Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I am going out of town next weekend and I feel absolutely uncomfortable boarding my baby (probably ever again) so, she is going with us. Is there anything I should bring that isn't already obvious? I will bring her raised feeders, belly sling, bedding, coat, and other basic needs. I just want to make sure I am not going to be leaving without something I will realize I need for her by the time it is too late. She is a rear leg amp, and not a cancer vic. Maybe some of you have gone on a road trip with your three legger and then thought that something would of been nice to have that you didn't think to bring. We are going to visit BF's family and it will be much colder up there then here in SC so, she is going to be in a coat and have warm bedding....I just want to be prepared. Thank you.
Treats! Lots and lots of Treats! Other than that, it sounds as though your bases are covered.
Tazzie 2 (watching out for my pals, to make sure they don't go hungry)
Oh what a lucky dawg!! Road trips are pawesome!!!
My pawrents felt the same way about boarding me after my surgery, so I went everywhere with them too.
A few weeks after my surgery, I went to Christmas at my Auntie's house. She has slippery floors and lots of stairs, which my Mom didn't even realize until I showed up as a Tripawd. So the one thing my Mom wishes she would have had for me on that trip, was my collapsible baby gate , which she always used at home to block off dangerous areas.
I would also recommend carrying water with you wherever you go on walks. You'll be in new terrain and probably not familiar with watering spots, so carrying water is good.
That's about it though. Enjoy the trip, we can't wait to hear about it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good point. That Jerry is so smart, isn't he? I took little hallway runners with me for the first month or two to put on people's (very sympathetic people!) floors. I forgot about those days - they were so very long ago (2-3 mos).
jerry said:
Oh what a lucky dawg!! Road trips are pawesome!!!
Right on Jerry!! Long ones, short ones, even just around the block – any where, any place, any time. We celebrated my seventh month ampuversary with a month long trip to Yellowstone – but that is another story that I posted. I have been going on road trips for years and also included going to AKC obedience trials. Dad would make sure that he took along all the necessary equipment.
A folding exercise pen is great. Mine is three feet high, with eight two foot wide panels. It can serve the same purpose as a baby gate to block off dangerous area, but you can also set it up to make a four foot square pen. I often sit in the pen at dog shows or the RV Park and dad did not have to worry about my being bothered.
Dad also has a collapsable crate. I have always been crate trained, so to me it is just my den where no one will bother me. It was made by Nylabone and collapses to a mere four inches tall. It is hard sided like the ones the airlines use which I prefer to the wire ones because it is quieter and things will not get poked into my area.
Dad also took a collapsable shade where we could all sit. When extended it was 12'x12'. We would place the rug that dad brought along on the ground, extend the shade, set up the exercise pen (often refered to as an x-pen) and we would be set for the day. This was great for pinics.
For slippery floors, they sell a tacky-foot substance which is exactly what it sounds like. However, I have been told that putting Coke on the feet and letting it dry does the same thing. Luckily, dad has never had to resort to this yet. He just grabs the handle of my RuffWare when the legs decide to go else where.
I will talk to mom to see if she has any ideas. Mom and dad actually met at an obedience show and she actually has more experience than he does. He just has a better record.
Wishing that we could go on a Road Trip too – Have Fun 
Cherry
PS: Dad just took me out to the trailer to confirm that the collapsable crate was made by Nylabone. Here are some pics taken from the web of that crate:
Sounds like Cherry's Dad must have bought a 5th-wheeler to cart all of Cherry's gear around the country! That lucky Cherry.
Tazzie says 'around the block or to the park is good', but PLEASE no long-distance - 45 min or more - road trips!!!! I'm a home body.
Cherry said:
Dad also has a collapsable crate. I have always been crate trained, so to me it is just my den where no one will bother me. It was made by Gumma-Bone and collapses to a mere four inches tall. It is hard sided like the ones the airlines use which I prefer to the wire ones because it is quieter and things will not get poked into my area.
Now that is something really cool! My pawrents have been looking for a crate that works with their RV, for that crazy Wyatt Ray Dawg, who has become famous for busting out of his soft-sided crate.
Awesome suggestions. We've never heard the Coke-feet trick, that's neat! But I wonder how many dogs lick it off before it can do any good? 😉
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Tazzie said:
Sounds like Cherry's Dad must have bought a 5th-wheeler to cart all of Cherry's gear around the country!
Sorry that Cherry's response offended you, but then taking out my knees seems to be a favorite pastime. The items that Cherry mentioned have a common thread of collapsing to minimize space while providing nice creature comforts. I have had all the items listed inside of a Civic and have often placed all but the shade canopy within the trunk.
My first road-trip was in 1969, I often flew my dogs to visit Grandparents from 1975 to 1994, (they would not let me into the house without them along), attended AKC Obedience Trails from 1987 to 2003, and now travel extensively in a 5th wheel. I flew both of my white Standard Poodles, in crates that did not collapse, x-pens, tolley's and various other necessities (food, bowls, insulin, etc..) by myself without any additional assistance. When flying, the scary part was making sure they got onto and off the plane. Nearly always, the pilot came back to my 1st class seat to assure me that they were safely onboard before to pushed back. The advantages of being a multi-million mile flyer!!!
Our decision to get the 5th wheel preceeded the cancer and was based upon the fact the to us, traveling without our great companions was just unthinkable. One of my fondest memories will always be sitting in the swing, on the porch of the Lower Hamilton Store, in the Lower Geyser Basis of Yellowstone with my TriPawd Cherry on my lap. We radioed to the Old Faithful Visitors Center a number of the geyser eruptions and my Geyser Observation Study Association collegues have often commented how much they enjoyed Cherry. I will admit that a significant portion of the storage within our 5th wheel is dedicated to our dogs. However, that is to make sure that they will have all the creature comforts possible to enjoy the trip as much as I enjoy having them with me.
So much for the venting. Maybe I should just take my folding shade canopy and travel off into the sunset - along with my Cherry whoes condition has taken a severe nose dive this week.
Bob
Cherry is a Very Very fortunate dog, regardless of whether she is travelling in a Civic or a 5th Wheel. I hope I did not say something that implied that we were offended or something that offended others. It was not intended, that is for sure. I sure wish I could coax Tazzie to take a long road trip - he is just not cut out for that.
But now for a real concern - how has Cherry's condition made a turn for the worse? Did you post this elsewhere? Please let us know.
Susan & Tazzie 2
We drove from Michigan to Washington back in September, and the thing that I used a TON was the Ruff Wear harness. It was great to have that extra support while getting Jack in and out of the car (he could do it fine, I just didn't like the thought of all that pressure on his leg every time we stopped). I would also suggest lots of stuff to keep her cozy, blankets, soft bed, etc so that her amputation site isn't irritated in the car (Jack is a front leg amputee so he puts a lot of weight on his remaining elbow and sometimes car fabrics and be hard-ish). Have a fun ride!!!!!
<3 Laura and Jack
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