Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Sooooo hope everything is going okay. 'Been checking in on our sweet girl. Update when you can.
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!
So sorry for the delay in updating everyone. It's been such a crazy time with the holidays. Since Christmas, Gracie has been pooping consistent little hard balls, probably 10-12 of them (but I really didn't count...just happy to see 💩)
she's still very active and manages to move 3-10 feet as she wants to by wiggling...she has a really down day yesterday, just didn't want to do much of anything, laid in the corner most of the day and if I brought her out, she just wiggled back eventually. I'm not sure what was up with her but she was right back to normal this morning!
...and drum roll, the last two times she went to pee, she lifted her backside up about 2 inches and held her front up with her chin...then she peed without messing on herself and I was so happy I ran to her clapping which made her wag her tail and splash pee all over us both! But I didn't care! She has always told me for the most part when she needs to go potty by whining, barking or just wiggling around a lot showing that she is uncomfortable.
On Tuesday, she got to go outside for 1.5 hours cause the weather was very nice. I put her in the back yard and watched her from the kitchen window...she just let the wind blow her hair and never made an attempt to move. But you could see how happy she was to have that time outside!
Today, we went to the vet and she had her staples removed. The vet checked her all over. Held her up and done some mobility and strength tests. You should have seen her kicking him during the exam!!!! He says there is no reason she shouldn't be getting up...other than her age but give her time...he also said that perhaps it's because she is enjoying being spoiled so much! She has been completely released from him but he wants her to remain on the carprofen for life. So her regular vet is shipping me a 60 count bottle since we are an hour away. We won't go back to her surgery vet unless she hasn't gotten up in 2 weeks.
Ive been throwing away and washing rugs until I can't do it anymore! So I went to the carpet store and bought 3 huge remnants of carpet for 20$ each. I have pulled up all the remaining rugs and covered the floor in new carpet for improved traction that don't have a ton of money invested in and can just throw out and not care!
So tonight it is time to get this harness order!
Thanks for the links! I am going to look into the rehabilitation specialist and we are in Kentucky if anyone has suggestions for somewhere to take her!
Sending you all thanks and love for all the support!
Have t even read past the first two lines!!!!!!! Had to say quickly how glad I am to hear from you!!!! Was sooooooo worried!!! Okay...going back to read thr while post!!!!!!
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!
Ohhhh vosh!!!! TEARS OF JOY!!!!!
YAAAAW!!!! WE'VE VOT POOP. BALLS!!!! 🙂 🙂 WEVE VOT REAR LIFTING TO PEE....AND TAIL WAGGING AND SPLASHING PEE ON MOM!!!! 🙂 🙂 Such a smart girl using her chin to help hold herself up!!! 🙂 🙂 YAAAAAAAAAY FOR WIGGLING HERSELF TO WHEREVER SHE WANTS TO GO!!! 🙂 🙂
AND she had a grrrreat check up at the Vet!!! 🙂
What stands out to me the most is how HAPPY Gracie is!!! The pain from surgery no longer seems an issue. She has all her needs met so she doesn't seem to be particularly upset if she can't walk YET...YET!!! She's learned the art of wiggling!
And what else stands out to me is how very loved she is and how very well cared for she is!! Yeah, maybe she's enjoying the spoiling a little too much, but how could you NOT spoil an ADORABLE 15 yr young tripawd
I'm so glad she's enjoying being outside too!! That really seems to be very therapeutic for dogs.
Rhank you soooooo much for updating us!! This Gracie has wiggled her way into our hearts, that's for sure!! 🙂
Lots of love and hugs!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Oh..and YAAAAAAAAAY FOR STITCH REMOVAL AND KICKING WILDLY AT THE VET!! 🙂
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!
Awww thanks Sally. She is one loved pup! I'm so sorry for not updating sooner. She keeps me really busy! Haha
I just have a minute but had to tell you all first! I was giving Gracie her big bath and must of held her or done something she didn't like at all, she helped and I laid her down quickly at which time she got her drenched but up and sort of army crawled about 3 feet! It was kind of like a crazy awkward "I'm not sure if I can do this but I am getting away from you" walk...but it was a walk...and I was screaming and jumping up and down and I AM SOOOOO HAPPY!!! Now she's drying off on her new bed with a tummy full of pepperoni! And we have had daily poop for 3 days!!!! Happy New Year Tripawds!
AND WE'RE JUMPING UP AND DOWN AND SCREAMING WITH JOY TOO!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
This is WONDERFUL, ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
You go Gracie!!!
Honest to goodness,we are all over the moon happy!!!
I love this dog!! She is doing things Gracie's way and in her own sweet time! But she's doing it!!
Pepperoni WITH ice cream would be a great way to celebrate...even if it constipates her!!
