Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Meet Otto!
I just wanted to encourage anyone who is considering adopting but still has reservations by sharing my story of making the decision to an adopt a tripod.
I was a little worried about adopting a "special needs" dog, so I decided to do my research before I went to visit the shelter. I found this site, and found out a lot of really helpful tips and information and found great stories about the great lives tripods live. Reassured, I went to meet Otto.
He was definitely not the dog I had started out looking for- he was a ball of energy and a bit mischievous (during my visit, he stole a towel from a volunteer and started to shred it). But he was also super happy and so sweet, and I left the shelter with my new buddy in the passenger seat.
As far as tripawds go, Otto is very lucky. He is a rear amp, he lost the leg young (~7 mos.), he is a smaller dog, but not so small that he is fragile, and he is otherwise healthy, isn't battling cancer like so many other three-legged pups.
I've had him for about a year and a half now, and I just wanted to say thank you to the Tripawds community for helping me make the decision, it was definitely a good one!
Ohhhhh thank you, thank you, thank you! Sometmes ths site can be o e of the saddest places in the world, and sometimes on eof the nappiest!! Todah, becase of you and Otto, I have tears of JOY!
Thank you for sharing this neartwarming story AND those delightful pictures!! Otto is ADORABLE! CUTE! HAPPY! VIBRANT! And clearly o e very loved pup!! Swimming! Sitting up proudly on his haunches with just one leg to steady him! OMD! He's ust precious!!
So glad his messages of, "PICK ME! PICK ME!" finally got through to you!! Sounds like he's one persistent fella'! He melts your heart just looki g at these photos!
Again, thank you so much for sharing this journey today. Please co tinue to stay connected to us and let us hear AND see more svout your hero Otto! And you do realize you are his hero, right?
((((((((hugs to you and Otto))))))))
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Ohhhh OTTO! You are so adorable! I love these photos and the story about how your people found you. I have to say, they're pretty smart for doing their research and thinking carefully about what kind of pup would fit best in their pack. YAY For all of you!
We are so lucky to have you here to share your story and show others how adopting a three-legged pup can be an awesome experience for everyone involved. Please stay in touch and let us know how you're doing OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well now... THANK YOU!!!! for posting such an awesome story.. we LOVE hearing about other 3 leggers.. and their two legger pawrents.. Otto looks likd a fun loving "joking around" playing tricks on you kinda guy!! My kind of dawg!!!
Isn't it great when you see them act like a "normal" dog... they don't know they are missing a leg. Well.. I am sure they do in cases when they have had one for years.. ( I mean.. can you imagine waking up and hearing them think.... hey.. this is one heck of a weight loss program!! SQUIRREL!! lol) .... but they don't let that hinder them at all!!!
I think thtais why we have such a bond with our tripawds... because they show us that they can overcome anything!!!
and they are just so gawd dog cute with that leg missing!!!
I look forward to hearing more about Otto's journey as a Tripawd... and of course.. his evil little ways!!!
Christine..... with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
Otto is super cute, and he looks super happy. Thank you for opening your heart to a pup that was not "perfect". Because, now that he has is furever home, he is perfect.
Adelaide is a young tripawd Husky, from an injury. Her amp was on 10/1/12. She has 4 sisters, Aissa (a senior border collie/chow), Maggie May (a puppy Great Pyrenees), Mathilde and Morrigan and 1 baby brother, Bagheera. We are all watched over by our angel Brendol, who was dx with OSA 1/30/13, amp on 2/6/13, and left us on 8/20/13.
You can read their stories at http://adelaide.tripawds.com and http://brendol.tripawds.com
Thanks everyone! I absolutely love life with Otto- he's a little furball of joy who puts smiles on faces wherever he goes.
@Christine The mischief was mostly a complete lack of training- he's now very well-behaved (though he did destroy about 6 pairs of shoes, a few books, and a down comforter in the first few weeks). Once he figured out that humans were trying to communicate with him, he was a very fast learner. He knows lots of tricks, loves attention and snuggling, and is training to become a therapy dog.
And yes- I have had people who have met my dog on several occasions, and don't realize until the third or fourth time that he is missing a leg. It's kind of hilarious cause it blows their minds.
I'm in love with him, too! Look at that fur, that face, those ears, his smile! I'd want to adopt him, too. And I bet he hung out in that shelter b/c many people didn't want a tripawd. He's amazing and has a superb life. Enjoy, Otto, you wonder! Thanks for sharing the happy story. It's a fairytail
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
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