Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hugs, hugs and more hugs for you all!!! Oh and as many good vibes as you all need!!! The unknown is truly the worst of it all. Will be thinking of Sweatpea and her pack today!
-Kori & Angel Lupe
Diagnosed with possible synovial cell sarcoma of right front elbow 5/31/12. Amputation surgery performed 6/7/12. Final diagnosis of histiocytic cell sarcoma 6/11/12. Her soul and spirit were strong, her body was not...my little girl earned her wings 6/14/12. "If there are labradoodles and goldendoodles, why can't I be a cockadoodle?"-Angel Lupe (June 28, 1997-June14, 2012) http://lupepod......pawds.com/
Thinking of you guys this morning. Please update us when you can....
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/
Update:
Just got a call a little while ago and sadly her cancer has spread. We are taking her for chest xray tomorrow just because they might est. if her time left is a days or weeks and if to put her on Predisone. It is odd that the cancer that spread to the lumps on her back- are still a sarcoma but a different type, being an oncology nurse for people- that is a little weird. Anyway - oddly I have little less anxiety waiting for results- but just now more sadness. She isnt in any pain, wags her tail, eats, drinks and goes for a short walk and sleeps well. I think if she acted as sick as she really is- I could be sure that we are making the right decison - whenever we do. Is it true- she will "tell" us, when she is ready? Thank you everybody for all your prayers & thoughts
I am so very, very sorry to hear this. I know that this what not the news that you wanted. However, it is great news that she is still feeling well! I know what you mean about that making a decision harder, though...but for now it sounds like it just means it isn't time quite yet, so whether it's days or weeks, you still have some time together.
As for whether or not she will "tell you" - that is so hard to answer. I know many, many people feel that they do. I certainly got the "look" that everyone talks about from Holly - just this blank stare into space and looking at me in a way that said "please mommy, it hurts, it's not worth it anymore." And yet sometimes I still wonder if we made the right decision, if that is what she was really saying, etc...it's just a horribly difficult decision and even harder to feel 100% confident that you have made the right one. Even though I doubt my decision sometimes, though, knowing what the inevitable conclusion was, knowing that I didn't keep her in pain any longer than she had to be before that conclusion is a comfort. Keeping her any longer would have just been a selfish act so that I wouldn't have to say goodbye...I feel like you'll have some sort of a sense when you reach that point.
Take whatever time you have left to spoil, spoil, spoil her! Tell her what she means to you. Take millions of pics and videos, you can never ever have enough (and as someone pointed out here the other day, make sure you have plenty of you all together - I have so many pics of Holly but not a ton of my husband or me with her)! Take care of yourself.
I'm sorry to hear this news about Sweetpea. Cancer is a disease that just doesn't play fair. As for knowing when "it's time," I think you will know. John and I knew when it was time for Max. I think Hollybeans described it well when she said you'll have some sort of sense when the time comes.
But, that's not something you need to think about right now. Right now, you need to enjoy every single day that Sweetpea is feeling great. Like you said, she's wagging her tail, eating, drinking, going for short walks and sleeping well. Sounds like a happy dog who doesn't know she's sick. And that is something to be grateful for. So love up your girl and don't waste any time feeling sad; there will be time for that later. Love her up and tell her how much you love her, and how much the Tripawd Nation loves her! I hope you have many many wonderful days, weeks and months ahead of you.
sweetpea2006 said
Is it true- she will "tell" us, when she is ready?
As pack animals, dogs are very good at hiding their pain. But look inter her eyes when the time comes and you will know.
Many others have found t helpful to read our post about how we went through this with Jerry:
The most important thing is to enjoy every day to the fullest together. Dogs do not fear the future like we do, they simply make the most of the time they have.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so very sorry to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with you. At least she is not in pain, that is a blessing. You can still enjoy some more quality time together. I'm sure you will make every day count.
