Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Lori, I too feel for your hubby. If I remember correctly, my BF asked the same question to which my reply was "well that's what they make wheelchairs for". That worry will be there for any dog. Just wait till he coughs or is really tired one day. Four legs or three, you will find your mind going right back to Ty's diagnosis. In my experience though, being a tripawd from injury is very different from being a tripawd from cancer. I'm not sure about long term rehab, Tanner is 2 and I've had him now for six months. The only thing different we do is give him joint vitamins, and we "try" to keep him from doing anything that may injure his remaining leg which is difficult since he's like the energizer bunny. Other than that, he's just a normal dog (well, thats kind of an oxymoron for those who have met him lol).
The greatest resource I have found has been the Tripawds e-book, Loving Life On Three Legs . It is all about conditioning and how to make sure they stay strong.
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
ELIZABETH!!
Yeah, Tanner is "normal" ..yeah...right...and Happy Hannah was a picky eater and had anorexia!
When I was first "looking" (before I realized Happy Hannah already had Merry Myrtle picked out for me), I was looking for tripawds and/or Seniors to love. I was kind of hitting brick walls with each inquiry AND, I was also very aware that I was becoming quite apprehensive...thinking about all the waht ifs...what if something happened to the "other" leg...what if the rescue was spayed/neutered waaaay too early...what if they were waaaay over vaccinated. And as much as I wanted to give a senior the best life possible for their remining time, I just couldn't face the thought of loving them nd losing them robably fairly quickly. And I know that was selfish...but the timing was just too close.
Now I have My Pal Merry Myrtle Mae, who is now eight months....has four legs (knock on wood it stays that way!).....not yet spayed...only has minimal necessary puppy shots.....and I find myself fretting over every little thing anyway!!!!
Point is, this is the residue this piece of crap disease leaves...just one more way this piece if s**t tries to continue to rob us of our joy, even after it takes our beloved furbabies. So, of course, we have to make sure we flush the residue downn he toilet where it belongs!!
Having been through what we've all been through here, I think it's just "normal" ("normal" as defined in a Tanner sort of way!) to worry about every little thing...imagined or real!
I think another side effect....at least for me...I cannot stop spoiling Myrtle enough!!! I think the only time she's heard me say "no" is when she turned into a shark and tried to chew my arm off!! She's so cute when she just comes up to me if I'm eating and plops her head in my plate and tries to devour everything in one big swipe of the tongue...or takes her paw and reaches up on the table and knocks my bottle of tea off m onto the floor and slurps up the spillage.
Yeah, Ive got to start setting boundaries...perhaps "tomorrow"
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!
Whew! Go away for a day and look at all this activity!
First, I think it can't hurt to meet the dog and see if all of your pack gets along with him. That is a BIG part of introducing a new dog into the pack. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be right?
OK, so yes, we adopted Wyatt Ray , a Tripawd from neglect by a stupid human. He has three legs. He doesn't act like it. He's insane. Completely and Lord help us if he had FOUR legs! Just kiddin.
We don't have the shadow of cancer hanging over us so we just live life as always, only more hyper vigilant about his health now that we've had the cancer ordeal. Tell your husband that you can't live your life in fear of it. If that dog is meant to be and you can open your heart and your house up to another one, who just happens to have three legs, then why not?
Remember, it's OUR human issue with the three legs, not theirs. Well, you know that, hubby just needs a reminder right?!
Good luck! And show us some pics!!!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So, This is the little guy. I have filled out the application and it is on my desk. I have to print out the pictures I have taken of my home. I am so scared! I don't know what the heck is wrong with me. There is a part of me that says, I have the routine down now with just 2. Do I really want to add another? I have been back and forth for days. There is something about the 2nd picture that is tearing at my heart though. I think I feel disloyal to Ty if I go get him, like I am trying to replace him. Trying to relive what should have been with Ty. I am sitting here crying and I don't know why. I know my family will think I just got him to replace what I lost. There is no bringing Ty back, he was one of a kind. My husband looked at the application last night and said I need to fill out a new front page as it sounded like our 3 Granddaughters lived with us. I think he thinks they would not give us a dog if that was the case. I took that as a he is ok with it 
So....I think I will send everything in. Hey, I might not even be approved. I have not sprung the news on hubby that it costs $300.
I will let that for later. I think I put way to many human feelings on my pup. I am even worried that my 11 year old dog will feel like he is not enough and I had to go get another. I am not sure if they will let me have him since we are still dealing with Lucy's spay. They found a staphylococcus in her urine culture, so 2 more weeks of antibiotics and retest and then maybe, finally. Oh my, Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Ok Lori Breathe Breathe & Breathe.
Who cares what your family thinks. You know why you want this dog and if its good for you & your husband then so be it. No one else matters. Your family is well just an extension. Your FAMILY (husband, dogs & you) are what matters.
I think you are being too hard on yourself. Print the darn pictures and send the application in. That dog is looking at you like what are you waiting for. As far as Lucy's spay you are working on it. Its not like you aren't trying. They can not do it if she is sick. Just calm down. Dogs have emotions but not human emotions just like you know they go on. They live in the moment. They aren't going to think they aren't enough. All they know is we have a new pack member.
Now just print them, apply and wait and be approved. He is waiting for a good home. You have Tripawd experience and a lot of times the rescues want that. OH BREATHE, and maybe ice cream and chocolate for good measure. LOL
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
You rock MICHELLE!!!! DITTO!!!!!
DARYL IS ADORABLE....ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!
DOOOOOO IT NOOOOOOOW!!!!!! If it's meant to be it'll happen!!!!!!!!! DO IT. NOW!!!!!!!!!!!
