Tripawd Pals Archives

Sprinting with Calpurnia the Sled Dog

March 13, 2017May 25, 2008 by jerry

Tripod Jerry meets Calpurnia, the three legged sled dog, along the Colorado Trail.

Tribute to Daisy: Making Sense of Saying Goodbye

May 23, 2008 by jerry

Two weeks ago as I was leaving New Mexico, my pawrents and I started traveling north to meet my Tripawd friend Daisy. We’d never met in person, but we were being treated by the same oncologist in Santa Fe. We had already missed meeting each other at the clinic by one day, so now we were finally going to get to play.

Sadly, we crossed paths one more time, but still didn’t get to meet. At the exact time were traveling northbound toward Antonito, where we would meet up with Daisy in a couple of days, Daisy and her parents were traveling south, on the same road. Only it was a very sad trip for them. See, the cancer had recently gotten the best of Daisy, and her health was rapidly deteriorating. Her Mom, LeeAnn, had to make the difficult decision to help Daisy across the rainbow bridge. She and Daisy were driving to the vet’s office at the same time, on the same road, that we were on.

Meet Molly the Tripawd Pony

November 13, 2023May 15, 2008 by jerry

A lot of people are surprised that big dogs can get along as Tripawds. But did you know that even a pony can get around on three legs?

This was sent to me by my friend Calpurnia. It’s been making its way around the Internet. I hope you enjoy it!

Molly the Pony
Story by Pam Kaster

Meet Molly. She’s a gray speckled pony who was abandoned by her owners when Katrina hit southern Louisiana, USA . She spent weeks on her own before finally being rescued and taken to a farm where abandoned animals were stockpiled. While there, she was attacked by a pit bull terrier, and almost died. Her gnawed right front leg became infected and her vet went to LSU for help. But LSU was overwhelmed, and this pony was a welfare case. You know how that goes.

But after surgeon Rustin Moore met Molly, he changed his mind. He saw how the pony was careful to lie down on different sides so she didn’t seem to get sores, and how she allowed people t o handle her. She protected her injured leg. She constantly shifted her weight, and didn’t overload her good leg. She was a smart pony with a serious survival ethic.

Maruk: Does This Look Like a Dog with Lung Mets?

May 4, 2014May 10, 2008 by jerry

Tripod dog continues to live a good life despite lung metastasis.

Tribute to Drake: A Tripawd Rescue Dog’s Story

May 8, 2008 by jerry

Pound puppies get an extra chance at life when a good person like you takes them home for a chance at another, better life.

And when a pound puppy has a physical challenge, yet still gets adopted, well that’s extra special!

Our friend Beverly wrote to us, to tell us about her miracle Tripawd dog, Drake. Although he passed away recently, his beautiful life story is one that will leave a pawprint on your heart forever.

Here’s Drake’s story, in Janel’s words:

The Perfect Bed for Your Tripawd Dog

May 6, 2008 by jerry

The following post was generously written by our friend Sasha, who lives in Tel Aviv Israel with her tripawd gal Lalla.

There’s something to be said about dogs when they sleep: they stretch out, growl, yelp, drool, produce various aromatic emissions and even sleepwalk And there is, of course, the oft-repeated “rabbit chase” which some dog experts claim is actually a re-enactment of pushing mamma dog’s mammalian protuberances to the max for the liquid known as milk. I for one, am going to stick to the “rabbit chase” theory and fact is, Tripawd humans are the real dog experts.

There’s no animal on this planet (apart from myself on a Saturday morning) who loves sleeping in as much as a dog. Although most of them think otherwise, most dogs do not need a human bed; they need a firm, comfortable no-frills / no-bling pad, which to our benefit should be easy to keep clean, i.e.: can be thrown into the washing machine after being used as a specialized dining room.

But when you live with a Tripawd, you do have to make special orthopedic considerations, but those don’t have to break your bank account.

Happy Six Month Ampuversary, Zeke

April 29, 2008 by jerry

When a dog is diagnosed with bone cancer, veterinarians tend to give pawrents the worst case scenario. In my situation, my doctor at UC Davis said I would be lucky to get six more months out of life. Ha! Wrong!

Now, we know that their intentions are good, but when humans learn that their beloved furry friend might only have a couple of months of good health left, it’s too easy for them to focus on that number. Sometimes, pawrents don’t want to put a dog through amputation because they think he won’t live long enough to recover from it.

But many times, that’s not what happens.

Tri-Stix: Comical Adventures About Life on Three Legs

February 26, 2021April 27, 2008 by jerry

Tristix, the first comic strip by and about three legged tripod dogs.

Daisy: A Senior Gal Lives Her Golden Years on Three Legs

September 30, 2021April 22, 2008 by jerry

Many times, pawrents aren’t sure if they should go ahead with an amputation on their senior dog. Of course all situations are very different, and there are no right answers. Lots of things about the dog’s existing health issues need to be taken into consideration.

But when a senior dog with osteosarcoma is otherwise in fair health, amputation can immediately alleviate the pain from bone cancer. And despite surgery recovery time and a bit of a learning curve, living out life on three legs can be a true gift for older dogs.

“Its all about growing old together,” says my friend Sasha, dog mom of my special girl Lalla. “A senior dog needs gentle exercise . . . and a pain free life in the ‘golden years’ is the greatest gift you can give to your senior dog.”

Daisy is a great example.

Call for Entries: Tripawds Heroes and Tributes, the Second Edition

September 5, 2011April 19, 2008 by jerry

Authors seeking stories about three-legged dogs and bone cancer survivors for second edition of Tripod Heroes and Tributes book and fundraiser.