Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives

For those of you who know Cora's story you can skip this part...

Cora came home to live with me in January. She was just a few months old and still had sutures from her front leg amputation. Her leg was deformed which is why it was amputated. She is also blind. She was a foster but after a week I knew three things: there was more going on (or wrong) than blindness and deformed leg, she needed more care and stability than the rescue group and foster situation could provide and she had an amazing, fighting spirit. So, I adopted her and found tripawds.  Cora couldn't walk. Couldn't feed herself well, barked incessantly, didn't seem to enjoy human touch, etc.

Everyone I took her to agreed she had brain damage and the early guesses seemed grim. The word "degenerative" kept coming up. But I kept watching this tiny pup learn new things. I watched how unbelievable, maddeningly, wonderfully stubborn she was. The prognosis changed. The word degenerative disappeared. Her back leg that seemed weak and didn't have proper reflexes got stronger. Cora was getting stronger and walking. Then she fell and damaged her stump. She should have never had a stump on a front leg amputation but that's how they did it. The stump was removed and Cora became a happier girl.

She started on prosac and became happier still. Well, maybe not happier but less panicked and reactive. She started on gabapentin but she still went through episodes where she seemed incredibly upset, uncomfortable and... itchy. Finally, a new cuplrit was discovered. Chicken. Cora became truly happy. Cora became playful. Cora decided she wanted to run. It doesn't really work. Her one front leg is somewhat uncoordinated and weak (brain damage). It's also her seeing eye cane. That little leg is doing a lot. She only tries to run when I have her supported with the leash and halter. I'm supposed to keep up and adapt to her wild zigs and zags. We both fall down and get frustrated.

Ok, this is not Cora's back story so start reading again unless you just want to look at the pictures at the end.

She's started physical therapy. We will mostly be doing home PT. Cora is amazing but she is a blind dog with neurological issues and doing the work in a familiar environment is so much easier. The  She likes the rocker board. She doesn't much like standing on two legs (with some support from me). She is awesome and walking over poles, logs, rocks, etc. We are still trying to figure out some of her other exercises. When she's mellow she likes me to stretch her legs. At some point I will get her swimming. I've also started trying to make her stand more when she plays. Our favorite game is still for her to attack a blanket I'm holding. (This also helps protect me from wild, blind, accidental puppy bites.) Usually when we play she is laying down, biting, shaking the blanket, and acting tough. Now I try to make her stand (helping her keep her balance) sometimes while she plays. This is not easy with 30 pounds of "ferocious" puppy twitching everywhere, especially since I'm also holding the blanket. The PT is doubtful about Cora running. I brought up the idea about a cart and she said that sounds great. Cora will still be roaming the yard and house on her 3 legs, but she wants to run so damn bad. I want her to have that chance. So that's the next leg (ha) of our journey. I need to get measurements and start working with Eddie's wheels to get it built. She will hate getting into the cart, but her desire to go and play and explore is so strong I think she'll find the motivation to cooperate.

Cora is happy. She loves me. She's curious about other people. She's made a human friend. She had her first trip to the dog park, something I never thought would happen. (Ok, there were like 3 dogs there and she only met 1 but she LOVED all the smells). She goes up and down the ramp on her own and explores my woodsy yard and then comes back to the porch and asks to be let in. She goes camping with me. She's full of play. I can't believe this is the same helpless, unreachable-seeming, demanding baby I brought home. 

Cora is trying to pounce on her "brother" Floyd. She gets close but it's hard being a blind dog. I've seen other blind dogs play the same way.

All this play makes Cora hot and happy

this pool is at my friend's but Cora says I should get one

Cuddle with mom