Hello.  My name is Myrna, and I recently lost my beloved pitbull Venus to a splenic hemangiosarcoma.  I don't have another furbaby yet, but I am seriously considering adopting a three-legged dog named Lena who is in the Baltimore area.  Venus was not a tripawd dog, but she was deaf and had been abused as a "bait dog" in her early days before coming into rescue.  Lena, the dog needing a home, was also used as a bait dog and had her front left leg mangled and infected, so now she's an amputee waiting for a home.  As I have just recently lost Venus, I am not quite ready to bring another dog home yet, but plan to visit the New England area in the fall (I live in Nova Scotia), and if Lena is still available, I will adopt her.  She may find a home before then, which would be nice for her, because she currently lives in a cage at the vet, but Patti – her saviour – isn't sure how long they can keep her there.   So I joined here just in case fate brings her to me, and I wanted to be prepared ahead of time so I would know what the challenges might be and to pick up lots of helpful tips and advice. 

If anyone wants to see Lena's youtube video, post-surgery, (filmed on July 29), you can find it here:  http://www.yout…..Xhq2fdR_Kk

If anyone wants to adopt Lena, (and that would be fantastic!!) you can contact Patti at psquare828@comcast.net

You are all wonderful angels for giving your dogs a chance to live a full life, and I commend you.  You make the world a better place, and thank you for sharing this forum so people can understand that there IS life after amputation.

Hugs!!
Myrna

So sorry for your loss   I lost my dog Yoda to osteosarcoma in November.  He had his front left leg amputated and did very very well, but only for about 4 months.  Less than a month later I met Gerry while volunteering at a shelter.  Couldn't believe how fast I ran into a dog that needed an amputation (and his name was "Jerry" a the time – just like the Tripawds founder dog, Jerry).  That was crazy, and I was pretty sure at the time that I was crazy to take him on so soon too, even when I was telling myself I would just foster him until he found a good home elsewhere, but he was and is such a blessing.  He's so cudlly and downright therapuetic.  Having a cancer dog left me a bit neurotic, so it was almost a good thing for me to have a recovering amputee to put all that leftover caretaker energy towards after Yoda passed.  Gerry is weaning me off freaking out over every little thing… at least I hope so. 

Lena's a lucky dog to have you interested in her.  Best wishes as you weigh your decision.  There's no wrong one.  If now isn't the right time, no doubt you'll give another just as deserving dog a home soon.  Thanks for sharing your story and for supporting Tripawds – this place saved both my dogs lives in a way!  (And, of course, my sanity, such as it is).

Nova Scotia – cool!  My mom keeps nagging me to go visit Nova Scotia with her.  I totally want to go too, but it's never the right time with work and money and stuff.  Some day (sigh).

Oh and there is a forum dedicated to helping homeless tripawds find homes.  You might want to put a post there with Lena's video too to help advertise her – if you didn't do so already.