Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Leaps and bounds of progress, even if two steps forward and one back. And I know I risk banishment, but I left my phone at home today and that's where the pictures are. Y'all will have to wait until tomorrow for that.
Roxy threatened to eat my neighbor when she came by on Saturday. The neighbor and I sat on the floor chatting, ignoring Roxy in her safe spot, until eventually she came to me for petting and then let my neighbor pet her as well.
Wallee and Roxy have not yet established the parameters of their relationship. Wallee now requires transportation by the human from Point A to Point B since she does not currently feel safe on the floor. A couple of nights ago, before the transportation demands began, Wallee plopped herself down in the middle of the living room floor. Roxy sniffed her, and got very gently tapped on the nose. Sniffed again, a less gentle tap. and so on with escalation until Wallee stood up and put some weight behind it. Still, I don't think any claws were involved. Clearly Roxy didn't get the message. Puppy brain I'm guessing.
She still won't come upstairs but did step onto the first step and wagged her tail while watching me in the bathroom this morning. And she can take her time figuring out upstairs is not some unspecified circle of hell as it gives Wallee a safe zone. I managed to come downstairs this morning while Roxy was outside so I was already in the room of wonderful things (aka kitchen) when she came in thus I was not growled/barked at. A better option for Monday morning.
The shoe thing continues at night, a random moving of shoes around the house. No chewing just a scattering. She doesn't seem to know what toys are or what one is supposed to do with a ball. She watches me juggle (if one can use the term for one ball) and is curious but that's it. How does one teach a dog about toys?
We did have something of a breakthrough yesterday. I was out puttering in the yard and kept "disappearing" behind the tree. She startled a couple of times then started play bowing and bouncing. I reciprocated to the best of my limited two-legged ability. Then she got the zoomies, down the hill, around the bottom and then leaping up the terracing (3.5-4 feet high!) on the other side and around and back down. I don't know how many laps she did, stopping periodically for more bouncing. She clearly loves to run. I was laughing like a maniac and she was grinning from ear to ear for a couple of hours after that and she seems to trust me a little more. We went out this morning before I left for work and bounced some more but no zoomies. I'd hoped to wear her out even just a little before I left but no. I will do my best to get any future zoomies on video, I promise.
She's now coming away from her "safe zone" for meals and sits very prettily (when asked) before I put the bowl down. I appear to be, generally speaking, an acceptable human. Sadly, she seems to forget who I am if I'm out of sight for more than ten minutes. I'm a little worried, more than a little, about what I'll come home to tonight and/or if I will be allowed into the house. I went out a couple of times over the weekend but they were quick errands. A work day is a whole 'nother story.
Stay tuned...
Right rear leg amp 7/12/16 due to OSA. Metastatic lesion on her right front leg, January 2017. Joined the Winter Warriors January 19, 2017. Run free my sweet girl.
Baby steps ... baby steps!!! This sounds like it is moving in the right direction and that is a positive!!!!
I remember when Jasper first came home and sniffed around Shelby's old toys and the new ones i got for her. She carefully brought each one to her bed each night. I recall thinking how cute... she's cuddling her babies but then I realized, she had probably never had toys of her very own before. She wanted to keep them ALL for herself.Β
Jasper was quick to learn "ball" and "fetch" and she's really quite great at it! I know Roxy will get there in her own time. It is amazing to watch them come out of their shell on their terms. Truly seeing "trust in action" is an amazing experience.Β
Hugs!!!!Β
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
OurΒ story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
OH TERI!!! We sure needed some laughs today....And you and Roxy did not disappoint!!! And sure, pictures would have been nice, vut your description of the ....er.....hmmm...progress is DEEEELIGHTFUL!!! π π π OMD!!! This Roxy gal is truly a work in progress!!! π
I keep scrolling back up because I want to savor every nuance of the "Roxy before Teri" and the Roxy after Teri"!! π
Yeah, I hope she remembers who you are tonight and let's you into HER house!!! π π TOO FUNNY!!
I LOOOOOOVE that she is doing the play bow with you AND felt joyous enough to express her happiness ZOOMIES!!! π To me, that really is a HUGE statement of showing some comfort with you and her new home!
Yeah, Walle is going to teach Puppy Roxy boundaries "kitty style"! Glad Wallee still has his "safe zone" upstairs until Roxy learns who's da' boss!!
Isa really, really knew you needed her and she needed you! Can you imagine any other new home understanding her "growls", her need for a "safe zone"? That poor dog would have been bounced around from foster home to foster home and goodness knows how things woukd have ended up.
