What I’ve learned these past two weeks-
- Trust yourself. You know your dog better than any medical professional ever will.
- Make yourself HEARD and check for understanding multiple times. Make vet healthcare professionals repeat it back to you until you feel they understand the issue.
- Dogs have a crazytrain boatload of drive to survive. And even engulfed in that, they have an ever greater drive for connection.
In the end, Tipper became paralyzed in the back end. Maybe the cancer spread to his spinal cord. So, accupuncture did not help Tipper, but it did help me come to grips with Tipper’s time. I guess I never used the word “paralyzed”‘to describe Tipper being unable to move his back legsNfor the last several days and wound up getting him pain treatments thinking he had a pinched nerve that could be unlocked for him.
I don’t think it’s possible to see the end of our furbabies’ lives without second guessing. There’s always the matter of drawing a line with regard to pain – knowing that there is always more pain than a dog will ever show you. It just feels impossible to let them go while there is still such life left in there at a given moment.
Even though the end was unexpected and seemed to come on quick, we did have about a month-long process knowing the cancer had spread.
I’ve rescued Tipper a small handful of times during his decade as my baby. Even though it’s cliche’, we all know how they have rescued us. Having a “special needs”‘ (my euphemism for vicious on-leash) guy has given me a sense of purpose during hard times. The un-likelihood of someone else taking on the responsibility that is Tipper has kept me going many times! Parts of me thought I’d never
Parts of me have at times felt that I might never bond with Tipper the way I did with my heart dog Lexy. So not true. He’s insisted I spoon him under the covers for the past ten years. That gap with make it difficult to sleep!
Tripawds nation – God Bless you all for your support and celebrations along our journey.
Much Love,
Julie and Tipper
Oh Julie, dear sweet Julie. My tears fall as I read this heartbreaking news. I’m so very, very, very sorry.
The insight you have shared shows what a masterful teacher is and what a great student he has. The lessons he taught you, and will still be teaching you, are such a great tribute to what a magnificent Soul he is. And he is, indeed, a .MAGNIFICENT SOUL!
No regrets Julie. No regrets! You did EVERYTHING possible..EVERYTHING ppssibw to give Tipper the best life a dog could have! That’s why he picked you!
I think he continued to show some good days these last few weeks to give you time to adjust to his upcoming transition. He was willing to “hang around” because he needed to know you would be okay. He needed to see that you knew when it was time to release him from an earthly body that no longer served him. Oh, he knows you’ll grieve hard and long. But he also knows he left you with memories of tthousands of happy days to help push the sadness further into the background.
These upcoming months won’t be easy. The void will be horrible. The routine of not looking after Tipper will leave you wandering around in circles aimlessly. You won’t eat, you won’t sleep. Yoir world has stopped and you hurt so badly. The waves of grief seem unbearable.
Your love for Tipper and his love for you will pull you through. Prince Tipper will make his presence k own …guaranteed! Everyone here will tell you that their furbabies have made amazing connections and have sent undeniable signs from the Bridge!!
I can only imagine the pawty that was thrown for Prince Tipper as he arrived at the Bridge! I’m sure it was a gala fit for Royalty! And he is pain free and running fit and strong on four legs! He’s bragging to everyone how he picked YOU and how he had the best time ever with you!!!!! Because of YOU he got to know what love felt like!
Surrounding you with all of the love in the world….
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
So sorry for your loss Julie….you didn’t give up on him and he knew that. Sending prayers that you find peace in the coming days.
Paula and Nitro
I am so sorry for your loss Julie. You gave Tipper everything that you could . I know this hurts so much. No one can tell you when it won’t. Know that Tipper is healthy and happy and will be at that Bridge when its time to meet you
hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Thank you, all. While Tipper gave me time to adjust, I could sense him doing the same for Logan as well. Sir Logan is a quirky little dude who spends most of his quiet time under the couch. It is painfully quiet here this evening. Tipper commanded the room most of the time. Logan has become more vocal lately. He has an exciting journey ahead as he comes into his own. Logan is a little dude. At one point several years back, I had two, healthy and powerful 70 pound dogs either flying around or flanking my sides whenever I sat down. Right now, I can only just feel the little bump of Logan lifting his head into the bottom workings from underneath the couch. I hardly know what to do in this vacuum!
I’m so sorry for your loss Julie! Sending you many hugs at this hardest of times.
Ugh…yes, the vacuum, the void, it all sucks. It fills in eventually with all the wonderful memories Tipper had with you. That won’t happen for awhile though. But it will happen!
It will be interesting to see how Logan evolves, now that Tipper has given him permission to! Tipper will have a ball watching it all unfold!
When yiu can, please share more about your adventures with Tipper. I love the little glimpses you share into his life and all his quirky little habits.
Surrounding you with Tipper’s eternal grace…
Oh Julie, my heart broke when I saw this, I’m so sorry. You and Tipper fought like warriors, and nothing can ever take that away. Tipper will always be a hero in the Tripawds Nation, we’ll always remember him in our hearts, and he will continue to inspire others as they start their own journey.
I agree, it’s impossible not to second guess yourself during hard times like this. You did GREAT though, you took fast, smart action to try to help him with the acupuncture, and you honored him by releasing from his broken body. You did everything a dog could ever hope for, what an awesome example you set for others.
Know that you aren’t alone, ever. If you want to talk we are here for you.
Much love & many hugs coming your way.