Today’s Tripawd Tuesday spotlight is shining on Garbanzo Bean, the senior pup who celebrated his New Year’s Eve adoption with a brand-new name and a brand-new lease on life!
At 12 years old, Tripawd Tuesday Garbanzo Bean proves life is best lived in the moment
For Claire in Whitefish Bay, WI, adopting Garbanzo Bean on New Year’s Eve was the best celebration of all. Her Garbanzo Bean is living proof that senior Tripawds have endless joy to give! We hope his story encourages you to adopt a senior Tripawd, too!
Tripawd Tuesday Q&A: Garbanzo Bean’s Story
How old is your Tripawd?
12
When and why did your Tripawd lose a leg?
Garbanzo Bean came into our lives after being rescued by The Little Red Dog (TLRD) organization in Southern California.
After suffering a bad dislocation that was left to heal on its own, he was brought in to be euthanized by his previous owners. The veterinary staff stepped in and recognized that this was a perfectly healthy dog, he just had a bad wheel with too much scar tissue to be saved – and reached out to local shelters.
The owners were convinced to surrender Garbanzo Bean (fka Chapito) and he had a successful amputation with the help of TLRD. We had a meet and greet with him on New Years Eve 2021, and adopted him on the spot.
He got his new name on the ride home. He had gotten his stitches out earlier that day! Such a brave little guy.
How did your Tripawd adapt to life on three? Did the reality match your expectations?
After about a month of taking very slow, half-block walks and re-learning how to go up and down stairs, Garbanzo started to get his footing.
After a few short months, he was sprinting on the beach, jumping onto and off the couch with ease, and was back to full mobility – it was truly impressive to watch.
Years later, he is stronger and quicker than ever.
What are your Tripawd’s favorite things to do?
Bask in the sun, run on the sand, go on long road trips, sniff the breeze, take naps with mom and dad, bark at the UPS truck, and keep an eye on his new (human) brother Jonah who was born in July.
What is the biggest lesson you learned from your Tripawd so far?
Dogs are the best creatures on the planet at being present. I don’t think Garbanzo realizes he is short a limb, he is pure excitement when it is time to be excited.
He is perfectly restful when it’s time to rest. He goes into alert mode when it’s time let everyone know the mailman is here. He is fully present at all times.
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?
They are pure joy and there is nothing to be intimidated by! These pets are capable and will live with an extremely high quality of life given the proper time and care.
Give them time to adapt and build up their strength and they will absolutely impress you in their recovery.
Aside from making a few adjustments to their lifestyle (walks might be a little shorter since they burn extra energy, the might need a bench when jumping off the bed to save impact intensity if they only have one front leg) it is the same as having a pet with 4 legs – but even sweeter.
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