Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Asher has discovered the dog park, and he loves it. It's just a short walk away, so we've been going almost every day. He's very social, and likes meeting people and dogs, and he's already getting a bit of a fan club (he goes from person to person, because he knows they'll all pet him). He can run until he's tired and still walk home (I've had to carry him a few times, but we're getting better as we learn his limits). It's done wonders for his anxiety and barking, and I'm seeing his balance and maneuverability improve.
But sometimes things get rough, and I worry. He usually avoids the big dogs, but he's been bowled over a few times just from being in the way of a chase. And he'll occasionally follow his big buddy Mocha into a group of larger dogs. I hate to deny him the park, but I know it's risky. He's a little guy, with skinny little legs, and he can't afford to break another one.
How do you folks handle the risks of play? What do you do to minimize the risks, while still ensuring your dog gets to enjoy himself? There are other dog parks here in Seattle with areas reserved for small dogs, but they're not as close and we couldn't go very often (once or twice a week). Any ideas? Suggestions? Or am I just worrying too much?
Yay for Asher finding his way in the world! How wonderful he is learning to be a social dog and making friends. YAY!
You're not worrying too much, you are being conscientious. That is GREAT. Any Tripawd parent needs to walk the fine line between letting a dog be a dog, and do what comes naturally, versus moderating his activity to prevent injury. It's a lifelong learning process but you're getting it down, by being observant.
What rehab therapists have generally told us is that it's not so much the rough housing with other dogs that is a problem, but rather the explosive activity that comes from zooming around the dog park, starting, stopping, crashing, skidding, etc. This carries a huge risk of injury to the cruciate and joints, and the risk is even higher for weekend warrior dogs who only get to do this kind of thing on weekends. By taking Asher on a regular basis, you're conditioning him to the kinds of play and activity at the dog park,which is a good thing.
I'm not a therapist but I've talked to many. And what I'm thinking is that if you keep making the dog park a regular thing with Asher, and force him to take leashed rest breaks during his playtimes, he won't be as apt to injure himself. If he stays energetic and not physically exhausted while rough housing, he's probably less likely to get injured. That's my best guess. The way you can find out for sure is to ask a rehab therapist and have Asher check in periodically to be examined for weaknesses, especially as he ages.
Hope this helps!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We have a park behind our yard and once in awhile people go by with their dogs, sometimes they're off-leash, and Murphy used to love to run the fence with them! He'd run, run, run and yes, sometimes he'd face plant, but he'd get right back up again and keep running. It's really hard to not just let them do what they love, isn't it? 
He loved winter the best because he could run around the yard with our other dogs - you would think that the snow would make it harder to run, and maybe it did a little bit, but I think in a way he felt safer - he knew that if he fell, he wasn't falling all the way, he could bounce up a little easier and it seemed like that made him run even more! 
We always would give him a good back massage after running, and sometimes he'd need to rest for a day or two after, or even need some pain meds for his aches & pains, but I wouldn't have traded those times 
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Murphy...such great memories of a dog who truly did lived life to the fullest....and was fully, loved the whole time❤😎
midnighter94 said
..... It's really hard to not just let them do what they love, isn't it?...........but I wouldn't have traded those times
Here's a quote from Hunter Thompson that is probably how our dogs feel about the whole scenario.
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”
Give Asher a big smooch for us!
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!
Oh no.... Meg’s just read that quote, Sally, and is copying it out even as I type, ready to pin on the wall...
its a tricky one, Reverend Bonobo, and its definitely a balance we all have to find between freedom and safety and it’s bound to vary with different dogs and different humans too.
Meg is definitely at the wilder end of the spectrum. It’s a little different here though as we don’t really have dog parks as such, and dogs are allowed to be off lead in the large majority of parks and open spaces so you don’t get the same level of intensity and frenetic play with everyone in a single area. I have found that Meg is pretty good at judging what’s safe for her to do and asking for help when she needs it. For instance, she loves to jump onto things - benches, tables, compost heaps, even garden sheds, but she will never jump off them (she’s a front-legger) but instead calls to me to come and lift her down. I’m not saying she doesn’t give me the heeby-jeebies at times though, and I am certain I allow her a degree of freedom others wouldn't, but I think it’s the right choice for us. My biggest worry is when instinct takes over. When she sees a rabbit or whatever, because in those situations caution is thrown to the wind.
I agree with Rene about maybe taking breaks, perhaps stepping in before things reach full pitch excitement, say at 8/10, rather than letting him go the full 10, at which point he may be so high/adrenalised he’s unable to feel pain signals etc., if that makes any sense. But definitely let Asher enjoy himself. The fact he’s less anxious and barky is a very positive sign and it sounds like the play is great for building his strength and balance as well as his mental well-being.
Meg, Clare and Angel Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 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 Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Thanks,. everybody. He's really good about taking breaks. He's good for two or three hard sprints before he wants to just lay down and chew on the ball for a while. He's had a few faceplants, but he's learning how to maneuver and how to slow down on the sharp turns (and he won't chase the faster dogs - once they have a good lead, he gives up).
Here he is with a couple of his buddies.
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