Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all. Most of you have probably seen and know, I lost my best buddy Wally to HSA less than a month after he had become a Tripawd. It was such a devastating loss (as anytime when you lose your best friend). Anyway, that's not what the post is about. 9 days ago I adopted a new rescue: Walter the bulldog. The poor guy was abandoned by his previous owners so the rescue wasn't sure exactly what he is. They think he's either an Olde English Bulldog or an English/American Bulldog mix. Either way he's cute as can be (as you can tell)! I've been providing updates on him Wally's recovery thread, but better to move the discussion to here. Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions along the way!
Hey thanks for hopping over here with a thread all his own!
"Mongo" for his new name cracks me up. The new name is so appropriate. It fits! How did you even remember that character from Blazing Saddles?
Oh that boy is just such a charmer. He has the most expressive eyes I've ever seen. Most dogs use their eyebrows, a head tilt, but Mongo just knows exactly how to look at you to win your heart.
So I think his reluctance to go on stairs is interesting. Who knows why he doesn't want to use them, maybe at some point he had a fall? Or there was someone upstairs in his old home who was mean to him? Soooo many things we don't know when we bring a rescue into our life, but figuring out the puzzle is part of the education of being the best pet parent we can be. I can tell you will be learning so much from this guy, and he from you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'll add a link here to the backstory of Wally and Walter. We all fell in .ove with Wally. This link will tell you more about that very special boy and also how he brought Walter to his hooman...and to us.
https://tripawd.....treatment/
Now we have the privilege of getting to know MONGO (previously Walter)! Yep, great name fitting that adoravle fella'!😎
And I agree, Mongo knows how to say everything that needs ro ve said with those expressive heart melting eyes!
My main "siggestion".......the more pictures of his cute self the better!!!
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!
Thank you for that link Sally! So kind of you!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Sally! Really nice of you to post the link and thanks for the such kind words on Wally and Walter/Mongo. While I do like Mongo and it definitely suits him (I caught him eating the cloth from one of his stuffed toys SMH) I have still been calling him Walter more. But I have been mixing in Mongo a bit, so we'll see if I end up there or not. BTW Renee - I'm a big Mel Brooks fan, which is why I remembered Mongo so well, lol.
He's back to going up the stairs to be with me. He had run into the wall bounding up the stair previously so maybe that's why he decided to stop. I could tell on Sunday night though that he really wanted to come up stairs for bed, so I came back downstairs and encouraged him up. He still trying to play "stay off the bed" and trying to wrestle when I finally manage to get in it. Then he's a huge bed hog. I'm sure he'll get better, or at least I hope lol.
As requested here is a new pic:
Yep, there it is....his expressive eyes that melt your heart💖. He really knows how to use the camera to his advantage. I know we say it all the time, but he is sooooo cute!!!
This picture really shows off his markings/coloring. I hadn't really seen the brindle. Love how the black on his front leg showcases his white fur with the freckles. Quite unique.
His bedtime adventures with you tickle me😁 I bet trying to make a spot for yourself in the GED and moving him over is like trying to move a solid chunk of concrete block!😂 Yeah, I imagine getting a running start to run up the stairs and bumping into the wall would definitely deter him. I love that you gave him the reassurance he needed to try the stairs again with your encouragement. Another bonding moment that cont to build his trust😎
I DO like the name Walter and I like Mongo as well. I think giving sich an exquisite dog two names like Walter Mongo is very fitting.
Thanks so much for the update AND the picture. It is so much fun hearing about this "adventure" you two are on.
Oh, how has it been leaving him when you jave tomgo work? And has he gotten settled in enough to "greet" you in some form yet??
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!
Oooh Sally's onto something, Walter Mongo! I love it 
I have to admit I cracked up when reading the story about how he ran into the wall. He must have seen stars to have hit so hard that he remembered he didn't want to go near it! Poor pup!
Well I'm glad he's able to get upstairs again. And honestly after living so many years with a dog who refused to get on our bed for more than a few minutes, I gotta say I'm a bit jealous that you have a canine bed hog on your hands 🙂
Great update and adorable photo!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey guys,
So ups and downs this week. I found and figured out that he has been eating parts of his stuffed toys, so I had to put those all up. I've been watching to see if he passes it and haven't noticed yet, but that was a couple of days ago and he's been eating and pooping fine so thinking/hoping it got mixed in well enough with his food that it's not noticeable. He had previously eaten part of a stuffed grinch toy and successfully pooped it out no problem, so hopefully that's the case. He also got a pretty good tongue lashing this morning for taking one of my books off of the book shelf and chewing it all up. Not the end of the world I suppose, but it sucks b/c the book was a Barnes and Noble exclusive that probably can't be replaced (maybe I can find a copy on ebay) 
. I also worked from home on Thursday which didn't go all that well. He was wanting to play ball nonstop in the morning (not his fault, I know) which was obviously pretty distracting. Then when he finally figured out (or decided) to leave me alone he peed twice in the living room. I had been taking him out pretty frequently so wasn't too happy about that either. When he's been having accidents it's been right next to his dog bed, so maybe he's marking it?? Since I let him up on the couch he hasn't been laying in his bed, so maybe I should just put it up. I think I did mess up by letting him up on the couch too soon as it was only a day after he seemed to figure out his bed was for sleeping, but probably too late to go back now.
