Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So today was to be the day for Misty's ampawtation since we found out that the tumor in her right front leg had grown back despite limb sparing surgery, radiation and chemo. At our pre op appt yesterday they discovered three nodules in her lungs. 1 month ago her lungs were clear (but I kind of doubt that). So we decided against the amputation since it has not yet affected her remaining bone and she is not in any pain. Her prognosis is 2-3 months. Going through this since May I feel like we are just going through the same kick in the stomach and the same realization that she is going to die over and over again. We want to do everything we can for our sweet girl but I can't take any more of this. My heart is crumbling away piece by piece.
Fiona
Misty's blog: http://misty.tripawds.com
Sister to Millie, 9 yr old choc. lab
Sister to Lola, 6 yr old choc. lab
Sister to Toby, 7 yr old rottie mix (officially my sons dog, but I'm still his mama!)
Sweetness to Fiona and Bill
so sorry that you have had such rubbish luck. I wish i knew what to say what advice i could give but words fail me. make sure you make the most of every single day you have together
Dizzy diagnosed with osteosarcoma 24 may 2011 amputated same day doing fine hopping around on three legs giving the neighbourhood cats what for
oh fiona, this is just such crappy news. thankfully misty is not feeling pain, and she doesn't know what cancer or mets or any of those nasty words means. misty knows she loves you. misty knows you love her. misty knows a wag of her tail and a glance from her beautiful brown eyes will no doubt result in a treat and a hug. we're hoping for many, many months of wags and treats. now is all there really is. hugs to you all.
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
I'm so sorry that you are again faced with bad news. I don't even know what to say really. This disease is so awful and harsh. I know you would do anything for her, but sometimes there is just not much more that can be done. Try to not let cancer rob you of making the most of what time you have left with her. Try to be in the moment with her. Take lots of pictures. Go on car rides to her favorite places. Spoil her rotten, which I know you will. Try to tell yourself that you'll save the greiving and the anger and the sadness for later. There will be time for that later. For now, just focus on today and loving your girl. She doesn't know what is happening, which is a blessing, and sounds like she is still a happy girl. Hold on to that.
Hang in there. We are here for you! Sending virtual hugs and healing Abby kisses,
Jackie, Abby's mom
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!
This just breaks my heart. I can only imagine what it must be like to feel like you are just starting your life with Misty since she is so young. As I look over and look at my little Rocket boy who is about the same age, I can't imagine the pain you must be enduring knowing the outcome. Even when I lost one to cancer at 8 years old, I felt so cheated. It was too soon. Misty is just a baby (in my mind) and it's so unfair.
With that said, you've done so much and now's the time to let go of the burden and just enjoy every second you have! Your sadness can come later. Gobble up the moments with laughter, happiness and fun! Give her extra treats from us tripawders! Give her extra kisses from us too and tell her how much everyone is pulling for her and hoping for a miracle!
We'll shed tears with you at a later time (hopefully much later!). But for now we celebrate Misty's life!
[HUGS]
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.
What to say at a moment like this.... Except for CANCER SUCKS!!!! I'm so sad for you, but as others have said, there'll be plenty of time for tears later. For now, enjoy as much quality time with your girl as you possibly can. Take lots of photos, make lots of memories -- they will carry you through the rough times ahead.
Micki and Rio
 |
~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
I have to echo what everyone else has said. First of all, CANCER SUCKS. I hate it and it's not fair. Second of all, Misty doesn't know that she's sick, and there will be plenty of time for tears, anger and grieving later (believe me on that one). Enjoy every second you have with her. Take lots of pictures and make memories. Do the things she likes to do- car rides, walks, laying in the grass, extra treats. Just shower her with all the love you have. She knows you love heer & are doing the best for her. It's okay to be sad, but don't let it consume you because time goes by so quickly, and you want to enjoy the time you have left with her.
I'm so sorry.
Jenna and Spirit Chili Dawg
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
Fiona,
I'm so sorry you got this news today.
I know how devastated you are finding out that you are out of options for treating Misty's cancer, I was there a year ago.
You have to hold your heart together and treasure each day that you have- she is right in front of you now- living her dog's life.
One way to look at it is that you now have nothing to worry about but making each day count. There is nothing really that you can do now- it is out of your control. That mindset helped me deal with my last months with Maggie.
If it feels right I hope you continue to post here at Tripawds. You won't find a better community to support you, and who understand what you are dealing with.
Karen and the pugapalooza
I loathe cancer......it takes the best of the best. Fiona, I know you're in shock. I have been exactly where you are. In your shoes, for the lack of a better way to put it. My beautiful labbie boy Carson had OSA, but his was in his pelvis. I was told 4-6 weeks......he lived 4 months to the fullest and I treasured every second of it.
