Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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With mixed emotions ... I present Jasper Lily - a 1 1/2 year old Basenji mix. We are on a 'trial' basis right now and I am cautiously optimistic it will work out. we have been together for about 3 hours and she's a total love. She's a rescue from a hoarding situation south of the border so she's a bit skittish but very loving and affectionate. We are obviously still getting to know each other and it's been over 13 years since I've brought a dog home and I am trying to remember how Shelby and I were at first. I know our love wasn't instant and I am hoping that Jasper and I will get into a groove.
I want to love her and yet, of course, I feel guilt to my best girl, but I also feel that Shelby guided Jasper to me. My entire apt still smells like Shelby which must be confusing for Jasper since she's clearly looking for another pooch that isn't here. But she was too adorable to pass up.
So we shall see ... at least she's house-trained and a non-barker (so far). and clearly comfortable on my couch already.
I still miss Shelby with every ounce of my being but as has been said here and from my friends, I am simply MEANT to be a pet owner ... as a single woman, dogs are who I am.
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
She is adorable, and I am so happy for you....... So is Shelby.......
Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
She's beautiful. Wishing you the best.
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
OH MY GOODNESS! I am smiling ear to ear Alison. I just love this little girl........I can't imagine the mixed emotions you must be feeling right now, but Shelby definitely brought her to you, this little girl needed a home and what a home she got! I guarantee in a few years from now you will be saying you rescued each other. I am so so happy for you and cannot wait to hear more about her and SEE more of her!!
xoxo,
Erica
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Alison,
I read on Elizabeth's site about you adopting a dog and there you were introducing Jasper Lily. I'm very happy for you and I know Shelby would want you to channel your love to her. Don't worry if she is not like your Shelby, you will love her for her qualities. After my Maggie passed (it took a year) but I got a male Weim puppy. Hank is completely crazy and I end up chasing him all over retrieving stuff from him. He's no Maggie but I love him just the same. Have fun with your new girl!
Penny
^ +1 on what Erica said. Shelby definitely had a hand in this. Yay, Alison! So happy for Jasper Lily and for you. She is a lucky girl! And great pics of the two of you, btw.
And welcome to Club Basenji mix! Get used to answering the question: "A Ba-whaaat?!"
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
Alison
Jasper Lily is a beautiful girl........who is very lucky to have you as her pawrent.
Shelby definitely had a hand in bringing her into your life!
Many hugs
Linda and Tucker 
I am so happy for you! Shelby definitely had a hand in this, she is beaming with pride right now!! She is bragging to all the Tripawd angels saying look what I taught her, yep that is MY momma! Jasper Lily won't ever replace Shelby, but she'll find a place right next to her in your heart.
HUGS!!
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Thank you everyone .... the guilt I feel is horribly painful. I know I didn't "replace" Shelby but I am having a really hard time "loving" this dog ... but it's only been less than 24 hours. She won't pee outside (so much for house-broken!!). In fact, she barely pees at all (she peed in the crate and then on the floor in front of me). And she absolutely will NOT poop - I am going to put her back in the crate and go for a little run. She is eating/drinking just fine. She nibbles other than scarfs her food.
I gave her a few of Shelby's old toys that I was going to donate anyways and she seems to like those and will play on her own. She wants so much to snuggle and be loved and I am having a really hard time bonding. I will give it a few more days.
And I'll get her into my vet tomorrow (I hope). She had a flea treatment but she scratches a lot - maybe she has allergies?
I just have to remind myself that the first week I had Shelby, I wanted to take her back too.
Thank you again - everyone! This is another hard as all get out stage of this process ... I just miss Shelby so much and while a new pup should make me smile, it's bringing more tears than smiles!
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
Alison, don't feel guilty, you brought this sweet girl home because something in her, and something in you, wanted to, and more than likely, Shelby wanted you to. Give her time to adjust.....most rescues take much more time to adjust than a new puppy. This pretty girl is over a year old already, and her former life was not so great, so she will just need the time. Take it slowly and don't expect everything to happen all at once......she is probably very confused, and frightened, so just go with it and see where it leads. Time and patience often leads to incredible things! Go out and buy her one or two of her own new toys, but still let her keep what was Shelby's toys if that is a comfort for you. Starting out with a new pup in your life IS hard, but it is also a part of healing.
Keeping you and Jasper Lily (and Shelby) in my thoughts.......
Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Oh Alison, I am so happy for you!! I am smiling really big right now. You may want to give it more than a few days. Remember, I said that I could not get close to Lucy? I now find myself anxious to see her. The fact that she needs to be right where I am helps I am sure. Jasper Lily, she has 2 names also, just like Shelby Lynne. I am sure that she is plenty confused about her new surroundings. Sometimes, they take a while to get used to peeing outside while on a leash. Do you know what she is mixed with? I am asking because she has the exact same ears and face markings that Lucy, my Corgi has. Just regular legsGive her some time. She will not be Shelby, nor would you want her to be. That place in your heart is already occupied. She is so lucky that she found you for a Mom. 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.
There is just something about Jasper Lily that reminds me of her. So excited for you!!!!
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.
Congratulations Alison! She is darling and I'm sure feeling so grateful for being in a calm, soothing environment. What a lucky girl, she won the lotto!
One thing to keep in mind is, the way humans perceive 'love' is completely different than the way dogs do, at least when it comes to rescue dogs who've had a rough start in live. Humans believe in all that silly love at first sight stuff, which really whacks with our emotions and relationships doesn't it? But rescue dogs? Rescue dogs don't know 'love' as we know it, they translate it differently and it takes time for them to understand it. What they will eventually define as "love" is the same person consistently showing up for them, feeding them, giving them the attention and leadership they crave, feeling safe, warm and cared for. Love = a bond and this bond isn't something that happens overnight, especially for a lot of rescue dogs, it takes time and trial and error. But it is SO worth it. She sounds like "the one" who will get there with your care. Hang in there and see how it goes, and you can lean on us anytime.
Many congrats for taking this huge leap of faith!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
GOSH! Just ditto ALL the above!! GRRRRRREAT ADVICE AND INSIGHT.
Jasper Lily is so darn cute!! I'm sure if it doesn't work and you have to take her back, surely she will find someone to love her! (Yeah....I said that on purpose...tee...hee!) I'm sure she's pickin up on your uncertainty and that makes her uncertain and tense.
Okay...here....you'll like this.....just like a fine wine, Jasper Lily will take a little more time!
She and Lucy are twins!!!
Time Alison, time! Not sure I can offer any advice about equating guilt. That may not be the real emotion/feeling anyway...it may simply be you miss Shelby...perfectly normal. Yoy've got the joy of coming home to sweet Jasper Liy and the sadness that it's not Shelby....still part of the crazy journey.
Keep tappinginto Shelby's eergy...she knows what she's doing!!
Se ding you love!
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!
jerry said
Congratulations Alison! She is darling and I'm sure feeling so grateful for being in a calm, soothing environment. What a lucky girl, she won the lotto!One thing to keep in mind is, the way humans perceive 'love' is completely different than the way dogs do, at least when it comes to rescue dogs who've had a rough start in live. Humans believe in all that silly love at first sight stuff, which really whacks with our emotions and relationships doesn't it? But rescue dogs? Rescue dogs don't know 'love' as we know it, they translate it differently and it takes time for them to understand it. What they will eventually define as "love" is the same person consistently showing up for them, feeding them, giving them the attention and leadership they crave, feeling safe, warm and cared for. Love = a bond and this bond isn't something that happens overnight, especially for a lot of rescue dogs, it takes time and trial and error. But it is SO worth it. She sounds like "the one" who will get there with your care. Hang in there and see how it goes, and you can lean on us anytime.
Many congrats for taking this huge leap of faith!
Always insightful, as always! You are so wise and well-spoken Rene! That is very true and I do remember that it was hardly "love at first sight" with Shelby. God, she was horrible - pooped in the house, holy terror, bat crazy...
And you are right, Bonnie, the first year of her life has been schizophrenic - from being God knows where to being in a hoarding home with 40 dogs to being in a rescue home for 2 months... she is probably desperate for some stability.
She is incredibly submissive which makes me think that perhaps she was hit (I go down to play w/her and she goes flat/ears down). I am definitely planning on getting her some of her own toys and bed this weekend. And she will be going to my vet tomorrow for a thorough exam.
I want so much to succeed at this and the support and encouragement from all my friends here means so much to me. You all know how to support me in ways I didn't think possible and the collective wisdom here is amazing and empowering. My apt is like a shrine to "Shelby" with photos everywhere and her 'stuff'. Perhaps once I get Jasper her own bed/toys then I will see more of a separation and allow myself to love her a bit more.
I keep going back to what Christine said to me MONTHS ago - I was meant to be a dog-mom and while this feels REALLY soon and that scares me, Jasper in no way is a replacement for Shelby ... Jasper has her own personality that is coming out more and more.
And Lori, I don't know what her other mix is because she's a rescue. I will ask the vet but definitely those ears are the same as your Lucy. They are flipping HUGE! I've never seen a black/tan basenji before. But she is quiet as all get out (which I love) and that is definitely a basenji trait.
Thank you everyone for supporting me through this ... it means so much 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
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