TRIPAWDS: Home to 22971 Members and 2152 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

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.

JUMP TO FORUMS

Join The Tripawds Community

Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:

Instant post approval.

Private messages to members.

Subscribe to favorite topics.

Live Chat and much more!

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon-c
My HAPPY HANNAH--big lung tumor..falling to pieces over here...crushed
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Member Since:
15 January 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
46
5 March 2014 - 5:02 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Just awful news. I'm so so sorry. It's horrible to hear about this from anyone but we're all so attached to you guys! Please remembers we're all here and there is no doubt - NO DOUBT - that you are taking amazing care of HH. And that's all you can do. Keep posting. Please!

Member Since:
17 February 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
47
5 March 2014 - 7:13 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Sometimes, a good fall apart and tantrum is exactly what you need to move forward.  Not that I'm speaking from recent experience or anything...  There's no denying the utter crappiness of the situation.  But you'll be there every step with love for Happy Hannah in the best way possible, no doubt.  Right now is a moment to lean on those who have leaned on you.  Take good care of you.  We are thinking of you both.

 

Heather and Charlie

Charlie, our English yellow lab, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in February 2014. He became a tripawd on February 24th, with clear lymph nodes and lungs, but that didn't last long. After three doses of Carbo, in May 2014, x-rays showed lung mets. We briefly tried Palladia, which went well. Unfortunately, Charlie developed unexplained complications in his hind limbs. We said a reluctant farewell on June 11, 2014. Still miss our boy each and every day.

Lancaster, PA
Member Since:
17 May 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
48
5 March 2014 - 7:17 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

My heart is literally breaking for you and Hannah, Sally. I don't even know what to say. I am so sorry. Please give Hannah a big hug from Barret and I. Have her give you a big hug for being such a great mom and advocate for her health and giving her the best life she ever could have asked for. 

 

Hugs, Heather

Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog

Member Since:
14 January 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
49
5 March 2014 - 10:11 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

She is HAPPY Hannah...and that says a lot. She will fight this thing with every inch of her being! With a mom like you, your love is going to take her SO FAR. It already has. I truly believe that that makes a difference. 

 

We are here for you every step of the way!! Don't you be afraid to ever hold anything in. If you ever want to talk privately, don't hesitate to send me a message, I'll give you my phone number and you can call at 4am if you need to!! You've been a tremendous support of me and Tyson ever since his diagnosis, and we're here to help in any way we can! 

 

Wishing HAPPY Hannah and you the best, 

 

Anna and Tyson

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
50
5 March 2014 - 11:05 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY HANNAH and I are astounded by the outpouring of love!!! Absolutely blown away!

Evdrytime I come here to try and post my appreciation to each of you, there's another wonderfulpost that brngs me to tears. Again, these are tears of gratitude, warmh fuzzy gratitude!! And I get side tracked again.

OR, I see Jill's video and LMAO and get side tracked yet again..

Please know that, because of everyone of these posts.....your PMs...your emails...and I mean this...I've been able to defntely get back to staying in the moment with Happy Hannah. It's such a great place to be! Kind of like steppng into Utopia and Nirvanna at the same time!

I'm going to write some tomorrow. Until I can get back to everyone, please know HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY HANAH and I are having a blast! Sure, she rests a lot. But when she's not resting, she's her vibrant happy joyful loving, funny' snuggling self! I'm still researching stuff. For now though, she's on Piroxicam and Cephalexin "medicne-wise"

"l never be able to adequately express how your cmpassinate support helped me make the transition from fear and sadness, to empowerment, enlightenment on so many levels and the ability to step back nto the NOW with a renewed commitment to stay there. Happy Hannah and I are sooooo lucky to be in this family.....so lucky for the magical gift of time we have. We have NEVER lost site of how fortnate we are. We live n an attitude of gratitude!

Gosh! K have to go! We have a KNE YEAR and two week ampuversary t celebrate!! And that is just spectacular!!

With everlastng gratitude t each of you,

HAPPY SALLY and HAPPY HANNAH

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
51
6 March 2014 - 8:33 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

:)

It's always so great to start the day with such pawsitivity!

Aww Sally, don't feel like you have to get back to everyone every day, take time out to be there with Hannah and give her smooches from every single one of us!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Los Angeles
Member Since:
30 December 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
52
7 March 2014 - 12:58 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

OMD, Sally!

I don't even know where to start.  I had to read the subject of your post 3 times to make sure I was actually reading what I thought I was reading.  I am so very sorry to hear your news, I really am.  It's heartbreaking.  Crushing, actually. I'm equally sorry that I'm so behind in reading and responding to your posts.  I know that many friends from this forum where there for you, but I feel terrible that I was not one of them.  I'm so sorry!  🙁  It just keeps smacking me in the face, time is different with cancer.  It just is.  When will it sink in?  A day is so easy to take for granted until cancer comes into your life.  Even then, you know in your mind that every day is precious but you don't realize how literal that is until you experience a heartbreaking decline from one day to the next.  This disease just sucks.  Its speed and unpredictability is terrifying.  I've heard that for years from other people but it doesn't mean diddilly-doo-doo until it hits your own home.  I wish there was a pause button for life!

