Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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BIG smile on my face for you all!!! Happy Happy!!
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
Bloods yesterday showed a great improvement. The one they were most worried about were the red blood cells ... to put it into context, when they took the sample on the Saturday that Luther had the bleed, the count was 2. Yesterday it was over 480, the very top of the range.
All of the other counts continue to improve and now are close to hitting the lowest ideal range so everyone is really pleased.
I took three boxes of cup cakes in with me and a card from Luther bear to thank everyone for taking such good care of him.
We have now rebooked the hydro, third time lucky, for the 15th so let's hope nothing stops us from attending that!
Last night on a walk we met a very excitable golden retriever and Luther had a ball chasing her. It was the first time since he became a tripod that I've seen him run after another dog and turn sharply during chase. He stumbled a couple of times, but that didn't sway him, he just got back up and went back to chasing!
I do have one question for you. Luther has always been utterly amazing with every single dog of every shape and size. It was one of his key attributes - you could use him in any situation and know that he would be fantastic. Yesterday at the vets he was growling a lot at all of the dogs and barking (not something he's ever done there before). He wanted to go and say hello, his little stump was up and there were no teeth, but he was definitely a little more on edge. Now, I've put it down to two things. The first, probably being a bit fed up that he was back at the place where he least wants to be and the second that he's probably feeling a little vulnerable as I know that often happens to dogs who have had injuries. It was great to see him play with the goldie last night and we're going to do our best to get more positive interactions like that (although it's hard with Roxy being so difficult!), but has anyone else experienced a short or long term change in the personality of their dog around other dogs after an amp?
xxx
GREAT, GREAT, NEWS!!!!!!! SOOOOO HAPPY LUTHER BEAR IS DOING SO WELL!!!! JUST THRILLED!!!!!!
I wouldn't be concerned at al about Luther being a little "o edge" at the vet...not at all!! I think you are exactly right about him not wantingtobe there AND feeling more vulnerable!! After everything Luther has been through at the vets, I'm SUREhe IS feeling on edge about bein there!!! Also, I'm sure he was picking up on the nervousness and excitability of all the other dogs. He may have felt they were "out of control"and he needed to settle everyone down and be their pack leader if their owners were not acting in charge. That's just my two cents worth!!!
I love that Luther has such a great "play date" with his Retriever friend!
Love this Luther Bear!!!!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
Luther is ON TOP! YESSS!
I'll bet the clinic staff was overjoyed at your sweet delivery. It's acknowledgement and gratitude like that that makes their work so worthwhile!
As for how he was a little cranky at the vets; I think your feelings are spot-on. Our own Jerry never had any issues after losing a limb, he was good natured to begin with and was afterward. However, I have heard of a few members' dogs here who did get a little defensive afterward. Our own Wyatt Ray is really cranky by nature but when a dog approaches him from behind and surprises him (he's a rear-legger), all heck breaks loose. My thought is he's extra cranky there because he feels less secure, but maybe I'm anthropomorphizing. What I do know is this; the more pawsitive energy you project when he is around other dogs, the more he will respond to that. Fear not, Luther's good heart is still there and once he is fully recovered and strong again, it will shine even brighter.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
To my new, but great Tripawd friends,
It's with a broken heart that I have to tell you that last night we kissed a final goodnight to our wonderful Luther bear.
He had been doing SO well and even only yesterday afternoon was hopping around the garden in the sunshine chasing flies, but within the space of about three hours his hind legs gave up and we knew it was time.
It's such a double edged sword because on the one side the fact that he was doing brilliantly and had really started to give us hope makes this sudden demise seem so much more unfair, but on the other side we would always rather that he went happy, pain free and peacefully rather than maybe a few weeks ago when he was hospitalized and disorientated.
Right now hubby and I are numb and crying a lot, but every so often we smile and are at peace that he is now free. Anyone of you will know how utterly awful this is ... I doubt there will be a day that goes by that I won't miss his waggy stump and I know that although we will have many more wonderful dogs in our lifetime, I very much doubt that any will be quite as special as our boy.
Thank you all for your thoughts and help during these past few months and for those of you that have happy and healthy dogs with you, cherish every single moment.
xxx
This is such a roller coaster ride with our sweet boys and girls when they have become a tripawd...... I'm just devastated to read your last post.. those of us who's tripawds run wild at the bridge, we know exactly how you feel. And those of us who are still fortunately to have our 3 leggers with us, can only imagine. But we all understand.
My heart breaks with you... I was just reading how well he was doing and how much fun he had with the goldie.. and then bam! It just goes to show you that you must take each day and cherish it... because we just never know what tomorrow will bring.
He was happy!!! He was pain free... and he was loved tremendously by you and your hubby!!! My goodness, what a lucky dog!! And how lucky you were to have him in yoru life, and now forever in your heart.
just remember.. when you love hard.. you grieve hard. And that is okay.. because it confirms how much you cared.
I bet he is just tearing up the meadow right now with all those princesses and warriors up there.. and possibly even paying attention to a few of the goldies up there!! *wink, wink* perhaps he has a thing for blondes like my Franklin does!!
Hugs...
Christine... with Franklin waggin' in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
I am so very sorry, my heart is broken for you.......I have no words right now.......
Hoping the joy you had with him in your life, will remain in your hearts forever, along with all the happy memories, and that somehow each day brings you peace within your broken heart.
Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
I'm so very, very sorry, this just broke my heart to read your news.
It's just stunning that things can go downhill so quickly, but when they do, by acting with Luther Bear's best interest at heart, you honored his spirit and his wishes. He did not suffer, he lived life in all his strength and glory for as long as he could and now he is free and without pain, always a puppy, always in your heart. I hope these thoughts can bring you some comfort as your heart grieves in the coming weeks.
