He is adorable!

I think a lot has to do with build as to how dogs will and can get around, too. The other day at the dog park we encountered a dog missing the same leg as Dante and he seemed to move  much more seamlessly than Dante does. Dante's movements have always been a bit labored and I guess...choppy or jerky? I think it's because being a stocky pit mix, he has much more of his weight distributed in the front. This dog was much larger than Dante (Dante is about 50lbs, this dog maybe 70?) but had a fairly proportioned body with it's weight evenly distributed and he moved much more gracefully and with much more ease than Dante does.  So hopefully even if Sarge does end up being a big boy - his build will lend a hand in his mobility. We've had some real big guys here do just fine! Back leggers seem to have an easier time than the front leggers, too, so he's got that on his adorable little (big!) side too! 

I was asked to post some suggestions about having an older (almost 16) tripawd and how we handle him.  He had his left front leg taken off last November and he weighs about 75 pounds.  He hasn't lost any weight since then which is amazing.

We live in a motorhome and that did present a problem as we are up in the air about three to four feet to be level.  Jack and a friend built a two sided ramp and deck out the door to get Buck up and down on. The only steps were the two going into the motorhome itself. 

Most of the time, I had to get him in and out myself and I had a great friend, Shannon, who would come over and help me get him in a sling thing and we would carry him in and out that way.  He had a hard time getting up and around and did need some prednisone to accomplish that after a while, but only for a short time. 

Being older, he does have arthiritis to contend with, too.  But what an attitude!  Shannon finally got a job so I had to improvise so I got a plastic toboggan that fit him and slid him up and down the ramp on that.  The lifting him up the two steps and down was still tough to do, (I am 64), but when you love them as we all do, you do it.  I have very strong arms now.

Once he gets in the grass, he off to the races.  He gets in and out of the "tub" by himself and doesn't fight it at all.  I slide him down it by himself and he loves it.  In the winter when it snowed, I took him for a ride around the yard so he had a change of scenery.

As you all know, it is a red letter day when they stand on their own and take the first steps on their own.  This guy is a miracle dog for sure and we consider each day with him a gift as I am sure you all do with yours.  I am going to try and add some photos.  well, can't seem to get the photos up yet.  Have to work on that.

Trapper John is also a rear leg trauma amputee since 11/02/11.  We adopted him a couple months ago, so he had some time to adjust to life on three legs before he came to us.

There's been a ton of great advice here and the only thing I can think to add is get lots of throw rugs for your non-carpeted floors.  Once Sarge starts running, those slippery floor will provide an extra challenge.  Trapper John actually slid all the way across our kitchen floor on his belly when he first got here and is still nervous about walking on the parts of it that aren't covered.

Otherwise, welcome & I'm glad you found us!  There are a ton of great people here who are always willing to help.

jerry said
Well that is true love, what a terrific pawrent you are. Being that we live in our 5th wheel which is high off the ground, we know the steps can be a challenge. We found that the Ruff Wear Harness is indispensible for getting in and out, as well as having good traction on our steps. Sounds like you came up with some pretty inventive ways to help him though, that's greaqt.

I'm sorry your photos didn't post. If you paste the URL in your response I can help.

I think it is  2012/04/IMAG0266.jpg  It is of Buck just after surgery and when we got him home.  I wanted to show some before and after photos.  I did get it to my media library??? but can't seem to figure out how to get it to my posts.