Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I got a reminder email to say hello (Hi Rene) and it took me a bit to get here but I thought I would pop in. I feel like we are Alumni even though Cora is doing great and thankfully seems to be a long ways from earning her wings. She is 3 now and has mellowed. Now don't get me wrong, she's still feisty and opinionated and has her stress moments but she's pretty content unless Floyd or I are bothering her. She has a 3 yr vet check up recently and everything was great.
The biggest challenge we have is that she is always discombobulated when she wakes up from a deep sleep. I assume this is some side effect of the brain damage or the meds she's on. I tried to wean her off her meds and it was a no go. So she is getting prosac, gabapentin and pepcid. If she can wake up slowly and calmly everything is fine. However, when I come home from work, Floyd is not calm. This is an understatement. Floyd pogos, runs, barks, pogos some more, barks in her face, runs up to the cats and the rabbit and barks, runs back to the door and pogos some more. Cora decides she wants to get the f#%^ out of Floyd's way and gets up fast and often falls down and has a melt down. If I can't find a solution to this, I will either start locking Cora in the bedroom or kennel while I'm at work. I have now learned to not wake her fast, so when I need to send her out to potty and she's asleep I cuddle with her for a bit first.
Floyd's still a nut but has shown some improvement in behavior. He's mellowed some... ? maybe...? Other than when I come home from work he's great with her and will often let her eat his food without complaint. He also has gotten very good at moving around her carefully when he's not over excited. He total tolerates any grouchiness she shows to him.
As well as them I have the same two cats and they are both good. Franklin the feral kitty and Floyd have come to an understanding. That understanding is, when Floyd is in hyper ricochet around the house mode, Franklin, like the rest of us get out of the way. At all other times Franklin is the boss. The bunny was an unplanned addition. She was a foster and her person has still not found stable housing or stability so the bunny is mine and her babies have been rehomed.
So that's the update. 🙂 I will now try to read up on posts from all of you to find out how things are going. I really shouldn't have stayed away so long. Sheesh.
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
SOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY TO HEAR FROM YOU!!! OMD!!!!! And to hear everybody is doing so well...in their own unique way...YAY!! 🙂
Attn: Newbies! You HAVE to read rhe the background story of Cora and her Mom Chris! This is THE most phenomenal story of love, devotion, perseverance, patience, patience and more patience,!!! Click on the avatar a d enjoy getting to know this amazing pack!
And now you've added a bunny! Oh my! You have such a huge heart!
How is Cora doing with her wheels? Does she still use them?
When Bonnie started this Alumni thread, it wasn't intended jist for "Angels", it was a gathering place for all, especially some of our "seasoned" family members. Goodness knkws, Cora is SEASONED!! And Floyd is too!
A gentle reminder.....PICTURES!!! PICTURES AND VIDEO!!!! We'll be waiting!
Much love to you Chris! Hope YOU are doing well! Clearly your pack is doing great!!
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!
Cora and her wheels...
So, Cora started putting her front leg on the bar to the tip wheels, which meant that she was only pushing with her back legs. She has very strong back legs but the right is much stronger than the left. So she didn't tend to go in a straight line. She also has an... interesting sense of... navigation. You know, in some ways if you think of Cora as a drunk you get a snap shot into her personality. Sometimes she's amazingly happy and wants to attack the bush. Sometimes she's surly. Sometimes she just doesn't give a @$% and is prone to crashing into the ditch. But Cora isn't just a pseudo-drunk, she's a blind pseudo-drunk. And once she figured out the trick of putting her front paw on the tip wheel bar and pushing with her back legs she could go very fast. So now, you have the blind-pseudo drunk dog racing, rapidly changing directions for no apparent direction with me frantically chasing after her.
So, we took a break. And this summer was so freaking hot, I decided to just let it be. I got her back into it this fall. I took the tip wheels off all together and I actually think that will work. But I've been having some issues so we haven't done much with it just lately.
Ok, since you all aren't on Facebook, here is the most recent picture posted to Cora's Facebook page. On day she started thinking that maaaaaaaaaaaaaybe she could climb on the couch. She had a good, long hard ponder but finally decided that no, it wasn't going to work
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
Chris,
I am so glad you decided to post an update. We love updates from you & Cora. I love how she is "beating those odds" that those vets said when you first got her. I hope they are eating crow. She has proved everyone wrong. A blind Tripawd with brain injuries can succeed. Like Sally said if you don't know the back story of Cora please read up on her. She is a true inspiration to all of us. 🙂
hugs
xoxoxo
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
So happy to see an update with Cora, thank you Chris 🐾 I do catch some of her updates on facebook, but not recently..... She is so amazing, and you are even more amazing for guiding her through her challenges, and helping her to enjoy life no matter what. The patience and true love given to her by you is a lesson in life for all of us.
