Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Just wanted to remind people to always carry wire cutters with you, or at least a Swiss Army knife with a saw function, if you are walking anywhere remotely rural, or really anywhere at all. I used to, but never used them, and became complacent. We just had a VERY hairy incident. Meg got her head stuck in a wire fence while in pursuit of a rabbit. I didn’t even realise what had happened as the fence was running through the middle of a hedge, so you couldn’t see it from the path. I thought she was tugging on a branch, as she loves to do, and stood for some time waiting for her before I realised. It was really pretty frightening. Her head was completely through and we could not get it out. She was thrashing all over and seriously stressed. I could not force the wire open enough and neither could I leave her and go for help. In the end I managed to get her to calm down a little and forced the wire open so hard it cut my hands but thank heavens I got her head free. She appears to be completely unscathed both physically and mentally (typically) but I’m still shaking. Please learn from us and put some pliers, wire cutters, knife, whatever in your dog walking bag NOW.
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 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...
OH CLARE!!!!!! THIS WAS SO SCARY!!! I'M SHAKING WITH YOU JUST READING ABOUT IT!!!
Sooooo glad you were able to get her out safely and unscathed!! Of course, you ARE "scathed", mentally and physically!!
I can only imagine the shock Meg felt, not so much by getting caught in the fence, but that "something" stopped her from continuing on her bunny chase! That gal has so much fun on her adventures, and clearly this won't slow her down one second when a bunny is in view!
A quick side story for ya'. A precious generation of dogs who owned me, loved escaping out of their fences and happily greeted me as I drove up the driveway returning from work late at night. I was always so happy they were safe, I gave them each cookies and headed them back j ti rhe yard. Sometimes before I could even find their escape route, they would get out again, and come .looking for their cookie to go back into their yard.
Anyway, one night I got everyone their cookies and back in their yard......except Hound Dawg Pee Wee Herman.
Found him dangling UPSIDE DOWN with his hi d leg caught in the fence. Fortunately he was able to touch one of his front paws kn rhe ground. Anyway, went running inside looking for my wife cutters...seemed like it took forever! Finally got the wire cut and got him down safely.
So your advice about keeping wire cutters with you is a must!!
I'm just sooooo relieved Meg is safe....and most likely very proud of herself!!!
Love to 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!
Love your stories, always, Sally. Poor old Hound Dawg Pee Wee Herman! Thank heavens you got him free! Think I might have been climbing through the fences for a cookie myself!
I think Meg MUST have bruised her neck and throat. I can’t believe she’s unharmed. I really can’t. Have just been cuddling her for hours. It was HORRENDOUS. I thought she was going to pull her own head off. I’m sorry. I know that’s horrible but that was how it felt. When I finally got her out, her eyes were completely wild. I’ve never seen her like that. I really thought she’d got herself into every conceivable scrape in the last ten years. But clearly she’s got more up her sleeve.
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 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...
OMD Clare- that is terrifying!
I'm glad that Meg appears unhurt- but she may be sore tomorrow.
I used to always carry a multi-tool with me when I went out with the Pug girls, they were much more adventurous than my current pack, but I haven't been carrying it lately. I think it's time to add it back to my 'kit'.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Oh my, I would have been frantic! She sure keeps you hopping!! I swear they feel too good after going for therapy honestly they come home boundless!! I cringe after we just paid to put Purrkins back in place as he bounces all around💸
I really hope all is fine and Meg is unscathed and no bruising either! 🙏 Both your eyes must have been wild I can feel the panic! Not good! A great tip for everyone.
Your all in one piece thank heavens Miss Pie is barking in the background;)
Meg, you both, must rest, Please! Clare make a tea!
Lots of love to you Both and always Miss Pie
Goodness !!! I cannot imagine how both of you must have felt 😳😳😳
What a horrible experience 😳
Meg is always so confident she must have panicked big time not being able to get out ...
I never thought of carrying any such tool with me but now I definitely will.
Sending love and cuddles and woof woofs from our Angels up there in the sky 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Clare I saw your post on Faceborg and although I am not a big Facebooger I felt so compelled to comment because WOW that was an awful scene and I am SO SORRY but just glad she and you are safe. That had to be so terrifying! I cannot imagine.
My guess is that her neck and shoulders are probably sore but her scruff probably saved her from more harm. Poor thing! Give her extra kisses from us.
Jim always wears a multi-tool on his belt that has wire cutters. I don't even though I have my own, but now I'm going to rethink that because we are constantly walking in open fields and such. Never even thought about getting into a situation like this. Thank you for opening our eyes to the danger.
((((hugs))))
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks so much everyone for responding. If our experience can help someone else avoid the same situation then that would be really a great consolation. Meg is absolutely fine today. I really cannot believe it and she certainly doesn’t deserve to be, but there we are. I am once again awe struck by her remarkable resilience. What’s more, to add insult to injury, I somehow managed to pull a muscle in my back, presumably in the process of rescuing her. So she gets off scott-free (how???) while I am hobbling around.
Heres a pic of the wretched creature this morning, enjoying extra cuddles in bed and looking not the slightest bit repentant.
❤️❤️❤️
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 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...
Cracking up over here!🤣😂🤣 I mean, it's not funny, but you always add such good humor with that great wit of yours, we have to laugh!!
That picture says it all about how the resilient Meg feels about the whole ordeal. Basically, "What ordeal? I saw rabbit. I chase rabbit. I put my head through the wire fence on purpose! I was trying to make rabbit think I was stuck so rabbit would come see what was wrong. Then I snatch rabbit! 😎But nooooo......Mum had to come and mess up my plan!"😣😩
I really am sorry about your back. That is so miserable. You know what you have to do though....rest, pain meds and only get up for short potty breaks!!😁
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!
Awwww that face! I'm just in love with her.
Sooo glad to hear she is fine and I hope your back is better in no time at all. Ah the things we do for our fur kids!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Phew so glad to see Meg is Meg scared the crap out of herself and all of us and she is FINE! Typical Megastar! YAAAY How can anyone not adore that mug! OMC
So sorry you both had to go thru that terrifying experience, but you have enlightened everyone to carry tools, so that doesn't happen to another! I'm sure you will save many from the same fate!
Of course on the back right? Yep, rest and please look into getting Arnica k?
Homeopathic remedy 30 C I have used 200 too!;) They make gels and creams use pellets and a topical both! It is a great staple for the medicine cabinet 😉
Loads of love!!
Nowadays, there are alternative for wire fences, like this invisible fence is a great solution for keeping your pet safe while providing them with a sense of freedom. The most common and practical type of pet fence is an electric fence. An electric dog fence will keep your pet safe and secure during the day and night. Electronic Fences are great for large yards, restricted areas, and subdivisions
For these types of situations, I'll also suggest going for a wireless dog fence. There is no digging or burying of the wiring system needed with that. It'll allow your pet to move freely while keeping them safely contained within the allowable area.
walshbook said
For these types of situations, I'll also suggest going for a wireless dog fence. There is no digging or burying of the wiring system needed with that. It'll allow your pet to move freely while keeping them safely contained within the allowable area.
You do understand that they were out walking through fields, right? This was not their yard that Meg got caught up in the fence … they were out and about and she got caught in a random fence.
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Oh gosh thank you for explaining that, Donna. I completely missed it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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