Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Gerry is going to visit an elementary school's science fair as part of a Humane Society pet visitor program. The coordinator advised that I have a scientific fact or two to share with the kids about dogs (in general). But I thought it would be cool to offer a fact or two about three legged dogs specifically. Would love your input! And facts about dogs in general are welcome too. Thanks!
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Tell them dogs carry 60-70% of their weight up front, so early recovery is often harder on dogs who lose a front leg. Oh, and that 1 in 4 dogs will die from cancer, and many more will suffer from its effects (Morris Animal Foundation). That should lighten the mood!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ooooh, Gerry the public service spokesdawg, I love it!
How about....Tripawds can do just about anything a four legger can do!
And they walk/run faster too, since they need the momentum to keep balanced.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good good good. Keep 'em coming. Don't let me forget even the obvious ones! 
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Tripawds have one less leg than four legged dogs! (What grade will you be speaking to again?) 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It's not a scientific fact, but a fun fact. Tripawds can do anything. Maty a tripawd disc dog that lives in Oregon has competed multiple times at the Skyhoundz disc dog world championships, she finished in 7th place one year. Just getting to compete at worlds is a huge honor and out of the thousands of competitors only a handful place high enough to qualify for the world championship. This is a picture from the 2nd page of the book Disc Dogs http://www.skyh.....Maty.pdf here's a little more info http://www.skyh.....lease3.pdf
I think I'd tell them first that unlike people, when a dog loses a leg he doesn't waste time feeling sorry for himself, and thinking about how he used to have four legs - he gets on with life!
On a practical level, there are two or three things to consider. They need more space to turn around, since it's very hard for them to walk/hop backwards, and on the other hand, they prefer to walk/hop quite fast! They also seem to prefer firmer beds.
One scientific fact is that a tripod will lay extra bone down in his 'single' leg (whether front or hind) to compensate for not being able to spread the load. They increase the muscle mass in that leg, too. Is that the sort of thing you're looking for?
okay, so these might not be in the category of science, but basic observations:
- A tripawd tends to move faster than a quadraped, so you have to trot to keep up with them. You can't really notice the missing leg when it runs, even though you notice it at a walk.
- When swimming, at least some (one) tripawd compensates for the missing arm by using his tail. This particular tripawd (name began with a T, imagine that!) would make counter-clockwise circles with the tail to compensate for the missing right fore leg.
- A tripawd dog is still more stable than a human who unfortunately only has two legs, at least a human with a sore leg! (words of wisdom from my neighbour with a sore knee)
- Some dogs only have two legs and still live happy lives. One named Faith walks around like a human. When she goes fast, she hops like a kangaroo (lots of videos of Faith on the web). Another named Popeye has his own wheelchair and races around like a speeding demon when at the dog park. The videos of Popeye will melt their heart!
Great great great!!!
If you've got more, post it by tonight (Thursday) by about 7pm CT. I'll be going over it all and what I'll say tonight after I get done shouting at my state's Capitol for a while on my vacation day today (see Gerry's blog, if you're curious about that). Thanks everybody!
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
What a great question & love feedback! Maty & I would love to use some of these fun facts at our humane education visits for the Humane Society of Central Oregon. Thanks Tombi for including my accomplishments (you helped me get there!)~7th place in Worlds twice to prove it wasn't a fluke . 😀
Thanks for the comment Maty. FYI: If you register your posts will publish immediately without requiring moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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