I know how deeply you are hurting inside and I'd do anything to make it better.  Anything.  I wish it were that easy.  I never thought I could hurt so badly, I wouldn't wish this sadness on anyone.  Heartache is by far the worst possible kind of pain.  It reaches every corner of our bodies and is just agonizing.  Don't beat yourself up for falling apart, you're only human.  You're not a dog, after all!  Haha.  Just remember that the 'happy' in Happy Hannah comes from you!  SHE LOVES YOU AND WANTS YOU TO BE HAPPY!  That drives everything for Miss Hannah.  And remember, she senses how you feel.  Gregg said that to me all the time when Jersey Girl was sick, "don't cry honey, you know she picks up on your sadness".  Oy.  My response was always, 'Well if I stop crying but still feel all twisted up inside she'll know that too!'  Ugh. We just can't fake it with dogs so I'm not sure it's worth trying.  I found if I looked into Jersey's eyes it was sooo easy to be present.  I instantly wanted to do everything I knew would make HER happy!  I know you'll succeed at being present for Happy Hannah too.  But please don't fret if you fail sometimes, she loves you anyway!!!!

I don't have any silver bullets for you, nothing to make it all better I'm afraid.  But since this sadness is FRESH in my mind, I'll share some 'ah ha' moments I've had over the past couple of weeks.  I hope this doesn't make you more sad, that's the last thing I want!  It's just top of mind for me right now and I thought it might help you. 

  • Pay attention to the cues:  Honestly, Sally, you're awesome at this so I doubt you could do better.  Again, it's top of mind for meand that's why I bring it up.  I wish I'd paid closer attention to Jersey's cues because I probably would have given her more pain medicine in her last week or so.  I can't stop thinking that she was in agony and I didn't relieve it.  I told Ty's family there was ALWAYS a reason for everything Jersey did.  ALWAYS, I just needed to figure out what it was.  I was concerned about her heavy panting but after a few inquiries with the vet, I wrote myself off as a worry wart and tried to stop obsessing.  I tried to ignore the cues!  I didn't think Jersey's panting was from pain and I didn't want to keep pumping her with pain pills because they have their own negative side effects, so I tried everything else - cooling her off, water, food, trips outside to potty, etc.  In the end, it turns out she WAS in pain!  I still feel awful.
  • Pictures and videos of personality traits and everyday stuff that makes you smile:  What are the every day, all the time things Happy Hannah does that you adore?  Do you have pictures or videos of those things?   Since I've been going through our pictures of Jersey Girl, Gregg and I have realized we DON'T have photos of the most obvious every day stuff we loved about having JG in our lives.  Like, Jersey Girl was always sitting on a bed next to the front window and she was the first thing we'd see when walking up to the house.  We never took a picture of that!  And when we left the house she used to run to the office window and stick her head through the blinds to watch where we were going.  It was the funniest thing to see from the sidewalk - but we never took at picture!
  • Family pictures:  Do you have a picture of Happy Hannah with everyone in the family, however you define 'family'? Can you believe we have pictures of me with JG, Gregg with JG, and Hitch with JG but none with all of us together?!
  • Once a Tripawd Mama, always a Triipawd Mama!  When Jersey first passed on I thought, "well, so much for my new Tripawds friends".  I didn't think it made any sense for me to stay with the forum.  What's the point, I thought, my 3 legger is dead.  I've learned since then that there IS a point.  Having a fur baby with cancer is traumatizing, exhausting and most of all heartbreaking.  We're emotionally RAW.  Our furs are so innocent, vulnerable and dependent, I suspect it changes some of us forever.  After an experience like that, it's HARD to just walk away!   I think some people stick around after the fight in remembrance of or to feel connected to their fur angels, some stay to support friends who are still fighting, and others stay to share what they've learned navigating the treacherous road of cancer treatment.  OMD, Sally, this forum would miss you terribly if you disconnected!  I think people would understand, but there'd definitely be a huge gapping hole without you!!!!  

I don't know what else to say except I'm sorry for your sadness.  I'm sad with you. Happy Hannah is such a sweet, gentle giant, I love her too.   I'll pray for many more wonderful 'present moments' for you and Happy Hannah and I'll do my best to be here for you.

Sending you paw love (and human love too)

Claudia and Angel Jersey Girl

 

Member Since:
4 December 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
53
7 March 2014 - 12:35 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

So sad to hear this news. You're always so supportive and positive to everyone on here and for that we're very grateful........but you can't be that strong 24/7, everyone has to fall apart for a while...it's just the way we are......and I think falling apart makes you stronger and more able to tuck the grief away again. Glad you've managed to do that now and are enjoying your time together. Sending big love xxx

Member Since:
27 August 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
54
7 March 2014 - 1:09 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I know what you're feeling right now, as so many of us have when you're dealing with this sucky disease right now. I still can't think of my sweet Pat's last days without tearing up. The only advise I can give you is do everything Happy Hannah wants! I must have spent a good $50 on Pat's chocolate cake, candy bar, Pork roll egg and cheese... Yes, i know, chocolate. But I firmly believe every dog should have anything they want before we have to part. I was on Pintrest the other night and saw something that is so firmly true it made me cry a little. When a vet was doing a last visit in a woman's home and they were saying good bye to their pet, their child looked at his parents and said something along the lines of "humans live long lives because we have to work to be good. Dogs are born that way." I'm crying for you right now and can only give you a virtual big hug. We're here for you, in any way that you need us.

