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
There MUST be something comforting about my tiny bathroom and that purple mat. As my neighborhood fills with the sounds of a war-zone (beach living at it's finest), I took Jasper outside for a quick pee when I thought the sounds had died down. Not so much according to her dumbo ears - she FREAKED out and I grabbed her before she could attempt any sort of bolting and brought her upstairs and she ran to the bathroom and will NOT come out. She gets a free pass tonight for peeing or anything else in the apt as I can see she is clearly spooked.
For those who remember, this was Shelby's safe-haven after her amputation. I can't help but think/hope it's Shelby sending Jasper some calming and soothing energy tonight to help ease her fears.
I am glad I decided to stay home with Jasper. Even though she wants nothing to do with me.
The original post about the bathroom!
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
Online
Oh Alison! That's too funny!! Yep! We all remember the purple bath mat phase Shelby went through!
The late night fireworks are enough to send anybody to the safety of the bathroom! But can you imagine what the fireworks sound like to poor Jasper Lily with those HUGE elephant ears?? OMD! It must sound like the end of the world to her! I'm glad you stayed home too! Can you imagine the fear she's would have felt had she been alone?
Perhaps you could play a little "Purple Rain" by Prince to help soothe her! Shelby Lynne! You reassure her too, okay? You're the one who sent her and she needs to feel secure in her new home!!
Purple rain~~~~~purple rainn.~~~~~~I only want to see you baby in the purple rain~~~
Love to you!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
I went back to re-visit your blog....I had forgotten how delightful it was to read! You were flipping...and we were all on the other side of the computer LOL at how funny she was!!
Yep, in reading the different adjectives you used to describe Shelby, could definitely apply to Jasper 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!
Alison, I will BET on the fact that Shelby is sending her positive, calming energy to both you and your new little girl, Jasper......it is so heartwarming and comforting to see all these signs from your Shelby, it almost makes me cry with joy. And I'm with Sally, I love reading all your Shelby blogs, past and present, and now Jasper's, and I am hoping it will push me to soon start writing on Polly's blog again.......It is still too hard to write for me right now, though......but soon, maybe.......hopefully........
Much Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Well Jasper is still SPOOKED today ... but she's out of the bathroom (and into her crate) which is fine and safe for her as well.
The funny thing about the bathroom is that until last night, she had never put one paw in there. Shelby would come into the bathroom with me but Jasper has never ventured in there but somehow last night, she knew, when the booms started, that that was the safest place for her!
I just hope we haven't had a big setback since she usually likes to play after her breakfast and she's back to hiding again. Sigh. Shelby will send her the energy she needs!
XO
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
As soon as I saw the phrase purple bath mat, I knew exactly who was posting and what had happened. Looks like Shelby told Jasper that there was a great cave right there in the apartment and that it would make her feel safe. One more indication that this is Shelby's handiwork.
Our two were not overly happy with the noise. Being hunting dogs meant that the first pop or two said they should bark. Gus had a bad experience with fireworks and thunderstorms when he was a puppy, so we keep him inside now when the Fourth rolls around. We turned the TV up loud and drowned out part of the noise. They muttered around the house until bedtime. Once they were in their caves (Murphy in his kennel and Gus on his pillow next to the dresser), they both settled in for the night even though the Celebration was still going on outside.
Little by little, Jasper. Little by little. Patience, donkey, patience. LOL!
Kathi and Murphy
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!
Awwww. Well I'm glad everything turned out OK, I'd say Shelby was definitely helping her through that. How sweet!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I too, knew who' post this was right away. So funny! Well, I am sure Jasper didn't think it was so funny. My 2 did pretty well. We live in the sticks and people target shoot and make noise pretty much every weekend. So it was not so unusual. Hey, maybe Jasper needs to come here for about a week. It is too cute that she went to that exact spot. Shelby must have sent a whisper, hey, there is this real cool, safe place with a pretty purple mat. I saw on Facebook yesterday, someone said it was scare the crap out of your dog day. Poor Jasper's ears are like megaphones. She probably thought King Kong was after her, poor baby.she will relax again. Just give her some time. Love from, Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Don't worry about a little setback Alison, just stay positive and strong for Jasper L. She really is still getting used to her new life, and the 4th is a tough time for a gal just settling in.
With Obie it was often one paw foreward, two paws back...still sometimes actually. We are just 5 days short of his 4 year adoptaversary. Oddly, with all of Obie's issues loud noises outside don't phase him. He sat on my Dads lap last night out on the deck while we watched fireworks. It was very loud, and he only looked up once. Now, drop a piece of silverware on the floor in the kitchen and he practically jumps out of his skin!
