Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We had a bit of an alarming experience this morning, when Meg did a face plant and fell, literally face forwards, into the mud. My first thought was for her remaining front leg, as slipping is the most hazardous thing possible for her elbow, which is already compromised with dysplasia and IOHC. She was fine though, she was absolutely fine, but her beautiful soft face was all covered in mud and I found this at once both upsetting and moving, upsetting for obvious reasons, but moving because the mud seemed to me like a badge of her indomitable spirit and courage.
She definitely looked to me to see how I was responding, and I did my utmost just to seem completely unbothered and casual about it. Then she looked a few more times to check I wasn't hiding anything, and apparently satisfied, went off in search of squirrels.
I'm quite concerned about the mud, which is really bad at the moment. I wish the temperature would dip and freeze it up. I'm not sure there's a great deal we can do, except obviously avoid the paths most likely to be muddy, but pretty much the whole country seems under a couple of inches of mud at the moment, except for the pavements, and Meg really doesn't like to walk far on hard surfaces and I don't think it's good for her either.
I'd be interested to hear how other pawrents manage with the mud. Meg's fine, but it was a disturbing reminder of the sword that hangs above our heads and how everything can change in an instant.
Meg, 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...
Glad you kept those bloomers. Great combination - mud and long bloomers.
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.
I know that wasn't the serious answer you were hoping for, but I couldn't resist. I think the answer is that they are dogs. They enjoy being dogs, and we cannot treat them as fine china and wrap them in bubble wrap and pull them out once a year for the holidays. We watch for obvious hazards and make adjustments where we can, but other than that, we just let them enjoy life.
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.
I know that wasn't the serious answer you were hoping for
It was a great answer, and you are absolutely right. In fact, if the mud continues I may be obliged to call a second referendum. Seriously, Christine, if we can't laugh, then what the hell is there? And you're right about letting them be dogs as well. It's just that Meg is such a DOG, I wish she'd be a little less capital letters about it at times....
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...
Meg had a really long period of time when she couldn't be a dog. Can you expect anything other than a life lived with explosive joy now?
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.
I love that expression. 'Explosive joy' just about sums it up.
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...
Isn't that a bit like Chaplin getting hit by a pie in the face? I say she was definitely finagling another subdued day at the beach from you! When she looked back at you, that was your clue to take out the chalkboard and record Meg 1379, and Meg's Mum 0x0x0!!! I mean it can't get much clearer than that...
As for the horrific mud, other than slinging it or when life gives you mud make mud pies, we are suffering from The Great Mud Crisis of 2017 over here...CharlieBear and his pony TIGGY were sooooo hoping for snow but are now up to their ankles in the muck. I am trying to teach them the letter " F " to describe it, but, so far, they just look to me for more treats.
( Now Meg, playing in the mud in your bloomers is all the more reason to c h o p t h e m o f f ...hehehe... On the other paw, people pay gooood $$$ to take mud baths! Maybe Meg knew of its medicinal powers and is looking to package Meg's Merry Mud!!!)
You are a hoot, CharlieBear! Thank you. You always make me laugh.
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...
Okay, as you can see, when it comes to trying ro be serious about Meg and Elsie...it ain't happening!!!
LMAO at the replies!!!
I knew when I saw the thread, I, like everyone else knew we woukd be in for some fun...until I saw the word ALARMING, then I got scared for a second...And then the replies came in and the fun began again!!
Seriously, I know this was scary and I really like how Meg looked to you for a response and you kept your "casual cool"! The look was probably, "I am NOT taking a bath and you will NOT post a picture of me in the rub! NOT!!!"
I don't have any suggestions. I don't know id any of the Ruffwear Gear booties are made for situations like this. I would think they, or some other manufacturer, make some that have enough tread to be non slip.
Now, mud often is the hime for worms. Hzve you checked Meg's bloomers for worms? Perhaps she was just storing up a few so she could go fishing!! 🙂 You may check for a frog or two also!
LOVE!!
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!
OY!!!! Face plant into the mud... maybe Meg just wanted a mud facial. I hear those beauty treatments are all the rage these days!
So sorry about that but I do feel your anxiety over the desire to let them be a dog and live life and to want to keep them as safe as possible. It is a fine line and one I struggled with when Shelby was a tripawd (she lost her rear leg) and I would carry her more than I would let her walk. Not the best but it was how I coped!
Hugs and keep trucking along Meg... you're great!!!
alison with spirit shelby in her heart (and little jasper too)
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
Now, mud often is the hime for worms. Hzve you checked Meg's bloomers for worms? Perhaps she was just storing up a few so she could go fishing!! 🙂 You may check for a frog or two also!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH! HEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLPPPPP!
Th-th-this jjjjust cra-crawled out of Mmmmeg's bbbbbloome...
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...
OOOOMMMDDD!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 Is that a Prehistoric GATOR?
I think someone tried t drain the mud swamp into her bloomers!!!
Elsie Pie better take cover!! That thing looks hungry!!
Meg! Don't you worry! No intimidation tactics can make us change our vote!! 🙂
Merry Myrtle and Frankie!
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!
Yep, that's Gator looking for critters.
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.
Laughed right out loud at that one!
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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