Other than all of that it's gone pretty well. I've taken him on some longer walks the past couple of days and he's doing pretty well with those. He does get anxious around strangers still, but seems to be warming up to the neighbors. He also does really well with his crate. He goes right in it in the morning with no resistance. Probably b/c I put his favorite bone, carrots in his carrot toy, and a frozen PB treat with his Kong in there with him, but still he goes right in. Then when I get home he's always relaxed and not trying to force his way out of it or anything. The poor guy had to spend 10-11 hrs in there most days this week, but as stated did fine.
Well that's the update for now. Other than the book it's probably going out as well as expected I suppose.
Well, overall not so bad! I'm sorry he chewed up your book though. Of course it was a special one. Sheesh.
That photo of him on your bed, it cracks me up. He's got a look of "Oh, wait, you want to sleep here too?
He's definitely made improvements, that's awesome about being more relaxed on walks! Of course like any rescue he's got some challenges but it's never too late to go back on anything you've allowed him to do, you're both learning as you go. But I do think it would take the help of a really good trainer to figure out how to do that backwards maneuver the right way. Now that you're figuring out all of his, uh, issues, you have some good information that will help a trainer come up with an action plan. I know you're short on time and working hard these days. My friend Sarah Wilson of MySmartPuppy is an excellent k9 behaviorist who does phone consults and video calls if you'd like to give her a try.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Renee. I tried contacting the trainer Mongo's foster moms had worked with but haven't heard anything back. I'll try again 1-2 more times and if I still don't hear back then I'll reach out to Sarah.
So we did have another incident yesterday afternoon, but this one was no big deal and probably more funny than anything else. I was outside doing yardwork and hit a good stopping point, so I went in the house through the back door to check on Mongo. He came greeting me with his head held super low like he knew he had done something wrong. It took me a minute, but I figured out that the bag of popcorn I picked up at the grocery store earlier in the afternoon was no longer on top of the stove. There wasn't any yelling this time around since it was my fault just as much as his for leaving it where he could get it (although I didn't think he'd be able to get to it on top of the stove). I was more relieved than anything else that he didn't eat the plastic. Lesson learned, popcorn and other snacks need to go up higher, lol.
Something else he's doing that's not that big of a deal but kind of annoying: when I'm grilling and he's outside with me he starts barking nonstop and obnoxiously loud when I'm ~80% of the way done. Don't know if he's trying to tell me to hurry up or what, but a little of that goes a long way 
Oh my gosh he is a true chow hound! Well at least it wasn't a potential hazard to his belly and now you know that even a Bulldog can jump on top of the stove! WHO KNEW? He's got hidden springs on his paws!
That barking at the BBQ is interesting. Something tells me that Mongo was realllllly spoiled by his previous human!
I hope you hear back from the trainer! And may this week be uneventful and with more progress 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
How did I miss this latest update and adorable pictures? That face makes me smile everytime!. And yes, he does love "his" bed.with all those cushy blankets and pillows.
So glad that he doesn't seem to mind the crate. Definitely the high value treats work well as a motivator 👍 Yeah, 10 t0 11 hours with going berserk or pottying is incredible.
My dogs use their beds sometimes, and sometimes prefer the couch. A lot of times they preceed me going to "my" (our) bed at bedtime. It gives them a chance to sleep in "my" spot before I go to bed. I like that they warm it up for me!
Can't believe that somewhat "short" Mongo could do some counter surfing!! Quite impressive!! Frankie does it all the time, but he has long hound legs! And it doesn't have to be food that he finds interesting....it can be towels, Reynolds wrap, a flashlight ....he just likes to prove he can counter surf even with three.
Yeah, guess you'll have ro get him toys without stuffing. Not sure upu can "train" a dog to play more .politely with his toys and not eat them!...
Bummer about the book. Maybe you were eating a snack when you were reading it and that why he went for that particular book😉
Frankie will sometimes pee (or mark) near Myrtle's bowl. No biggie. I think boy rescues are more prone to "mark" something as theirs becasue in shelter life because of close proximity to other dogs,nothing is really ever theirs. The scent of other dogs is all around.
I think Mongo is soing EXTREMELY well adapting to his new life and routines and the expectations of hos hooman. Figuring oit everything takes time, but he seems to be a quick learner.
His leash behavior is getting better and betters he learns to recognize his neighbors. I'm sure the first thing everyone wants to do his pet himamd that can still be uncomfortable for him.