 

HUGE hugs and licks from Mandy and Mav

Maverick is a wonderful miniature australian shepard born with a malformation of the front right radius/ulna, amputation performed on 11/4/13 at 6 months old. Follow his story at mavericksjourney.tripawds.com.

Rock Hill, SC
Member Since:
28 November 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
55
7 March 2014 - 10:40 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Oh, Sally.  My friend, I am so so sorry for the pain and disappointment that you are feeling right now.  It is okay to be sad and angry and scared and it's okay to cry and rant and curse.  That is how we humans work.  Then, once those emotions are spent... you will be able to practice as you preach and 'Be More Dog '.  I promise.  Once it all sinks in and your mind fully processes it, your heart will take over, and let me tell you the most glorious thing that will happen:  You will love Hannah even more.  You think "not possible" and I'm telling you to just wait and you will see.  We all know that this journey in general forges a whole new bond with our babies that we have never experienced with an animal before.  Well, if you think that is the peak then you are wrong because these next few days/months/years - however long you may have - will leave you stunned.  Something about this type of news allows a whole new part of your heart to open up and experience love with an abandon that is just unbelievable.

You know that we are here for you.  I hope that it was just your muddled brain talking nonsense when you mentioned something about us missing you and you not being ready to leave.  What in the hell makes you think that you should ever leave this site.  I stick around and no one has asked me to leave yet.  I remember being the new person on the site - terrified and ignorant about what was happening.  Without these members - those with living tripawds and those that stayed around to share their knowledge and experience - I would have been a wreck.  As long as you feel like you want to be here, you are welcome here.

Anything you need, we are here for you and we have mighty strong shoulders.  For now, love your girlie and give her some big 'ol hugs from us!

Lisa

 

P.S.  - Don't forget to keep things in perspective - Hannah is a sturdy girl winker, so 'big as a baseball' is kinda the equivalent of dime-size in a petite gal.  big-grin

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/

Los Angeles
Member Since:
30 December 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
56
7 March 2014 - 10:55 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Lisa, You made me laugh out loud with your size perspective. Haha. Haven't chuckled like that in awhile, thank you.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
57
7 March 2014 - 11:18 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I just continue to shake my head in absolute amazement at the outpouring of love Happy Hannah and I are receiving!

And every sngle word empwers us more and more!! Plese know with absolute certainty, that each of you have touched my heart so deeply! These posts need to be put in some sort of book s everyone can draw strentgh from them like I have.

I will NEVER be avle to adequately express my gratitude! But one thing I can guarantee you...and this is because of each ofyou...I am 100% back in the moment...the NOW..with my Happy Hannah!! It is a blissfuly joyous place to be too!! We are both feeling good and feeling strong!!

Please check your PM box regularly as I will be writing each of you that way. It may take awhile, but it will be something I shall soooo look forward to!

'The size of a dme!" That's a great perspectivez,! I knew her being "fluffy" would come in handy someday!

Oh...and don't worry...Hapoy Hannah and I aren't foing anywhere...--I've got to many people to tick off with my horrible typing! And who will help out Admin. when theynhave comuter problems and need somene to fix themz?

With a grateful heart,

Sally and HappyHannah

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Idaho
Member Since:
12 March 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
58
8 March 2014 - 8:02 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

And who else would be there to teach us how to post pictures and videos????laughing

Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!

UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!

New Jersey
Member Since:
25 May 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
59
8 March 2014 - 9:21 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Sally and Happy Hannah,

You put a smile on me and Snoops face every time you write. You are a remarkable women Sally with a heart so big. Your Hannah is a lucky girl with you. We are sending our thoughts and good mojo for you both. (Thank you for your sweet words for Missy)

In our thoughts and hearts

Esther and her Snoop

Sussex, England
Member Since:
1 January 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
60
10 March 2014 - 3:44 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hi there! :)

This journey is always going to find ways to kick us down :/ Happy Hanna is still enjoying life right? Lets celebrate that and take each day by the horns! Dexter hasn't had
an xray but he has a lump the size of a tennis ball on his neck a constant reminder
Of this awful disease. He is still full of beans and that is what we go by we have
to hang on to any positives thats all we have :)

His lung mets are there I know but he is hanging on. Happy Hanna stay happy girl! Eating and no weight loss are all positives! Draw on those, the lung mets maybe growing slowly so may you have many a good day!xx

Forum Timezone: America/Denver
Most Users Ever Online: 946
Currently Online: Meg_1
Guest(s) 229
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1268
Members: 17733
Moderators: 6
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 18610
Posts: 256801
Administrators: admin, jerry, Tripawds
Tripawds is brought to you by Tripawds.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG