Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Gator apparently needs his own thread. For those who don't know, Gator was identified by a local lab rescue as a potential companion for Tess about a month after Otis passed. The next day, Tess died suddenly, likely due to hemangiosarcoma. Somehow, it felt right to move forward with him, even without Tess. He is scheduled to arrive in the Chicago area on Saturday. I will get specific when/where to meet the transport on Saturday afternoon. I will have him on a two week foster to adopt, which is really a neat idea to allow new owners a chance to get to know the dog in their home setting.
He is a 5 - 6 year old, yellow lab who was an owner surrender and who likes cats, but that is all I know so far. He is from Tennessee and looks like a pretty big boy - Is it horrible to be hoping that he is in the weight range that would allow me to use the 5 months of heartworm medicine left over by Otis and Tess? I have some pictures from the rescue, but feel like it is too soon to post them. Pictures Saturday, I promise.
I am taking Monday through Wednesday off to get to know him and help him adjust. Side note - Is it strange to think that 4 of my 5 weeks of vacation this year have been dog related? I find myself having silly thoughts like, how will he learn which window to look out of when I come home without Otis and Tess here to show him. Should he eat out of Otis' or Tess' food station? Will he like us? Honestly, really worried about that last one - strange to be thinking about a dog that I haven't even been able to pet yet.
On Tuesday, off to my vet for (hopefully) a clean bill of health. And then off to buy a brand new collar and leash, to start a new life. And finally, to Village Hall for his dog license. I felt such joy when I bought Otis' license last March. It was after his amputation and diagnosis, and buying the license was a celebration that he was alive.
I am really hoping that Gator and Enzo the cat get along. Enzo misses the dogs - he thought he was a dog. Now, he doesn't even come up to my bed, where he used to sleep with Otis and Tess almost every night. I never realized that cats could express grief quite so clearly.
So, assuming that Gator is healthy, gets along with the cats, and is within the normal range of lab behavior, I will formalize the adoption next week.
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.
LOL on "normal range of Lab behavior". We have had six, and so far they have all been so different. On the other hand, they are the most loyal, loving companions a person could want. The two week trial period is a good thing. The first people who took Ollie home brought him back after three days. They said he was completely uncontrollable. By the time we had had him for three days, we knew he wasn't going anywhere else.
Fingers, toes and paws crossed for Gator to turn out to be the missing element in your pack.
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!
And yet another sign.....
Look what Merry Myrtle picked out at Petco today for she and Frankie!
As far as all the internal dialogue and questions, just trust that everything will unfold as it's supposed to. With every "what if" question that went through my mind as I drove to pick up Frankie,my answer was always, "I'll figure out a way to make it work." He was in a shelter...he was a tripawd...he needed, and deserved, a loving home. I truly felt like it was "supposed to be". I think you aare dmuch Gator are meant to be too!
We are all chomping at the bit to see this handsome boy, but definitely understand why you want to hold off! But give us a hint...just a tiny hint...is there any tiny bit of personality that shows in the photos?? To be an owner surrender must be so hard, so sad and so scary for him.
ENZO!! You better be nice to Gator, okay? And Gator, you be nice to Enzo!! It'll be interesting to see if Enzo gets back on your bed once Gator sleeps with you.
Yep, a "vacation" to dog people looks a lot different than what most people visualize!
Lots of love!
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!
That's awesome. Good for you. I'm sure Gator will be great. MySweetTed is yellow too! Nothing that you are thinking about this new adventure is "strange". This is a big deal and we are all hoping that it works out. Please, please, please post pics once you feel comfortable about it. I can't wait to see him!
Wanda
Oh yeah... Sally... I think Merry Myrtle picked out a frog? Gator/Frog.... same difference....reptiles, right?
HA! HA! It does look like a frog! But wait!! I have a better picture to confirm this "frog wanna be" is really a GATOR!!!
See tat tail??? That's a GATOR tail!
But wait! There's more!! See these eyes? Dem GATOR eyes!!
Then again...look at that tongue!! BUSTED!! That's a frog tongue! Clearly this is a Frog dressed up for Halloween as a GATOR!!
