When a new member arrives, it’s easy to remember how we were once in their situation; frantic, scared, alone, and desperately seeking some kind of direction that will lead us to the “right” choice for our animal.

During those dark times, we just want someone to figure out our dilemma and tell us “you should do this . . . ”

But ironically, perhaps the greatest lesson that we have learned since founding Tripawds in 2006 is,

There are no “right” answers!

Every situation is so unique, that we cannot legitimately say to someone:

“you should . . . amputate /not amputate / do chemo / go holistic / do nothing.”

This is why a good vet will never say those words to a client. Because what is right for one person’s animal is not right for another. We all come from such a variety of backgrounds that one answer, one treatment choice, one path, is not right for everyone.

The best anyone of us can do is share our experiences, answer questions as honestly as possible and support pawrents as they make choices during their Tripawd journey.

This is one of our biggest goals with Tripawds: to welcome everyone with open arms and respect their treatment choices regardless of whether or not we agree with how they proceed. New members eventually learn that the only “right” answer, is the one that works best for their pack.

Ultimately, the purpose of this pawesome community is to help Tripawds live the best life they possibly can within the parameters of their circumstances.

Thanks to everyone for making the world better for animals! And for your support, friendship and kindness to strangers across the globe. This is a really special community, don’t you agree?

It is difficult to share this sad news, because I know how much it broke my pawrents heart to hear it. But on Saturday, April 28,my dear friend Eisen earned his wings in Colorado.

I will try not to be sad, and hope that the hoppy memories of me and Eisen will dry the tears in my Momma’s eyes. You see, Eisen was the last surviving pup in my circle of Tripawd friends who I played with. We are all angels now.

He is no longer on earth, but what an amazing, beautiful life he had, for 13 years!

Don’t cry because it’s over.  Smile because it happened.  ~Theodor Seuss Geisel

What makes Eisen especially remarkable is that for the last four years, he beat osteosarcoma, and proved that nine out of ten statistics are wrong!

As one of the earliest Tripawds members, it feels like Eisen and I have known each other all our lives. When his mom wrote to us in 2007 after he got diagnosed with bone cancer, I told her “Don’t worry Ma! Eisen will be fine. Remember, his name means “strong”!

Eisen lived up to his name.  Chemo? Forget it. He didn’t have any. Instead, he and his momma made the most of the cards they were dealt. After the diagnosis and amputation, they listened to their hearts and focused on quality of life, not quantity. Perhaps he beat the odds because they followed the holistic advice of Dr. Charles Loops. You just never know what cancer will do.

The last few years were met with some of life’s toughest challenges for Eisen’s pack, but in typical German Shepherd fashion, he was always there to put things in order, and perspective.

Eisen made sure that everyone understood their mission: to live life to the fullest!

Our play dates seem like a million years ago. Those picture perfect Rocky Mountain days will always stay in my pawrents’ hearts, forever and ever. And when they think of me and Eisen playing together again on the big mountain in the sky, they smile.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Eisen my friend, it was an honor to have you in the Tripawds community. You will be missed tremendously, and remembered forever.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Let’s give a BIG PAWS UP to everyone who has generously helped to support the team. With a total of $1,540 raised so far (and counting!), Team Tripawds is in spot #8 on the list of Top Ten teams who’ve raised the most funds! Thanks everypawdy!

Charon Coonfield
Jackie Bouchard
Brad Burkholder
Jackie & Cindy Crowder
Kim Fraser
Brian & Deandre Gabor
Desiree Haight
Diane & John Hollenbeck
Anna Holmes
Julie Horenstein
Fiona Iwan
Mary James
Ralph Kanz
Joanie Knorpp
Heather Knutsen
Martha Lowe
Susan McCauley
Micki Monroe
Holly Nishimitsu
Leslie Pierce
Karen Riley
Neill & Peggy Riley
Cindy Sipple
Mary Sommer
Deborah Stafford
James Starr
Tripawds.com
Robert Vincik

We will also be revealing the wonderful Tripawds Tribute Leash that’s currently being crafted by Tripawds member Karen Riley! If you haven’t sent in your tribute ribbon for the project, please read about how you can do that here.

It’s still not too late to show your support and walk with us in person or from your home. Support the Morris Animal Foundation’s Canine Cancer Campaign, by joining Team Tripawds Today!

