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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Los Angeles, CA
Member Since:
13 June 2013
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46
21 October 2016 - 9:27 pm
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Oh YAY!!!!! I am so happy he is HOME!!! Now I think all of us can rest well tonight and I hope you all get some rest too! 🙂 heartheartheart

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

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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21 October 2016 - 9:38 pm
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YIPPPEEE SKIPPPEEE!!! YAAAAAAAAAY!!! YA HOO!! HALLELUJAH!!! WOOF. WOOF!!! 🙂 🙂

GATOR IS HOME! And he gets along with the cats and wants to play with Enzo?? WOW!!!

What a loooong day this boy has had!!! And what a wonderful life he is about to have!!

I loooove that he's an extra big boy! Otis and Tess wanted you to have something to snuggle with!!

Is he sleeping in bed with you and Enzo tonight?

Cannot wait to see what delightful adventures await you as you and Gator get to know each other and all the little pepersonality traits he has!

Can't wait for more pictures!!!!!

And yeah, an emotional time for you. We understand.heart

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!

Idaho
Member Since:
12 March 2013
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21 October 2016 - 10:20 pm
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He sounds like he is going to be a perfect fit! We are all so happy for all of you.

I wouldn't venture a guess on whether he is food motivated just yet, though. He may be trying to lull you into a false sense of security. Ollie was't particularly a chow hound...at first! Now he will do just about anything for a cookie.

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!

London, UK


Member Since:
15 December 2015
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21 October 2016 - 10:30 pm
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heartYAAAAAAAAYYYY! Welcome home Gator! He sounds like a big soft Love Bug. Can't wait to hear more as his personality unfolds heart

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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22 October 2016 - 12:45 am
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Woohooo! Here's to a very fortunate dog finding the Best Home Ever! Really glad to see this!!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
14 February 2016
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22 October 2016 - 3:57 am
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Gator finally fell asleep about midnight.  Is there a point in time when I will stop listening to his breathing patterns for signs?  I have resisted the urge to do a full body lump check, but will get to that by Tuesday, our vet visit.  

While he slept, I, however, felt sick most of the night - nausea, body aches and neck pain/headache. Perhaps just from all of the emotional stress of the day?

His medical indicates routine vet care for the past three years, and he weighs in at 125.  Otis was 106.  This is a big boy, or "puppers" as my daughter has determined him to be.  I don't think he is overweight, just big.

He still loves the backyard - I think he just realized that there are critters out there.  He has a playful side - for a few minutes he was squirming around on his belly snapping his jaws.  Wondering if that is where the name came from?  Still anxious and in need of continuous interaction.  Starting to listen when I call him and to react to come.  No food guarding, in facts he leaves food in the bowl when he is done.  And taking treats with a bit more interest.  But nowhere near as food motivated as Otis and Tess were.

And this is funny, but he looks like he is wearing eyeliner.

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.

London, UK


Member Since:
15 December 2015
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22 October 2016 - 4:59 am
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Lucky Gator, waking up in his new home this morning.

Sorry you're feeling rough. As you say, I'd think it's very likely due to all the emotional stress. Hope you can take it easy these next few days with Gator. I'm sure you could both use a rest and some proper TLC.

Sounds like he is settling well. I love the image of him squirming around on his belly and snapping his jaws. It will be satisfying to see his confidence grow as he realises his new home is for keeps. I know when Meg first came she followed me everywhere. If I got up in the night to go the the bathroom, she would follow me. She'd even curl up in the shower cubicle, like it was a dog's bed, as I brushed my teeth. Sounds as though his anxiety is already beginning to dissipate, with taking the treats etc.

You know what, I agree with Kathi. I've got a feeling Gator might turn out to be a proper ol' greedy guts once he finds his feet. He must have eaten something to grow to 125 pounds (WOW! That's 4 x Meg). Adrenalin definitely reduces appetite, and he must be feeling pretty adrenalised. Mind you, Otis (and Tess too?) lived rough, didn't he? He must have had to find his own food, and in my experience that does leave a legacy in terms of food motivation. 

