Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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This is Nori and she came to stay with me on May 1st. She is an almost 6 year old Airedale Terrier (likely a mix due to her size, which is currently 107lbs). She has a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tear in her left knee and will undergo tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery to repair it on May 17th. She was surrendered by her previous family to the NYC Brooklyn shelter and then taken in by Rescue City, an organization with which I volunteer and foster. She was placed with an emergency foster family for a week before coming to me, so this poor girl has been through quite a lot in recent weeks. I’m not sure how long I’ll have her, but I hope I’ll be able to see her through surgery and recovery, and give her a solid start down her weight loss journey.
Nori is an absolute dream in the house and walks reasonably well on leash. She loves other dogs of all sizes, kids, and adults, though she is in more of a “say hello quickly and move on” stage with humans – not sure if that will change. She enjoys lengthy naps after our leisurely morning and afternoon walks. She is starting to show some interest in toys and loves bones/chews. Her leg is clearly bothering her, but she is so sweet and acting more relaxed with each passing day. I am supposed to be crating her overnight and when I leave her alone, but she is definitely not a fan. Like Griffin, her favorite sleeping position is sprawled on her side and even the XL crate (currently taking up quite a bit of real estate in my living room) does not allow her to stretch out. I left her loose in my bedroom when I went out for a few hours today and she was snoozing contently when I returned, so I’m not going to push the crate. I am home full-time, so I’ll be able to enforce rest and limited activity after her surgery without needing the crate.
Her pain seems well managed for now. My Tripawd experience has given me the confidence to advocate for her to be appropriately medicated…and to know to use Velveeta for administering meds easily. She came with prescriptions for Carprofen (200mg/once daily), Gabapentin (600mg/twice daily), and Amantadine (200mg/once daily), but the Carprofen has already run out and the Gabapentin will run out on Wednesday. I know I have to go through the foster chain of command, but I really wish I could simply contact Rescue City’s vet directly to get what she needs. Fingers crossed that the meds issue is resolved promptly!
I am really enjoying having a dog in the house again and having a routine of caring for another living being. And my Tripawd experience has ensured that our home is well prepared for Nori – rugs for traction , elevated feeder, and firm dog beds (although like Griffin, Nori seems to prefer the floor over beds!). I am not certain I can lift Nori into the wagon at her current weight, and I’d like her to be a bit more comfortable with me before I try, but hopefully I’ll be able to use the wagon during her recovery period.
Nori and Griffin are very different in a lot of ways – size and training are 2 big ones - but there are things she does that remind me of him which makes me smile. And then there was this photo of Nori…kind of took my breath away how much the close-up resembles Griffin.
I probably won’t post too often, but I’ll definitely be back to provide a Nori update after her surgery. In the meanwhile, please enjoy these videos and send healing thoughts her way! 
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
OOOOOMMMMDDDDD!!! THERE IS NO VETTER HOOMAN ON THE PLANET TO HELP SWEET NORI THROUGH RECOVERY! As sad as these past weeks (months??) have been for her, she has ended up EXACTLY where she needs to be!!
Of course she needs healing and your exquisite care physically, but you will also offer healing for her spirit and Soul. You'll be able to bring out the best in Nori, even as she faces some upcoming challenges. I have no doubt she feels so uncertain right now about what's going on and where her "home" is. She will absorb your loving energy and confidence amd soon know "all is well" and safe and secure with Griffin's hooman
And the pictures...WOW! Such a unique looking pupper and she DEFINITELY has some "Griffin looks" about her! She's got some long legs too. And I agree, that close up of her really, really, really has a lot of the Griffin mug in her😎
She really put a lot of effort into her "nesting" ritual. I love the look she gave you once she finally plopped down.
It was nice to visit Griffin's Park again with you. Yeah, you can tell her leg hurts. So glad you are on top of her pain med needs👍
She has such a sweet expression as she poses with her toy's. I wish every foster dog could have the care you are giving Nori
I'm so glad you have her in your home. You are voth helping each other heal on so many levels. P,ease keep us posted as you can, okay??
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too-
PS..Shhhhh......Im sure I'm not the only one hoping for foster fail🤗
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 can't think of a better person to help Nori right now. Sure looks to me like Griffin lined this up just perfectly for you. Not because yeah she does resemble him, but because of her needs and the journey ahead. You are absolutely ready to get her on track for a healthier, stronger life. What a gift! I'm so happy you are able to do this for a dog in need. Good job!!!
Thanks for sharing. Let us know how the surgery recovery goes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
A lot has happened for Nori in the last 2 months! She had TTA (not TPLO) surgery on her left hind leg on May 24th, and came through like a champ! After trying a soft, padded cone for a few days, I bought a surgical sleeve that worked amazingly well (after I figured out how to anchor it so the straps didn't slip off her hind end!) at protecting her leg without needing a cone. Before the surgery, Nori was very protective of her body overall, but especially wary of any touching on her legs or near her hind end. After surgery I was able to handle her leg with gentle persuasion and about a week later she had no reaction at all to having any body part touched.
