Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We (or at least I) post on this forum for at least 2 reasons. 1) to get advice enjoy the friendship that is here and 2) to offer advice and share my experiences. I mention reason 2 because by sharing Fortis' situation, Brett just gave me an insight into my situation that I never really thought of. Sadie, is also a people dog. My husband jokes that Sadie is happier to see a stranger than someone she knows (except possibly me- and that's just possibly true) So, I think to myself "self, why don't you give Sadie a gift and take her out to meet lots of new peoples?" Weather is still a bit of an issue (Sadie wilts a bit in triple digits) but we will hit the road very soon so that Ssadie can share her Sadieness with others. Thank you Fortis abd Brett!
Hugs and sloppy Sadie kisses (extra ones for Fortis),
Lisa & Sadie
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/
Awww Fortis, I'm so glad to read your most recent post - as we Labs say, any swimming day is a good day, and with the added bonus of being a people magnet I bet you didn't even notice that blasted cough! We wish you and your dad the most strength and happiness and health
Love
Ajax
Fortis…I can't possibly tell you how happy Lincoln and I are that you are still swimming. I really believe it's a sort of therapy to Lincoln; not in the Western medicine type of way, just that it makes him so happy. I can only imagine adding in a bunch of people to tell you how great your are and it makes sense why Fortis had a perfect day.
I bet a perfect day for Fortis is a perfect day for you too, Brett!
Thinking of you both.
Lincoln's Mom
Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall – Confucius
http://credocan.....pawds.com/
On this day three months ago Fortis had what is termed as a lung met burst. For two straight days he coughed up blood. Needless to say we didn't celebrate that ampuverary. It was indeed a scary time and one I felt surely spelled the end. That makes today that much more special. Fortis celebrates his 10 month ampuversary today. A celebration I all but had given up on. It has been almost 4 months now since Fortis was diagnosed with lung mets. I can assure you of this, it has been a great 4 months and lung mets have done little to dampen that. I thought I should post this here where others that are dealing with a similar issue may find hope. Today, I ask my tripawd friends to celebrate life with us and to remember those that have shown us the way.
Happy Ampuversary my friend Fortis.
"I will not tip-tow through life, only to arrive safely at death"
This photo was taken two weeks ago.
Happy 10 month ampuversary Fortis!! I had never read all the prior posts on this until now as I hadnt joined your group yet, all I know is that Fortis and Brett have both been friends and inspawration to Cooper and I and Coopsmom in ways you cant imagine! I hope and pray for MANY many more ampuversaries for you Fortis!
Coopers pack
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
HOORAY for Fortis! There. I said it and I meant it. Now that's done, look out cause the one thing ampuversaries mean to me is I pull out all stops. Be afraid Fortis (and Cooper), be very afraid.
awwwww Monkeyface has a heart! I knew it.... and I am afraid very afraid 
- you know shivering in my new boots afraid
Cooper
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
OHHHHHH!!! AND there it is!!! Mattie Monkeyfaces heart!!!
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
Fortis, congratulations on your 10 month ampuversary! You are one good-lookin' boy, and I love to see pictures of you at your favorite watering hole! I hope you get a nice juicy steak tonight!
Awww!
You sure had us scared Fortis when that all happened! But your mommy and daddy pampered and loved you so much that you are now in fighting form! You are so lucky to have them.
Well, Fortis already knows how much Comet loves him! But it's always nice to hear again.
We wuv you lots and lots Fortis!
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.
Fortis said:
On this day three months ago Fortis had what is termed as a lung met burst. For two straight days he coughed up blood. Needless to say we didn't celebrate that ampuverary. It was indeed a scary time and one I felt surely spelled the end. That makes today that much more special. Fortis celebrates his 10 month ampuversary today. A celebration I all but had given up on. It has been almost 4 months now since Fortis was diagnosed with lung mets. I can assure you of this, it has been a great 4 months and lung mets have done little to dampen that. I thought I should post this here where others that are dealing with a similar issue may find hope. Today, I ask my tripawd friends to celebrate life with us and to remember those that have shown us the way.
