Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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WOW! 
This brought such big smiles to our faces here, thank you so much! Now THAT is a Tripawd kinda summer, I love that he's so well-prepared for all the fun!
Thank you for sharing the video, he looks fantastic. One thing I noticed though is that his rear right leg isn't kicking in the water. I wonder why? If that's unusual it's something to mention to his therapist. Honestly though I can't get over how he just goes down the stairs and into the pool. We've tried that so many times with our Wyatt Ray at my parent's house, and he won't do it. Now, give him a lake or a river with a gradual descent into water and he's all over it, but pool steps? Nope. Griffin must have really great depth perception for him to be so at ease.
As for the Jet Stream Cooling Vest, YAY! It fits him perfectly. Would you mind leaving a review in our store so others can see how pawesome it is? So hoppy you both like it 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Sally! The first time he got into the pool, I think he forgot that he is missing a leg in the front, because he bounded down the stairs, lost his balance, and dunked under the water. He was not impressed with how hard I was laughing! He approaches a bit more carefully now, but loves swimming, so nothing is going to stop him! I think his towel is snazzy, too, and a reminder of how much he is loved by my family! ~ Stacy
Hi Jerry! I'm glad you enjoyed his first summer update! I'll be sure to leave a review for the cooling vest soon. I want to use it a few times first to have something specific to say. You are correct about his right leg, although he does use it in that video up until he is almost back to the steps, but he wasn't really using it at all today while swimming. That's the same leg that the muscles are super tight when I do his PROM exercises, and I have mentioned that to the physical therapist. Watching him swim today, I'm not sure if he isn't using it because it bothers him to do so or if it is a balance thing because he moves forward in a straight line while swimming when using just the legs on his left side. He does seem to use the right leg when turning in the water and when I hold both of his back legs in the pool, he kicks out at me with both of them to let go. I'll be sure to share the video with the PT the next time we go. Griffin has never been one to jump into the pool (I'm always amazed at dogs that do that), but the pool stairs have never been an issue for him and honestly, it never occurred to me that it could be an issue! LOL! ~ Stacy
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Oh that's good he's using his legs most times in the water. Let us know what the PT says.
Tell Griffin I don't like jumping into pools either 😉
Thanks for putting thought into a Jet Stream review!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ya' know Stacy, I also thought he was using that leg more in a way to "balance".
Additionally, it looked like as Griffon got closer to the stairs, maybe it was shallow enough that he was foot tapping the bottom with his left leg and kinda of pushing off the bottom and didn't even need to use his right leg that much. Was it shallow enough for him to push/bounce with that leg?
One more FWIW. In scuba diving you wear weights. If they aren't evenly balanced, you can sort of "tip" to one side or the other. Wonder if the float coat was off balance a little, Might be interesting to watch him swim without it and see if he does the same thin
Have to laugh at us hoomans. All Griffin wants to do is swim and could care less about form!!!
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!
Hi Sally! I do think it is more of a balance thing. You have sharp eyes - closer to the stairs Griffin can touch the bottom and was definitely pushing off from it in the video. And I agree - all Griffin cares about is swimming, so we'll be back out to visit in a few weeks! 
Stacy
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
This is so cool! He is clearly enjoying his summer time 🙂 I am so happy for you Stacy that you get to enjoy such good times with Griffin. Looks like a lot of fun 🙂
He's rocking that vest and loving the water, wow!
He's just such a happy pup, i can't believe he manages those stairs so well to get in.
He was definitely using that right leg going out, but once he started nearing the stairs it looked like Sally said... kind of narrowing out in and balancing the other side to navigate towards the stairs, and it looked to me like that rear leg tucked in tight to grab that stair to help pull him out?
He has the most adorable froggie legs swimming 🥰🥰🥰
Thank you for sharing❤❤❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Hi Patricia! Griffin has always loved swimming (and hated the rain!), so it was such a treat for both of us to visit my Dad last weekend. It's the first time I've been out of New York City since the shutdown and it was so nice to have some company for a few days. We'll head back out again in a few weeks. I'm thankful that Griffin's coat dries more quickly than Arktik's - not sure how much swimming he'd be doing if the drying process took so long! ~ Stacy
Hi Jackie! I do think Griffin tucks that back right leg as a balancing mechanism and I'm amazed that he can swim in a straight line using only his left side legs. He loves playing fetch in the water and will really enjoy himself when my nieces come out to visit in a few weeks. They yell when jumping off the diving board and Griffin races out to "save" them. 
Stacy
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Griffi9n makes a perfect Lifeguard Dog for your neices❤
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!
In my last post, I shared how much Griffin enjoyed visiting my family on Long Island and swimming in the pool! We also spent some time with my best friend from childhood and her two girls. We went for a walk in Belmont Lake State Park where Griffin checked out a few swans!
While Griffin and I enjoy celebrating Independence Day, Griffin is not a fan of fireworks. I purchase a special drug, Sileo, each year which helps to desensitize Griffin to the noise of the fireworks without sedating him. This year, however, our neighborhood has been rocked by fireworks every night for the past month (sometimes until 3am!), and so while Griffin is still not a fan of fireworks, he has become somewhat desensitized to them, with a lot less shaking, panting, and drooling than in previous years. We went for a long walk this morning to enjoy the park and show off Griffin's festive collar.
From our little family to yours, may this Independence Day sparkle with good times! Stay safe!
And enjoy this moment of Hudson River zen!
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
And HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY rght back atcha' Griffin🇺🇲🇺🇸
I love your festive "collar" for the 4th😎
Honest to goodness, that picture of you with all yout hooman friends truly has you grinning ear to ear😃 And that makes us grin ear ro ear😃 You are one Happy dude dog with all your girlfriends.
Very beautiful picture of you gazing out onto "Swan Lake". Very peaceful photo.
Got in some good scritches, some fetch amd a little you! on the cool ground after that looong run to get your ball. I was exhausted and hot just watching you! Lpve how you gave that ball a little toss. You are just so mich fun to watch😎
And, as always, thoroughly enjoyed our moments of Zen you and your Mom share with us.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS....Cannot imagine how horrid it must be to be surrounded by all that noise, the fireworks, etc for all this time! Awful!! Had not heard of Sileo, but will check into it. Frankie is petrified of thunder, gunshots and fireworks.
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!
Hi Sally! I read about Sileo in a magazine years ago and asked my vet about it. She hadn't even heard of it when I brought it to her attention, but evidently it is now pretty commonly prescribed and is FDA approved. I attended The Bridge Club webinar, Fireworks and Thunderstorms: Addressing Your Pet's Anxiety, on June 30th (the video was posted on their Facebook page that night) and Sileo was discussed towards the end (I asked about it in the chat). It's about $30/syringe (I buy it from 1-800-PetMeds) which is 3 full doses for Griffin at 60lbs, so I only buy it for July 4th each year. The webinar also touched on calming collars and that vet recommended Adaptil. She acknowledged that it seems to be hit or miss for dogs, which is what the reviews seem to show as well. Griffin's been wearing it for a few days and I can't say whether it is really working or if Griffin has just become more acclimated to the fireworks because they have been non-stop, but at $16, it was a pretty inexpensive investment that if it works, will last for a month. I hope Frankie doesn't get too stressed out tonight! Stacy
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Griffin was scheduled for his next round of carboplatin on Wednesday. Before that, chest x-rays were taken which unfortunately showed a nodule of about 1.8 cm in his right lung. Griffin’s oncologist suggested switching to doxorubicin since 3 rounds of carboplatin did not prevent the growth of this lung met. So instead of his 4th round of carboplatin, Griffin was administered his 1st round of doxorubicin, which will be administered every 3 weeks for a maximum of 5 rounds. We will repeat his x-rays in 6 weeks (prior to his 3rd round of doxorubicin) which will hopefully, at the very least, stabilize the lung met, and at the very best, decrease it in size.
