Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
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Hello all. I am about to become the mommy of a tripawd. Well, I guess I effectively am already. I was at girl scout sleepover Friday night with my daughter when my beloved Grayson had a horrific accident. He got up underneath my 13 year old stepson's feet while he was taking him out potty. Grayson's back leg was stepped on. By the way, Grayson is a 2 year old pom/yorkie mix I rescued about a month ago.
Anyway, no one called me to tell me there had been an accident. In my husband's defense, he honestly didn't think Grayson was badly injured. I walked in the door yesterday morning and instantly knew something was seriously wrong. Doggy mommy's just know these things I suppose. I immediately called the vet and told them I thought Grayson's leg was broken. I took him to the vet and they sedated him and took xrays. To my horror it was so much worse than I had suspected. His femur is broken so badly that the bone is laying on top of each other where the break is. To repair the leg I would need to take him to a specialist and it would cost me about $3000. As much as I would like to repair his piggy toes, I don't have that kind of money. I would be lying if I said I didn't seriously consider putting him down. I just couldn't do it. I just put my beloved rescue dog Joe down in June due to severe spine degeneration. I was still reeling from the loss of Joe and decided that a new rescue baby would mend my broken heart. He has been just what the doctor ordered for me.
Grayson is scheduled for an amputation on Wednesday. I'm a complete mess. I have major crying spells. I am depressed. I'm struggling to speak to my stepson. My husband and i are arguing. I keep beating myself up. If i had just dropped my daughter off at girl scouts and hadn't stayed the night, Grayson wouldn't be going through this. Grayson, on the other hand, is being a real trooper. He's bopping around the house without a care in the world. I am keeping him comfortable. I have pain meds for him and I am making sure he is resting.
I just wanted to introduce myself and Grayson and say thank you for having this website. It's very helpful for a basket case like me.
Welcome! We are sorry to hear about Grayson, but glad you found us. Please remember to be strong around him, he needs you to be a strong pack leader now to show him everything will be OK, because it will.
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So sorry to hear about Grayson's accident. Try not to beat yourself up, or your step son and husband. Accidents happen and sometimes people don't realise how serious injuries are because dogs are so stoic. But, yes, dog mum's know these things and we can be very protective of our doggies!
Dogs are amazing on 3 legs and being smaller is even better. Before you know it Grayson will be running around as if he was born with 3 legs. There is lots of good reading material on this website that can help you get ready for life on 3 legs.
Be strong. We are here to help you get through it.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
It is easy to say that if you'd done something a different way, Grayson wouldn't have had this happen. Maybe not. Maybe instead he would have dashed out the front door and been hit by a car, or maybe he would have gotten stepped on by someone else's kid, or..."What-ifs" make us crazy.
Your stepson is probably feeling pretty badly about this. I have a 13-year-old boy, so I know how they can be. Big feet, kind of clumsy, distracted. I remember being 13 as well. I'd hate to think of hauling that kind of guilt around for 75 years or so. As hard as it may be, try to realize that your stepson is also hurting.
Grayson now has a role in your family that may be very different from the one you first envisioned. It might be bigger and better! Maybe he's there to teach you all about acceptance, overcoming adversity, forgiving, loving and persevering. He will amaze you. Try to smile at your stepson and encourage him to develop a strong bond with Grayson. The dog holds no grudge, so help him heal your boy's heart, too.
That is completely unsolicited advice, worth every penny you paid for it. Sorry if I overstepped my bounds, but I am a survivor of childhood pet guilt and it sucks. 
And honestly, Grayson will truly amaze you.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
ah yikes our pup Kayla broke her leg due to a accident that my husband had alot to do with so I can relate to your story i was so angry at him till i joined Tripawds and realised that losing a leg means absolutly nothing to a dog in the long run - after Kaylas surgery sure there were a few ups and downs but within weeks she was back to being the same checky naughty little pup and now almost 12 months on she is still that same checky naughty pup !! at the end of the day it was a accident and it happened and no matter how much we wish for it we cant change it we can only go forward and become better for it, try to help your stepson as i imagine he is feeling just as bad as you are.
Grayson will amaze you once he is over the surgery and you will wonder what you were ever worrying about, your bond with him will be hugely changed too and he will hold an extra big place in ALL your families hearts.
All the best and keep us updated, good luck and big hugs.
feel free to pm me if you want ok
Sarah
My pugs are not as small as Grayson (I don't think?) but one of them is underfoot all the time. It doesn't matter how many times I've accidentally kicked him, or stepped on him, he is still there. When there are little dogs and big human feet accidents happen. No one did anything wrong on purpose- right?
