It was around this time last year Catie first started limping. We assumed the sporadic episodes were from a touch of arthritis, a sore muscle. In fact, for the longest time we thought the mysterious bouts of lameness originated from her left leg. It turned out the pain radiated from a tumour in the opposite shoulder.
Eight months ago today, Catie lost her right front leg and shoulder to osteosarcoma.
The time has gone so fast. She had her surgery on a white winter’s day. With Catie at the hospital, I sat with Riley at the livingroom window the evening of her surgery, watching the neighbourhood hares congregate on the front lawn.
I remember that well.
A lifetime ago, it seems. Some things remain the same; some have changed. The pads of her feet still make me think of popcorn; her ears are silky. She hates her nails being cut; she likes to tease her brother by taking his toy (they’re ALL his, by the way). She likes water and the dog park and snuggles in bed; she vehemently despises the mailman and people walking on the street (it’s HERS, by the way).
It’s just a little harder for her to get around. She’ll run if she’s inspired; she’s learned how to position herself to get in and out of corners and how to get up and down stairs. She still counter-surfs if no one’s looking and greets people at the door by jumping on them.
My gratitude this evening that she’s still here is tempered with sorrow for all those families who have lost their furry beloveds over the last eight months and those who are struggling with looming, too-soon departures.
Catie and Riley are having extra treats this evening for each and every one of you.
And Riley says, just in case it helps – and he admits stealing this from Walt Whitman:
Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.
You are so right, it seems we have had so many losses of late, including my girl JD.
You are so right to take these moments with Catie, and embrace them. Try to freeze them in your mind like the image of the hares. Those are the small blessings that fill our hearts when out loved ones do leave us. By sharing your gratitude for the past eight months, you lift my spirits. Thank you for your post and hop on Catie, you and Riley enjoy those treats!
Spirit Angel JD’s mom
Catie, we too are heartbroken about the losses we have had in our community over the last 8 months, but it’s stories like yours that gives all of us, and future Tripawds, the hope and love we need to get through the sad times.
Keep on keepin’ on, you really do help keep us going here. We love you! Hoppy Ampuversary!
Congratulations on eight months!!!
Cheeseburgers and fries for everyone!!!
How wonderful you remember the others that have gone over the bridge and celibrate their memory.
the chauffeur
Riley,
Put your paws over your mom’s eyes so she can’t read this.
Okay? Okay.
Mom is getting melonchaly again. It’s sad to lose our pals but we have to appreciate the fact we got to meet them.
Okay, we got to get your mom all inspired again. So go get Catie a Magic 8 ball (9.99 at Toys R US) as an 8 month ampurversary gift. And then shake it until you get to the “Outlook Good” shake. And even if it’s not your first shake, tell her it was and that you asked the Magic 8 ball what was in store for all of you in the future and it came up “Outlook Good” !
Sometimes us dogs have to tell white lies but our pawrents tell them to us all of the time! Mommy tells me how pretty I am and I haven’t had a bath in like a month (and I can smell me)!!! That’s a white lie.
However, when mommy says she’ll be right back when she leaves…it can be an hour! That’s isn’t even a white lie in my mind, that is just flat-out lying!
CCComet
P.S. OH! OH! OH! I haven’t had a chance to thank you for the super duper wonderful, marvelous gifts from you and Catie! OMD, I was so excited but mommy said the key chains did not give me permission to drive. Huh? She still doesn’t know what all we did here in Vegas! Wink, wink.
Thanks bunches both of you! When I’m cruising The Strip, I’ll think of you two!
Congratulations on 8 months. You are an inspiration….and Riley sounds like a devil.
Nancy and James the poodle
catie, congratulations on your eight month ampuversary. isn’t it amazing how the time seems to fly sometimes. wish there was a way to slow it down (visualize the matrix movie) to capture every nano-second of every moment… but geesh…. get some ice cream and some cheese, and celebrate like craze!!! eight months and counting!!! oh, and charon says i can’t know what counter surfing is, but it sounds like fun, so maybe you can tell me on the ‘down low’….geesh…
gayle
Congratulations Catie on your ampuversary! Your Mom writes so good and so true are her words. Many hugs to you and here’s to hoping for many more ampuversaries to share with you!
