Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Oh My Dear Alison and Shelby....well, even if yor Boss isn't a "dog person", she has a heart, so that's good! I'm sure she sees your love for Shelby.....even a rock can see that!
Jist something to throw out there...and that would be to see if they could reduce her sedation some and you can bring her home. Seeing her being there so fuly sedated seems like it's impossible for you to guage anything right now. From what I gather, You are seeing a HEAVILY sedated Shelby. This is a result of the drugs...not the piece of crap disease. She may have those "tiny" seizures with or without the valium. She ay have had them for awhile even before the big one bt it just wasn't in yor presence.
IF you could have her at home without compromising her quality... i.e. a lot less sedated where she could enjoy being ho e and sitting on your lap in the sun. Then the transition, if a d when it needs to take place, can happen as you jad hoped.
I UNRSTAND MORE THAN YOU COULD POSSIBLY KNOW THE DESIRE TO HAVE HER TRANSITION AT HOME (wheneverr that time is).
OF COURSE the focus is still seeing how we can get the right balance of meds with the least amou t of side effects. Perhapse they'll support your desire to try that process, with their guidance, at home. You can handle mit! You've got a strong grasp on what's best for Shelby a d you are tuned i to her better than anyone i the world! Let the vets know you can ha dle it if she does have little seizures...let them know you can sedate her heavilymif you need to when it's time to crossover and the vet can co e to the house...let them know you wa t her home ore than anything and in a "state" where she can enjoy beng there...even if it's just a short bit. Heck, as sedated as they have her, it may take two days before she even realizes she's home!!
Just tryi g to throw anything ojt there Alison...all in the "whatever it's worth" column. It's just ard...al ost impossible...to make YOUR assessment seeng her so sedated...and fr Shelby to let you know what she wa tswhile beng in la-la land.
I know you can send love through the "air" and I know you feel our love. Well, feel it now and let it help you stay calm and centered and in a space that belngs to just you and Shelby right now.
Sendig you the wisdom of clarity.
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!
Oh Alison, I have been waking up every morning with you guys on my mind. I am glad to hear your boss is being understanding. We are all here for you now. Please just let us know what you need.....I am sending you big big hugs.
xoxoxox
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
Allison,
My thoughts are with you through today and this week. I am glad you had a conversation with your boss and can get that tidied up to get out of there and handle what you and Shelby need. I realize how emotional this is. I think you need to have that frank conversation with your vet. Find out what you are really dealing with here. Then maybe ask to have a half hour or hour, go to your car or someplace you feel safe and comfortable in and cry and yell and deal with all the emotions, enough to wear it out enough to be able to follow it all up with a deep breath and get yourself calm again. Because then you can let your logical side come back out and think through a plan. I go into this amount of detail because I know when we are sitting there in front of the vet, we can't be 100% emotional and we can't think clearly. You need to be able to be 100% emotional first so that you can after that think clearly. And the only way to do that is to make the time to allow you to do that, without having to answer to work or to the vet or to Shelby. Give yourself that hour, and then you can move forward with whatever plan is best for Shelby.
Hugs to you,
Karma
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
Alison and Shelby: I'm so glad your boss and you now see eye to eye and that other folks can take over. The event will be better w/o a distracted, emotional woman trying to run it. It must have been hard to give up the reins, but life sucks sometimes. This is "sometimes". Sigh.
I'm glad you're now with your little lady. I'm with everyone else here: get all the info you need to have a good week. Get phone numbers, maybe even home (private) numbers of some favorite people at the practice. I'd like to think that at this point they know where Shelby stands and are willing to go the extra mile if/when you need some help. Let's hope not!
Let's hope that Shelby just needs a little medication to keep her comfy, some home cooking, some home lovin', and the beach to make a more stable return to her life!
If not, she's gonna get 100% of momma. That's LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.
HUGS
~ Katy & Jackson
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!
I have been trying to keep up with what is going on here while changing to a new computer and going from XP to Windows 8. Finally being able to navigate around well enough to figure out how to get back to what is really important.
Alison, you and Shelby have been on my mind even though I haven't been doing a good job of posting. It sounds like you are working toward a solution, even though is isn't what you might have wished. Your boss, while not a dog person, certainly sounds like a people person, and it is to her credit that she is so sympathetic with your current situation.
I agree with what Karma said. Take your time. See Shelby. Get by yourself to do your emotional thinking. Then and only then make whatever decisions you feel are right. We are here for you.
Kathi and Murphy
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!
Alison, this is one of the hardest moments to be in, that cross between wanting to do whats best for Shelby and not knowing quite what the best is. You know Shelby better than anyone, and you have such a deep bond with her. When its her time you will know. I am so glad your boss let you out of the event, even if she isn't a "dog person" I'm glad she could see how much you are and how much Shelby means to you. Being with Shelby is the best for both of you right now. Seeing her heavily sedated, it has to be really hard to gage whats going on because its the medicine making her that way. Do you have anyone who could talk to the vet with you, in case you start to cry and can't finish asking what you wanted? Sometimes it helps to have someone else who can be strong for you when you can't. I wish we could all be there physically with you (I know we're all there in spirit).
