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?

Tripawds made the 11:00 news but unfortunately the footage is not on KOMO’s website. We do however, have some fun photos from the afternoon, courtesy of Kess the Border Collie‘s human, Tombi.

This special group has been meeting semi-regularly in the Seattle region for a couple of years.

Although cancer has taken the lives of some of the original Tripawds in this group, the disease cannot break the bond these folks share.

Since coming together to learn how to cope with amputation and bone cancer, they have formed friendships to last a lifetime.

Start Your Own Tripawds Gathering!

Organizing your own three legged dog pawty is easy.

1. Visit our Discussion Forum Topic, “Tripawd Parties”. Let people know you want to organize one.
2. Post an announcement in ourTripawds Three Legged Dog Facebook Page. We have tons of Facebook memberswho don’t visit the Discussion Forums, and vice versa. Tell Facebook fans to visit the Forums to help plan the event.
3. Choose a date and location. From dog parks to beaches to backyards, Tripawd pawties have been held in every type of location.
4. Share the logistics with us in the Tripawd Parties topic. We’ll help promote it here and on our Facebook Page.
5. Download and create a Tripawds Pawty Flier if you’re really ambitious, to post at local dog parks and pet stores!
6. Name Your Price for Tripawd Bandannas! The bandannas make great pawty favors and all proceeds go to help maintain the Tripawds community.
7. That’s it! Once you nail down the logistics, we’ll help remind people and promote the big event.

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.

Each day, thousands of pets are admitted to emergency rooms because of accidents that happen around the house. These accidents can cost several hundred to a few thousand dollars for treatment and can cause your pet significant pain and illness, or even death.

In a few weeks, Tripawd Talk Radio will speak with Dr. Jason Nicholas, BVetMed and owner of The Preventive Vet™, an Oregon-based service that helps pet pawrents spot household pet dangers before they become an issue. We’ll talk about pet safety tips such as spotting common household and yard pet poisons and easy pet-proofing tips for dogs of all ages.

Currently Dr. Nicholas needs your help:

He is assessing pet owner’s awareness about pet safety to find out how he can best help people keep their pets safe. He has created an easy, short online survey that you can take in just 10 minutes. By providing your feedback, you can enter to win a sweepstakes prize  (cool QR code pet ID tag). In addition, the person who refers the most survey respondents will also get a $50 Starbucks gift card.

Take your Preventive Vet™ Survey Here and stay tuned for Dr. Nicholas’ appearance on Tripawd Talk Radio!

Today, Tripawds member and supporter OK Scout (Catherine Ronck) is facing a first difficult milestone herself, after Scout’s courageous, nine-month cancer battle ended in November. Today would have been Scout’s 10th birthday.

To honor his memory, Catherine sent Tripawds a generous gift of support and also wrote this touching essay, which we would like to share it with you as we wish her Golden boy a very hoppy birthday, and send lots of hugs out to Catherine.

“Today is Scout’s first birthday at the bridge; it would have been his 10th birthday here on Earth.

We had big plans for today, but instead of celebrating, we are left reflecting on Scout’s life. It was a good life, too short, but sadly, when dogs are concerned, there is never enough time. It’s been nearly three months since Scout died, and there are so many things I miss.

I miss our morning and evening walks. In the mornings, we’d head towards the elementary school to deliver my eldest daughter and go on from there.

In the evenings, we’d hit the streets again. In the summer, Scout would return from the walk and jump right into the pool for a quick dip– the purpose of this was not to swim, but to get soaking wet so that when he got out and rolled in the dirt, he would be completely and utterly filthy. When we lived in Houston, we’d usually start out in the neighborhood and then head over to the bayou.

Our neighborhood was mid-Century; each home had a large window in the front. Scout loved to center himself in front of those windows to do his business. When my daughter was toilet training, she too, loved to go potty in front of those darn windows, just like Scout. We had a portable potty for her, but you can imagine the scene…

One night as we were taking a nighttime perambulation (and Scout was doing his business in front of one of those giant windows), a police car pulls up and a police officer gets out. I make a big show of my poop bag thinking someone has finally called the cops on us, but it turns out she was just warning us of a suspect in an armed robbery– he was dressed all in black– had we seen him? Scout and I decided then and there to take up jogging.

I miss Scout grabbing the leash as we rounded the corner towards home. He loved to play tug of war with the leash on the home stretch. I’d eventually let him have the leash and he’d take himself home.

I miss Scout running from sprinkler to sprinkler on our hot summer walks. I always brought water along, but Scout preferred the neighbors’ sprinklers.

