Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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First, the back story. . .years ago I visited a wolf sanctuary in Washington state, and it has continued to be one of the charities I support. They keep the wolves in bonded male/female pairs - parent/child, brother/sister or two unrelated animals with complementary personalities. They feel this to be so important that when they lose a wolf, they immediately start looking for a wolf or hybrid which could bond with the survivor. (Many of you probably see where this going. . .). This is actually why we got Tess to begin with.
There are a million reasons why I should not even be thinking about getting another dog so soon. Tess and Otis were so perfect together - that relationship could never be replicated. Plus, since I have been a single dog Mom for the past 4 years, it is so much easier to travel for work with just one dog to care for. Tess and Otis were so well housebroken that it is not a big deal if I cannot let them out for lunch. Less dog hair. And, what if Tess prefers to be an only dog now?
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.
Hit submit too soon -
So, I decided to walk by a local pet shop/rescue. They are closed, but I could look at the pictures. And I told myself that unless there was a Tripawd, I was not interested. A couple of interesting looking male dogs, so I hit the store's website and what did I find, but a photo of a rear leg Tripawd - Birdie. No way. I know nothing about the dog, don't know if Tess would like him, don't know how old he is or how he lost the leg.
Talk me down off of this ledge???
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'm not sure I am the one to talk you down. We know that we won't have a choice if we lose Pofi - Mia is simply a bitch who will never allow another dog into this house. And that makes us both sad. She will probably become very SA, too, as there are some signs of that in her already.
I have to say, I am not convinced that two dogs is less work. It is less hair! 😀
As to Tess' preference, can you possibly foster with possibility of adopting?
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.
Of course there is a huge void in your home and in your heart and having to say 'I used to have a Tripawd' is one of the hardest things ever. Logic tells you to wait, and lots of 'professionals' will tell you not to make big decisions when you are so early in the grieving process.
That being said...I was talking to the local Pug Rescue group a couple weeks after Maggie crossed and Obie came home with me just 5 weeks after we said goodbye to my heart dog. Was it a perfect match- not by any means. Tani was one of those alpha biatch from hell types that really never liked any other dogs except Maggie. Besides, as much as I wanted it back the 'Pug Girls' era was over, no pup I ever would bring home could make that happen again. You have to be realistic and accept that change which isn't always easy to do. You can open your heart to another, it's going to be different and that is OK.
To be honest I had a harder time bonding with Obie than I thought I would. For one thing he came from a history of abuse and had lots of issues because of that. He was also 4 years old, Mag and Tani had been puppies when I got them. And maybe I got him too soon after Mag passed and I wasn't quite ready...I don't really know, maybe a combination of everything. But we did bond and he was great for Tani, especially when she went deaf, he became her ears!
You have to go with what feels right- not on the surface but deeper in your heart.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Nope! Not gonna talk you down off that ledge! No sirree!! I just happen to think it's great rhat you're in there!! My 2 cents worth...follow up and see where it goes!
I truly believe this....if it's meant to be, it shall be!
Stay out of yiur head and "listen" to your heart. How does it "feel" when you think of bringing a dog into your life who needs to be loved? A dog who will.put color back into your grey days. A dog who you will love differently than Otis and sometimes the same. A dog who will add to the unbreakable bond you and Otis had by finding his OWN space in your heart next to Otis and Tess. Does the thought of bringing Birdie into your home make you feel just the slightest bit joyful, even if just for a minute?
So I interesting...You said unless there was aa tripawd.....BAM!! Need not question yourself any further! I think Otis has his paws all over this little Birdie!!
And....Birdie may not be the one....It's important to be open though and see what comes your way! I do believe Tess will be very happy having a buddy...whoever that may be.
There is no "proper time"...too soon...too late...none of that should factor in....It's must what feels right! Michele went to look at ine Rottie puppy (around the two week mark I think), and came home with TWO! Jim, Basset Hound Mya's human, adopted a Basset Hound in need of love, in lrobably about a week. Happy Hannah sent me Merry Myrtle around the two month mark. Approximately six months later I adopted tripawd Frankie.
Yeah, once you have a tripawd, adopting a four legger just seems weird!
Can't wait to see where this leads!!
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!
I have decided that I have to wait for Tess to let me know whether she wants a companion. She is clearly giving the matter serious thought, or perhaps that is snoring. . .
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.
But I still might run by the rescue later this week, just to see if he is still available.