Lots and lots of 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!
graciemama said
I just have a minute but had to tell you all first! I was giving Gracie her big bath and must of held her or done something she didn't like at all, she yelped and I laid her down quickly at which time she got her drenched butt up and sort of army crawled about 3 feet! It was kind of like a crazy awkward "I'm not sure if I can do this but I am getting away from you" walk...but it was a walk...and I was screaming and jumping up and down and I AM SOOOOO HAPPY!!! Now she's drying off on her new bed with a tummy full of pepperoni! And we have had daily poop for 3 days!!!! Happy New Year Tripawds!
graciemama said
I just have a minute but had to tell you all first! I was giving Gracie her big bath and must of held her or done something she didn't like at all, she helped and I laid her down quickly at which time she got her drenched but up and sort of army crawled about 3 feet! It was kind of like a crazy awkward "I'm not sure if I can do this but I am getting away from you" walk...but it was a walk...and I was screaming and jumping up and down and I AM SOOOOO HAPPY!!! Now she's drying off on her new bed with a tummy full of pepperoni! And we have had daily poop for 3 days!!!! Happy New Year Tripawds!
Oh my goodness Miss Emma Grace GRACIE!!!! You go! I'll post more tomorrow but wanted to let you know that I had a dry happy TWOPawd named Heffalump. Now, Gracie will transition to a TRIPAWD soon, but Heffalump would want me to share what TWOPawd life was like for. Him. ( His love was Emma Rose who is now 14!) You go Gracie!!!!! Adorable! She is precious!!!!!
Wonderful, just wonderful Gracie. You have brought tears to my eyes 
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...
Today was my first day back to work so Gracie has been alone all day. It just broke me to leave her this morning. I could hear her barking and whining on the first floor. So by lunch I was worried to death and sent my grandmother to check on her. Which may have made it worse because then she cried after her 🙁
so when I got home, I went straight to her- she was so excited! She hadn't touched her food or water so I nudged her to it and she drank and ate a little. mostly she just wanted me to hold her. So here we are, curled up on the couch...
she has mastered the art of crawling! But she goes backwards only, which reminds me of babies who crawl backwards first! Has to be a milestone, right??? She hasn't gotten back up to really try to walk, so perhaps we will try to make her mad with a bath later...but for now, she is happy....so mom is happy!
Ya' know what??? A N Y T H I N G. Emma Grace decides to do is a MILESTONE!!!!!
Let's see, we've gotten a few steps forward doing the Army crawl...she's done a few steps backwards (and backwards in a good way) doing the baby crawl...So yeah, we've got HUGE MILESTONES Gracie style!!
I imagine she had a bit of "separation anxiety" after being with you so much the past couple of weeks! She may (or may not), have even tried scooting around today, but I guess she wouldn't tell you if she did!!
I know she's looooving cuddling with you in the couch tonight. We are all soooo in love with this precious Soul!
And ya' know, I k ow her mobility is certainly not up to snuff (yet), but she seems happy!! Well, maybe not thrilled that you had the audacity to go back to work, but content to be pain free and have her every need met.
Could your Grandmother stop y again tomorrow too? Gracie may start to realize that you do have ro go to work and someone will check in her so she can have a spoiling session until you get home. She may even start to eat and drink a little for your Grandma, especially if she brings her a cheeseburger!
Thanks for the update. And remember, crawling is more than she was doing last week! MILESTONES!!! GRACIE STYLE!! 🙂 Keep em coming!!!
Lots of 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!
I'd say that's a big accomplishment for Gracie today!
Have you considered getting her to see a rehab therapist? I can see that being super helpful in her situation. Forgive me if I've asked you that question before. It's just that I'm always excited to let folks know the Tripawds Foundation will cover the cost of a first consult.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well just let me we say, we are SOOOOOO in love with Gracie!!!!!
Here are things to consider with a TWOPawd:
It is a very exclusive club and has no bearing on happiness or length of life or prognosis! Gracie cares NOT ONE WHIT how many of her paws are doing the walking!
There are so many accommodations these days for TWOPawds!!! Slings, suits, wheelchairs, chariots, braces....
Surfaces must be secure and level: interlocking mats ( which wash off like a charm), duct taping pee pads to the floor, making certain Gracie does not get her two paws caught under anything is a PRIORITY.
A garden cart/ chariot is one very easy way to let Gracie explore her queendom, is cheap, durable, and easy to move.
Be very patient and do not, at all, have expectations that follow a typical recovery. If she can scoot and does, that is brilliant!!!! And enough. And adds to her SUPERPOWERS!!!
The underlying causes of this MAY be the operation itself, length of time on the table and angle, possible nerve damage, or multi-drug syndrome. In essence, you may never know. If she was okay, and then weakened, likely it may be nerve damage.
Heffalump never walked on three legs. He was incredibly resourceful and happy on two. At first, I pushed him to try and be a TriPawd. Rehab was a terrible fit for him. And he tried. But there was no mitigating the nerve damage that had been done. I learned that despite what I wanted and had been told by everyone, Heffalump took a different journey and road. With typical aplomb and bravery and humor and heart. Trust Gracie to know what Gracie wants to do. She knows herself. We can all learn from that!
Sending huge hugs and pawsativity to the most beautiful girl, Gracie!
I think going backwards is much easier for a front leg tripawd. Mona, my cat, can go backwards way faster on a 4 inch headboard than she can going forward. I think it's because they don't have to hope. It shows that Gracie is very smart and using her energy efficiently.
She's a dear.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
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