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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Personality changes, temporary or permanent?
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Georgia
Member Since:
4 April 2017
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19 April 2017 - 8:45 am
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I was curious if anyone else had similar experiences, I know all dogs are different but maybe there's a common theme.

Before getting hit by car I was looking at professional training, even boot camp options for my wild child Ginger whom I had rescued at about the age of 1 from life in a small crate, not very socialized, etc.  She had been making gains with my ongoing training and explosure but was still in big semi-destructive puppy mode.  While she recognized me as new owner, I had a feeling she just decided when to listen to me and when to disregard me entirely.  I was doing some training with her, as I had done before with other dogs but she was like the proverbial ADHD child and I was feeling like I needed some professional guidance due to not being able to start when she was truly little puppy and feeling generally outwitted by her.. She had also figured out early on that she could be top dog and no one could challenge her out of 2 yorkies, a chihuaha and a couple senior dogs.  One of the dogs did try, ended up with a few superficial wounds for her attempts to defend her food dish.  So yeah, smart beautiful dog but social skills pretty rough.

Since her injury and surgery it's been almost a total 180, and in such a positive way that I half joke that ultimately I would really love for this to have not happened, but silver lining here in that she is suddenly super manageable and attentive to point that I wish it could have happened sooner.  For example in past when I left for the day she'd practically have a door down, pester people until someone let her out, etc.  Now I come home and find her sitting on her bed or mine like "Hi, welcome home, pet me, feed me love me and then let me out for a few minutes."  She  will go out for bathroom, hang out a bit, we'll play some light fetch but in the end she seems eager to come right back in, definitely adjusting into being a better house dog.

She's also shifted from bully dog mode where she used to terribly harass other dogs in yard to kind of bark and go on about her business, the other dogs (2 teen dogs that are happy to pretty much just lounge in the yard without her trying to chase them out) are looking much happier and finally able to sleep close to the house, so I like it for them as well.

And last but not least I can definitely feel a change in her bond with me in terms of trust, attentiveness, turning into a lap dog, etc.  I saw the dog love expression before but now it really shines forth.

Main thing I wonder is this likely just a small honeymoon period while she works to get back on her feet and get her confidence back, or could this be an ongoing perk of her new tripawd status?  Thoughts?  Experiences?

Joined forum after Ginger, 2 1/2 year old German Shepherd, had front leg shattered by car on 4/1/17. Front leg amputated on 4/5/17. Still learning to be a tripawd mom.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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19 April 2017 - 10:17 am
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Wow that's terrific that she's a happier dog. We'll often see this happen when a dog loses a painful leg that s/he's been dealing with for a while, but I can't recall anyone posting about a situation like yours. 

Was Ginger a rescue? I can't recall. But knowing what I know about German Shepherds, once they build a bond with their human, it's everything they live for. Perhaps Ginger needed more time to build that bond with you and now you've proven to her that you'll stand by her side as much as she will stand by yours. Whatever the reason, it happened and that is wonderful! clapIt may or may not be a honeymoon period but the only thing to do is work with what you got right now and turn it into a permanent thing. YAY!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Georgia
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4 April 2017
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19 April 2017 - 11:02 am
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She was sort of a rescue, from a family member.  She had bonded with them but well long story, I ended up taking her when I took the kids (vs. having her sent to a shelter), later telling the relatives you can have your kids back when court says, but she is mine.  LOL  She wasn't abused or terribly neglected in terms of starvation but just cooped up a lot, often in small crate before the transition to the country, had nowhere to really spend all the energy.  But her conditions while not perfect were not so bad as to where she might have felt the rescue gratitude abused or abandoned dogs do.... not sure, guessing. And she was still able to live with half her family in terms of kids and see the dad on weekends.  So I don't know, maybe some confusion as to whom she could claim.  But after this maybe that is clearer.

She spent 4 days dragging painful leg, don't know if that would have been enough time to cause the happiness effect or not.  But regardless I"ll enjoy it while it lasts and trying to positively reinforce and use it as training period also, maybe it will help her learn a new way and that she gets more positive reactions than her behaviors before.