We took recovery slow and easy, although as she started feeling better and was weaned from all meds, Nori definitely wanted to walk further and longer than she was allowed. Benebones and Himalayan Yak treats were very helpful in keeping her busy! About 3 weeks after her surgery, Nori was my travel companion for a 3-state, 10 day road trip that gave her the opportunity to meet many new friends of the kid, dog, and even cat variety! She was a very good girl for a grooming session in Baltimore and looked so sleek afterwards! Nori especially loved our last stop at my sister's house in Virginia where she had the freedom to roam in a large backyard with my 5-year old niece trailing her every step!
The best news is that Nori was adopted on Saturday! She is living a fabulous life in Massachusetts with parents who are experienced with Airedales, lots of neighborhoods dog friends, and a mom who will be home all day. And her new name is Faith!
I do miss having Nori in the house, but I actually find myself missing Griffin more. The day of Nori's surgery, I of course was hoping for everything to go well for her, but I also found myself grieving for Griffin and how his surgery was not curative like hers would be. And now that she has been adopted, I know that she is gone but living a great life while Griffin's absence is permanent. Overall, I loved being Nori's foster mom and feel like I can add "skilled canine nurse" to my resume now! I might serve as a respite foster for about a week in July for a heartworm positive pup whose foster family has vacation plans but otherwise I'll be taking a short break from fostering until August due to my own travel plans.
I hope everyone is having a safe and fun summer, and enjoying time with family and friends!
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Look at you two! What a wonderful success story Nurse Stacy! You helped Nori get through a tough time, showed her the world, and helped her adjust to a bright new future. It doesn't get any better than that!
It makes so much sense that you grieved Griffin when you were about to share your heart with another dog, even if just temporarily. I feel that way even when I just pet a stranger's dog these days. Being without Nori/Faith will give you time to reflect now, until you take on your next foster. Until then, give yourself a pat on the back for the tremendous job you did! Have a fantastic summer trip, and keep in touch.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sooooo glad to hear this update!! I have to say, I also had so e mixed emotion. As always, you share your heart and Soul so beautifully and in a way that I think we all feel it to be theraputic. You are always so honest and pure with your emotions.
No, there will never be another Griffin. Every about him had "one of a kind" all over him.
But Griffin led you to us. You so willingly shared every aspect of his journey with us and enlightened us in so many ways, not the least of which, treatments, nutrition, a variety of therapies, supplements, etc. We are furever touched and furever grateful.
And Griffin and Nori pit you on the path to the designation of "Skilled Cannine Nurse"!
OMD!! What you have done for Nori and with Nori makes me so over the moon Happy! And the most precious gift you gave her was "finding the Nori within". The selfless way you brother I tonyour life and then willingly and lovingly released her to her furever home......yeah, a few more tears over here. That took so much "heart strength " to do that. Just more reasons to our never ending list why we admire you and why we are so grateful to you and Griffin for contin to make a difference 💖💖💖
I hope Faith's furever family will update us...or you ...we would love more pictures. She's such a stunning dog.
Cant wait to hear about your temporary house guest in July. You k ow we have ti have pictures, even tho it is very temporary 😉
Cant wait to see who Griffin brings you to foster next (or foster fail perhaps😉).
Love and light
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS.....Where in Virginia is your sister? I'm West of Richmond. We have several others past and present in the Birginia area.
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!
Nori/Faith's mom has been so amazing with sharing updates and photos! Faith has settled in well and loves her new family, toys, and beds. And her leg is feeling pretty good since she was caught counter surfing! Unfortunately, she's been experiencing some GI issues lately, but her mom has been on top of her care. Before the recent illness, Faith had lost 10lbs, so I was excited to be a part of that effort to help her get to a healthy weight!
Sally - my family is in northern Virginia (Springfield). I'm not sure when I'll be back there again, but it would be fantastic to meet in person if possible!
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Hahaha....counter surfing is always a good sign that a tripawd is loving life! These are great pictures. It's wondeerf rhat Faith's furever home is letting you kmow she's settled in and, other than the rummy upset, doing so very well!
You did such a caring thing to bring Nori into your life so she would be so well prepared to go to her furever home.
Yeah, Speingfiled is doable from here, so it would be wonderful to meet Griffin's Mom. You are both famous ya' know!
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!
Hahaha! BUSTED with the counter surfing! She's taller than she looks.
Nori really has it made now. Kudos to you for helping her find that forever family. Glad her stomach issues are better.
Sally and Stacy you two totally need to have a gathering. You are BOTH famous!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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