So on a beautiful sunny Sydney winter’s day, we said goodbye to Emerson.
It wasn’t the cancer that got him – with the combination of early discovery, rapid amputation, light chemo and the cancer vaccine trial, we seem to have succeeded in keeping that at bay. But some nerve issue started to cause one of his back legs to give out, and within a week he was having trouble – confusion really – just getting from one end of the house to another, and we knew it was time to let him go. During his last week we took him down to the open space of beautiful Fisherman’s Beach, where he was still having the best time lolloping around and sniffing the ocean wind (picture above).
So many friends came to see him and hug him goodbye, and since letting him go we’ve had unbelievable support from friends as we’ve faced a home that is now so quiet and has such a massive hole in it.
I wanted to thank Jerry and the Tripawds team again for such a valuable site, and the community here for all the love and information they share. We had 20 months of post-amputation ‘bonus time’, and I’d reiterate to anyone reading this who is unsure of or scared about amputation that a three-legged dog is a beautiful thing, the most popular pup in the park, and I promise you will love your dog even more than ever. We have no regrets at all with Emerson, who lived a loved and happy life, and gave us so very much joy.
Signing out,
Jez & Deanna in Sydney
Ohhhhhh you guys, I’m so sorry to read this update. My deepest condolences to you both, losing our hero is such a ruff thing to cope with.
Yes, he DID have an amazing run after his amputation. You guys were total rock stars in keeping him fit and safe and healthy, you did everything a dog dreams of to walk that line between protecting him and letting him be a dog. Even up to his last day in that beautiful photo, Emerson was living exactly as he wanted to. What a gift.
Our hearts are heavy with the sad news, but we celebrate the hope and inspawration Emerson sent around the world. Thank you thank you for being a part of this community. His spirit and his story will live on here furever.
((((hugs))))
Thank you so much. It’s taken me a month even to post here, to be honest, but I wanted to thank you guys for the wonderful resources you have for all those who are searching for help. We also re-read through your Tripawd heroes book as part of our grieving and it makes us proud of each and every Tripawd owner. Funny thing, we’ve only ever met one other three-legged dog at our usual beach walk, and he passed away last year. Then the early morning we went down to scatter Emerson’s ashes, we got out of the car and the first dog that came up to us – with the only owner who was there so early – was a three-legged sheepdog which had had an amputation after an accident only a fortnight earlier. Same leg even. A message! Jez
So very sorry for your loss, our broken dogs are just the world to us eh….
Thank you Shelly! I knew so before, and made every minute count.
I am so sorry that Emerson had to cross over. You did such a wonderful job with him, and you beat the cancer, truly amazing and it will definitely give hope to new people here searching for answers and praying for hope.
I know how hard it is to come back to such a quiet home. Sounds like Emerson has already given you a sign though that he is watching over you from the other side.
Sending you hugs, I know this is such a hard time. It is never easy to lose a loved one.
Jackie and Huckleberry 💖💖💖
Thank you so much. And I just read your post about Rosie, and watched the video – what a beautiful girl, I am so sorry for your loss, but what a life you gave her! The video is a wonderful tribute to her personality and how much she loved you all. Lots of love.