Also- don't feel bad about the finances. We all do the best we can with what we have. It doesn't mean you don't love Grayson, or that you are failing him.
My little pug Maggie lost her left rear leg to mast cell cancer, she was a happy Tri-pug for almost 4 years.. She took her time to recover, but after that she was her old self. Well- actually she became more obstinate and opinionated!!
We have a saying here: Be More Dog . In your case you need to take your cue's from Grayson- he is happy and carefree. A crappy thing happened to him, but he doesn't care. He is ready to get on with life- he is showing your family how it is done.
The week or two after surgery can be rough, lots of ups and downs for most of us here. Don't get discouraged if Grayson is not himself for awhile. But I have seen here that the younger pups tend to recover pretty quickly, hopefully your boy will be one of those lucky ones. Come here often for advice and support.
Let us know how he, and you are doing.
Karen and the pugapalooza
This sounds a lot like what happened to my girl layla. Sadly though she was hit by a car, obviously our fault (we dont have a fence, but she never goes near the road). The vet told us we could go to Columbus Ohio and see a specialist for around $3000 also. We tried to set and cast it, that didn't work. She ended up with gangrene and had to have it amputated. It has been quite the journey because of the gangrene. That was a month ago though, and now she is in the healing process and is the same dog as before! Everything will work out in the end. Don't beat yourself up over it, it wont help...trust me! It is amazing how well they adjust! Best of luck!
Thank you for the responses. Today is not any better for me. I'm still an emotional wreck. I am trying to be strong, just finding it difficult. Please don't misunderstand me when I said I was struggling to speak to my stepson. I am very upset with him but I made sure I gave him a big hug yesterday and told him we will get through this and as I was leaving for work this morning I told him to stop beating himself up over this. Accidents happen and I know that. Believe me when I say that I am beating myself up over this because I could not protect my baby and i can't make this better right now. I wouldn't ever intentionally lay a guilt trip on any of my kids. We will get through this together and we will be stronger as a family but until I drop Grayson off at the hospital tomorrow night and pick him back up after his surgery, please pardon my tears, my hurt and my pity party.
Hello Graysonsmommy.. I just joined this page before the weekend there. My dog was limping for ages before we knew it was cancer. When i found out i was just devasted he has his operation 2morrow and it just fells like the end of the world for me. Believe when i say ur not crazy infact am just in from my car there i just had to go drive and cry i just cant stop crying the more i look at him the more i cry. The only thing that seems to help is peoples kind words and experience on here.. I have such a fear of see my baby Brandy with 3 legs and his scar but the people on here told me to go to gallery and look at some scars and prepare myself i have done this. As there mommys we got to be strong for them if they see us upset they sense it. Gave Grayson a big hug from me and Brandy.. We will get threw this..
x
hey dont worry about the tears, pity party and hurt we have all been there before so let it all out to us if it makes you feel better we dont mind at all 
I hope the surgery goes well and keep us posted ok.
Good luck
We've all had our own pity parties, don't feel you need to apologize for that. Everyone here gets all of the "what if's", and how hard it is to make this decision. As if an accident isn't bad enough, then you're looking at amputation, and it's a lot to go through.
Once you see how well Grayson does after surgery, you'll wonder why you were ever so upset. Remember to be a strong pack leader and show him that you believe in him, and you guys can get through this.
Good luck tomorrow, please let us know how things go.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
No need for apologies- this is a great place to vent, and most all of us have thrown at least one pity party so we do get it.
I remember another family that was here for awhile because of an accident, I think one of the kids left the gate open and the pup got hit by a car. They had their kid check out pictures and videos to see how we'll pups get along on three, and they shared some of the posts from members here. Do you think that might help your son? This whole thing is a lot to deal with, maybe some happy stories would help.
Good luck tomorrow, and keep us posted.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Sorry I'm late to welcome you to our exclusive club. Everybody needs a pity party now and then.
But you also need to take the advice you gave your stepson and not beat yourself up over it. No amount of regret, guilt, whatever will change what happened. All you can change now is your attitude about it going forward.
I know it's so hard and overwhelming right now, but once your pup gets through the recovery period, you'll see how truly pawesome it is to be a Tripawd pawrent. Being young and small and light (and not having cancer as so many of the pups here do) you pup will do great.
You'll see. It's going to be ok. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. Maybe not a week from now. But it will eventually be great and you'll be so proud of how your dog handles this little set back, that you'll develop an even stronger bond.
Hang in there,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
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