Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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On Wednesday, Feb 20, at 7:04 pm, Cadence's journey with cancer ended. Cadence fought like a true warrior to stay with her Mommy and Daddy but the fight was to much for her in the end.
It was a very hard decision to make in the end. Cadence still had some spunk left in her but she was really having a hard time breathing. Cadence would walk 5 feet and you could hear her gasping for breath.The crackling sound in her lungs also was bad. As the day went on, it was progressively getting worse. I looked in her eyes and she just looked so tired and defeated. It was then that I knew. We probably could have waited a bit more, so we could have had more time, but that would have been a selfish act on our part. Steve and I both agreed that we would not standby and watch her suffer.
So for the last time, I put Cadence on her leash and we waited for Daddy to come home. She sat on the front lawn and chewed on some grass, then she saw Daddy coming up the driveway. Her tail started wagging and she was so happy to see him. It killed me inside, because I knew this was the last time she would be greeting either one of us as we came home from work. We got to spend a few hours with her before the vet came to the house. We sat in the room and listened to some music and we just loved on her. I kept wondering in my mind if she knew this was our last few hours together. She just layed there with us as we told her how much we loved her and how thankful we were to have had her in our lives.
When the vet came to the house, Cadence jumped up to greet him as he came in. Cadence was so excitied to see him and she was wagging her tail. He looked at us as if to say, " What the hell am I doing here." Then it happened. Cadence started gasping for air. He looked at us and said, we were doing the right thing. Part of me was hoping he would say this was just part of the cancer journey and we could get another 2 months with her, but I knew that was just wishful thinking. Hearing him say we were doing the right thing made us more comfortable with our decision.
I will get more into the process we went through in my blog, but Cadence left this world surrounded by love. A love that was so deep and special. Cadence may be gone but her spirit lives deep in our hearts and in the hearts of everyone that ever met her. We love you sweet baby girl.............watch over us and protect us.....sweet dreams.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
Michele,
I dont have the right words to say, but all I can think of is that we are here for you and Cadence is watching over you now. You did the most loving, unselfish thing you could for her. It's not right what this disease does, it's not fair. But, we all fight the fight that we can for our little ones and that's the most precious gift we can give them.
Cadence is now waiting for you, running around with all the other tripawds up there, taking the deepest breaths.
I'm sending you a big hug all the way from NY, I hope you can feel this entire communities thoughts are with you right now, we are all thinking of you, we really are.
My deepest condolences,
Erica
XXOOXXOO
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
I never really corresponded with you and Cadence, but your post brought tears to my eyes of what you guys have just gone through. The images of her waiting for your husband and happy to see the vet reminded me so much of how my Brendol acts. Just wanted to say how very sorry I am for your loss.
Adelaide is a young tripawd Husky, from an injury. Her amp was on 10/1/12. She has 4 sisters, Aissa (a senior border collie/chow), Maggie May (a puppy Great Pyrenees), Mathilde and Morrigan and 1 baby brother, Bagheera. We are all watched over by our angel Brendol, who was dx with OSA 1/30/13, amp on 2/6/13, and left us on 8/20/13.
You can read their stories at http://adelaide.tripawds.com and http://brendol.tripawds.com
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that Cadence has gone to the Bridge. She is running pain free now with all the other heroes that went before her.
Our pain begins when theirs ends. She's your special angel now.
Sending hugs,
Jackie, Angel 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!
Michele and Steve,
Oh geez, even more tears. The whole Tripawd Nation was thinking of you Wed and we were all so sad. I'm torn reading this. It IS sad. It is AWFUL. Cancer is the worst. It robbed you of her and it robbed her of you. Not fair. Not fair at all. Your last act was the kindest, most sweetest thing. She is absolutely up there right now tearing it up, eating more grass, breathing deeply, and howling at everyone else. She's pain free and is loaded with more energy than she's felt before. Hold on to those ideas. I'm sending lots of HUGS your way. I'm so sad for you, but also so thrilled that you made a selfless act for her, for her well being. You two are kind, loving, sensible people. HUGS for your loss.
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Michele,
You have given Cadence the biggest gift you could. Her dignity and a peace of mind. I am so sorry you lost your baby. I have cried so much over her and what you are going through. I am so sorry. Hugs & puppy kisses from Sassy.
Run free Cadence and enjoy yourself on the bridge.
Hugs to you in your grief.
Michelle
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."
I've been following Cadence's journey for the past few weeks and am so sorry her journey has ended. I read your blog, you put Cadence's quality of life at the forefront and accepted the heartbreak so she would not have to endure any pain. She was a fighter, but also tired. And she rallied for you when your vet came. Harley did the same thing the day his vet and the technician came to our home -- he went to the door and barked. It's a hard decision and a personal decision. I hope soon you are able to look back at all the happy memories Cadence has given you.
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
I'm so sorry for the pain you are feeling. Cadence passed with dignity, surrounded by those he loved the most. You are a good guardian.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
It is such a hard and sad decision but is also a kind and loving one. I wish you could have had more time. Please be gentle with yourself and remember there is no right way to grieve. I wish there were magic words I could say to ease you pain.
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
My love and sympathies are with you. My darling Shan crossed the bridge the same day and time as your beautiful Cadence . We haven't met, but I bet they have now. It doesn't help a lot, but please know you aren't alone. It is such a painful thing when the last, best thing you can do for someone you love so much is to let go, but I know I did the right thing and I know you did too. We will hurt for a long time, but it is good to know that those sweet girls will never hurt again. Lisa and Spirit Shan sending you hugs.
Michele and Steve,
It seems like only yesterday we met you guys when Cadence became a Tripawd, but she was already a cancer survivor. A true warrior princess who lived life large and showed us all how to 'Be More Dog
'.
There are no shortcuts through the grief process, it hurts so much because you loved so much. There will be a time when smiles replace the tears, but until then we share your grief and sadness and honor the memory of your special girl.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Bless you for being so good to Cadence, and thank you for your generous gift in her honor. She was very lucky to have you and her spirit live on here forever.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So sorry to hear this. You did everything you could and Cadence was blessed to have you as owners.
How painful it must have been for you and Steve to have to say goodbye to your baby, but Cadence has indeed earned her wings as a tripawd hero. It may not mean much in this time of grief, but please take a small comfort in knowing that her journey that you have documented here will continue to help other fellow tripawds and their people coping with the same challenge in the future, as it has helped me and Cassie over the last several weeks as we followed Cadence's brave fight. Your pack is my thoughts as I give my Cassie a big hug tonight.
Mire
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