And looked back at his pic re the eyeliner. He really is a beautiful dog with wonderfully expressive eyes. I think we need a few more pics to judge the eye make up situation. So once the blog designer gets up (cough, cough)...

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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53
22 October 2016 - 6:40 am
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We are thrilled Gator is hoooooooome 🐊🏡💞 such great news 💞🐊🐊🐊🐊

Can't wait to learn more about your big boy, he is already part of our family 💕

Sending you an avalanche of kisses and lots of tummy rubs to your gorgeous sweetie pie 💝💝💝💝💝💝🐾🐾🐾🐶

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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54
22 October 2016 - 8:00 am
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125 lb "puppers jaw snappin' Gator"! Love it! Just for reference,my Happy Hannah was 125'lbs and Merry Myrtle is 123'lbs (probably ooching up a few lbs since last weigh in). So yeah, Gator is a BIG boy!

Yeah, your body has to be pretty worn out with everything you've been through! I'm glad Otis and Tess sent you a dog to help heal you in so many ways...just as you'll help heal Gator.heart

I love that he's showing a bit of his personality this early. The backyard must be a Paradise to him after being in shelters....aybe even on a chain by his previous ow er. He has been through so much uncertainty,and who knows what else when bei g "surrendered" by an kowner.

Okay...gonna hop over to his blog! 🙂 🙂

Oh, and I HIGHLY recommend ECHINACEA at the very first sign of a cold, etc. It's an immune boosting herb and I absolutely swear by it!!

Love and hugs!

PS...nope, you never stop checking for lumps, bumps, breathing, sneezes, coughs. It's a really bad residual habit that, at least for me, will never go away.

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!

Schofield, WI
Member Since:
13 August 2015
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55
22 October 2016 - 9:18 am
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I can only imagine what a toll all the emotions of the day took on you!  Now your entire family can relax and get to know this beautiful blonde hunk of love known as Gator.   Going through this journey changes us forever.  We do become hyper vigilant about everything with our remaining furfaces because we have learned the hard way that a limp isn't necessarily just a limp and a cough maybe is not just a cough. It is hard to "live like dog" all the time and I know that I will always be a work in progress.  So glad things are going well so far and looking forward to learning all the nuances of this big beautiful boys personality through you.  Hope this boy starts getting his winter coat in now so he'll be ready for our winter which will be here soon.  Gator you're not in Tennessee anymore. 😳😳. Fun times ahead sweet boy!





Member Since:
16 October 2012
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56
22 October 2016 - 10:32 am
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I think the nausea aches etc comes from the stress.  The worry, the grief ( oh yeah its there too) wishing that Tess was there and Otis.  I think Gator will relax once he realizes he is home.  I am glad he is fitting in with the cats, that is always great news.  He has found a great home Christine.  🙂

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."

Member Since:
14 February 2016
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57
22 October 2016 - 4:27 pm
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Dropped some cheese on the floor while making pizza, and it magically disappeared.  All is as it should be.big-grin

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.

Idaho
Member Since:
12 March 2013
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58
22 October 2016 - 4:50 pm
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😄😄😄😄😄😄😄

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!

Idaho
Member Since:
12 March 2013
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59
22 October 2016 - 4:54 pm
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Forgot to say earlier...Ollie wears eyeliner, too. It must have something to do with yellow Labs with black noses.

Did you get a chance to check his shoulders to see if he's sporting angel wings?

Kathi

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:
21 May 2016
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60
22 October 2016 - 5:24 pm
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There we are 👍🏼

Gator is doing his job 🧀💨💨💨🎉🎊

I am so thrilled for you Christine, Otis and Tess chose well and you have a lifetime of love to share with your gorgeous boy 💘🐶

Can't wait to hear more 😊

Lots of love going your way and cuddles to Gator 💕💕😘🐊

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

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