Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Howdy, on April 4th, 2009, we adopted Shelby from the Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary right outside of Sacramento, California. Since that time we have keep both Shelby's foster parents, Kathleen and Jim from Grass Valley, California and the folks at the sanctuary up on all the events in our lives.
Last Friday I was asked to write an article for the sanctuaries quarterly newsletter about tripawds. They want the article to run in the November/December newsletter.
We know how amazing our dogs and cats are, my question is, if you were writing this article, what would be the main point you would want people to come away with after reading it?
I want to let people know these are incredible dogs and cats. All dogs/cats are incredible, but what can we say to reduce people's fears/misunderstandings about adopting a tripawd?
I look forward to writing this article and I know we can make a difference in someones life.
One of the things that I really wanted to hear before deciding to amputate McGwire's leg is the stories of what dogs did after surgery, that they are still normal dogs who are just missing a leg. I loved reading about the mischief the dogs would get into!
I also think stories about the 'lessons' that tripawds teach us would be a great angle. What I mean by that for example, is how McGwire isn't letting the loss of a leg slow him down any. He's not letting him affect him and what he likes to do, so how can I let far more trivial stuff affect me? (Does that make sense?!)
I'd also totally create a top ten list of benefits for owning a 3 legged dog (or cat.) There's a forum on here somewhere that's similar and it made me laugh so hard I cried! It includes things like there's one less muddy foot print to clean up after, that much less hair to sweep up...
Let us know when you get it published!
Wonderful! Thanks for asking. We of course would love you to share what Jerry taught us, that has become our motto for the Tripawds community, that ... It is better to hop on three legs than to limp on four!
Oh, and that there is now a growing community of support – http://tripawds.com – which proves to people that dogs facing amputation can live happy healthy lives.
Can't wait to read the article!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
What a great opportunity to get the word out there that our tripawds are special, but they aren't handicapped.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Thanks for the ideas and help. I'm starting the article tonight and will let everyone know how it's going.
I'm also going to keep checking this topic in case anyone thinks of anything else. Have a great day!
Well, we have the first draft ready, Shelby's Mom is going to proofread it this weekend. I tried to use all the suggestions everyone made and I feel pretty good about it. If you would like to read it let me know and I'll email a copy to you. Thanks again for all the suggestions.
P.S. I'm looking for a title!
Oooo! I love thinking up titles!! I'll post them when I think of them 🙂
*A Farewell to Arms (and legs!)
Hello, one of the things I keep sayin when people ask me why i did this to my wonderful dog, is that i would have done the same thing if cancer / accident had befallen me or my daughter. I could not understand the idea of putting down an otherwise totally happy being... and chances for quality time are so high we shoud use them and keep enjoying this wonderful beings.
Spirit Horacia, Castaño, Olympia + human family Cecilia, Georg and Julia - - - Hori first diagnosed 8/6/09, ampu 8/12/09, run over the bridge 9/10/09 – We miss you every day dear girl!
Love the "One less muddy pawprint" title. "As easy as 1,2,3" is also terrific. Can't go wrong with these.
As for Horacia's comment, I have a good human friend who had bone cancer as a teenager. We met through our dogs, of course, and had taken dog walks on steep hills and river valleys for over half a year before I learned that she had no real leg. It was only when she wore shorts that I noticed that she had a prosthetic leg, yet still goes on two-week long backpacking trips in the Rockies, snow-shoeing and scrambles up and down rocky slopes I would never contempate.
If a mere human can do that, just imagine what a dog can achieve.
I can't wait to read your article. I know you already wrote your first draft but I hope that you did include stories about what out tripod dogs can accomplish. Emily still runs across the yard to jump on the trampoline. Also, I hope you gave a shout out to tripawds.com.
Debra
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Shelby said:
Well, we have the first draft ready, Shelby's Mom is going to proofread it this weekend. I tried to use all the suggestions everyone made and I feel pretty good about it. If you would like to read it let me know and I'll email a copy to you. Thanks again for all the suggestions.
P.S. I'm looking for a title!
Shelby, we would love to post it on the Tripawds News page if we can get permission from the group! We would of course link to them too. Let us know if we can!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Howdy, here's an update.
The first submission, they really liked it but it was WAY TO LONG... So, we just sent off revision #1, we cut it to less than half the words that were in the first one. We have included some lessons we've learned, humorous stories, and we mention the Tripawds web site and the blogs and what a great community has developed here on this site.
We'll find out Monday, Tuesday how they like this one.
I'll keep you all up to date. Thanks again for all the input, we hope you'll enjoy the article!
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