Sending you lots of hugs.
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Hey - a random thought: did Shelby just get her monthly dose of Trifexis? It can caused seizures...
HUGS
~ K&J
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!
Hi Alison
You have been given excellent advice from many members of our wonderful community.
All I can offer are thoughts and prayers for today and the rest of this week.
Many hugs
Linda and Tucker
Alison,
I always wish there were some profound words here.. I'm so sorry you are going through this. I like what karma said. Take a step back if you can, breathe. These decisions are never perfect, never feel " right" one way or another. We are all behind you, thinking of you, praying for the best.
All of our thoughts and prayers,
Lori and the fam
I've been thinking about you and Shelby all day. I'm so glad that your boss has released you from the event. Sending lots of prayers and strength your way.
Hugs
Cody and Family
Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.
Ohhhh nooo. My heart just breaks reading everything that's transpired today. I've had a crazy day and have just caught up with what's going on, how I wish I had something to say that could make this all better. Alison I'm so sorry. I so agree with Karen's advice and am glad you took that well; getting the straight answers now will save even more heartache later. And yes, if you can have someone there with you even better. I can't imagine I'd be in any shape to get home on my own. I'm just glad that the work thing is put aside for now, at least you can focus on this crisis.
You are in our hearts and thoughts, we are all thinking of you. I'll be in the chat if you want to talk.
{{{{{hugs}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for your prayers , your love, your hope ... sadly, my girl's journey is coming to an end. While she hasn't had a seizure in over 24 hours, the on-call vet sat on the floor with me and Shelby, and told me that there isn't a lot going on inside her brain; neurologically, she is failing. The seizures were too much. And even if she did come out of this, what quality of life would she have? I work; I can't watch her 24/7 and if she were to injure herself when I wasn't home ... As I sat, laid, held, cuddled my STRONG baby for over 3 hours, I realized she isn't the Shelby I know. She isn't the same girl. If you've ever cared for an ill or elderly parent or someone who has had a stroke, you will know what I am talking about. I can get her to eat baby food but I have to wipe her face since she doesn't get it. We took her outside and she can't stand on her own. She isn't "Shelby".
So as much as my heart breaks and as much as I want to continue to fight, I cannot do this to her anymore. So I am making plans to get her out tomorrow and either say goodbye tomorrow night by the beach or Wednesday. And just when I thought I had cried all that I could, I sit here with the tears flowing.... 
Thank you my friends ... your warm thoughts warm my heart and I will lean on my Tripawd family as I make this transition for her. I am scared. I can't even sit in this apt without her. I am going to try and calm down, make her final plans and then go back to be with her.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I'm a puddle. I'm a mess. The knot in my throat. The tears down my cheeks. The snot. I'm a mess.
I wonder if she had a stroke last week, too, which was part of her mobility problems. Then, probably, part of Shelby went elsewhere, maybe to the Bridge to begin making friends?
Oh, Alison. This is so hard. This is terrible. You gave it your all. So did she. Who knows if it was her cancer or something else. Does it matter? In the end, you have been there and will be there. I'm so thankful you were with her for hours today and will be again. Why not take her home tonight? You two could have a cuddle fest, in her bathroom!
Disease and age can be terrible. They live too short of lives. Shelby's star was still shining! This is awful. My heart aches for you. These days are going to be rough. You are giving her the sweetest gift ever, though. She'll be with her momma and will enjoy, what she can, the beach and sun and love. I love that image.
Oh, Alison. HUGS. It's been a hard few days and the hard part is coming up. You've fought hard and have loads of info to help make these next days better...and feel right. Shelby has been and will be in the best hands...and hearts. She's in our hearts!
Love that photo. She's charming. Beaming. Loving. Spunky. Sweet. We'll miss her. But before then, please send her our love! We've got so much love for little miss Shelby.
LOVE
~ Katy & Jackson
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!
Oh Alison, my heart is seriously breaking for you. I know how much you love Shelby, you have showed it time and time again throughout this journey. And she loves you too, as we have all seen especially this weekend when her tail wagged only for you. You will be strong for her, just as she was strong throughout her journey. Remember her just as she was in that beautiful picture... because you're right that's who she is on the inside. Praying for you in the days to come...
Cody and Family
Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.
oh Alison my heart is just breaking. Please know we are all here for you. Whatever you need. She (and you) gave this SUCH a strong fight and she fought this evil disease with such grace and dignity.
It's just not fair.
You know I am here for you - lean on me for whatever you need.
xoxoxo,
Erica
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
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