will remember...a beautiful portrait of love im motion.
Love you, Jerry,
Sandra Thomas, David Snyder, and the gang, Eik, Sr. & Kora, and their pups: Katrina, Natasha, Xena, Eika, Sasha, Heidi, Bodo, Otto, Eik, Jr., and Angel Luna
I am so very sorry.
Sophie and I discovered this site just two days ago, the day of learning of her OS diagnosis. Jerry and your people, based on just two days, I can tell you unequivocably how much of a difference you have made and will continue to make in the lives of people and puppies (old and young) struggling with this. Thank you, please know that Jerry lives on in so many pawrents, and in so many dogs who are enjoying a longer and better quality of life thanks to your inspiration and hard work. What you have done is a beautiful thing, and I agree completely- Jerry's spirit will live on forever. I know for two, that Sophie and I will be carrying his spirit forward as we try to face her upcoming experiences with even a modicum of the grace, realism, humor, love, and optimism that you all have shown.
It is so obvious that Jerry G. Dawg had a wonderful life, and knew how loved he was. Thank you for sharing this with us, and again, we are so very very sorry.
Christine & Sophie
Jerry, Jerry
You will be missed, but on the other paw how can you miss someone who is with you at all times?
Brave, brave Jerry who gave Lalla and I every reason to fight on, Jerry a beautiful boy who made me a better human.
Thank you
The biggest hugs for Rene and Jim
I'm so sad to hear the news that Jerry has had to leave this earth.
But he'll never be far away from our thoughts and his great legacy will live on for always.
With sincere condolences to Jim & Rene.
Bev & Darcy.
Darcy – tripawd since 16th October 2007.
***Darcy would love to be your friend on Facebook - just search for Darcy Deerhound***
Dear Rene and Jim,
I am so very sorry. We grieve much who have loved much. I hope Abbey and Jerry become good friends as they run the heavenly fields together! May God's Peace envelope you like a blanket...Thank you again so much for this website. Please carry on.
With love,
Diane Riley
I have been checking back now and then to see how Jerry was doing. I am so sorry for your loss. We lost Dale (the sprinkler chasing Airedale) in April. In May we could no longer stand the quietness of the house, so we now have Farley. He is a 8 month old Airedale who had really big paws to fill. He has done a fine job! You can be proud of what Jerry's journey brought to so many people around the world. I am sure you will miss him dearly, he was lucky to have such a caring and wonderful family. I hope this site continues to help people through some of the most difficult times they will face. I wish you the best and thanks for everything you have done to educate the world on this horrible disease.
I am so very sorry for your loss of Jerry! I wish that we could have met all 3 of you....your story has been so inspirational for us all. Jerry's memory will live on as he continues to help more people and their pets on this website.
He was a very lucky dog to have such a devoted family.
Pam and Tazzie
Dear Jim and Renee:
I am crying as I write this post. I loved Jerry and his courage so much. I will always remember him as helping me and my OS dog, rottweiler Heidi as we continue to press forward. Someday I know when it is her time she will meet Jerry and all the other brave warriors. Thank you for sharing Jerry and his journey, you have touched so many. Shine on Jerry.......Shine on, look for the pennies!
Warmly,
Dave, Karla and Heidi
Jerry - Rest well, our special friend who has inspired and given hope to so many of us - you are much loved and will be truly missed until we all meet again!
Rene and Jim - We cannot help the tears on the keyboard. What a special family you are.
God's peace,
Barney B and Linda
I remember Jerry's first days in Jim & Rene's house... what an exhuberant puppy! My golden was 5 or so and already mellowing out a little, and along comes this bounding, bouncing bundle of soft black fur with legs a mile long and a nose to rival Cirano! They had great times together, but circumstances shortened it. I always hoped to reunite them, and had now hoped to introduce my new, gangly, bounding bouncing bundle of soft gold fur to a true warrior dog.
Jerrydawg set a fine example (as only our dearest canines can do) of how to live one's life with integrity. We will always remember his as a unique passage through this plane.
Fly on, friend.
I am sorry that this is arepeat of what I posted in your blog, but I was very sincere in what I wrote earlier, and hope that you agree that it bears worth repeating:
"Dearest Jim & Rene,
I didn’t get the feeling that Jerry’s time was this close. Something in me kept hoping and praying that he would do well with his new meds and maybe be able to continue on for awhile longer. I am in total shock seeing this today and I have tears of pain and, also, tears of joy that Jerry no longer has to fight to breathe. I am just so heartbroken right now, I’m not really sure what to say, but Sandra Thomas was most eloquent in her expression of love to you and Jerry. If ever you do make it to Portland, OR, I would love to meet you both. What you have done for the dog community and the kind words and encouragement you have given so many others who are battling cancer in their beloved companions is a testament to what fine people you are. Our deepest condolences to you. Jerry was such an amazing dog and he will live in our hearts forever."
Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki T)
Dearest Rene & Jim,
I am in shock and grief over the passing of your beloved Jerry. Words can not express the sorrow. He was an inspiration to all, especially to Buster and I. He will always be remembered as a hero. His presence will be truly missed....
If you need to talk, please feel free to email me privately. We are here for you during this time, the way you are here for us. We all know how much you truly loved him. Jerry's story will always remain in our hearts.
Deepest sympathy,
Kim & Buster * Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. ~From a headstone in Ireland
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
When I saw the title of the post and the author I got a lump in my throat and didn't want to read the post and find out that our dear Jerry had gone over the bridge.
Jerry - you have been a true hero.... an inspiration and a guiding force for all of us. And... You will continue to be so. Run free and strong until you are reunited with your pawrents and please watch over all of the other tripawds you have guided in this life. We will miss you dearly.
Connie & Radar
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