I miss closing doors after Scout. Scout was wickedly clever and could open any door that involved turning a handle and pushing. How he could figure out the opening of the doors and never the closing, I’ll never know.

I miss settling down on the sofa to read to my kids and having Scout, ever so politely, force his way into the best spot–scoot over little humans.

I miss immediately clearing off the counters after cooking– now I can bake a pan of muffins and leave the half full muffin pan on the stove to cool. I hate this.

I miss the sound of Scout drinking– it was always in threes– slurp, slurp, slurp… pause… slurp, slurp, slurp. Sometimes I imagine I hear this….

I miss Scout’s nighttime routine. First, he would lay next to my bed, then, after about 30 minutes, he’d pad over to sleep next to my eldest daughter, then at about 3 AM, he’d come back to my room and lie near the open doorway. Finally, around 5, he’d return to his bed next to me.

I miss the whistling sound Scout would make every time you said “RIDE.”

I miss driving with Scout’s enormous head jammed under my armpit.

I miss Scout being constantly by my side– no matter what room I was in, Scout would be there.

I miss the sound of Scout running to the kitchen any time a packet of cheese was opened– that dog could be in the farthest corner of the back yard and hear a cheese wrapper.

I miss his soft fur– goldens have a bad reputation for being shedders, but in fact, golden fur is fantastic as it forms “tumbleweeds” and these tumbleweeds collect discretely under the sofa or under the bed. No bother at all.

I miss those sparkling, mischievous, intelligent brown eyes.

I miss my furry vacuum cleaner. I have used the vacuum ten times as often since Scout died– turns out 3 small kids make ten times the mess with their food as Scout did with his fur tumbleweeds.

I miss Scout leaping over the front flowerbed to greet visitors. I miss running wildly after him to prevent him leaping up on their cars. More than one paint job Scout ruined…

I miss Scout offering his paw — he loved paw massages.

I miss Scout’s “love noises” when he was receiving a paw massage or other petting. Love noises were also heard in anticipation of food. Always a glutton.

Scout loved to lie at the foot of the stairs. I miss the final, furry step.

Scout’s vets blew his diagnosis– so he walked hundreds of miles on a cancerous, moth eaten leg. No problem for my too tough boy. However, if a a sticker should get lodged in his paw, he’d go down like he’d been shot, writhing in pain. You were an odd dog, Scout.

So many things I miss about you.

I am not usually a big fan of poetry, but the poem OKim1 posted in 2008 really spoke to me. Here it is again.

 I ONLY WANTED YOU

They say memories are golden
well maybe that is true
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.

A million times I needed you,
a million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you
you never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
no one could ever fill.

If tears could build a stairway
and heartache make a lane,
I’d walk the path to heaven
and bring you back again.

Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.

— Anonymous —

 Happy Birthday Scout.

In Memory of Scout Ronck
January 31, 2002 – November 8, 2011

They were there to honor the spirit of Tripawd Warrior Princess Abby, a special girldog who left us far too soon on Tuesday afternoon, when she found the perfect set of wings to help her soar through the heavens.

Tribute to Abby Day

Abby’s momma Jackie, who less than 24 hours earlier unexpectedly had to say goodbye to her princess, somehow found the strength to bravely meet up with everyone.

Perhaps it was because Tripawds members who were there had all been through the heartbreak of losing a pup to bone cancer and knew what Jackie was going through. When your grief seems unbearable, maybe being surrounded by people who can empathize is the only thing that can ease the pain, just a little?

Spirit Maximutt’s people, John and Diane, their infamous Bernie Bin Laden and sweet pup Linda, were there to support Jackie on her first day without Abby, along with the notorious Tripawds Spokesdawg Wyatt Ray and my pawrents, Jim and Rene.

The afternoon was dubbed “Tribute to Abby Day” and instead of everyone individually mourning the loss of one of the all-time greatest Tripawd Warrior Princesses ever, the power of the pack came together to watch fun, crazy canine antics take place between Wyatt, Linda and Bernie. What a beautiful day it was, on one of Abby’s favorite places on earth.

“If you’d told me I’d go back to Fiesta Island the day after losing our girl, I’d have said you were crazy,” said Jackie, in Angel Abby’s blog. “But that’s what I did today. And I’m so glad I went.”

Later, the gang went to In ‘N Out Burgers after, to salute Abby at her favorite restaurant, with her signature Flying Dutchman hamburger.