Chandler will be thrilled to have a youngster to train! Ty wants to see you laugh!!!
NO dog ever "replaces" another....they just add to making our hearts whole and open to fhe giddy feeling that only loving a dog can bring us!
SEND IT IN NOW!!!!!! Even hubby is ready!!! And then follow up with a phone call..........please..............PLEASE!!!
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!
That is the cutest puppy face! I agree, just breathe, send those papers in and let whatever's meant to be happen. There is no "replacing", its not even possible. Adopting another pup doesn't mean it takes up the space in your heart that Ty has, your heart just gets bigger. When my Jake passed away, I swore up and down never again. Then I think it was Christine who posted this. I cried like a baby when I read it (It still gets me teared up). Its true, its exactly what they would will if they could. I went through all the worry and all the what if's too. That is SO normal. Ty would be PROUD of you for giving another pup a home. He would say, yep thats MY momma, look what I taught her.
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
OMG ... that face!!! I want to kiss it all over! Oh how i love puppies.....
It's a hard decision and I know what you mean - with Jasper I literally filled out the application online 3 times before I hit submit (and it was LONG) and then I felt this pit in my stomach. And you remember how hard it was for me to bond w/Jasper and look at us now ... me and "resting bitch face"... There will never be another Ty and you wouldn't want that same love. Each love is a new love and a different love! I will quote you back to you now! 
🙂
I hope it works out and he comes to live with you.... and if not, then Ty is still looking! I know they send us the new pooches ... and that poem is right. I need to remember that ... Shelby willed her home to Jasper because she knew Jasper would be spoiled and have a great life .. even w/out the same deep love.
Much love!
Alison
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
Lori,
Daryl is too precious!! Those puppy eyes just jump off the screen!
I totally get the back and forth you are going through with whether bringing another pup into the home is the right thing to do. And like you I worried about being judged by others for bringing another pup home only after a month since Leland's passing. But you know, all I found was love and support from this community as well as my family. I think I was being harder on myself for wanting to have noise back in the home so the house didn't feel so empty after Leland left and because I was being so hard on myself I just figured others wouldn't approve either.
I too feel for your husband but you can't live your life in fear of the "what ifs". Since bringing Lucian into our home I'm just more aware of things that go on with him. I do worry when he takes flying leaps off the cedar chest or when he barrels down the stairs because he's so excited to go outside. Since going through knee surgeries with both Leland and Lucky I know I will constantly worry over Lucian's knees but this is why I made the decision to sign up for pet insurance. I think we learn with each of our furkids and how best to manage their health which only makes us that much more knowledgeable with the next pup or kitty comes to us.
And I won't lie...some times I have wondered what have I gotten myself into with bringing a puppy into the home. During those times I have gone off to take a few moments (Breathe of course) to get my emotions under control because I'm thinking "god I wish I had my Leland back". But that isn't fair to Lucian and I know that. And there's Lucian just looking at me like "what's up with you...Can we go play now...
" and I can't help but smile and laugh at his goofiness.
And Lucian has carved out his own piece of my heart. This does not mean that I love Leland or Lucky any less or that they are being replaced. The human heart has boundless love to give so if you are feeling a connection with Daryl don't deny him the love I know you have in you.
My vote is to send in the application and pictures and see where things go from there. I think if you don't at least try you will always wonder.
Sending you and your hubby a 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!
We've never had two dogs at once so I'm not the best person to offer advice here, but I will say this: if it's in your heart and your husband's and he fits into the pack, why not? This pup wants the kind of love only someone like you can give to him, he so deserves that kind of home.
Remember, dogs do not feel guilt or anger or blame...that's a human thing. All they know is what feels good today. If this little guy makes your pups happy, there's your answer!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I would have 3 if I got Daryl. Hubby is backing off of adopting him. He says a black 3 leggedLab will make us constantly think about Ty. He said, he is small, 47 lbs. I thought you wanted a big dog. Ty was 87 before amp. Just not sure what to do. I may still send in app and see what happens and go from there. Decisions, decisions!
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
I would send it in but I can't make that decision. He maybe backing down because he feels it is too soon. The way I look at it is this, Ty presented this dog to you does it really matter that he is a smaller dog? He needs a forever home and loved. You can provide that and besides this is not the nasty C. If it was I could totally 100% understand the hesitation. We never know one way or the other if it will happen again or not. Its just a draw of the stick.
Is there something wrong with thinking about Ty??? Maybe things Daryl does will make you smile. I see Sassy in Snickers & Jasmine all the time. It was hard at first now I still say "Sassy wouldn't have done that" but there are things that she would have done and I smile and look at the sky and say "Sassy I know you taught them that". Prime example Sassy used to dance as I called it. I would scratch right above her little stubby tail and she would move from rear foot to rear foot moving her hips. Yes, she even did it minus her right rear. Snickers now is doing that. I know Sassy had a hand in teaching her that and I smile. (even though now I am crying. Some days you know LOL).
See those kinds of memories can help. It will never replace nor do we want it to. We want to make more memories and love.
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Yep....ditto Michelle and Sassy again!!! Well said!
Even if you send n it in and it's accepted...it doesn't mean you have to keep Daryl!!! But I bet you w o u ld!! Tee Hee
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 concur with you all! Daryl is a charmer. Hubby is probably a little apprehensive and testing you to see how much you really want him. If it was meant to be it was meant to be lol. You will never replace Ty. BUT you would be doing a beautiful thing for Daryl. I understand that they have to be particular about who they adopt out to. I should think that all of us Tripawd pawrents have proved our ever lasting devotion to dogs.Retype the first page and go for it.
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