Welcome to Tripawd Tuesday! Typsy kicks off our weekly three-legged love story, with a sweet look back on how he found his way to his forever home thanks to his mama, a veterinary technician who stepped in when he needed help the most.

Meet Typsy from Montana

You never know when the love of your life is going to walk through the door. That's exactly what happened when six week old Typsy ended up in desperate need of medical care at a veterinary clinic. Here's his three-legged love story as shared by his mom Shandell from Montana.

How old is your Tripawd?

12

When and Why did your Tripawd lose a leg?

I am a Veterinary Technician and as just a 5-6 week old puppy, Typsy came into the veterinary clinic I was working at during that time. His back leg was severely injured, with his foot nearly severed off and his femur exposed.

The individual that brought him in said that he had been dropped at their doorstep like that and he had been that way for at least a week. Due to finances, they weren't able to afford the amputation and my heart couldn't handle the thought of this little puppy going without the medical care he desperately needed. The individual agreed to sign him over and I covered the cost of the amputation and assisted with the surgery.

My initial intent was to rehab him and find a loving home but I quickly fell in love and that was all the story wrote. Over the last twelve years, I realized that I needed him just as much as he needed me.

This past January, Typsy also had to have an eye removed due to a developmental defect that eventually caused glaucoma. Even without an eye and a leg, he is the happiest boy!

How did your Tripawd adapt to life on three?

As a young puppy with not all of his coordination, some basic things were a bit tricky. But after the initial recovery period, he hasn't skipped a beat! He's lived both the farm and city life without any limitations.

He’s inspired me to be an advocate for any pet that faces the need for an amputation because he loves every day of life and is my daily reminder that life is what you make of it.

What are your Tripawd's favorite things to do?

Some of his favorite things to do are go on car rides (especially if there are cows to look at), play with his toys, and sunbathe in the grass. However, he’s usually up for about anything as long as he gets to be with me.

Is there any special gear that helped or helps your Tripawd?

Typsy suffered an injury to his stifle a few years ago so we invested in an Orthopets brace. It helped support his stifle during healing and is now used if we have a lot of activity planned to help prevent any further injury.

If you went through amputation surgery recovery with your Tripawd, what did you think would happen after surgery? Did your worst fears happen? How did you cope?

As a Veterinary Technician, I had realistic expectations since I had worked with other patients that went through it. However, I have been able to take my first hand experience and my work experience to support other pet owners when they are faced with the decision.

What is the biggest lesson you learned from your Tripawd?

Life is what you make of it and physical disabilities are only a limitation if you see it as one!

What is your best advice to someone who is about to go through amputation with their pet, or someone who is thinking of adopting a Tripawd?

Tripawds will give you a whole new perspective to life! After surgery, there will be a timeframe where they learn to live without their limb. However, this is usually short because they learn and adapt so quickly and can live a very happy and normal life even without a leg.

See More Tripawd Tuesday Stories, and contact us to share your own too!

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