Mongo really is a very good boy and, very surprisingly not doing anything too out of the norm at all for a young pup settling k to a new home. Of course, consider the source! Women would say my dogs are being naughty. I see them as having a blast living with me amd allowed to be dovery spoiled dogs. And I do .lpve spoiling them and laughing at all their quirkiness.
Yoi are soooo perfect for Mongo, absolutely perfect! And he is perfect for you!
Extra carrots and a smooch on his adorable jowls from me...
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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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!
Hey guys,
Sorry for the very much delayed update. I was out of town all last weekend and had a super long work week, which unfortunately has now become the norm .
Things have been mostly ok with Mongo, at least at home. He's definitely well settled into my home and does really well when it's just he and I. He started doing the barking thing indoors as well, but the trainer (finally got in touch with her) gave some good advice on how to redirect his attention with a toy, etc. so that's been a big help there. He did have another accident next to his bed Thur. morning, but other than that has been doing well in that department.
I did take him to my mom's house last weekend, but that didn't go too well. Mongo got into a couple of fights with my mom's 10 lb Yorkiepoo Berklee. It was mostly (if not all) Berklee's fault. From the second they met he was showing his teeth and growling at Mongo anytime they got close to each other, which Mongo could care less about. Then the little shit decided to attack Mongo. Obviously this didn't go well for Berklee. I broke it up really quick and it seemed like neither of them were too worse for wear, but my mom noticed a couple of hours later that Berk was bleeding a little bit and had a small cut on his back. He wasn't bleeding much (as stated my mom didn't notice it until a couple of hours later), so we just cleaned it up and let it be. Well they got into again the next morning as well. Only this time I was in the bathroom. Fortunately a friend of mine was there to break it up. He said that Mongo started it this time, but I suspect Berk at least snapped at Mongo (I saw him snap at him earlier in the morning when they were both in my mom's back yard). Again Berk didn't seem to be really injured, but he started acting lethargic a day or so after. So my mom took him to the vet and the bite/cut on his back was now ~1" long and infected. So I guess we need to keep them separated anytime I visit.
On top of that Mongo showed quite a bit of food aggression towards my mom and even snapped at her a few times. I was only there to see one of them. She was trying to throw some cat food out and Mongo growled and snapped at her. I jumped all over him for it. She needs to be more careful with food around him, but I need to train that out of him FAST. Guess it may have been too much too soon for Mongs.
There were some positives I suppose. Mongo could care less about her cats, and he did well when meeting people. So that's good. My friend "Uncle" John is coming over later today to meet him, so hopefully that goes well. John always watched Wally when I had to go out of town, so obviously hoping he can watch Mongo as well.
Anyway, here's a pic I got of him mid bark. He was sitting outside looking all cute, and when I went to snap a photo he started barking.
Got so excited when I saw we were going to get an update and hoping we would get a picture too!!!
And what a picture that is!!! That's quite ah impressive Bull Dog set of teeth!!!
Yeah, I'm sure Berklee wanted to try and be the boss dog and let Mongo know he was not welcome in HIS home. Mongo probably thought he was being given away again and would have ro live with a tiny dog who picked fights with him and wanted ro beat him up. Those little sogs always think they are so big! I tell ya' what,, you are the best partner Mongo could have! To understand that Berklee was the instigator and to recognize the reason behind Mongo's response shows how tunes in you are to Mongo and ro all dogs.
Bummer about Berklee's infection. But after seeing Mongo's fangs .....well.....good thing that's all that happened!
My sweet 125 lb Merry Myrtle had a little tiny dog try and attack her at PetSmart. The owner was oblivious. Fortunately a staffer immediately jumped in and pulled the "agressor" away. Those little dogs sure can be feisty!
Ueah, Mongo needs to learn you own the food, not him. I have no doubt you'll work that out though. You two have come such a long way in a short time. I'm so glad the bond is building and he's recognizing you are a dream, come true for him. And he IS you dog you need!!!!
Let us know how the visit goes with his Uncle John. He's probably never had his very own Uncle before😎
Would love to see a cideo of him barking with sound. C.ear.y he likes to vocalize and have lots of "conversations" with you. Are you sure there isn't any Hound dog in him???
Hugs
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!
Thanks Sally. As always I appreciate the support from you guys! I do have some good news to report today as meeting Uncle John went really well. I introduced Mongo to him in front of my house, and Mongo didn't freak out at all and warmed up to him pretty much right away. So great progress there and a big relief!!
We'll be at my mom's again next week for the Indy 500, so hopefully that goes much better. Berklee being the aggressor (at least in the first fight) was obvious. So obvious that my mom fully agreed that he had started it. And since Wally passed he has gotten used to being top dog, as he bullies my sister's Pug. Hopefully he learned that he can't do that to Mongo!! The food aggressive thing we'll have to work on. He doesn't do that to me at all. He begs pretty hard when I'm snacking on the couch, but doesn't try to snatch any food away.
Anyway, better run for now. Here's a nice pic of him from this morning:
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