Christine, maybe you'll want to rename him FROG!
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'm just catching up. My condolences on the loss of your much loved Otis and Tess. May your memories of them forever bring you warm memories.
Otis and Tess will want a new buddy for Enzo and they'll trust Enzo to teach the new fella the ropes.
Looking forward to the photos,
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Gecko? Newt?
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.
I hope this works out for you Christine. I like that foster to adopt idea. It gives everyone a chance at making things work.
Nope nothing wrong with having your vacation around your dogs. That is pretty much where my vacation time for work goes an hour here 2 hours there LOL. Never get days off. Although I can't say that I did take 2 days to come meet everyone.
Not horrible to wish that he is in the same weight range. If he isn't you can always add a smaller dose to make it to where you need to be. 🙂
Can't wait to see pictures
hugs
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."
A post from Gator's foster Mom in Tennessee - she has had him for the last 3 weeks.
| Gator is the sweetest most gentle boy you will ever meet He has been with me almost 3 weeks now and I sure will miss this love bug | ||
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.
"SWEETEST"......."GENTLE"........"LOVE BUG".......Loooooooove Bug!!!!!! I do believe Otis and Tess NAILED IT! 🙂
We are all soooo excited!!!
And yeah....I think you solved the mystery! Myrtle picked out a GECKO! He looks a lot like the GEICO GECKO!
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!
Oh Christine everything seems to be falling into place so well! If the cats accept him and he the cats I'm thinking this will be a match made from the bridge. My heat worm is from 51 to 100 pounds so I'm betting that will also work for you but if Gator is outside those I'm sure your vet could assist you with using up your pills too in one way or another in subtracting or adding to the mix. So glad you can take time off to bond and get to know one another. Kathi laughing about your Ollie. We too adopted our Ollie after someone else brought him back because he barked too much and they said he had behavioral issues. It took us 6 months to even hear him bark and we never did see any behavior issues. Maybe it's an Ollie thing hu? Makes you wonder what people expect out of a new and scared furface member. Had that sweet boy for over 16 years and still miss him. Like everyone else here Christine am patiently awaiting pictures of Gator your hopefully new furever pup.
I am feeling positive about this but definitely understand the apprehension ... I felt the same w/Jasper and did take a few days off to get to know her. We didn't love each other at first but we grew to where we are now. It's funny... Jasper's rescue said the same thing about her (her name was Julia though). She really missed her and she had almost become a 'foster fail' on that one! LOL
And sally... that looks like a lizard/gecko to me! 🙂
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
I was so delighted to see Gator has his own thread, and he surely does deserve it. And I really needed something to cheer about and be happy about, so thank you.
I can't wait to see pictures and I am sending Gator and Enzo warm, bonding vibes. I feel certain Gator will love you right away - he is a lab and will know he has landed in a great home and he will just be happy and "labby".
And I'm going with Gecko or Salamander......
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Sally - I think that's a Gecko! 
When we adopted Max, it was similar. The rescue group brought him to us, the night before Thanksgiving! And we had 2 weeks to change our minds. The first thing he did was pee on the rug in front of the fireplace lol. They wanted to see how he was with Cassie & Murphy and check that we had a fenced yard, etc. I think the fact that we didn't even flinch when he peed probably helped them to realize that we were ok. If we had changed our minds after the 2 weeks, we could still send him back, but we wouldn't have gotten our money back, we would be able to adopt another dog from them though. We've had Max for almost 5 years now and my husband is still telling him that he's going to return him!
When we lost Taz, Cassie was 11 months old and they were both using the same dosage of Frontline & Heartguard. When we were looking for a companion (before we found Murphy), we had 1 rescue group who called our vet and asked about the meds, then told me that since it had been over a year since I bought it, they were declining our application. I was so angry! I emailed them back & told them that perhaps they should have further investigated things since I had bought a 1 year supply for 2 dogs just 2 months before losing one of them. I didn't realize that I needed to answer to them for using Taz's meds for Cassie.
Can't wait to see pictures of Gator & the crew together!
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
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