Joined forum after Ginger, 2 1/2 year old German Shepherd, had front leg shattered by car on 4/1/17. Front leg amputated on 4/5/17. Still learning to be a tripawd mom.

On The Road


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19 April 2017 - 12:51 pm
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maybe some confusion as to whom she could claim.

Bingo! I think you nailed it. She had a relatively unstable upbringing and now she sees she can count on you to be her #1 fan. I'm anthropomorphizing of course but that's my guess. What a lucky girl to have a brave momma like you. You absolutely rescued her.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Georgia
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4 April 2017
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19 April 2017 - 5:15 pm
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jerry said

maybe some confusion as to whom she could claim.

Bingo! I think you nailed it. She had a relatively unstable upbringing and now she sees she can count on you to be her #1 fan. I'm anthropomorphizing of course but that's my guess. What a lucky girl to have a brave momma like you. You absolutely rescued her.  

Well true or not it makes sense to me also as she might have realized who's gt her back now.  Had a similar experience with aunts dog in that he wouldn't ever let me near him, pit bull.  After he got attacked by neighbor dogs, I was the only one who could and would approach him as he lay bleeding in the yard and held him, soothed him in back of van while we rode to vet.  He's been a sweetheart to me ever since.

So now I've just got to get used to having a 70 lb wriggling "puppy".  I thought she loved me before but now she's so affectionate as compared to before I'm almost at a loss. I feel like I've now been claimed.  It's awesome, love my girl more than ever.  So maybe one of the perks to this accident.  Like your theory

Joined forum after Ginger, 2 1/2 year old German Shepherd, had front leg shattered by car on 4/1/17. Front leg amputated on 4/5/17. Still learning to be a tripawd mom.


Member Since:
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19 April 2017 - 7:04 pm
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Ginger now knows that you are hers. So sweet.

I remember someone said that their cat went to the vet to lose his/her leg and came home with a new personality. I found that my tripawd kitty Mona became braver and stronger than I ever imagined. It's like she said, don't worry, I've got this and I'll do it my way. Although she still hits her brother on his head, she has become his protector in the yard and at the vet clinic (she's 8 pounds, he's 12 pounds). I never saw her as a protector before the amputation, but then, maybe I wasn't paying attention.

Hugs to you and Ginger!

Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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19 April 2017 - 10:31 pm
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Very interesting post and replies. Sounds like Ginger is finally able to ve the dog she was born to be!!

Additionally during all this time, your own energy may have changed into more of a caregiver - protector - pack leader. She now feels secure that you will take care of things and she doesn't have to.

And yes, she niw knows yiu are hers and she isnyiurs!! Sweet!

Good job!

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!

Georgia
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4 April 2017
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20 April 2017 - 6:58 am
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Thanks all, I have to say this new level of connection with Ginger is quite exhilarating on many levels, though now going to have to train her to start being a little less affectionate at say 3 a.m. in the morning when she thinks stumbling to bathroom equates to "you're up you're up, let me jump up on the bed with you, get as close as possible, wriggle and lick while you rub me all over."  Not that I didn't cave in a heartbeat because it's so good to see her recovering like this and enjoying the newness of it. Who am I kidding, that probably won't be a boundary, what's 10 minutes of missed sleep for some good bonding as long as I am blessed with ability to roll over and go back to sleep whenever the excitement is over.

Joined forum after Ginger, 2 1/2 year old German Shepherd, had front leg shattered by car on 4/1/17. Front leg amputated on 4/5/17. Still learning to be a tripawd mom.

Virginia



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22 February 2013
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20 April 2017 - 9:20 am
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Joy&Ginger said
Thanks all, I have to say this new level of connection with Ginger is quite exhilarating on many levels,

 Not that I didn't cave in a heartbeat because it's so good to see her recovering like this and enjoying the newness of it. Who am I kidding, that probably won't be a boundary, what's 10 minutes of missed sleep for some good bonding as long as I am blessed with ability to roll over and go back to sleep whenever the excitement is over.  

Loooove this!!!! Dogs were made to be spoiled! At least, that's the way my dogs have trained me! 🙂

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!

Member Since:
14 February 2016
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20 April 2017 - 6:32 pm
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What else could you possibly do at 3 am other than snuggle a dog?  

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.

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