Remember, all funds from the Cure Canine Cancer Walks fund the work of oldest and most respected animal health research organizations in the world, the Morris Animal Foundation.

We wholeheartedly support Morris Animal Foundation because of the huge impact their Cure Canine Cancer Campaign has had on the lives of our beloved dogs. Their succesful canine cancer studies give us hope that a cure is definitely coming.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Thanks for doing this Stacy. See you Sunday!

Does your Tripawd have cancer? If you’ve always wanted to ask an animal communicator about how your dog is coping with this illness, now is your chance. On Sunday, April 22 Tripawd Talk Radio welcomes back Stacy Krafcyzk of All Spirit Healing in Wisconsin.

For this episode, four lucky winners who are currently battling cancer
will be selected for a personal reading, live on our show. 

(Stacy’s next appearance will be specifically for dogs without cancer)

How to Enter to Win

If you would like to be chosen for a free reading, please tell us here in 100 words or less, why you believe Stacy can help you and your Tripawd during your cancer journey.

Be sure to enter by replying to this topic. You must include a small photo of your Tripawd. Stacy will utilize this information to provide an informative, helpful reading about your Tripawd.

Four lucky Tripawds members will be chosen at random and notified during the week of 04/09. Stay tuned for the announcement in this Discussion Forum Topic!

Date: Sunday, April 22,2012

Time: 3:00pm PST (4:00 MT, 6:00 Eastern)

Duration: 30 min.

Call In Number: (310) 388-9739*

Tune In Here: Intuitive Animal Communication Canine Cancer Readings

Share Link: bit.ly/ttr042212

*You do not need to call to hear the show. Listen live here and join us in the chat room or call (310) 388-9739 with your questions.

This promises to be a fascinating episode, we hope you’ll tune in. Past episodes of Tripawd Talk Radio with Stacy have been very informative.

ABOUT STACY

Stacy is from West Allis, Wisconsin. She has worked with animals for over a decade doing humane work on a professional level at All Spirit Healing and has assisted thousands of animals, domestic and wildlife, throughout the years. Stacy has always had a strong bond and passion for animals since a child and is now being carried throughout her professional and personal life.

Her unique approach and gentle guidance will give you great perspective and understanding in all areas of your life and help you reach your greatest potential.

Also experienced with Energy healing modalities, Stacy is a Reiki Master Practitioner and uses essential oils that are 100% natural and safe for humans as well as animals to help them overcome emotional and/or physical ailments.

DISCLAIMER: Information provided at Tripawd Talk Radio is for entertainment only. Tripawds.com is not responsible or liable, for any damages resulting from the use (or misuse) of information contained in or implied herein.

When a dog has cancer, it’s especially important to carefully consider your dog’s risk of exposure to environmental dangers like wild animal bites, ticks, etc., and weigh the risks and benefits of each vaccine before proceeding.

You may be surprised to learn that the chance of contracting certain diseases is exceptionally low in your part of the world, especially if your dog spends most of the day indoors.

How to Waive a Rabies Vaccine Requirement

Should you decide to eliminate vaccines altogether, you’ll encounter a few obstacles, especially when it comes to boarding or licensing your dog. The rabies vaccine is the only vaccine mandated by every state in the U.S. because of the risk this disease poses to both humans and animals. However, if you and your veterinarian both believe that your dog can be harmed by the vaccine, you might have a way to avoid the rabies vaccine requirement.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recently announced that while it does support the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians’ (NASPHV) recommendation that all dogs, cats, and ferrets should be vaccinated to protect against rabies infection, the AVMA now recognizes some animals might require a waiver from rabies vaccination when it poses an unacceptably high risk to the health of an animal.

If adequate steps can be taken to minimize the chance of exposure to rabies virus, the AVMA recommends that such animals be granted a waiver from mandatory rabies vaccination, upon recommendation of a licensed veterinarian and with the concurrence of the appropriate public health authorities.

The AVMA goes on to state on this recent policy announcement that the vaccine waiver “should be based upon clinical evidence that the animal would be at considerable risk of being harmed by the vaccine because of a diagnosed medical condition . . . and the appropriate public health authorities concur that the waiver should be issued.”

