Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

I would like to tell you a little story about a beautiful, loyal, sweet, intelligent, agile, wonderful, 2-3 year old neutered, border collie/sneaky neighbor dog mix named Phoenix.

8 months ago I was looking around on FB and I came across a post from the Bella Vista Animal Shelter needing a foster home for a dog that was hit by a car in Bella Vista, the driver aka douchebag never stopped. Some good Samaritans scooped him off the road and took him to the Bella Vista Animal Shelter. BVAS discovered the douchebag driver had severely damaged Phoenix's front left leg. I called Donna at the shelter and volunteered to foster him. After several months the Sugarcreek Veterinarian Clinic decided the leg had been too damaged to save since there was no movement throughout that time, the leg just hung, he had nerve paralysis in that leg.

During the time at my house Donna and BVAS team were working to get him into a rescue in Minnesota, which they succeeded in doing, but unfortunately the rescue decided to hold off on taking him due to the fact Phoenix was still very skittish and did not have any confidence so therefore they decided they would "pass" at this time.

Obviously not sure what his previous life before BVAS entailed but it did not seem like a very good one. I called Donna at BVAS and told her the news, she said she would start working on finding another rescue. After a few days I called her and said I would adopt Phoenix and she promptly told me I failed fostering 101 as she laughed at me :)

Throughout his stay at my house my doxie mafia (3 weenies) alpha weenie Harley is being a total jerk to Phoenix and does not make his life very pleasant and Coda my second in command is following along with Harley and neither are letting Phoenix in the pack. My 3rd weenie is Lily which is a sweetheart and my 17 year old cat Nala which seems to fascinate Phoenix but Nala is not so fascinated by him. I thought after several months they would accept him and we would be one happy family, well that is not to be. I called Donna to ask what I can do and she suggested a Dog trainer session, which I did. She supplied me with some great tips and info but alas not much improvement with the mafia and I am overwhelmed.

Phoenix has made some very significant steps as far as his confidence goes, where he used to only stick his head out the front door, he now walks all the way to the mailbox with me and hangs out in the front yard, which does not have a fence. He is no longer a flight risk or very skittish at the normal outside noises. He will need some work on a leash since he is still working on his confidence but he is doing well. I have a harness, collar and leash for him and of course his blanket. I think with patience, love and attention he will have even more confidence. He loves his squeaky toys (when Harley is not stealing them from him) and his bones. He was a very picky eater at first but he is now realizing there is such a thing as treats! He does not realize he only has 3 legs so please do not tell him, he runs fast and cuts corners very well! I do think with a little training he would be a great agility dog. I do not know if he is good with children since I have never had him around any but his temperament is playful, very gentle and submissive.

So that is his story, it WILL break my heart when I find him a home but I truly believe in another household he would flourish even more without the mafia on his back all the time.

I would love to keep him in this area but if there is a perfect home further away I have no problem traveling, I live in Fayetteville Arkansas. He has been micro-chipped and has had his rabies shot. I have been giving him Valium to calm down his anxiety and it has really worked well. There is a group call the Liberty Train that would be willing to transport him to his forever home.

Message me on here, text or call if you are interested 858-531-6222. Please feel free to share this page and network him.