Welcome to the tripawd celebrity world!!!  Yes, we have new found fame through our three legged dogs. People stop me on walks to ask, others stop their cars in the middle of the street just to tell me that she looks great or ask about how it happened (happened at least 3 times in the last 10 months)...One guy said it's lucky whenever he sees her.  And yes, I do get the occasional "poor doggie" comments whispered when I walk by.  

Mostly these "poor doggie" comments are from kids. I usually turn to them and say "No, she's not a poor doggie" in a sweet voice "because she was sick and now she is better. She can run, loves going to the beach and licking everyones face!" That usually cheers them up and then they want to pet her.  Nobody has ever said anything like "why would you do that", more along the lines of "most people wouldn't do that for a dog, but I admire you for having done so since she is obviously so happy and healthy looking".

-Chloe's mom

I get that all the time here. I now go on longer walks with   both dogs and have Benji hop in and out of his Doggie cart. Most people generally think he must have been hit by a car. As soon as they find out that he is turning 12 and had his leg amputated I get that awkward look or head shaking which used to make me mad. I now respond before they can make their statement by tell them how great he is doing and how happy he is to have his pain away and can do almost anything he did before except for walking long hours.

But thats fine..noone expects a 80 year old human to run a marathon so why should I expect that from my older dog. I also do get alot of positive and comforting remarks from people because we went through all of this and lets be honest, Benji's quality of Life has probably improved.  He gets to go to accupuncture, hydro therapy, swim with me ( yes I now go with him into the cold water to help him bend his body in certain ways to relax the muscle  ,something I would never have done ), gets pushed around in the cart when tired, gets carried up stairs ,gets home cooked food. Me on the other hand: Backache and constant worry, but would do it all over again without a second thought.

Rosie has a pink shirt that has the motto " 3 legs is still 1 more than I need to kick your butt!"  with a cute little skull and crossbones on it.  Anybody who tries the pity play with us usually shuts up once she starts running around like the little maniac she is. That's when the sympathetic looks get turned on me for having to corral her.

Oh Rosie, where did you get that shirt?!!! Rio needs one! (She's not really the butt-kicking type, but her momma will if anyone messes with the Woo.)

I get a lot of the sympathy, especially since its still so very obvious because of her lack of hair (more about that on my blog). But it's funny, that's what people notice first! The lack of leg is secondary.

I don't think I would react well if someone were to make a comment about "why would I do that to my dog." This was such a heart-wrenching decision for me, and not something that I approached without a lot of research, thought and agonized second-guessing. However if anyone did say something along those lines, I would say without question, I did it because I love her and this was a better option than to just let her die.

When I walk Jewels around the neighborhood, I end up stopping to talk to almost every person we encounter. It does get sort of exhausting to repeat myself so much, but people are just curious. I'm usually all business on dog walks, so stopping to chat is a new part of the routine for me.

On our last walk, one guy asked me, "What did you do to your dog?" It was annoying to me that he phrased his question that way, but I just dismissed it as poor social skills and told him her story.

Jewels still has 4 legs, but she just holds the non-functioning one up while she hops, so it takes a second for people to realize what is different about her. I did have some kids ride by on bikes and stop to stare at her. They called her, "poor doggie," but I just told them that her leg doesn't hurt her anymore and she's a happy dog.

We get all the same - cars stopping in the street to talk to us, many questions asked, "Awww, poor doggy" from kids, "What a hero/inspiration/trooper, etc." from others. It's an adjustment since I am usually a "don't talk to strangers" sorta gal, but it's been nice that everyone is generally so impressed with her and they all wish her continuing good health. She is becoming quite well known at our usual dog park/beach where we walk. Sometimes I'll hear people I don't even recognize say, "There's Abby!"

Thank god I've never had anyone say anything negative to me! The pity response does kind of bother me (and baffle me really), since she runs and smiles like a crazy thing at the beach, but if I get a chance to, I usually explain to the person how happy she is and what a great life she has. Most people then say, "She's lucky to have you." And I always respond that we are the lucky ones.

Jackie, Abby's proud mom