Keep looking for ways to build her confidence- games, training, whatever. She might have had a setback, or two, but she will keep getting better. I'm sure you remember with Shelby how rewarding it is to see progress. And of course Shelby is showing JL the way, how else do you explain the purple bath mat?
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Karen - thank you for your perspective, again, and that there is hope/light at the end of the tunnel. After a brutal day in which Jasper just seemed a bit off, we had a great evening ONLY to have those idiots set off more 'bombs' in the hood! You're right Lori - I barely heard them at first but those ears must be megaphones for her. She was in the crate and hiding and wouldn't come out. But at least away from the bathroom! 
I guess she'll reserve that space for truly terrifying times.
And LOL - Kathi, I know, I know! 🙂
I think I on some level I am hoping (still) that she will mimic more of the outgoing personality of my sweet angel ... I want to be able to take Jasper places but right now, she definitely does spook outside of her own three block radius. But we are inching our way to expand our territory.
It's ironic - she loves her crate and retreats there when I am home BUT as soon as I put her in it to leave for work, she goes bat shit if I close the door. At least she did last week. We'll see... I got the calming spray so I put that in there and the diffuser is in the same room as her crate. I did get her to snuggle w/me on the couch last night to watch a movie. That was our BIG progress!
Oh and we did use the thunder shirt on the 4th and that was a better success however, I didn't want to leave it on her all night since it's warm here and we don't have ac by the beach!
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 Jasper Lily...you're trying so hard!!! Proud of my little "perro" Snuggle time on the couch and she brought her favorite baby! Ironically, this is one of Shelby's old toys that she was petrified of - it has a different kind of squeak that doesn't sound like the normal squeakers but Shelby would go bat crazy anytime I tried to 'purge' her toy basket so it lived at the bottom. From day one, this has been Jasper's favorite toy and she's got a ton of them already (love the 2 for $5 at Petco).
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
At least she lets the stuffing in them. Lucy has a whole basket of geese parts. Not one of them remains whole. Hey, an idea. When I have to leave the house for more than an hour or 2 , I still don't completely trust Lucy to run free. I put up a gate in the doorway to my laundry room. She is not shut in, but cannot destroy anything. She will often be in her crate when I come home. Do you have an area where you can contain her and let the door open to her crate? Just a thought. I always throw a kong or chewy inside at night and she goes right in. Love from, Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
4myty said
At least she lets the stuffing in them. Lucy has a whole basket of geese parts. Not one of them remains whole. Hey, an idea. When I have to leave the house for more than an hour or 2 , I still don't completely trust Lucy to run free. I put up a gate in the doorway to my laundry room. She is not shut in, but cannot destroy anything. She will often be in her crate when I come home. Do you have an area where you can contain her and let the door open to her crate? Just a thought. I always throw a kong or chewy inside at night and she goes right in. Love from, Lori and Ty
Oh check out my blog post today ... she definitely went for guts! 🙂
Doesn't Lucy have shorter legs? 
Jasper is a jumper and I am pretty sure she would scale (and possibly hurt herself) if I put up a baby gate
. It's really only when I leave for work that I lock her up and she was crying today but I am hopeful she has stopped. As of now, no texts from the neighbors! Fingers crossed! I might consider blocking her in the main room once I get the area rugs back - I worry so much about her slipping and sliding that I try and limit her activity when I am not there. I know it's crazy - she is perfectly healthy and dogs are meant to play/jump but I have seen her take some stumbles that worry me that she will break a limb.
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
Yeah, Lucy pretty much has 3 inch legs. Not much of a jumper. Did not give that any thought. I am slowly giving Lucy more freedom. I was away from home for about 3 hours today . She had not done anything that I found. I am so happy that you and Jasper are working things out. Love from, Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
WTG Lucy!!! 🙂
Well, apparently Jasper can never go live with Wyatt and Rene and Jim - an RV just passed down our street and she literally freaked out. She got super low, tail between her legs and tried to bolt. She kept looking over her shoulder and I got her to pee but once inside she ran straight back to her crate where she is literally shaking with fear. . She doesn't flip out over other large vehicles so this is rather odd. I have tried to coax her out with cookies and snuggles tonight (even gave her some almond butter) but she goes straight back there. So weird. I can only assume her hoarding space in Mexico must have been an RV or something.
Yet another mystery in the world of Jasper Lily! Oh how I wish she could talk ...
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
2 Guest(s)