One of the best parts of the day was when Jackie presented my people with her handmade version of ME! My Momma got all watery-eyed when she saw it, it looks so much like me.

That’s me and Angel Abby. Aren’t we a match made in heaven?

Tripawds Members are There for Each Other

That night, my pawrents reflected back on the days following my initiation into Spirit Dog status. They recalled how alone they felt as they sat in their RV and cried through many dark, rainy nights in the Pacific Northwest.

And then they remembered . . . the only thing that made them feel better during that time, was meeting up in Washington with a fellow Tripawds member, Rocco.

Rocco and his pack made my Mom and Dad’s hearts sing once again! He was such a beautiful dog, and his people were so gracious to my grieving pawrents. The meet-up gave them the strength to smile and see that life does get better after the heart wrenching loss of a best friend. They hoped that Jackie felt the same way after their Tribute to Abby Day.

How to Help a Grieving Tripawd Pawrent

We lose far too many Tripawds to cancer, and each time, a human’s heart shatters into millions of pieces. As a bystander, it’s natural to feel like there’s nothing you can do to ease their pain, but you know what? There IS one way you might be able to help:

Reach out and ask a grieving Tripawds member if they would like some company, either on the phone or in person.

While everyone grieves differently, some folks would love to have an empathetic person to lean on, to listen and share the memories of their very special family member.

We will miss Angel Abby so much, but it’s great to know that her dazzling spirit will live on in so many ways, like how Tripawds members so often reach out and help one another.

Jackie, we know your heart still hurts, but we hope this day helped ease your grief a little. Thank you for  your kindness and meeting us on the beach, we’ll never forget it.

If you have purchased and read our first e-book, we would love to hear your suggestions in the comments field below and in this accompanying forum post, about how we can make the second edition even better.

Readers, please tell us:

• what was the most / least useful content in the book?
• what you did / didn’t like about the material
• which book sections need improvement or editing
• did we give enough examples for each type of Tripawd? For example, did we share enough information about senior dogs, puppies, dogs with or without cancer, etc.
• what can we do to improve the book layout

We would also love to hear which forum posts and Tripawds blog content published after October 2010 (the book’s publication date) would be most helpful to include in the new edition.

Since Three Legs & a Spare is essentially a compilation of the best material found throughout the Tripawds community, we want to know which newer Tripawd stories, anecdotes and blog posts you feel would help potential new Tripawds pawrents. Don’t be shy, we’re happy to include your Tripawd’s story too!

And of course, feel free to share anything else about your experience with this canine amputation guide. We want to ensure the next edition of the book is better than ever. Thanks.

Ask Stacy questions about your beloved animals of past and present, by tuning in or joining us in our chat room on:

Date: Sunday, January 8, 2012

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

Duration: 30 min.

Call In Number: (310) 388-9739*

Tune In Here: More Animal Communication and Spirit Healing with Stacy Krafcyzk

Share Link: bit.ly/ttr010812

*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.

Stacy is a professional animal communicator from West Allis, Wisconsin. You’re welcome to ask her questions about your alive or deceased animal in this Discussion Forum topic or call in live to this Tripawd Talk Radio episode on 01/08/12.

ABOUT STACY:

Stacy Krafczyk works as a Professional Animal Communicator, Intuitive Reader, Medium and is a Reiki Master. She has worked with animals for over a decade doing humane work on a professional level 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 Practioner 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.

Thanks to Tripawd Gerry in Wisconsin, we heard about Stacy Krafcyzk of All Spirit Healing, whose intuitiveness has shed a lot of light on what Gerry is thinking! Now, you can meet Stacy yourself this Sunday on Tripawd Talk Radio.

Date: Sunday, December 11, 2011
Time: 3:00pm PST (4:00 MT, 6:00 Eastern)
Duration: 30 min.
Call In Number: (310) 388-9739*
Tune In Here: Animal Communication and Spirit Healing with Stacy Krafcyzk
Share Link: bit.ly/ttr121111

*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. You may also post your question for Stacy in our Discussion Forums.

Meet Stacy Krafczyk, a professional animal communicator from West Allis, Wisconsin. You’re welcome to ask her questions about your alive or deceased animal in our  or call in live to Tripawd Talk Radio on 12/11. Just tell Stacy what your animal friend looks like, and post your question or call in with it.

ABOUT STACY:

Stacy Krafczyk works as a Professional Animal Communicator, Intuitive Reader, Medium and is a Reiki Master. She has worked with animals for over a decade doing humane work on a professional level 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 Practioner 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.