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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Member Since:
14 February 2016
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19 February 2017 - 4:48 am
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Feeling really emotional all night.  My ex and I are pretty sure that is the same Gator - posture, fur markings, even the way he is sitting and his expression.  Will this poor guy ever truly feel like he has a forever home?  And he is such a well behaved dog!  Ok, his leash walking could be dangerous for someone who was unused to having a large dog, but inside the house his manners are exceptional.  How can people keep a dog for a couple of years and then surrender it?  How can they treat dogs like they are disposable?  And it has happened to him not once, but at least twice.  I know it might still have been a foreclosure, but this poor guy.  Six years (his age when I got him) is a very long time for a big dog.  He probably does feel like everything in life is temporary.  It explains so much about him, but is heartbreaking.  I wish I could tell him that this really really is his home.

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.





Member Since:
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19 February 2017 - 7:26 am
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Christine,

I think he knows he is home.  He is adjusting to you and knows you came to pick him up from boarding.  This probably hasn't been easy on you finding this out.  But it explains things a little more now. 

Gator buddy you are home and found a great family.  They will never leave you.

hugs

Michelle & Angel Sassy

sassymichelle-sm.jpg

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."

Idaho
Member Since:
12 March 2013
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19 February 2017 - 9:53 am
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I agree. Gator most likely knows that he is home now. You come to get him after he has had "visits" with his friends. He has opened himself up to belly rubs, which is huge. He is building trust again and will continue to do that.

We know that we are at least family number three for Ollie, although family two only kept him for three days. There are bits and pieces of clues, like his extremely high interest in the sound of motorcycle or four-wheeler engines, but we have no idea of what went on in his life before we got him. It would be interesting to know, but then again, maybe I don't want to find out.

Whatever Gator's story turns out to be, he is where he was meant to be all along.

Just another quick thought. Is it possible that the photo was simply one that was taken at the shelter and is now being used to encourage other adoptions? I guess that would depend on the date it was taken.

Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork

Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!

UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!

Member Since:
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19 February 2017 - 4:29 pm
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Took me 24 hours to realize it, but this is a Be More Dog situation.  Gator has been by me all day, sleeping, a bit of tummy rub, and I realize that he isn't thinking that this is house #3.  He is just thinking that this house is where he belongs.  The yard where he chases critters, the bed where he sleeps, his leash, etc.  And that I am the person he belongs with.  Amazing how us humans inject all this drama into things.

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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19 February 2017 - 4:34 pm
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BINGO!!!! GREAT INSIGHT AND SOOOO TRUE!!!

Still want to know the scoop though! Just too many "coincidences"'that led you to that page. What if somehow, someway this leads younto a sibling that may hzve been with Gator in his first home....And then....And then....who knows where this will lead!

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!

Green Bay, WI


Member Since:
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19 February 2017 - 5:58 pm
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I was thinking the exact same thing this afternoon, Christine! My thought was, if dogs truly live in the now, Gator knows that "now" is with you....in a wonderful home, being loved by you....that is what he knows. It's true we humans tend to overthink things - thankfully we have our dogs to show us what is real. Great job of figuring things out.

Paula and Nitro

Nitro 11 1/2  yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms.  Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"

http://nitro.tripawds.com

"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior

Schofield, WI
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20 February 2017 - 11:43 am
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Whether you are house 2 or house 3 you will be sweet Gators home forever.  He only cares about today and you give everyone of his today's love.  Offering up his tummy for rubs shows you he knows he's home and he trusts you.  

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23 February 2017 - 2:57 pm
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So, what have we learned about Mr. Gator?  I have been e:Mailing with the director of the Tennessee humane society which was linked with those older posts.   She does remember Gator, but they are going through a renovation, so she cannot access his old file right now.   (Very caring woman, clearly wants to make sure that Gator and other dogs under her care can find homes whenever possible). 

She does recall that he was returned by one foster because he got into a fight with the foster's dog.   Now, that seems very unlike him to me.   I haven't sensed any aggression and he does great in play groups.  But I suspect that he would defend himself if another dog was too in his face or tried to steal his food, etc.  And, a dog fight involving a 100+ pound dog is no laughing matter.  But, this might explain why he was so uncomfortable in my house at first.   I thought maybe he smelled something from Otis' and Tess' final days (remember how Tess would not get on my bed after Otis passed until I had washed all of the bedding?).   Now, I think it more likely that he was afraid of a possible pre-existing dog.   I will obviously have to be very careful if I end up selecting a sister.  smiley

Anyway, as soon as she can get to his file, she will be able to tell what his circumstances were, how many times he came through their shelter, etc.   He is comfortable in the house now, and getting more and more comfortable at day care each visit.   Hopefully, someday soon he will realize that I will always come back for him.

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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23 February 2017 - 10:04 pm
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Getting closer and closer to Bator's background! This just fascinates me peeling back to layers to his history. Imq really glad the rescue lady

Ao we know he went from at least one home, into the shelter and then into the foster and then back into the shelter.....then maybe to you...and who know what else inbetween! Poor Gator!!! That's a whole lot of uncertainty in a dog's life...especially one as loving as Gator!

Can't wait to hear more!

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!

Member Since:
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8 March 2017 - 7:13 am
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We are celebrating today!   Gator escaped through the garage this morning while I was trying to get ready to take him to day care.   He headed off down the driveway.   I was dressed for work, and not in the mood to chase a dog around the neighborhood.   I yelled "no," and "come" loudly, and. . . .Gator stopped and came back to me!!!!

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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8 March 2017 - 7:27 am
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WOW!!!! And I mean that...WOW!!!!! That is remarkable!! REALLY!!! Wish you could come to the Virginia Tripawd Pawty so you coukd teach Frankie how to do that! 🙂 🙂

GOOOOOOD BOY GATOR! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Hope you got a treat! 🙂

Have yiu found out anymore about Gator's records from the Rescue?

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!

Germany
Member Since:
14 December 2016
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8 March 2017 - 7:29 am
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Good job Gator!! (well, the listening bit, not so much the escaping 🙂 )

See, and if you put all this info together you come up with a pup that has found his forever-home and is veeeery comfortable!!

I'm happy for you, I remember all those non- to selective-listening days as if they were yesterd...hang on...*Maaaaaaannnnnni!!!!, Get your puny butt back here!!!****

...be right back...

Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.

Manni's blog -dogblog-

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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8 March 2017 - 7:30 am
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PS. Dog Zeus maybe a distant relative......http://zubear.t.....ropractor/

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!

Los Angeles, CA
Member Since:
13 June 2013
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8 March 2017 - 10:42 am
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WOW... that's great!!! I'm not sure even we're at that stage (well perhaps, I dropped the leash and yelled stop and Jasper froze, flat down submissive). But if there had been a squirrel ... all bets off for sure! 

Great job Gator! 

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

Schofield, WI
Member Since:
13 August 2015
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8 March 2017 - 11:18 am
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❤️❤️❤️  Love this!  Yup Gators yours and you're now his. clapclap

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