Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We did it. We got a new dog. He is a quad paw (for those who didn't see my update on the tripaw I was thinking about - I got hurt a week ago - badly sprained ankle - and wasn't up to having a dog to walk last week, the little guy was adopted by someone else over the weekend). He is 3 years old. His name at the rescue was Teddy. My kids have extended it to "Teddy Bear Oreo XXX" (XXX being our last name).
He isn't snappy or food aggressive; but I think they did let him play tug with some stuff that he shouldn't have, so we will have to work on that behavior. His paws were a little muddy, so I gave him a bath when we got home and when got him wet I noticed lots of freckle type spots on his skin where his fur is white (he is black and white). I'm a little paranoid, so will feel better as soon as I can get him all checked out by our vet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they can get him in tomorrow.
I don't have any pictures uploaded; but here is his petfinder listing:
http://www.petf.....l/18758273
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
Awwwwww!!! he is sooo cute! what a sweetie and definately a teddy bear!
Congratulations to all. Good Luck
Sarah
aw, thanks. I feel a little better after googling. Seems that freckles are common for shih tzus. It has been so long since I have owned anything other than a doberman that I'm just not up on what happens with other breeds! (got my first doberman in 1990 and this is the first time since then I've had a different breed, though we did have a shih tzu when I was a kid).
So far he is a sweet guy. I feel bad for him. He is 3 years old and we are his 3rd home. 
His first owner apparently got sick and couldn't take care of him. His next home had him for the past year. Apparently the husband retired and they decided to take up hunting and didn't think little Teddy would be a good companion for that! So they gave him back to the rescue. Blows my mind that people think of dogs as so disposable!
Teddy's biggest obstacle with us I think is going to be stairs. I find this kind of funny since so recently we had to go through something similar with Spencer (after his amputation). Teddy walked in the house and I swear he looked at our front stair case like, "what on EARTH is that. I hope they don't plan on going UP it!!" He is fine on just a few steps - like the 3 steps onto our porch; but the steep front steps intimidate him. I tried the back staircase, which is one of those less steep ones, with stairs, to a landing, then turn, to more stairs. He didn't like those either. I'm going to have to work with him on this since at the house all bedrooms are upstairs and at the cabin there are stairs everywhere - it is 3 stories, and then there are tons of stairs on the many decks.
Giving him a bath tonight was nothing short of amazing. All 3 of my dobermans viewed bath time as something to dread and try to get out of. Teddy though... I filled up the kitchen sink (vs a bathtub!), set him in there, and he just stood there, letting me get him all clean. amazing!
Right now he is sleeping on my feet. I need to get him more to the middle of the bed. I'm worried I'm going to kick him.
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
He sound adorable.
It is cruel that people think dogs are disposable and not for life but I guess the only good thing is that most of them give them to someone who can take care of them and find them a new home rather than just dumping them somewhere or worse. Although there are alot of people out there like that too.
It must be a HUGE change from Dobermans to a Shih tzu. and what would we all do without google? 🙂
I guess if he hasn't been around stairs before and being such a little guy it will take a while for him to get used to the idea - maybe a few treats on the stairs might help out a bit 🙂 food works wonders for all sorts of things, but im sure he will get there eventually.
Wow I wish bath time was that easy in our house I have to drag both our two into the bathroom then attempt to keep them in the bath tub long enough and usually the kids have to "help"!! by the end ive got two wet grumpy dogs, two wet kids that need a bath themselves and water halfway through the house!
How are your kids getting along with Teddy so far?
He is adorable! Our newly rescued dog had to learn stairs too. He still face plants every now and then when he gets going too fast up them. Congrats on your new Teddy Bear 
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
Congratulations!! Teddy Bear Oreo fits him perfectly! He is adorable and I see mischief in those eyes. We have about 4 little dogs on our block and they are so full of spirit. My neighbors down the street have a basket on the back of their bike and they put Lucy in the basket and take for along when they ride down to the lake. She just sits in that basket like the Queen Mother! Have a happy 4th week!
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
Now that's a face! He has a certain wisdom about him. And now that he has you for a furever home, he can teach you all of his secrets. What a sweetie, congrats!
I agree: dogs are not disposable, they are not fashion accessories, they are not things you give away when life gets complicated. They are furever. Thank you for being there for one more dog who needed to know that humans really are good after all!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
what a sweetheart!!! he definitely looks like a teddybear oreo!!! so wonderful of you guys to give this little man a permanent forever home - take lots of pictures, we want to know how it's going. bet he figures out the steps pretty quickly - he will want to be part of the action!! bravo, everyone's a winner at your house!!!!!!
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Congratulations!!! He is precious!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
What a cutie! He is so lucky that you have found him and now he be in a home forever. That face is adorable. There is definitely some spunkiness in those eyes!!! hehe
I'm so happy for all of you!!
All our Best!
Suzie and Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
Oh he is adorable! Congratulations! Especially giving a furever home to a rescue - this is so heart warming 🙂
Hugs to you all
Joanne & Lylee
http://lyleegir.....ipawds.com
Welcome Teddy Bear Oreo! He'll make a very handsome Monkeybutt.
I can't believe people would give him up after a year. WtH is WRONG with people???
Anyway, obviously a home that would give him up is not a home where he was getting his due LOVE, so I'm glad he found his way to you guys.
Can't wait to hear more about him and see more photos!
Jackie, Angel Abby & MBBunny Rita
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Congrats on the new family member!
Quite a change from Dobies! I had a newfie mix before I went pug, it is definitely a different perspective.
Karen and the pugapalooza
More Monkeybutts on my side! YAY for me!!!
He is even smaller than me! Teddy Bear Oreo....don't let them put bows in your hair! I'm telling you first hand buddy........anyone under 25lbs and mommy's think you should have a bow! I won't even let her put a bandana on me. If I give her an inch, she'll take a spool of pink polka dotted ribbon!!!!
Welcome Teddy Bear Oreo! Being Black and White is really cool ! Are you sure you arent part dalmatian???
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
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