My friend shared a saying that is on my signature line. I know right now it's hard to see the forest for the trees, but remember that Misty loves you and every second with her is a blessing. It's hard not to wonder if *today is the day*......but if you can, do your best to live in the moment. This quote has kept me grounded when I've been in your situation....*when you start missing what isn't gone, you lose what's left.*
Misty looks so much like my labbie girl Kona that it's like looking at her reflection....I pray that Misty's time with you, however long it is, is full of wonderful memory making moments....just know your friends are here for you. (((Fiona & Misty)))
We are also sad to hear about Misty. I love Shelby's mom's saying...it is oh so true. When I truly realized that Bo's illness was terminal and I only had a short time left, I decided to cherish every moment I had with him. Someone in this community made a comment that really hit home to me...you'll have plenty of time to mourn when he/she is gone. That doesn't mean I wasn't sad; I was. But, we made the most of the time we had left. Bo ate like a king for a few weeks before he left. We went to the beach, rolled in the grass, swam in the pool. Mostly we just lounged around and snuggled a lot! You have Misty today...so, hold her, love on her, and spoil her rotten!!
We are sending pawsitive thoughts your way that you and Misty get to share lots more fun times together!!
Thinking of you,
Meghan and Angel Bo
Im sorry Fiona, I know how you feel in regards to your heart crumbling away day by day, and nothing can change that, but while Misty is with you , you can continue to build memories and do all you can to make her life special and let her know how much you love her. It is a hard journey, but God chose you to help Misty with her journey because you are able. I know the pain is incredible but I also know that the memories and love we experience through these special warrior furpups could never be replaced by anything... my thoughts and prayers are truly with you.
Coopsdad
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
Ditto to what everyone else has said, especially Shelbysmom quote (which I printed out & put on my desk last year right before losing Skyler). Make the most of each & every moment. As Coopsdad said, God chose you to help Misty, and that is quite a gift.
Sending you many golden hugs, and please keep us posted. We are all here for you 
Cathy
Wow! I am so humbled by all your wonderful responses. I especially love the adjectives we are using for this cancer.
You are all right. We have Misty now and there will be plenty of time for tears and sadness later. And you are all so right about God choosing us to have her (even though I'm a little pissed at God right now). Misty wasn't even supposed to be our puppy. At the time we had been searching for a white English Labrador and there were none to be found so I put a deposit down on a litter that hadn't even been conceived yet! Then I got an email from one of the breeders that I had previously contacted in my search, letting me know that a family had to drop their reservation for her current litter because they had faced some financial hardships and knew they wouldn't be able to afford a puppy and all that goes with it. So Misty became ours. I didn't even get to pick her out because all the puppies had been picked by the other owners. She was one of the smallest of the litter but to me she was the best. I had to drive 10 hours to pick her up. On the way home I stopped at my brothers house which was 3 hours away from where I picked her up. She cried and whined the entire 3 hours and pooped all over her crate. I pulled up to my brothers house and thought "oh what a mistake!" Boy, was I wrong. She is the light of our lives and it is wonderful to know that she picked us!
Misty's blog: http://misty.tripawds.com
Sister to Millie, 9 yr old choc. lab
Sister to Lola, 6 yr old choc. lab
Sister to Toby, 7 yr old rottie mix (officially my sons dog, but I'm still his mama!)
Sweetness to Fiona and Bill
What a sweet story - the paw of fate was definitely in on that one. What if that family hadn't been realistic about their financial situation? If they had her now, they wouldn't be able to take care of her and spend this time spoiling her like you are.
We had a similar thing happen with Abby. There was a gorgeous tall, fluffy pup, Viona, at the shelter where I volunteer that I fell in love with and wanted to adopt, but she got snapped up before I could get my hubby there to meet her. Well, the next day Abby showed up at the shelter and she looked so much like Viona that we went and got her. A few days later - Viona was returned! I couldn't adopt her too as Abby was already such a handful. Poor Viona was at the shelter for weeks - torturing me every time I went there, but she finally got adopted. For a long time I thought that was pretty mean of fate to send Viona home w/ someone who would return her, when we never would have done that to her. But I think it was all 'the paw of fate' making sure Abby went to someone who could deal with her medical needs. Fate moved Viona out of our way just long enough so that we'd get Abby instead. And now she is our super special baby and we couldn't love her any more than we do.
All that to say - yeah, it sucks that our pups get cancer. But it happens, and for all it's suckiness, there are still parts of the journey that can be pretty incredible.
Hope you get to have a lot more time with your sweet girl,
Jackie, Abby's mom
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!
What is it that John Lennon said once..."Life is what happens to you when you're busy making plans." It's obvious that Misty was meant to be your girl. Not to hijack your thread, but the universe intervened when I was so heartbroken after losing my labbie boy Carson. I was always a *golden girl* before I found him at a shelter with his malformed right foot (apparently broken at a young age and never set). I fell hook, line and sinker. Losing him and then discovering a tumor on my oldest golden's neck the day I picked up his ashes seemed like such a cruel joke.....I was really pissed at God. I lost my golden less than a month after Carson journeyed to the Bridge. Just putting one foot in front of the other seemed to be a challenge.
Somehow our kids on the Other Side seem to know when and how to send us another one....in my case, my heart didn't begin to heal until I found an older yellow (well, actually white like Misty) lab at the county shelter. She had severe pyoderma, deformed toes due to overgrown nails....she had more black, oozy skin than she had hair.
Today, almost 2 years later, she could be Misty's twin.....she reached in and settled into the hole in my heart that Carson had taken with him. I love her dearly and I know she's a gift. And I know there's a reason Misty is with you. I just pray that your time together beats the odds and that you can make memories that will last a lifetime.
Kona sends her love to her twin <wink>
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