And like Sally said, we just love pics and videos! 😊
Love,
Bonnie, Angel Polly, Pearl, and Zuzu
I went back and read Cora's story. She and you are an AMAZING pair! I can't even imagine all the struggles you two have had to overcome on a daily basis. You are a true Angel on earth to have the patience and fortitude to do this journey. May the love you show come back to you 100 times over and then back again! The world is so lucky to have you in it. Cora is one lucky girl to have you! Her fighting spirit is amazing! You saw that in her and gave her that chance that few would have. Bless you for all the love and compassion you carry.
Linda, Ollie, Riley & Spirit Mighty Max
Soooooo cute contemplating the "couch juml"! 🙂 Cora reallu, really looks good Chris. Her fur is jist glistening it's so shiny!
Thanks for the photo! Lpve it! Love you!!
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!
This might be the first I have heard of Cora and her amazing story .... but wow~! I am so glad I did! Sounds like she's rocking her life ... and doing great which is all we ever want for our babies.
I'l have to read up. But her photo is great. She's beautiful!
alison with spirit shelby (and little jasper lily)
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our 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
Awww, thanks all. Cora and I appreciate it. She really is my hero and lately she's been my rock. The girl who didn't want to be touched gives the best, most soothing hugs ever.
She's still a bit of a clown too. She definitely has her ridiculous moments. I just posted some photos to her facebook page of various sleep positions and I thought I'd share my favorite two here:
I want to try to get a video that captures some of the noises she makes. She has a much larger vocabulary than most dogs. Some of it is definitely curse words 🙂 Sometimes, people think she's being growly though and I think it's her version of a purr. So, that's a goal and I get it I will post it here.
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
Hey Chris and Cora, great to see you in the forums again.
You can tell how comfortable Cora is by those sleeping positions, dogs would never sleep on their backs if they were feeling wary or uncomfortable.
Just wanted to let you know that my little monster alpha pug Tani crossed the bridge a year ago at almost 15 years old. I know we had some conversations about her and Cora. Tani lived far longer than the 8 years the vets gave her with all her issues!
I still have Obie, and 4 months ago adopted a little pug mix Tripawd I named Elly.
So glad to see Cora and Floyd are still keeping you on your toes.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I love her sleeping positions. A normal dog (mine sleep like that LOL well except they all now have 4 legs). I can't wait to see the video of her. Does she still explore the yard like she did? I loved those pictures.
Keep posting updates one of my favorite catch up stories to read about
xoxoxo
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Awww, I am sad to hear about Tani. I totally remember our conversations and the hope they gave me for Cora. It's good to know that our dogs don't understand or care about those predictions.
Michelle, yes, Cora still loves being in the yard. It's her favorite thing when the weather is nice. The other day it got to be 61 I think and the sun was out and Cora was in heaven. She does spend less time attacking the bushes now that she's not a pup but that's about the only change.
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
I forgot about her attacking the bushes...fun memory!!
And these sleeping loses...OMD! Definition of comfortable and secure too!!
Chris, I just shake my head in awe of everything you have done for this sweet soul. A true miracle worker.
Now, be sure and take care of yiurself too, okay? We all love you and care about you!
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!
Could she get any closer to the frig?
And when she sleeps by the frig, she gets quite snarky, if I am rude enough to interrupt her slumber to get something to eat or drink.... after all she is sleeping! How dare I. heh.
I finally figured out, she likes to sleep by the frig because it vents out heat.
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
OH my DOG how on earth did I miss this convo all week?! What a great way to start my day!
Cora! Chris! It's so wonderful to hear about the pack, thank you for visiting. You have all come so very far from the day you joined and shared Cora's very special story. The progress you've made speaks volumes about the dedication, wisdom and intuitive nature you have for one another, through good times and the ruff ones. You've all learned how to co-exist and have a great life together despite the crazy quirks, like a big hoppy family, I just how your story gives so much hope.
She is just so darn cute, I love the pics! I'm not on Facebook a lot (that's Admin Guy who runs our page), so I never see these updates. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks again. Never feel badly about being away, you're out living life and that's what counts. Give all your critters extra lovin' frm us!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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