Happy Ampuversary my friend Fortis.
Amputation on 11/10/09, due to Histiocytic Sarcoma in left elbow. Angel Harley earned his wings on 06/24/10.
Hopalong Harley said:
I don't follow much anymore (it's just too hard), so I hadn't seen your original post, and I was saddened to read it; we never had to deal with lung mets, it sounds like scary, nasty stuff. But, I am thrilled to read Fortis is still enjoying life to the fullest!!!Tonight we are to get our first snowfall, which has been really hard for me, as Harley lived for snow. I definitely need a little "pick me up," and reading about Fortis loving life and celebrating his 10month Ampuversary is just what I needed!Hoppy Ampuversary, Fortis!
Hey there! I'm so happy that you visited today and can be part of our celebration. I have thought of you and spirit Harley often over the past months. I can only imagine how much you miss your sweet boy. Hopalong Harley was a special pup and one that I shall never forget. I pray that the happiness we are experiencing today will be yours as well. I hope today, Fortis' celebration has helped put a smile in your heart. That would be the best gift possible.
Thanks so much for posting.
Fortis'Dad
To Life! To Love! To Fortis! Cheers! 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Brett and Fortis,
Just where do I begin. I cannot believe that I missed your original posting about the lung mets. Miss Cherry had a very similar incident worth relating. She had a growth on her sole functioning kidney that was discovered when we met with our surgery/oncology team for the first time. This was essentially the first working day after the initial diagnosis of bone cancer. Amputation days later with her first chemotherapy treatment just hours after the amputation. After things sort of stablized from the amputation and while we were dealing with complications of the chemotherapy, there was talk about exploratory surgery to specifically determine what the nature of the growth. If it was cancer, the treatment would have been the chemotherapy that she was already on. So I decided not to insult her body again just to examine the growth. However, just before Christmas 2008 and about six weeks after the amputation, she started to dump blood in her urine. This condition continued for nearly a week. After antibiotics over the holidays, culture of a sample, and later ultrasound tests, we clearly determined that the blood was coming from the kidney growth which had burst. We will never really know the nature of the growth - a cyst, another cancer, or a metastication of the bone cancer, but the important thing was the we had another full year with Miss Cherry before loosing her just after Christmas last year. They WILL SCARE YOU, but you just have to keep a positive attitude (for them) and enjoy every moment for the gift of that moment. You are doing quite well in that regards, but I appologize for not relating my experience with a bursting - just do not know how I missed this one.
Now to the important think - HAPPY AMPUVERSARY. Ten months is a very big milestone and worthy of the kind of celebration we here at Tripawds have grown to love. Extra Hugs, Extra Playtime, Extra Special Treats, and ICE CREAM - or Cheeseburgers and Ice Cream Shakes! I can honestly say that I will be having a Dairy Queen Blizzard to help celebrate this occasion. The trip over to Dairy Queen was a very special moment for Miss Cherry and our family, so we can relive these wonderful memories. However, I will be sure to pencil in a soft serve at Baskin & Robbins for Fortis's one year ampuversary - just like Miss Cherry had on her one year ampuversary.
Keep on fighting so very hard and enjoying life with the same vigor.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
Thank you Bob. Don't worry about missing the original post. You have always been there for Fortis and I and I have never thought differently. Thanks for the insight and comparison between what happened with Fortis and Cherry. I wish I had a fraction of the strength and courage that our pups do.
You can't imagine how much I would love to celebrate Fortis' ampuversary with a Dairy Queen Blizzard. Unfortunately, I had to give those up some 25 years ago. Man are they good though. Thanks for your kind and positive words. It makes me happy to know that you are at peace and Cherry's memories bring your heart happiness.
Fortis has had bacon ice cream and all kinds of doggie cookies tonight. He's fat and happy! 
Thanks,
Brett and Fortis
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