And when you POST PICTURES TOMORROW (hint), share the story avout Roxy with her "bone" on her safe zone step trying to figure out how to chew it without going off the step π
Puppy Roxy already knows in her Soul, you are her human and she is your dog. She just has a few "scars" to heal so she can completely give her heart to you.......And same for you. Interesting how the Universe and Isa have plotted this out so beautifully!
A d YOU missy, are a BEAUTIFUL Soul and I still can't believe I got to meet Isa's Mom AND spend some wonderful moments with her.....even if we didn't have Merry Myrtle in the car when you pulled up to Starbucks and everyone wanted to know why I had a human with me instead!! π
Lots of love
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
MARTHA....HERE's the link to Isa's blog where the "announcement" was made....And pictures!! She is soooo pretty!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
OH Teri I so love your writing style. Β It's like I'm right there at your house experiencing it all firsthand! Β I'm just thrilled for both you and Roxy! Β I am anxiously waiting to hear about Roxy's first day alone while human is at work saga....especially the reunion at the end of the day. Β Hopefully you packed some yummy treats to walk in the house with lol. Β And yes pictures for sure! Β Sending hugs to you both!
Oh Teri... I'm laughing WITH you. Β Your Roxy sounds a lot like MySweetTed when I first got him.... Β He was so broken, we were his fourth home, he didn't know what the heck was going on - he only wanted to be safe and loved. Β I stayed home with him for about 4 days when we first got him but then I had to go back to work. Β He had some "separation anxiety"...that dog chewed the door frames from the family room through the mud room about 4 feet high for several months! Β I didn't replace them at first - just figured I'd let him get it out of his system, and he finally did. Β He warmed up to the cats (and they to him!), but I was a little cautious with him because he was so unsettled. Β He didn't know how to play - and unfortunately when I gave him a frisbee he loved it....and promptly ran square into a tree while running around with it - imagine that big dog hitting the tree and falling straight down to the ground and laying there for a minute or so, it was terrifying....no more frisbee! Β He eventually realized that he was part of our family and had such a sweet, silly, glorious personality - and was just so bonded with me, Β as I was with him. Β I was his and he was mine.... Β I believe your sweet Roxy will eventually get there too. Β Also, I believe that rescues like Roxy and Ted become such good companions because they are so grateful and protective of their wonderful lives once they realize they are safe and "home", and that it is not going to go away. Β Time is a good thing. Β Deep breath - and consider that maybe her previous owner may not have been such a good owner after all....? Β So very happy for you!
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WANDA!!! I looooove hearing about Sweet Ted's "early" days! What a trip!! It even makes more sense now why he sent you that JOY UNLEASHED named JOE! π
Speaking of JOE....hiw bout an update?
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
What a riot! I love reading about how you are all getting to know each other. Roxy's energy is so much fun, she's definitely going to keep you busy (and give Wallee lots to keep an eye on too!). Can't wait to hear how your work week goes!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
UPDATE PLEASE, TERI!!!!! I am enjoying this so, so much. I HAVE to know what happened when you got home from work.Β
And the pictures???? Pleeeeeeeeeeeease!
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 20 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
They had the nerve to want me to work around here this morning - craziness!
I can just picture Ted launching to catch a frisbee and landing in a tree, knocked silly. Thankfully, Roxy has not resorted to demolishing the door frames. Or not yet.
Yes, I was allowed into the house last night. She was standing on the bottom step (of the formerly "safe zone") wagging her tail waiting for me to come inside. Zero barking or growling at me. Some barking at other random things, well within acceptable conduct.
Damage thus far: two robins, full grown; and one shoe, a new one.
So much for simply moving shoes around during the night, which continues, and yes I should have put them away. And in keeping with Murphy's Law, the shoe in question was one of a pair work shoes I bought about a month ago and not the $2 flipflops. That'll teach me.
I don't know what to think about the robins, two bodies in three days - it's undoubtedly Roxy, not Wallee. I have noticed the robins can be on the brazen/stupid side so I guess it gets chalked up to Darwinism. Can you bell a dog to protect the birds?
Took her for a short walk last night. The neighbor she tried to eat Saturday was out with her husband and they came over to chat. Roxy was very friendly, not so much as a growl. A lot to be said for neutral turf and being on a leash. Roxy that is, not the neighbors.
