Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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11/30/2016 @ 1040 am. We are heartbroken. When I can manage to breathe through my tears I will post more.
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Ohhhhh nooooo Wanda!!! Gutted! I jist saw you in here just now and then yesterday. I was glad to see you because it made me feel like things were going omay. I was even gping to pm you and say to update when you coukd and to let you know how hard we were all hoping things were still good.
I also feel like the breath has been taken right out of me. This effing disease has taken so many...so many great Souls like Ted.....sooo many these past several months...too many, just too many.
And now our beautiful Ted. Just can't believe it.
I'm absolutely zero help right now and completely without words. And if I can't be helpful then I shouldn't even try and be here for you right now.
I'm just so sorry Wanda. Just so devastated with you and for you.
No matter what though...no matter what....you cane help but to smile through the tears when you look at his avatar picture. I keep scrolling back up to look at that happy face. Hang onto that Wa da. Hold onto that happy image.
I'm just so sorry. Words...just no words right now.
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!
Wanda, I am heartbroken with you. I know how excruciating this is. As we shared in your celebrations when he was feeling well again post amputation, we share in your anguish and sorrow.
I love his beautiful face with its warm and loving expression. I cannot imagine how much you will miss it.
Wishing sweet Ted the sweetest and happiest dreams of his wonderful life as you cherished companion. Wishing you and your family comfort in knowing you did your very best for him and that he could not have had a better home. If love were enough, they would never leave us...
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Wanda,
I am so sorry to hear about Ted. This is the hardest part of our journey. One that even though we have people to support us we have to take on our own 
My heart is breaking for you. I know this isn't easy. Run free Ted. Until you meet up with your family at the Bridge. I know he was met by many of our Angels there.
hugs
xoxoxox
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Wanda,
I am so so sorry! This is the last thing i expected to hear today. My heart is hurting for you and your sweet Ted. Please know that we are all here for you....Hugs and prayers. Karen P
Bentley is our eight year old Doberman, diagnosed 7/13/16 with osteosarcoma tumor on right front leg, became a tripawd on 8/1/2016. His recovery was amazing, he was rockin it on 3! Bentley lost his fight to this nasty cancer when it metastisized into his spine, we had to let him go 11/13/16 exactly 4 months after first diagnosis. He was the perfect best friend, i'll miss him forever. :(
Oh dear sweet Ted. I'm so sorry. I wish I had words to comfort you. Ted knows you love him. He will always be with you in your heart and memories. I had to say goodbye to Bandit 20 days ago. He will be there for you dear sweet boy. He loves everyone. Pofi and Bandit and Ted can be young and free to run and play together. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Big hug. Deb
What a sweet face in your profile pic. I am so sorry for your loss of Ted.
Tracey & Tai
I'm so sorry Wanda. You did your very best for your boy, I hope that brings you some peace.
Take your time and come back and post more when it feels right. Know that we are always here for you as you take this next part of the journey.
Ted will always live in your heart and so will always be by your side.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I just want to say how very sorry I am for you, your family and sweet Ted. Losing our babies is the hardest, especially after doing everything you could. Know that Ted will always be by your side and that you were the best family he could have had. Take care and be extra gentle with yourself.
(((hugs)))
Thank you all for your posts. I've been here for weeks but have been dealing with Ted's decline and trying not to be a mess every night - I know you understand.
Ted slowed down over the last several weeks after the mets were discovered in his lungs...though he did still bounce constantly! I feared he wouldn't make it to Thanksgiving and also feared that something catastrophic would happen when we were out in the country without my trusted vet. I protected him like a mother bear and fortunately my family followed my lead.
His "hop" became heavier over the last week and yesterday morning he didn't get up and come downstairs with me like he has done every single day for the past 8 1/2 years. He hadn't been eating very much since about Friday and he definitely had trouble coming down the stairs and even hopping on Tuesday morning. I spent extra time with him, put the gate up and woke my boy up to hang out with him for the few hours before he went to work and my husband came home. When Dale got home Ted didn't get up, he brought water to him and he drank a lot but that was it. When I got home, he got up (of course) but he quickly laid down and his breathing was labored. Fortunately I had Christine's guide to heavy breathing from her experience with Otis and Ted's breaths were within the normal range, just abnormal for him, so I felt like we could keep him home until the morning. I slept on the floor with him on Tuesday night and this morning I called the vet and let her know it was time. He had given me the "look" as describe in the article posted earlier this week on Tuesday morning. We all knew it was time. We took him to the vet today and Dr. Burbrink and her excellent staff took such good care of him and of us and we all sat with him while we slowly took him over the bridge.
His decline happened so quickly and Dr. B confirmed that most of her osteo patients experience the same "falling off the cliff' decline and comforted me on my decision.
Thanks so much to all of you for your support, guidance, love, empathy, everything. i'm going to step away again and just take some time to breathe and grieve and feel bad for a while. I have no regrets. i would do it all again. And I will love another dog again - I feel sorry for him or her because Ted left some very big paws to fill.....
w
Run free, Ted. You will be sorely missed.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
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!
Saying I'm sorry doesn't seem like enough....my heart breaks for you, as you go about dealing with your loss. I always smiled when you came into chat, or showed up on a post - I LOVE the avatar picture of him! It's like he was peaking, and he knew a secret the rest of us didn't. He knows how much he was loved, and of course, they are never here long enough; he will be missed by many. Take care of yourself, be kind to yourself, and come back to us when you are ready. You are family, and we love you.
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Oh Wanda, this just broke our hearts, we are so very sorry. I'll write more tomorrow, but for now know that you and Ted, and your family are in our hearts. We're lighting a candle for heavens newest angel.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh I'm so sorry, so desperately sorry. I've always loved your descriptions of Ted and his picture always makes me smile, such a sweet, sweet boy. Your love for him radiated from every post. You are in my heart and in my thoughts.
Sending love,
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
I am so sorry to hear this. I know how devastated you are in this moment. And I must admit that I probably think of Ted more than most because other than the nose color, he and Gator look so much alike. Glad the breathing test was helpful and allowed you a last night together, although I also know how hard that night probably was for all. Your family will be in my thoughts every time I look at Gator today.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
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