If you want to be at the forefront of the movement to avoid rabies vaccines in dogs with cancer, you may have your work cut out for you, but the AVMA’s downloadable rabies waiver template is a great place for you and your vet to start.

Download AVMA Annual Rabies Vaccination Waiver Template

Many thanks to Tripawds Friend Gina Snow, a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Maine, who told us about this new waiver.

This OSU team, led by the renowned Dr. Couto, does extraordinary work for dogs with osteosarcoma and other bone cancers. As well as research, Dr Couto and his team also offer a free consultation service for owners, vets and anyone else who may need to have x-rays looked at to see if a lesion looks to be osteosarcoma. That consulation service could save time and in turn, a life.

Celebrate Darcy’s Legacy, April 6 – 13

Darcy joined Tripawds in December, 2007 when she was a new amputee, and continued to beat the odds for the next four years. Her Mum Bev posted many updates about her amazing life, here in the Forums.

This big beautiful giant thrived beyond anyone’s wildest expectations, until her battle with a heart condition called Dilated Cardiomyopathy suddenly took her from us on January 29 of this year.

Her loss came as a terrible shock, but there is comfort in knowing that Darcy’s incredible story will provide inspiration and hope to others who are faced with the devastating news that their dog has osteosarcoma. Darcy is proof that sometimes the odds can be beaten!

All Sorts of Items Available!

Please join us this Saturday f0r the first day of a weeklong Darcy’s Legacy online auction filled with all sorts of goodies, from t-shirts celebrating the life of all canines to books, DVDs, poster prints and more. All proceeds go to a great cause, we hope you’ll join us!

Here are just a few examples of items you can bid on:

 Join Team Tripawds Today!

Funds raised at the Cure Canine Cancer Walks go toward funding the work of oldest and most respected animal health research organizations in the world, the Morris Animal Foundation.

We wholeheartedly support Morris Animal Foundation because of the huge impact their Cure Canine Cancer Campaign has had on the lives of our beloved dogs.

Since 1948, Morris has funded over 148 succesful canine cancer studies, such as;

• Research that showed how bone cancer spreads
• Ways to custom tailor chemotherapy
• How chemo resistant cancer cells behave

The Morris Canine Cancer Walks help raise money so Morris can continue these breakthrough discoveries.

Join Us in Elk Grove, or at Home in Your PJs!

This walk will take place in Elk Grove, near Sacramento. Anybody is welcome to join our team on-site, but remember you can also walk virtually from the comfort of your own home.

We will also be revealing the wonderful Tripawds Tribute Leash that’s currently being crafted by Tripawd member Karen Riley! If you haven’t sent in your tribute ribbon for the project, please read about how you can do that here.

Team Tripawds has participated in every walk since they began a couple of years ago, and we would sincerely appreciate any kind of support you can give toward this effort.

Let’s make this year’s Northern California walk bigger and better than ever so we can reach our goal of curing canine cancer for good!

 Join Team Tripawds Today!

Susan, Barb, John and Cadence

Some Tripawds members like Spirit Hope’s pack, Barb and John Young, along with Cadence’s Mom Heather Neal are sharing their knowledge about the three-legged lifestyle by representing the Tripawds community at dog-centric events like the My Furry Valentine Adoption Extravaganza held on February 11 in West Chester, Ohio.

As part of the Young’s dedication to their Mission of Hope project, Barb and John worked hard securing items to help support the Tripawds community, like delicious dog treats thoughfully baked by friend Susan Wykoff.

Barb Talks to Visitors

In addition, the Youngs had Tripawds bandannas and numerous animal-friendly items available for booth visitors.

“I was able to talk with several rescues and shelters and animal care professionals about tripawds and the information at their website, as well as educating the public about life on three legs,” Barb told us.

She added, “It was a long, but fun day with literally hundreds of attendees. About 261 animals found their forever home during the event! I got a sore throat!”

Cadence Steals the Show

Cadence Sparkles

A Tripawds exhibit is especially fun and attention-getting when a member makes an appearance, like Tripawds Ambassador Cadence.

This sweet girl is a bone cancer hero. She has bounced back from an osteosarcoma diagnosis last July, and is loving life every single day.

“I got emotional watching people interact with Cadence. Some did not even realize she had an amputation,” says Mom Heather.

