Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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About 2 weeks ago, the Chili Dawg started to limp on his rear left leg when he walked. I had hoped that he had just pulled a muscle while he was wrestling with Finchy in the back yard or running in the back yard. Yesterday he could barely walk at all, and I had to help him up the stairs. At bed time my husband had to carry him up the stairs and this morning he had to carry him down the stairs. I took him to the vet today, and they took x-rays. The osteosarcoma has spread to his hip. They sent us home with Rimadyl and Tramadol to help with the pain until Chili Dawg lets us know that it's time for him to cross the Rainbow Bridge. I am devastated. I knew his time would come, but I had hoped I had longer with him. The past 3.5 months have not been long enough with him and I am not ready to let him go! Tonight I will cry for a little bit more, but tomorrow I will celebrate each hour of each day that I get with him.
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
Oh! Oh!
I'm so very, very sorry about Chili! I don't even know what to say. I know this can happen to all of our tripawd heros but we usually expect it in a certain pattern.
I'm just so sorry.
Give Chili a special hug from us over here in Cometland.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
I am so sad to read about Chili's new struggles with this horrible disease. It seems like we have had so much bad news lately, and Chili is such a sweet handsome boy. None of our sweet pups deserve this. I'm crying with you, but I know he wouldn't want you to be sad.
Make the most of the time you have with him - I know you will do that. Be sure to take lots of pictures - have somebody take one of the whole family with him.
I know it's not enough time with him - what amount could possibly ever be enough with our sweet furry angels? - but we make the most of what we get.
Remember to think of it as his appointment with heaven. Remember that love doesn't die.
Hugs,
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!
Jenna, we are so shocked to hear this news. We are crying with you. But, yes, tomorrow is a new day and you have to enjoy every moment you have left with him. When I think about time long term with Bo, I get choked up, but then I say to myself, "You have today." I say it all the time now, as I know Bo's time is getting closer, but I'm thankful that I have today.
We hope that the meds make Chili Dawg feel good...that is important. Quality, not quantity. We're in this together and we have to stay strong and love our sweet boys for the rest of their lives.
You and Chili Dawg are in our thoughts...stay strong! Give Chili some extra love from us!!
Meghan and Bo
Jenna,
I was just answering your email, but wanted to say again how very sorry I am to hear this news.
Please give him a big hug for us.
Cynthia & Isabelle
I am so sorry, Jenna. Lately we have lost so many of our friends, and my heart just lurches every time I see something like this. I am sure your heart lurched, too, when you had the x-rays done. I have enjoyed reading about Chili so much over the last few months. I have certainly had better summers, and Chili has brought me smiles when there was nothing to smile about. The pictures of him with your children are priceless.
I wish I could say something to help. Every time I read about this awful disease rearing its ugly head again, I think that these dogs were born angels. They've just been wwaiting their whole lives to get to use their wings. Does it make me feel better? Not really. I know how hard it is to say goodbye, and I know how unfair it is when it's not a good, old age that takes them away.
Do take lots of pictures. Your children will be thankful that you did as they grow older, and you will laugh over them because Chili's awesomeness will shine through forever. Keep on loving him and let him love you all for as long as he can.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
well this just sucks. damn. we know chili doesn't know it's spread, and that's a good thing. try to be brave, even though it's impossible to not be devastated with the news. hugs to you all, we're here to do anything we can to help...
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
I am so very sorry to hear that the cancer has spread! You have the right idea , about crying some more tonight then spend each minute with Chili loving him and making memories. There will be plenty of time for sorrow later, and right now Chili deserves all the joy he can get. You are in our thoughts and prayers..
Coops pack
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
I've been worried since I saw your post that Chili wasn't feeling good- and was hoping it was almost anything but this.
All you can do is what you are doing- every day is Chili day, treasure each moment.
Karen
Jenna, I just couldn't believe my eyes when I saw your subject line. There's nothing I can say but I am so sorry.
Jan
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Darnit! Agggh! I hate cancer! I hate cancer!
We are so deeply sorry. I know it's hard when you feel so helpless against this thing that just does what it wants to. I can't believe it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jenna - my heart breaks for you. I know what you are feeling. But today is a new day - enjoy each moment you have left. When Trouble's decline began, my panic set in and robbed me of being able to enjoy the moment. Fight that panic with all you have.
No one knows how long it will be, but begin to prepare yourself for that day out there looming that you will have to say goodbye. As someone who has been there, as much as you want to prepare yourself, you are never ready, so don't beat yourself up.
Sending lots of good thoughts for you and Chili Dawg. I just love seeing his name, it always brings a smile.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
I am so very sorry to hear this news about Chili. I can only echo what others have already said: make the most of each day with him. There will be time for crying later. For now, love him up with everything you have, and make each minute, hour, day, as special as you can. Chili doesn't know there's a problem, all he knows is that you love him very much, just like you always have. Give your boy a hug for me.
Jenna, I'm so sorry. Sadie had a second tumor show up in her back knee about 8 months after her amputation. I was almost starting to think she was going to beat cancer. Chilli is so brave and strong, it's so unfair! Give him a hug and a good ear scratchin' from me. You're in my thoughts today.
Lisa
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
Jenna,
Everyone has already given you great advice, great empathy, I can only add my own. I also love Chilli's name and his personality. I don't know why it suprises me so much when I see this type of post. I don't want cancer to take even one more of our babies, IT HURTS! I just want it to stop, I pray for you and your family that time does stop for awhile, that each moment is well lived, each second full of love.
The lump in my throat and tears in my eyes are for you, because your wonderful boy has no idea, and that is a blessing. He is still here now, thank God. Hugs to you and Chilli, he is a very special boy.
Elizabeth
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
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