Please know we send many condolences your way, we are very, very sorry. If you'd like to share more photos of Luther we would love to see them.
{{{{hugs]}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So very, very,heartbroken and sad....this can be the saddest place on earth sometimes, and hearingnthis shocking news makes it that today.
Yes, we know all too well the unavoidable heartbreak of this journey and we do cry with you and we understand like no others can. Your void will be vast, your days will be grey and you will walk around aimlessly, the routine of care will be broken, waves of grief will hit you when you least expect it.
But at some point, bit by bit, another kind of wave will wash over you and it will be one where a joyful memory comes flooding back of a blissfully happy time you and Luther Bear had. And oh my, Luther Bear was a blissfully happy boy!!!!
Luther just dove straight into our hearts the second we saw his picture! What a cuddly, snuggly face!!! Just wanted to smooch that mug!
I bow down in awe at the courage and love you showed Luther Bear when he needed it most...the most selfless gift you could possibly give was to release him while he still had quality, while he gave you an experience that day that won't cause you agony or regret, but relief that you let him transition as Luther would want!! That kind of love, that kind of connection, has no ending. You had an unbreakable bond with Luther.
You gave Luther some extended quality time filled with more loving and spoiling than most people could ever imagine. And Luther took that time and savored every single second of it and played full out!!! Imq so glad you had that special time...so very glad.
Know this to be true....Luther lived a life that mattered! Luther touched lives snd DEFINITELY was an inspiration to everyone he met! Luther Bear will never be forgotten! Luther...and you..nave touched us all.
Just as you felt privileged to have Luther in your lives, he felt just as privileged to have you in his!
WAIT! What was that tinynwisp of wind that just blew bynus? Oh my...I think it was Luther's nub of a tail wagging ridiculously out of control as he just got his first meal at the Bridge!! Yeah, my Happy Hannah is in charge of passing out huge bowls of ice cream to very newcomer! And Jerry passes put Purple Hearts! I think Luther thought that was a candy and ate it!
Stay connected to us, okay? This will not be easy., in fact, seemingly unbearable at times. When you can, sharing more pictures snd stories of Luther with those of us who understand will bring some comfort. Luther wants to see you happy. He needs to know you'll be okay.....because he sure is!!
Sending you heartfelt love and surrounding you with Luther Bear's eternal grace.
Sally and My Eternal Light Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
I'm so sorry for your loss of your precious Luther Bear. I was not expecting to see your latest posting that he has passed on...it just seemed to sudden. His journey seemed to mimic my Leland's in that other health issues seemed to come to light after the amp surgery that their bodies just couldn't fend off. I was putting my Leland to sleep on what should have been his 4 week ampuversary.
Believe me that those of us here who've lost our beloved Tripawd understand the hurt that is in your heart. My husband and I still have days that we cry over missing Leland but the intense pain has lessened some as time has moved forward. You and your family will grieve Luther Bear but trust in your heart that he's running happy and healthy at the Bridge with his other Tripawd brothers and sisters. Also know that Luther Bear will be waiting for you at the Bridge when it's your time and he'll lead you on the way to your next journey together.
Luther Bear is one very special pup and he will not be forgotten here. Stay close to the Tripawd family and we'll lend an ear or support when you need while you grieve.
Sending you a warm hug.
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
I'm truly, truly sorry for your loss. I hadn't read your forum posts until today, but something drew me to click on the title. Luther looks like he was an amazing, gentle boy - and so handsome! It sounds like you went and above and beyond to give him a fighting chance, and he gifted you with those last days of happiness and revitalized 'puppy mode.' My non-tripawd Greyhound passed away unexpectedly this weekend, and those first few days there was a lot of crying. But now that I've got all of that bawling out of my system, the sad thoughts are starting to turn to happy memories. It sounds like you have great support in your husband and you have Roxy to turn to when you guys need a some cuddling time. Just remember that the grieving process is different for everyone and you can go at your own pace. I wish you the best of the luck in the world, and I hope Peace and Luther are having a puppy play date right now. He had his tail amputated several years back, so they can wag their little stubs together!
Oh no .... I am so sad to read this. My heart goes out to you and your family. Luther was SO loved ... so incredibly loved and he knew it. This wasn't how I thought this would turn out but this stupid flipping disease never ceases to surprise me.
My heart is with you all in your time of sadness...
Sending healing energy and love...
alison with the spirit of Shelby fur-ever in her heart (and little jasper too)
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
Sarah-my heart goes out to you and yours! Luther Bear was a sweet baby. Like Sahana (Angel Luther's Mom) and Bonnie (Angel Polly's mom) we have all helped our furbabies cross over in close proximity. Please know that you did the right thing, gave it your all, and painfully let go of your Warrior. Luther Bear is goofing around and strutting his stuff at the bridge having a party. Lexie just joined them and I'm sure that they are all having a great time! Please accept my condolences and use us during this difficult time.
Laurie (Angel Jake's Mom)
This is really sad - so sorry for your loss of your Luther Bear. As was said here, and very well put, this journey with our beloved tripawds is a roller-coaster ride, which we buy a ticket for when we decide to take this journey, but we don't know how slow or how fast it will go, how many ups and how many downs, and how long it will last. I went back and re-read the posts after Luther came back from the hospital and it was comforting to see that he really had good and joyful days and you were able to enjoy him at the fullest and cover him with love and care. Time will take care of leaving only the good and fond memories, and gratitude for all that Luther brought to your lives and to your family.
hugs from Daniela & Johnnie
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
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