Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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This morning, I went to the rescue where we adopted Otis. Really impressed that they still had our records on file. Ended up taking Tess over to meet a male, but he was a little too young and too high energy. Then went over to the rescue near my house. One of the volunteers was with a local lab rescue. They might have an interesting male coming in about two weeks. So, I now have applications in with two different rescues, but no companion for Tess. Not sure why, but an emotionally exhausting day.
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.
Otis is looking for just the right one!
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
Aw, I can see that being emotionally draining. It's tough to find a new companion for Tess ... and you. Like Donna said, Otis will lead you to the right match. You've been through a lot and the dust is just settling.
Hugs and love from us all over here!
Amy, Izzy and that "other dog" too!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Yeah, I'm sure it was aa day of mixed emotions.
I remember when I drove to pick Merry Myrtle up. It was a two hour drive. It was abput two month's after Hzppy Hannah crossed over. I was so excited, and then a wave of grief would hit me oit of the blue. I wanted my Happy Hannah soooo badly! Then I would get excited again, etc.
Riding home with Merry Myrtle plopping her big ole' head in my lap had me non stop smiling the whole way home!! Driving back it felt so good to smile and laugh as a result of having this adorable being to love and share my life with.
Did Tess seem to enjoy seeing the dogs?
It woukd be funny if Otis has a Chihuahua picked out for you 🙂
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!
It woukd be funny if Otis has a Chihuahua picked out for you 🙂
LOL! It took us three months after we started looking before we found Ollie. He wasn't even what I was looking for...I had kept typing in BLACK Lab and finding nobody. One day I forgot to add the word black to the description, and look what we ended up with!
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!
Not surprised it felt exhausting. So much going on emotionally. But it's great that you and Tess are taking these steps, and ultimately they will lead you to the dog who belongs in your family.
Sending love to you both,
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Otis would never ever choose a chihuahua for Tess and I. Never. The cats are bigger.
But, he may have a dog in mind! Last night, as I was feeling kind of down about the day, I got an email from the lab rescue acknowledging my application and mentioning the specific dog who might be a match - a five year old male yellow lab coming from Tennessee. His physique and overall look (other than color) appears very similar to Otis' from the photos.
Next step is a home visit. So, this morning I wake up thinking about everything I want to clean, organize, etc. Then, I realize that this is a home visit to determine if my home is suitable for a lab, not an elegant homes magazine. Duh. Dog beds, toys, and even possible dog hair under furniture is probably not a big issue.
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.
Ok, why am I feeling somewhat optimistic? One of the photos I took of Otis is his "alligator in the grass" pose. Head down, eyes looking up at you. The potential new dog's name is Gator.
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.
Fingers and toes crossed here. Gator sounds like he could have a lot of potential.
Kathi
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!
We have everything, but everything crossed in the hope that this is a sign, and that Gator has been sent from Otis (via Tennessee) to look after you and Tess
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
otisandtess said
Ok, why am I feeling somewhat optimistic? One of the photos I took of Otis is his "alligator in the grass" pose. Head down, eyes looking up at you. The potential new dog's name is Gator.
Exciting!!! All our digits crossed!!
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.
Oh, I just saw this 
. I know this is probably the last thing on your mind, but I believe Otis has lead you to Gator, and let Tess know she could stop fighting the cancer and join him at the rainbow bridge, because they knew you had found a dog to get you through horrible grief.
I know the idea of a new dog at such an awful time might sound impossible and even rude to Tess' memory, but keep in mind that Gator deserves a chance to be rescued by such a loving and selfless person. Saving a dog seems a great way to honour Otis & Tess. On the flip side, I'm sure they'll be loads of people lining up for such a lovely sounding Lab, so losing interest in him is in no way a bad thing.
Whatever you decide, it is the right decision, and one that is entirely up to you and your family.
I recall the day I got Jasper .. it was about 2 months since Shelby had passed and I drove over 2 hours in LA traffic and then back with this little dog that was terrified of everything. She was a very sweet dog but I felt nothing for her... it was a rollercoaster of emotions for sure and as those here who know me recall... Jasper and I had a very rough start. I had a hard time opening my heart to her and she felt the same to me.
But now, we are buddies ...she's my little sidekick and I do love her very much. I am forever grateful Shelby picked her out for me!
You will find the right pup! And even more so now... your two angels will be helping guide you!
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
As many of you have figured out, this was apparently never a search for a companion for Tess. It was a search for a companion for me. I just didn't know it. The lab rescue is not only still willing to do the home visit tomorrow night, but they still see me as a match for Gator. I know it seems very fast, but it also seems very right.
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.
Here's hoping things work out. Both Otis and Tess surely have a paw in this.
Kathi
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!
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