In my case I really struggled with getting a "sign" from Magnum. For her it was bone mets that ended her fight, not lung mets (although I think they were starting to bother her). She was still eating really well and showing a strong interest in what was going on around her. Her spirit was strong. The photo taken of her an hour before she died still breaks my heart, she looks so happy (we had been having one last play). But her cancer had spread to the hip of her one remaining back leg and she could no longer put any weight on it due to the pain. On the morning I took Magnum to the hospital she would cry (something she had never done) if I left her alone for more than 30 seconds and she was looking intently into my eyes as if to say "please help me mum, please take this pain away".
When we got to the hospital (just looking for extra pain relief) she actually looked relieved to be there, as if she knew that they would fix everything. After an xray the vetsstrongly advised me against taking her home, that she was at risk of her pelvis fracturing and that if it happened it would be catastrophic for her. I realised that it would be selfish of me to try and take her home again, that I would be doing it for me, not her. So as much as it hurt, I made the decision and I knew it was the right decision for Magnum.
Sorry to ramble. I know that most people say they get a sign. I just never felt that I got a really clear sign from Magnum although on the day I knew deep in my subconscious that I was doing the right thing.
I hope that Sweetpea will give you a clearer sign. In the mean time, keep enjoying her.
Many hugs
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Oh, I'm so sorry.
When we were getting close to the end w/ Abby, I questioned what everyone said about knowing when. But I did know when. I spent about a day going back and forth, thinking she was rallying and had more time, then questioning if she was trying to let me know - but when she really did give me "the look", I knew. There was a tiredness in her eyes and just a look that said, "I'm so done with this." That look had never been there before.
If there is a 'good' thing about this - it's that they can be so happy and tail-wagging right up until the end. With Abby, the look didn't last all that long. She was happy and wagging her tail and eating treats when we went to the final appointment - but it was time and I didn't want her to have to give me that look again.
Hang in there. Thinking of you and hoping you have some more good quality precious time with your girl.
Jackie
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!
Thank Dog for Tripawds. Hearing others experiences can really help us understand our own experiences.
Jackie just said something that made so much sense to me and I just want to add to it. Magnum also had a tiredness and a pained look in her eyes that said it was all starting to get too much for her. I think that is why, when the vet advised me to let her go, that I didn't question it, I knew it was the right decision for her.
Hope it helps you.
Karen
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Thank you everyone for your prayers, thoughts and comments. We went for her chest xray (last was 8 weeks ago) today and her lungs are clear. We are still aware of the big picture - now we are at the quality of life focus, no more tests, poking or proding, taking one day at a time and spoiling her every day God gives us with her. Thank you again everyone!!!
We just lost Levi a month ago and his cancer had spread to a hard lump on his back too. I was expecting the lung mets to be what got to him but we think the cancer actually went to his brain...His last day was not what I had expected. I REALLY struggled with "picking the day" I never did get "the look". But Levi started having seizures and he had a sinus infection that wouldn't go away and to top it all off he was somewhat unsteady on his feet. So, he was a mess. Yet, he was eating, playing some, and still snuggling with us on the couch at night. Ultimately, he had a horrible seizure on a Monday night so we took him the next day. He was having a good day which made it all the worse. However, we couldn't stay home with him 24/7 (we had been the last 2 weeks). We were worried that he would have multiple seizures while we weren't home...I feel like I'm rambling on here. Long Story Short, I think you will know when it's time. Even if you don't get "the look" from Sweetpea. Levi was very nervous during the process and it was not as peaceful as i had hoped it would be, but deep down I knew we had tried everything possible and there was just nothing more we could do. So sorry you're in this position. It truly sucks. Just hold on to the fact that you did everything you could.
Levi was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-7-11
Ampuversary 10-14-11
Lung Mets Discovered 1-4-12. Chemo seemed to not be working so we switched to Artemisinin and other supplements. In May, Levi developed a sinus infection and started having seizures. The cancer had moved to his brain. We let him go 6-26-12.
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