Heather traveled to the event from Chicago because she says “I want to show others that amputation of a leg, although a life changing event, doesn’t have to mean the end of quality of life for a dog. Cadence proves that she is happy and loving life on three legs!”

Heather and Cadence

Cadence and her pack tell us they were also there “to give back and tell others about the Tripawds organization as well as talk about the help, support, and education I have received from so many individuals on the Tripawds site.”

This Midwestern Tripawds chapter is going to great lengths to help raise Tripawd awareness, and Heather, Cadence and the Youngs are looking forward to attending future events on behalf of Tripawds.

“My hope is that through the education that Barb is giving about Tripawds through Mission of Hope and interacting with SpokesDog Cadence at this adoption event, people will not overlook a tripawd dog when looking for a loving companion,” Heather explains.

Cadence the Star

We send our heartfelt thanks to Barb, John, Susan, Heather and Cadence for their generosity and dedication to raising Tripawd awareness!

Stay tuned for our next News blog post that describes how you can help spread the word in your community!

In February, Barney celebrated four years after losing his leg to Histiocytic Cancer!

See how Barney celebrates this milestone with a healthy meal, and watch how he plays with Spirit Jerry’s Barney doll, who is nicknamed “Jerry” in the Baldwin household:

Click here to view the embedded video.

We had the privilege of meeting Barney after his amputation in February, 2008. We’ve tracked his progress through the years, and are thrilled that Barney has beaten the bone cancer odds.

On February 14, 2012, Mom Linda Baldwin wrote to tell us:

“Today we celebrate Barney’s 4 year ampuversary! I cannot believe how the time has flown, and how very blessed we are to have this beautiful boy still gracing our lives!”

Linda says “Jerry’s Barney doll . . is the ticket to eating or treats! He (Barney) brings ‘Jerry’ to us when he’s giving us a strong signal that it’s meal time, or he just thinks he can swindle a treat out of us. Therefore, Jerry is much loved by him, as well as all of us.

Barney Stays Healthy with Good Foods

Barney continues to enjoy life eating a healthy diet of home cooked foods and Fish Oil. Mom Linda shared his diet plan with us:

“We have been feeding EVO kibble since the cancer diagnosis and amputation because of the high protein, low carb nutritional value.

We supplement with fresh carrots, broccoli, green beans, squash, apples and such; either added to his bowl of kibble or as a treat. He and Floyd (his sibling) both get real salmon whenever we have it for our meals. We also give them both fish oil.

It is still a challenge to keep him from gaining weight because he has gotten lazier as he’s gotten older, which Labs are also known to do. I was happy to see the exercise for Tripawds article the other day. I’m going to see if I can figure something out for him to help strengthen the core, besides eating!”

Congratulations Barney. Here’s to a long, healthy, hoppy life ahead!

See Barney’s Other Ampuversary Celebrations:

Histiocytic Cancer Survivor Barney B. Celebrates Three Year Ampuversary
Meet the Great Yellow Texas Tripawd, Barney B.

During Tripawds’ early days, we used this banner area to liven things up with photos of Spirit Jerry, our founder. Later, some members like Nova the Queen, were given a banner to add variety. Our only policy was to pick a good photo that showed Tripawds loving life on three legs.

Afterwards we realized the banner area is a good place to honor the souls of Tripawds who have earned their wings. We agonized over who would go up there because we feel that all Tripawds members who pawsitively impact the lives of others should be honored. So we came up with an informal policy.

The Tripawds Banner Policy

First, we want to be clear that Tripawds banners cannot be purchased with certain financial contribution levels. Doing so wouldn’t be fair to someone who has provided a tremendous amount of help to others in the Forums, but hasn’t been able to financially support Tripawds on the same level that others can. On the other hand, some members who seldom post in the Forums are able to contribute financially, so we would like to acknowledge their support too.

Therefore, all future Tripawds Tribute Banners will be reserved for
those members who:

Have clearly shared helpful support, resources and encouragement
to others in the Forums on an ongoing basis. Or, have contributed behind the scenes
with ongoing financial support to help keep Tripawds online.

That’s it. We think it’s fair but we are always open to your ideas about making it better.

If we ever accidentally overlook a member who you think should be in a banner, we hope you’ll understand it wasn’t intentional. Thanks!