Tracy & Maggie
Congrats Catie!!! We are so happy for you and your pack. You were one of the first friends we made on Tripawds, so it makes us all happy. Time does fly. We can’t believe it’s been almost 5 months since I lost my leg. It is definitely sad to think about the friends we have lost recently, but Jerry is right. You are inspawrational for all of us and you and Riley make my family laugh with every post, which is a very good thing.
XOXO,
Ginger, Annie & Brian
Congratulations on 8 months, Catie! I remember your first post, too – the image of you and Riley watching the hares out the window while thinking about Catie was so touching. We’re so glad to be your friends, and to celebrate such a pawsome dog! We’ll definitely be having extra treats in your honor today.
Sending lots and lots of hugs,
Holly, Zuzu and Susan
I wish I had said it half as well as you did, Carmen. Thank you for recognizing, so perfectly, what is going on around all of us.
As for Catie, I’m sure it is her street, may she believe that into eternity.
As for Riley, a dog can never have too many toys.
And thanks for the quote…you know how Lincoln and I appreciate those.
Lincoln’s Mom
Congratulations Catie! Eight months…….. simply marvelous.
Yes, the days fade into months and indeed our time together passes way to quickly.
Riley, thanks for the Walt Whitman quote. You have your toys and your sister has her street. That’s a nice compromise.
Happy Ampuversary Catie. Your friends down in Texas are wishing you many many more.
Fortis and Dad
Happy 8th month Ampuversary Catie!
This is Maggie’s mom.
It’s good to see you are doing great.
Maggie has her slower days too, but who doesn’t! 🙂
Maggie is also on her 8th month and doing great. Loves her walks, food and treats.
Every night I give her a massage, and she really seems to love it. Sometimes when I am really tried and forget to give her the nightly massage she expects and I get into bed, I look over at her and she’s laying down with her head up staring at me. It look s like she says “well….” Then I jump up and give her the massage she loves. Then she lays down and falls asleep.
We are giving her fish oil in her food as well as the occasional yogurt and cottage cheese. That seems to be well received.
Keep up the good work! and I can’t wait for us to celebrate our 1 year!
BTW, my neighbor had a dog that made it to 21 after losing her leg to osteosarcoma! How great is that!
Thanks everyone for your well wishes!
Kathy – glad Maggie’s doing well. Maggie and Catie’s ampuversaries are just a week apart, aren’t they? We can’t wait to celebrate a year too!
Brett – thank you.
Lincoln’s Mom – 🙂
Holly, Zuzu and Susan – I’m glad you’re our friends too.
Ginger – XOXO
Maggie – Hugs back
Nancy and James – Riley’s a devil but at least he doesn’t want to be fed at 2:00 and 4:00 in the morning. 🙂
Gayle – Catie’s sending you a PM. Distract Charon by unravelling one of her balls of sock yarn and then check the computer. Catie thinks you’ll really like counter-surfing. And the extra effort will give you another reason for a nap. 🙂
The Chauffeur – cheeseburger and fries. Yummy.
Jerry – love you back.
JDs mom – I don’t know what to say except thank you.
****
And to darling Comet from Riley: As soon as someone gives me a ride to Toys R Us, I’m on it. And I’m getting that toy for ME not Catie.
Nicely written, beautifully said. I love the Walt Whitman quote. I will be thinking of that one often.
Sammy and I will have some ice cream today to celebrate for you. May you have many more ampuversaries ahead!
So sorry for coming on to this late – your post is once again so moving. I’ve been in Hawaii on vacation and have seen these beautiful rainbows every day that we’ve been here. One day a double rainbow. It certainly made me reflect on all of our tripawd heroes that we have come to know and have lost. And reflect on this painful journey we’ve all been on together. Seeing these rainbows actually brought me peace and comfort knowing that our hereos are there surrounded by all this love and beauty. Thanks for your beautifully written words…
Congratulations Catie on your 8 month ampuversary! We will be doing lots of celebrating at our house in your honor :).