Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
So Jasper and I hit the air and flew home to Seattle for the holidays. I forgot her allergy pills (and mine too) so we were kind of itchy/sneezy/achy as our bodies acclimated. We are used to dry air living here in LA but it was super dry (and cold) in Seattle and Portland and I think it threw of us off our game.
Jasper was scratching almost the entire time. Like a dog that has fleas would scratch (of which she has none). I know she probably needs a bath for dry skin but she doesn't itch like this in LA so I know it isn't food related (she was eating the same exact thing). And her eyes got drippy / wet ... I've never seen that on her before. 🙁
And she sighs ... a lot. LONG, LOUD, moans. I swear - she is SO vocal. To the point that I am like, are you in pain? She would crawl into her airline carrier and just moan up a storm in there. Shelby never did this. It worries me when Jasper goes off to hide and sigh. She does it quite a bit in LA when I get home from work if I am on the computer or on my phone but it's getting more frequent and louder. I don't think she is in pain since if I call for her and offer her a treat, she comes to me.
Could she be so emotionally sensitive that she is reacting that much to my stress? Seriously?
Maybe this is normal but I've never had a dog that moans and sighs and retreats to a corner or a crate for no good reason.
Other than that, she did great on the plane (as always)... loved chasing the squirrels around the lake, loved lots of extra time with her family and lots of belly rubs and new toys and new jackets. She is a very adaptable little dog since we flew in and drove to Portland the next day and she was in a strange home and her family left her to go out to dinner and she just napped. Here are a couple of shots from our trip!
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
Oh Alison, Jasper Lily is just sooo adorable! I think you just have a very vocal dog there. Maybe she just wants your undivided attention when she's with you and doesn't want you on the phone & computer. So she goes off to her "safe" places to sulk but sighs and moans to let you know princess Jasper is not happy at the moment? I guess as long as you know shes ok and not in pain it's just part of her personality and "specialness" 😀
Linda & Max
By the way how many different sweaters and coats does that girl have? She's a fashion statement for sure! Love it!
Linda & Max
Ollie is one of those vocal ones, too. On Thanksgiving he was sitting in front of the couch and my son asked what was wrong with the dog. He was doing his soft whine, louder whine, soft whine repetition. Sometimes it means that he needs to go out, but more often he just needs to be the center of attention. He really does NOT like it when I use the iPad when I'm sitting on the couch.
They are all so different. Murphy would go to the back door, stand for a while and then give one big woof when he wanted out. Gus would just sit patiently by the door until someone noticed he wanted out.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Bosch moans a lot now. Never used to but does now not sure why. Maybe she just wants attention? love all the pictures too
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."
linda8115 said
By the way how many different sweaters and coats does that girl have? She's a fashion statement for sure! Love it!Linda & Max
LOL! She does have quite the collection which she can mostly only wear up in the PNW! She has 5 right now. My mom not only thought I over-packed for this trip personally but also for the dog! 🙂 But a girl's got to have choices, right?
Well thank you - ALL! I have just never had a dog (Shelby or those we had growing up) that were such drama queens. For a dog that came from a hoarding house with up to 20 other dogs, she sure has made a voice for herself here as an 'only dog'.
@ Kathi - I thought it was a potty thing too but that usually involves a lot of prancing around me and getting really in my face or lap. I think she is just demanding some attention being paid to her.
And she moans when I massage or pet her too ... loudly. Like a cat would purr. She is definitely a unique and sensitive little soul ... She has a LOT to say - all the time! We'll just add this to her collection of sounds which include her signature low-growl and the 'barkies'.
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
Okay, did I get this right?? Jasper Lily goes to hide...she .oans and sighs...you call her name and give her a treat. Am I missing anything here? Jasper goes nides...she vocalizes, at which point you call her and give her a treat. Jaaper jas trained you sooo well!! 
And I agree with the ithers, Jasper Lily is THE fashionista of the dog world! She looks so cute in her "sweaters"!! I think my favorite is the vibrant purple one although she looks ADORABLE in all of them!
It is a funny thing about our dogs demanding attention when we are on the computer.Merry Myrtle brings me stuffies and pushes them on me, or she'll just sit and "paw" me...or swipe at the tavlet with her big paw...to pet her. And it better not be just a token pat on the head. It has to be a full blown petting experience with both hands and lots of hugs. Happy Hannah was the same way.
Kathi, I love your visuals of Ollie, Murphy and Gus getting your attention. And sweet Gus, just waiting patiently...awww...
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!
Really, really adorable photos! What a wardrobe that girl has, she has more sweaters than me...and more stylish too 🙂
I would tend to think of her groans and sighs as an indicator that she's totally relaxed and at home with you wherever she goes. Remember crates are a safe den for most dogs, I'm betting that she's feeling nice and protected in there. And how COOL you can take her wherever you go, do you know how many of us are so jealous over that?! LOVE IT!!!
And Alison THANK YOU for your very, very generous gift to the Tripawds Foundation today, you are truly a gem and we don't have enough ways to show our appreciation for all you do! xoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jasper Lily is stunning as ever in all her fashionable attire!
Lucian is quite the talker compared to Leland or Lucky. He definitely let's me and hubby know when something is on his mind...not that we understand a thing he's saying but don't tell him that...
Sahana and her Angel Leland and Lucian too
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
jerry said
And Alison THANK YOU for your very, very generous gift to the Tripawds Foundation today, you are truly a gem and we don't have enough ways to show our appreciation for all you do! xoxo
It was my pleasure!!! I am honored AND humbled to be a small part of this amazing community so the thanks are all to you and for all that you do and have helped create so no one has to face this journey alone.
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
Oh Sally .... that's just great! I trained her to be vocal (as she sits at my feet right now in frog pose moaning).
She probably does feel safer in her carrier. It's a good thing since I do have to put her in it when we travel (yet I was told she could sit on my lap on the plane since she's an ESA dog but I don't know that everyone loves dogs as much as I do).
I told her today that she had used up her 'words' for the day so silence would be golden! It is so funny how similar to Shelby she can be and how completely opposite in SO many ways. I also think, while mom and I were chatting, some of her extra loud moans were really directed at us as in her telling us "shhhhh, you guys, I am resting".... LOL
Thank you ALL ... and thank you for letting me share her with you!
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
Love the pictures!!!!
Our Meesha moans and groans. She is very vocal. We take it that she is content. In fact we get warm fuzzies when we hear her moan.
However, when she's anxious or in pain, those vocals become high-pitched and she becomes restless. She really doesn't have a tolerance to pain or unpleasantries.
And I would LOVE to be able to dress up my girls! But alas, Meesha would eat hers and then eat Melody's when she's done.
Go figure.
xoxo
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
1 Guest(s)
