Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat. Explore 17+ years of forum archives for stories and answers to questions about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery. Enjoy fresh discussion and connect with members in the new Tripawds Support Circle.
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10:43 am
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Bucketeers
22 February 2013
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Cora! You are one smart cookie! To figure out that the refrigerator puts out heat right on your tummy, brilliant!! Of course, it's also a great position to pick up some crumbs if your Mom drops any!
And Chris, you are BRILLIANT in figuring out what's going on in Cora's thought process...why she does what she does...how she thinks...how to work with her in her the world. You are such a gift to her, to all your pack, and to us!!
Much love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
6:44 pm
Vet Expert
Vets
22 January 2013
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When you think about the amount of brain damage cora has, it's amazing how smart she really is. That girl is truly my hero. And she's the most tuned into my moods. I'm really curious how she does it because she's not reading my body language.
So, I avoided giving an update on me, even though I believe you asked Sally. It's been a very interesting year with some really good stuff and some really rotten stuff. The rotten stuff is why I avoided the update. I should share the good stuff though. I am no longer "mom" to Cora I am "dad". I began the whole process over a year ago and have now fully transitioned. My name changed to Christopher and a lot of people now call me Topher, which I really enjoy. For me this has been a long time coming and something really wonderful. It's been hard for people to get used to it and I completely understand that. So, if people call me "mom" I am not going to get all bent out of shape. The great thing about animals is none of the critters have cared at all. They know I'm still me.
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
6:51 pm
Moderators
17 October 2012
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Chris,
You should know by now we do not judge around here. Glad to hear that the transition went good and even though it may be hard for some people that you understand and don't judge them back. Mom or Dad to Cora it doesn't matter to her you are her human and that is all that she cares about and she still knows your voice.
The best part of them is the non judgment and the unconditional love they give. All they care about is the love and hugs that they get.
xoxoxox
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."
8:14 pm
13 June 2013
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You will find NO judgement here ... like Michelle said ... about dogs or if you are a mom or dad! Love is love is love and dogs do it the absolute best!!!
I am new to Cora's story but amazed by all she has been through. No doubt in part to your amazing love and devotion!
Hugs,
alison with spirit shelby in her heart
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
2:34 pm
Team Tripawds
Administrators
25 September 2009
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Topher! Now that is just a kick, because a very good friend of ours is also a "Topher"! I love it. A very super big congrats on completing your long-awaited transition, it's just got to feel so great to finally have the body you were meant to be. Just like Cora, you were both given tough circumstances in life and you've both overcome those challenges beautifully. Your stories are quite similar in a lot of ways. You and Cora are both our inspawrations!
I answered your other post about surgery recovery and had some questions, hop on over.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
7:30 pm
Vet Expert
Vets
22 January 2013
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This is once place I wasn't worried about how people would receive me. This place is special 🙂 I just realized, when Salty.. errr... Sally, was calling me "Mom" that I should share the news
jerry said
Topher! Now that is just a kick, because a very good friend of ours is also a "Topher"! I love it. A very super big congrats on completing your long-awaited transition, it's just got to feel so great to finally have the body you were meant to be. Just like Cora, you were both given tough circumstances in life and you've both overcome those challenges beautifully. Your stories are quite similar in a lot of ways. You and Cora are both our inspawrations!I answered your other post about surgery recovery and had some questions, hop on over.
Another Topher? Wow. There don't seem to be many of us out there.
Now you say you answered my other post but... am I blind? I haven't taken any strong pain meds, so that's not it? I see no response
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
8:09 pm
Team Tripawds
Administrators
25 September 2009
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blackdogcompanion said
Now you say you answered my other post but... am I blind? I haven't taken any strong pain meds, so that's not it? I see no response
Dang I'm glad I said something. It had disappeared. Here it is, rewritten:
http://tripawds.....e/#p160758
And yep, not too many Tophers in this world! What a cool name.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
12:58 pm
21 October 2014
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Awww . . . I remember Cora's story and I'm just as amazed today as when I first read about her. And Topher!! Congrats!!!
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
7:33 pm
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Bucketeers
22 February 2013
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So the new title to this SPECTACULAR thread is: "CORA AND TOPHER SAY HELLO!"
To have the courage to be who you knew you were born to be...STANDING OVATION!!
I really, really, really hope you can continue to walk through this life now feeling free from everything that was holding you back from being such an illuminating light for all to see! Put in yoir sunglasses everybody!!
You've held the vision of who you are so closely, so quietly far too.long!! Time to really celebrate the unveiling of Christopher Topher!
We all see each other from our hearts around here. We learned that from our dogs
I thought I had a pretty good understanding of the incredibly deep bond you and Cora shared! HA! Not even close! Thank goD you two jave each other. It was written in the stars long before you came to earth!
Love and light!!
SALT (Sally) and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS...Jill (Erica) originally started calling me "Salt" a couple of years ago. The reason being...and I know this is hard to believe (ha!)....my typing was so bad I even mistyped my name sometimes!! Thanks for the fun memory Topher!
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!
9:46 pm
3 April 2013
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Wow, I'm not sure how I never saw Cora's story, but it's just amazing! How wonderful that you saw the real her inside! And no judgment here, I didn't know you as Chris, so it's just Topher for me 
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
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