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 do know that as a single dog mom also... and single dog owner... the silence in my home was horrible! I went 2 months before I looked at rescues (but admittedly did walk past the pet adoptions .. a lot). I will never say that Jasper and I were love at first site. It was MONTHS .. and I do mean months.. before we had any sort of bond. Baggage on both of us. But I will say, I am glad I gave her a chance and I firmly believe that Shelby sent her to me to help heal my heart and give me purpose again.
AS my friends said when they found out about Jasper (she lived with me a full month before I told anyone) that they had noticed the sparkle back in my eyes and it just went to show that I was meant to be a dog mom. That is my purpose in life and Shelby saw that in me when I did not.
HUGS!
Also, maybe volunteer for a rescue? I did that too... but you also have furry paws at home where I did not. I needed fur on my clothes again!
XOXO
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
Sorry I can't talk you off that ledge. Maybe Otis is sending his sign to you??? Maybe this guy will help Tess too and Otis knows it. Sometimes it happens that way
xoxoxo
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."
The funny this is you're asking for help from the wrong people! We're all such suckers for dogs, let alone Tripawds! How are we supposed to be objective?
Sleep on it a few nights, mull it over a bit, go back to his picture a few times, maybe take Tess to meet him and see what develops. Maybe they won't even like each other, who knows?
When we drove down to meet Murphy - it took us 2 11/2 hours to get there, Glenn had worked all day, we got there 5 minutes before they closed, so we ran in & didn't let Cassie go potty first....Cassie & Murphy (who was Trevor at the time) ran across the room to each other like they were long, lost buddies, then Cassie peed on the floor! 
We knew right away we had to take him home with us.
You'll just know when it's right.
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
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
I'm afraid I won't be much help. I am one of those that runs out to fill up that hole left in my heart when I lose one of my babies.
When my Barney dog died I adopted my Daisy 10 days later (she is the reason I am here). I lost a stray cat I took in (he died of bobcat fever 11 days later) and so I adopted my 2nd tripawd Biscuit 3 weeks later. When my cat Maybelle passed I waited a whole 3 weeks to adopt my cat Gingi. When Daisy passed I adopted my Chippy cat about 6 weeks later.
I just cannot stand the emptiness. And it doesn't seem to matter how many pets are still remaining in the household. It will just still seem so empty and quiet. Luckily it has worked out and the new ones are always accepted.
You will know what is right for you.
Marla, Biscuit and Spirit Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
Weeeell....it's now "next week"! Did you go for a visit??
MARLA...great point about even with other furbabies, the emptiness...the hole left in your heart...needs to be filled.
DONNA! Love how Cassie and Murphy were an instant connection! And the duck link......grrrrreat!!
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!
Actually, Tess has not yet expressed her preference, and we are really enjoying just being together. She is doing better - doesn't seem as lonely during the day and seems to understand that Otis is not coming home. She is really excited about her walks, and has been playing with her toys - a very different style of play with just her and me. She still will not enter the room where his favorite bed and my futon are. I know I need to get that cleaned up and dispose of the bed, but am just not quite there yet.
As a side note, I am pretty sure that Birdie is already adopted. The rescue does not have the best website, but his picture is displayed with some other dogs who I know are adopted, and he does not appear on their Facebook page with all of the current adoptees. I am flying to NY tomorrow for dinner, home Thursday, so might get up the courage to call over and confirm when I get back. But, I am a really good customer of the pet store side. If I call, and he is available, I will have a second dog. If he is not, and they know I am looking for a tripawd, they will likely find one, which is also not the point, since the dog has to be compatible with Tess. Or, I might just wait until their next open house. Or, Tess and I might just continue to enjoy our time together!
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.
Yeah, we are not really the people to be asking this question to.....here's my story: our very first dog (Westie named Thor - yes, I said WESTIE) got hit by a car in front of our house when he was 1 1/2 years old. I was devestated! I couldn't bear to be in my house for a minute without him. My dad happened to be in Green Bay at the airport getting ready to fly out for a business trip. We went to see him there, and I asked him if it was too soon to think about another dog - it had been mere HOURS! He told me there is no right or wrong answer to that question, and I had to do what made me happy. I asked him if he'd think badly of me if we did it right away. OF COURSE NOT, he said. We made a call to Thor's breeder who just happened to have one puppy left from their last litter, who was about 3-4 months old. We brought home Bear that very day! I needed something to love and take my mind off the traumatic death of Thor.
Now, I don't think that will happen when something happens to these two, but one never knows. Listen to your heart (and Tess's heart) and you will know. I think it was a sign that you weren't even considering it unless there was a Tripawd there! What are the odds?
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
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