Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So Kobe got his beautiful red harness in the mail yesterday and I put it on him today - he has not been a huge harness fan in the past (to put it mildly) but he got really excited once we got this one all situated and fitted. We went for our longest walk yet - it's hard to walk to far in this crazy Florida heat - but he really had a pep in his step today 🙂 My question is - do those of you who use the harness keep it on them most of the time or only when you take them out? He seems comfortable in it and has been laying down fine since we got back but I just wasn't sure when he should wear it?
Thanks!
Bethany and Kobe
Hi Bethany, we're so glad Kobe likes it! We've heard a lot of pawrents say that when dogs put on their harness, they really feel important, like they have a job to do (which of course is eating ICE CREAM and making humans hoppy!), and it makes them feel so official.
Whenever you go somewhere unfamiliar, it would be a fine idea to put it on. You never really know what kind of surfaces to expect.
But in my case, I wore the Webmaster all the time except when I slept, because I had a lot of steep RV stairs and a big truck to navigate when I was on the road with my folks. Later, it helped when I started slowing down and had problems getting up. My pawrents were always able to give me that extra boost.
I like to say that it's great to leave it on all the time because when you least expect to need it, that's when you'll need it.
But for Tripawds Spokesdog Wyatt Ray, who is a young, energetic (and insane) Tripawds puppy, he only wears it when he goes somewhere in our big truck, or is on the road in the RV. The rest of the time, he doesn't wear it at home because he has shown a tendency to think that the straps are really tasty. Since he's so young he doens't need an extra boost getting up. When he's older, he'll probably wear it all the time.
Hope this helps!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Trouble wears hers for outings. It is a great aide getting her into and out of the vehicle, and it lets me help out on unfamiliar territory. When the time comes that she needs an extra boost getting up, I will probably leave it on all the time. She seems quite comfortable in it and loves to put it on - of course she knows she's going somewhere special when we put it on now 
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.
Comet's mommy is rather lazy and puts it on when we only go to the park and in situations that she might pull on the leash. (she had a neck disc issue) But Comet is smaller (40lbs - a pudge ball right now).
Of course, we would never wear it in situations that she needed to look beautiful - the black/silver clashes with her coloring! 
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Can't wait till we can get Flash in his harness!! I was so excited to have my order come in the day of his surgery, only to find out when we got him home that the strap goes right over top of his incision. We'll have to wait till he's all healed up.
How do you do the 'shopping bag' thing? Trying to picture it in my mind, but it's not working. lol
Max wore his from morning to bedtime when we were camping (for all the same reasons as Jerry) and he never minded having it on. At home he only wore it when we were headed out somewhere where he might need assistance, and especially when headed to slippery-floor vet visits. He must have associated it with good things 
because he was always excited to put it on!
Tripod, we didn't try the grocery bag trick but the towel-sling idea worked great for Max. It might be different for you though; Max was a rear-leg tripawd. We got very proficient with the towel sling until his harness arrived.
Proud mother of Max, an 11-year-old Border Collie mix who was sure he was a Real Boy.
Diagnosis of osteosarcoma of the left rear leg and lymphoma in February 2010.
That annoying leg was removed April 7, 2010 and was never missed.
Max left for the Rainbow Bridge on July 29, 2010 and is now running free. We love you!
Flash's folks – you have to cut the sides out and leave the bottom. And then slip it under the dog's belly and hold the handles while they walk.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
[Image Can Not Be Found]
Here ya' go!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Comet, you may be fantastic with Smartypants productions, but clearly your main talent is not drawing! Bwhahahaha!
But alas, it is good enough to get the point across. Good job!
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.
it's like picasso has returned....
we used the opened tote bag - with a towel liner, for the first couple of days. gayle associates the harness with going to acupuncture, so for her, seeing the harness come out means having a good time. at home she naps with only her collar..she likes being in the nude in the sheets...
charon & 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
Great directions, thanks for posting the illustration. I kinda like that three legged sheep.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey! I want the three legged sheep back. 
As far as the harness, we put it on when we go outside, for rides, vet visits, etc. While camping he wears it the whole time. He was a chest harness wearer prior to cancer and amputation (if you watched the awesome video Comet did, you see him wearing the old harness in most of the pictures), so we didn't have any issues.
Good luck!
"I don't know where I am."
Hey where did my 'Treble, the 3-legged sheep' go? That took me a whole 6 minutes to draw!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Baaaaaah! Love it!!!!!!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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