I know dealing with cancer is never a smooth road, but Griffin has been doing so well that I was prepared not for his x-rays to show any issues and was in fact not planning to repeat the x-rays again unless there was a specific reason to do so. I was so sad on Wednesday but forced myself to find a more proactive and positive mindset yesterday. In reading Jerry’s recent post on Treating Lung Metastasis, I found out about a trial at Tuft’s that seemed perfect for Griffin’s current situation and I sent them his records. Unfortunately, I found out today that because Griffin had a round of doxorubicin (which is the chemo drug they will be using), he is not eligible for the trial. They were kind enough to provide the contact information of the vet leading that trial, so Griffin’s oncologist is going to reach out to see if we can replicate what they are doing with the drugs Apoquel and Ladarixin.
I know that I should focus on the fact that Griffin continues to do well, that he is not showing any signs of slowing down or feeling unwell from the chemo, that he does not have an expiration date stamped on his butt, and all of the other things that we say here when lung mets are found. But truly, I’m just devastated right now. I’m so, so angry that the rug has been pulled out from under us. I’m so angry that his entire battle with cancer has taken place during this insane pandemic which has kept us isolated from our family and friends. I’m so mad that I have to turn him over at the door of the hospital and haven’t been able to meet with his doctors face to face. I’m so upset with myself for being lulled into a false sense of security about how well he was doing that I allowed this most recent diagnosis to sucker punch me because I truly wasn’t expecting it.
I know I need to stay positive for Griffin. I know I need to focus on the good fortune of having an incredible team at the Animal Medical Center who cares for Griffin and having the financial security that insurance provides. I know I need to remember the blessings that have been brought to me because of this incredible Tripawds community.
But right now my heart is broken and it is going to take time to find that light again.
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
And I can assure you, your whole tripawd family is in shock, angry and saddened and ticked off beyond words right along with you!
And right now, as bizarre as it may seem, I want to thank you for being so honest with uour feelings. Thank uou for sharing all the thoughts and emotions you are dealing with eifht now. Everything you just shared was so raw, so genuine. You have shared so much information, so much of what's possible, so much support and now it's time for you to let us help you breathe. Now is not the time uou hace to feel like you need to ve strong or anything else but gutted
There will also be a time that you will find your inner strength, you will focus and become active in a path forward. We all know that. We all know how strong uoir bond is with Griffin and how strong his is with you. That love is exactly what has made his recovery so MIRACULOUS!!!! He has been a miracle dog of hope and joy for so many, especially here.
Yes, as you battle in your head about the shock you just heard, and the hope you, and all of us, hold out for a long continued quaility life full of more miracles with his name on them, hang on to us. We will hold upu up until you can stand on your own. But for now, go ahead and crumble.
One of the most important things you DO know, even in your temporary despair, Griffin feels great!!! And I don't say that lightly! It is hugely important as a good indication he will continue to thrive!! I believe that with all my heart!!
And know this, the light is still within. The loving light you and Griffin share that will light the path forward together. In the meantime, we'll all be your beacon of light to help guide you into the glow of the thousands of memories you and Griffin have yet to share.
With love and hope for more miracles to appear💖
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
Hi Stacy,
I have a tripawd cat, Mona, who is not nearly as fun as a tripawd dog so I've followed Griffin's journey for a while now because he always has a smile and is taking this as a challenge to live his life to the fullest. Thankfully he has you as a guide to ensure he has interesting adventures with or without his chariot.
I'm sorry to hear about the lung spot and wanted to let you know it's okay to have a down day and wallow in your grief but remember Griffin doesn't want to wait too long for his next adventure! I went through this supporting my sister who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She was the happiest, most positive person I've known even through this difficult time. Griffin reminds me of her. 
No negative talk, no advice, follow doctor's orders, no Dr. Google allowed, no statistics, no talk of the future, live in the now. I had to remind myself to "Be More Dog
" as my sister already was "dog".
Mona has to go to the vet for her blood work for kidney disease and they have suddenly opened up the vet clinic to allow pet parents to enter with the pet. Perhaps Griffin's clinic will allow that if you ask and take all the necessary precautions (mask, even a COVID test).
Take care of yourself. Huge hugs for you and Griffin
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
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