Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi,
I thought I'd share today's DIY project. Jumping onto the bed is a challenge for my Tripawd friend. I think part of the challenge is the soft landing spot. He didn't care for traditional steps. I looked at various options online, but they are expensive and always in the way. So, I came up with this:
And it slides under the bed when not needed!
Many years ago we needed a temporary table for a nook in the house. We took a piece of plywood cut to size (2' x 2'), bought 4 legs at Home Depot, and a set of metal plates for attaching legs. The legs screw on and off in minutes and we had this stored in the basement. So, today I cut the legs down so this would fit under the bed. FYI, I still have a set of long legs I could always put on if I needed the table again for a few days.
The platform is big enough that Milo is comfortable with the small jump to level one, then a second small jump to the bed.
The next challenge will be me trying not to smash my shins in the middle of the night, but that applies to any of the steps we tried or considered. I'm thinking I might put some pipe insulation on the edges of this so it won't hurt as much when it happens.
Peace,
Jenifer & Milo the bed hog
That's great! You could try a pool noodle for the edges! I keep seeing people suggesting them for all sorts of things ... I would think that they would work for this, too. You can find them at the dollar store. Just cut a slit down the side of it & slip it on.
Donna
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
They also sell bumpers to go around coffee tables to protect toddlers just learning to walk. Those might work. Great idea - I have been trying to find something that a dog could get their whole body on before taking the next step.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
otisandtess said
They also sell bumpers to go around coffee tables to protect toddlers just learning to walk. Those might work. Great idea - I have been trying to find something that a dog could get their whole body on before taking the next step.
When struggling with steps and searching this site for a solution, I think I saw a post of yours mentioning that. This design was a combo of some ideas from online DIY sites, the desire to be able to push it under the bed, and then modified by your comment. Milo is able to get all 3 paws on the platform, steady himself, then up to the bed. He appreciates your post and learning from Otis.
What a great idea- I love how it slips under the bed!
Unfortunately since I moved last year there is no open space under my bed 
Oh, and I have a scar on my shin from slamming into the little stairs I have next to my bed for Elly (and occasionally Obie).
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thanks for sharing! Great idea!!
I can hear husbands and boyfriends coming home now..."Honey, have you seen the dining room table?"
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!
Hee hee love it! And yep, Donna took the words right out of my mouth, a pool noodle can serve as a bumper. Not quite "Better Homes" stuff but it works!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
This is so great!!! Thank you for sharing... I always worry about my quadpawd jumping up or down on the bed so I lift her but would love her to do this on her own. And love that it would go under the bed!
Very cool!!!
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
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