Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I help a dog rescue by fostering dogs until they can be found a home of their own my 2 dogs are chilled out and pretty accepting of other dogs, I am also friends with a lady who runs another dog rescue far away from where we live (I met her when I lived much closer to the rescue base).
Well my dilema is the rescue based further away has a tripod (she had surgery a week ago) and I said I would foster her eventhough we are out of the area they cover and much to my surprise my friend said ok. There are a few transport issues as it is well over a 4 hour journey but my friend is still hoping to get her to me.
Then the rescue I normally foster for have had an influx of dogs and are desperate for foster homes.
Having one from each is not a possibility.
I do not do conflict and sometime soon I am going to have to let one rescue down. I guess the question is do i foster the tripod girlie for my friend which isn't that practical or for my usual rescue who are based closer.
More than anything I was hoping having a ramble in black and white would help me decide
Dizzy diagnosed with osteosarcoma 24 may 2011 amputated same day doing fine hopping around on three legs giving the neighbourhood cats what for
That's a tough one to answer. You can only do so much, and you don't want to over-tax yourself or your household. Good luck, I hope you get an answer soon. I think it's wonderful that you foster pups...you rock!
Cathy
Well, it seems you're committed to the tripod if you offered but I'd suggest deciding your limits and sticking with them to keep it practical for you. For example, only offer to travel a distance that is reasonable for you to meet your friend. Like Cathy said, you can't do it all. And your local rescue is just going to have to understand...cuz Tripawds are special.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
While others may be willing to foster a tripawd, you have experience. That truly counts for something in my book. You know what to expect and what to look for.
As already pointed out, you just have to set your own limits. Don't try to take on the world because you feel guilty. Most of us believe it is our jobs to help where we can, and sometimes that is only one dog at a time.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Well, whatever you decide, you'd absolutely be wrong to feel guilty afterwards because it's so so so so great that you foster at all! I was recently trying to imagine a way I could work fostering dogs for my local humane society into my life and gosh, as much as I want to, it's tough! Though part of that is not knowing how the current dogs in the home will adapt (or not) to it. At the least, I know I have to put it off until next year, when I get vacation time to use. But that you manage it is huge 
I don't think there's a wrong answer here, so why not go with your gut? Unless you can't tell what your gut wants, then try your head, and if that isn't clear either - flip a coin. Either way a dog is getting the foster home he/she needs.
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
I am a go with your gut person also, having said that I think the fact you have experience with a tripad AND alot of people won't want to deal with them might have a little influence, and it isn't like you won't help out the local rescue in the future, it's just that this time your rescue might need a little more care that you would be able to offer. Hope it works out for you, I will be interested to see what you decide
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
thanks all not 100% sorted yet but more than likely the tripawd girlie will be coming to us on foster in a couple of weeks. I do feel guilty letting someone else down but I am always the same i want to help everyone. As far as i'm concerned best case scenario would be we keep the tripawd forever and help my local rescue anyway but that is just a bit of a pipe dream
Dizzy diagnosed with osteosarcoma 24 may 2011 amputated same day doing fine hopping around on three legs giving the neighbourhood cats what for
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