Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I'm so glad I came back to read through a couple of more or I would have started the day with swollen eyes tomorrow....You all have given awesome advice and this is what I got from his massage therapist: "Sorry to hear about Magic's kidney; VERY sorry....We'll just keep looking at the dog and not the tests. Magic's eyes were bright and he looked to be enjoying life when I last saw him, especially the tri tip"
Looking at all the posts and not wanting to single any one single one out (but Maximut is right up there by gosh and so is that quote from the book) and look I went and did just that....really thank you all so much and isn't it strange that a person who isn't even part of this community and just acquired her FIRST DOG IN HER LIFE, says the very same thing.
It just bowls you over when you get each piece of bad news, first the lung mets so damn early and now the kidney....it is a nasty awful thing and it is eating my furkid and I can't do anything about it...so for tonight I'm a little mournful...tomorrow it's back to the park and screw the cancer for as long as possible.
Diane and Wendi,
You have been blessed to have wonderful fur kids, as they have been blessed to have you. My heart breaks for both of you tonight as it has done many times in your journey.
Please take comfort in knowing how much we all care. Please feel the presence of us all when you have to face that dreadful day. We are here with 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.
Diane, I am sorry sorry to hear that Magic is having such a hard time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
Diane and Wendy,
I have been trying for an hour to compose this post. I know how I feel but I am having trouble finding the words...
One of my biggest stressors over the past few weeks was that I wouldn't know when Maggie was done. Over the past three months I asked her all the time to tell me when she was ready. Many people have said here that they knew when the time came, but I doubted and worried that I would get it right.
It helped me to have clear in my mind what quality of life was for Maggie, and to decide what conditions were not tolerable.
But beyond all my thinking and planning I knew- just looking at her I knew. I decided on that Tuesday night that she had reached the end of her battle.
Of course Mag gave me pause when my Dad came to see her on Wednesday morning- she played with him a bit and then went to the park with him. And the tiniest doubt crept in. But I thought about it and realized that she had had only an hour or two of good time in the past 24 hours, and that was just not enough.
We all have made gut wrenching decisions throughout this cancer battle. We decided on amputation, we decided on treatment, and we decided when it was time to stop treatment. We never could have imagined that we would have to make these choices, but when faced with it we found the strength.
If you reflect back on the cancer fight so far you will see how much strength you have gained. In some ways the cancer journey itself has prepared us for the day when we come to the end of the road.
We have done the best we could, we have made all the hard choices. Everything we have done, all the decisions we have made, were made with love and only the best interest of our tripawds in our hearts. And because we made our decisions this way we can not be wrong.
None of this makes the decision easy, I am missing Maggie every day. But what I do have now is a bit of peace- because I know with all my heart that I was right, I know I did the best I could, and I know Maggie is at peace, snoring a good pug snore on someones lap.
Karen
krun15 said:
It helped me to have clear in my mind what quality of life was for Maggie, and to decide what conditions were not tolerable.
Karen obviously said this much more eloquently than I. But one helpful thing we learned from reading Vet Confidential was to ask "Is he having more good moments than bad? Or do the tough times outnumberr the good."
Asking yourself these questions – and more importantly, answering them honestly – will help you and Magic agree when it's time for that final act of kindness.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Diane, sorry to hear about majic, sure wish there was a majic wand we could wave to get this crap out of our buddies system, no pun intended. Guess that is what is being part of the family is all about, to let you lean on us when you need it. Our thought are with you guys, sure wish I could do more for you, Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Diane,
I'm just getting caught up and am so very sad to read this news on Magic. My heart just breaks for you. There are some many words of wisdom posted here by so many who have had to go through this too. You'll do what's right for you and Magic. For now, take comfort in what your massage therapist said.....
...We'll just keep looking at the dog and not the tests. Magic's eyes were bright and he looked to be enjoying life when I last saw him....
I know when we lost our other dog to lymphoma and it was time, I was heartbroken but I knew in my heart that it was the right thing to do. Knowing that, it brought me a sense of peace with this very difficult decision.
So please know that we're all with you and I hope that you find peace with whatever decisions you have to make during this time.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kami
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Well that just SUCKS! I wish I could think of something else that you could give him but there is really no way to stop the kidney from bleeding. The most common sign of kidney pain would be a hunched back or difficult/painful urination. You could continue the pred and Tramadol as needed.
Magic is a very lucky dog to have you for a mom and I can only agree with the others; you will know when it is time. I am so sorry that you have to go through this.
Pam
Magic looked pretty good to me when I saw him yesterday so go enjoy the park.
Diane, I'm so sorry to read your latest bad news. I can't add any words to what has already been said so well, but just know that you and Magic are in my thoughts and prayers as you get through this tough part of your road.
Hugs
Mary
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Diane;
You and Magic have had a very rocky road. Your wonderful sense of humor - and devotion to Magic - has brought you through the darkest times. Let your heart guide you - and any decision you make will be the right one. If Magic is "game" to go to the park - then "get on your boots" and go to the park !!
I wish I were close enough to give you a real hug - but know that I am thinking of you and Magic - and Casper !- and sending you many pawsitive thoughts.
Tana
Sophie (1998 – 2010)
"Going Dog" def: living every day in the moment
"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."
–Unknown
Thank you everybody.....
I'm not going to post another topic because I have taken up MORE than my share of time and ink...Today's is Magic's third month ampuversary, and I told someone it seems like a second and a decade all at one time...can't explain it...
I was wondering if anyone else had noticed this: Magic seems to have running dreams ALL the time....I can hear his feet at night and see them during the day in the den...he used to do it occasionally, but now!!
Thanks Pam for searching your brain for another pill...I think we have tried them all! I won't give him tramadol again...I do have gabapentin but haven't given him any pain meds at all since that gabapentin I tried one night and he was throwing up the next day (probably not connected to that at all)...I will certainly watch for those signs. He has always been a water drinker and I notice if I up the pred (which I did for two days for the appetite stimulant) and I've dropped it back down his drinking really goes up and might affect the wet sheets...his vet said it is a low dosage at what I am giving him, even the twice a day...so we do have some flexibility with that....and if the wet sheets stay at the current level, I can deal...I know he doesn't like it anymore than I do...but we'll handle this level. The flood a few days ago would be problematic.
Even the vet thinks he still looks bright eyed and bushy tailed...so in about an hour we are off to see if we can find the little dogs at the park, he hasn't been there at little dog time for quite awhile....assuming he doesn't think I'm taking him back to the vet again!!
Again...I love you guys and feel much more positive this morning...this is such an emotional up and down and I appreciate all of you more than I can say...but I'll keep trying, using all these words!!
Diane, Magic, and Spirit OJ,
While we have not been on and posting regularly, please know that you have not been far from our thoughts. I can only tell you that there is excellent wisdom in the replies above and that you will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. We did not bring along those magic biscuits just because of habit.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
Dear Diane,
We're keeping you in our hearts. I hope Magic had an awesome time at the park today - he's been through so much that it's great to hear that he's still so bright eyed and bushy tailed. We are here for you - always.
Sending lots of hugs,
Holly, Zuzu and Susan
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
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