The gravel that covers the central compound turned out to be a little bit of a problem. Roxy is not all that great on a leash and was consistently ahead of me. She kept hearing the gravel crunching behind her and freaking out. I was back there, that was okay, but who was making all that noise? Are they invisible?Β
And she does, in fact, know what a ball is for. It was a combination of her needing to relax a little more and me figuring out the "proper" way to play. I was also shocked that she dropped the ball when asked. Isa never, ever dropped the ball, not willingly. That tug of war became part of our game. So I almost didn't know what to do with myself, missed the tug back of the ball. The yard is too small for more than a short toss, but that was fine with Miss Thang. She seems to enjoy the skidding around, knocking the ball sideways and bouncing after it. I threw it down the hill once with her in hot pursuit, then she came trotting back up without it. That was evidently incorrect. Then we lost both balls under the deck, utterly disappeared. Obviously time to get lattice up on the underside of the deck.
She will now come up the stairs. She stops before a paw touches the second floor, whines, and charges downstairs. Ten seconds later the entire process is repeated. It appears that Wallee has specified, in no uncertain terms, exactly which canine circle of hell the upstairs consists of. This apparently did penetrate and get stored in the puppy brain. But she will come up and go down about 16 times in ten minutes. The stairs are old and creaky, and she is not light of foot.
For that matter she doesn't hold still, ever. Constant movement - it's exhausting to watch. Unless she is being petted, which must be continued until my arm falls off or it's dinner time. A momentary hiatus is allowed for food preparation - so long as it's her dinner. There are some manners involving the kitchen and/or mom's dinner that need to be addressed.
Isa loved her green beans so I tried giving Roxy some with her dinner last night. Big no on that one. She looked at me like I was trying to poison her, picked around them for a while, knocked the bowl over so she could pick around the beans more easily. I feel like I'm the one learning all the lessons here.
Now, have I kept you waiting long enough?
On Isa's bed for exactly 20 seconds:
and the face of a happy dog:
So we are doing very well, Roxy and I. Wallee and Roxy still have a ways to go. And the neighborhood birds need to be on the look out!
Right rear leg amp 7/12/16 due to OSA. Metastatic lesion on her right front leg, January 2017. Joined the Winter Warriors January 19, 2017. Run free my sweet girl.
π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π MADE MY DAY π π π π π π π π π π
We need happy posts around here and you did NOT disappoint!!!
I LOOOOOOOVE the progress she has made in truly a very, short amount of time!! YOU ARE DPING AN EXCELLENT JOB of working with her and understanding her!!!! π π
And yes, that photo of her happy self versus the really scared and uncertain face from the first day....HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!! π
The gravel...the stairs.....the newness of everything in that sweet puppy brain of hers must be exhilarating to discover, or, in the case of the gravel crunch, a bit scary!!
The leash...the neutral turf...so much progress!
I KNOW it had to feel good to be able to come home to a wagging tail.....to someone to greet you and someone for you to greet.....someone to talk to....voices heard again π π
Do check arou d high and low to see if there are any baby Robins around. It may indeed be why the pair seemed so easy to catch....they may have been protecting their young. And don't worry Roxy.....we're blaming Wallee!!
And the verification from Isa that she sent you Roxy.....the bed..........it really is a touching photo. I thi k it was also Roxy's way of saying "Thank you Isa. This human you picked out for me really understands me, and she likes me!!!!!"
MORE!!!!! MORE!!!!!!!
Lots of love
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Well, here's more for you Sally. I just added a post to Eurydice's thread and for the first time added Roxy's name with Isa's. Hit the "submit" button and Isa's banner came up. And I burst into tears.
It's all so very complicated, isn't it?
Right rear leg amp 7/12/16 due to OSA. Metastatic lesion on her right front leg, January 2017. Joined the Winter Warriors January 19, 2017. Run free my sweet girl.
teri said
It's all so very complicated, isn't it?Β Β
Or all very simple! When we put our human brain on vacation for a moment and open ourselves up to the energy field around us, the connections around us are magical π And Isa is DEFINITELY in your energy field!!
Remever when we were at my home? We were talking about Isa znd BAM! BOOM! HOLY SMOKES!! Miss Isa shows up on the tavlet!! Right there in front of Jim and Rene and Elizabeth!
Isa really knows how to connect with you and I love it!!!
I love your signature.....very sweet! π π π
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
BAM!!! BOOM!!! HOLY SMOKES!!!! π π π π I just hopped back to the foru s after "replying here"! Yeah!! That BEAUTIFUL gal who we all love so dearly popped up again!! I think Isa is feeling mighty frisky being all.pain free and young again!!! π
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
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