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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Hello. My name is Myrna, and I recently lost my beloved pitbull Venus to a splenic hemangiosarcoma. I don't have another furbaby yet, but I am seriously considering adopting a three-legged dog named Lena who is in the Baltimore area. Venus was not a tripawd dog, but she was deaf and had been abused as a "bait dog" in her early days before coming into rescue. Lena, the dog needing a home, was also used as a bait dog and had her front left leg mangled and infected, so now she's an amputee waiting for a home. As I have just recently lost Venus, I am not quite ready to bring another dog home yet, but plan to visit the New England area in the fall (I live in Nova Scotia), and if Lena is still available, I will adopt her. She may find a home before then, which would be nice for her, because she currently lives in a cage at the vet, but Patti – her saviour – isn't sure how long they can keep her there. So I joined here just in case fate brings her to me, and I wanted to be prepared ahead of time so I would know what the challenges might be and to pick up lots of helpful tips and advice.
If anyone wants to see Lena's youtube video, post-surgery, (filmed on July 29), you can find it here:
If anyone wants to adopt Lena, (and that would be fantastic!!) you can contact Patti at psquare828@comcast.net
You are all wonderful angels for giving your dogs a chance to live a full life, and I commend you. You make the world a better place, and thank you for sharing this forum so people can understand that there IS life after amputation.
Hugs!!
Myrna
Hi Myrna
It looks to me like Lena has lots of stamina and is plenty strong. She won't be any different from a 4-legged dog. And she even has good manners! Your biggest challenges will probably be the things that other people say (there are those who think it's cruel to amputate).
Arthritis later on is a concern because of the strain on her back--you'll want to get her on glucosamine or MSM to help with that...maybe a raised feeding dish to help with balance...non-skid rugs on any slippery floors at your house...but I think she'll do fine. Once she's with you, you'll wonder why you were even concerned.
Hope it all works out.
Mary
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
So sorry for your loss 
I lost my dog Yoda to osteosarcoma in November. He had his front left leg amputated and did very very well, but only for about 4 months. Less than a month later I met Gerry while volunteering at a shelter. Couldn't believe how fast I ran into a dog that needed an amputation (and his name was "Jerry" a the time - just like the Tripawds founder dog, Jerry). That was crazy, and I was pretty sure at the time that I was crazy to take him on so soon too, even when I was telling myself I would just foster him until he found a good home elsewhere, but he was and is such a blessing. He's so cudlly and downright therapuetic. Having a cancer dog left me a bit neurotic, so it was almost a good thing for me to have a recovering amputee to put all that leftover caretaker energy towards after Yoda passed. Gerry is weaning me off freaking out over every little thing... at least I hope so.
Lena's a lucky dog to have you interested in her. Best wishes as you weigh your decision. There's no wrong one. If now isn't the right time, no doubt you'll give another just as deserving dog a home soon. Thanks for sharing your story and for supporting Tripawds - this place saved both my dogs lives in a way! (And, of course, my sanity, such as it is).
Nova Scotia - cool! My mom keeps nagging me to go visit Nova Scotia with her. I totally want to go too, but it's never the right time with work and money and stuff. Some day (sigh).
Oh and there is a forum dedicated to helping homeless tripawds find homes. You might want to put a post there with Lena's video too to help advertise her - if you didn't do so already.
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
Oh Myrna, I'm so sorry about Venus.
Lena would be a lucky girl to wind up as a part of your family. I cringe thinking about what she has been through.
Mary has some good suggestions. I think we have all been amazed by how well our dogs adapted to their tripawdness. Lena is lucky that she's isn't facing cancer like so many of us here do/did so there's no reason she shouldn't live a normal long life. Dogs don't get hung up on not being "normal" like people do. But you might be surprised by the positive attention they do get. Lena will be a good ambassador for her breed.
I hope you find answers to the questions you have. There is a wealth of advice and experience here.
Keep us posted.
Spirit Ruthie's Mom
Thank you for joining Tripawds, Myrna. And many thanks for contributng to our 2010 Community Campaign! 
If you want to help lena find a home, consider posting her adoption details in the Tripawds Rescue Forum. We wish you the best, however, in welcoming her to your home if/when the time comes! Thanks again.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Myrna, thank you so much for your generosity and for posting about Lena here. We're so sorry about losing Venus. Hemangio is such a sudden shock. Many hugs coming your way.
She's such a strong, beautiful girl. Are you sure you don't want to just go there now and get her? I'd be hoppy to post about her in our Facebook Page if you'd like, but you sound like such a great pawrent, I think you should adopt her now!
But yeah, she's a great looking dawg and she will obviously be such a great pup for someone. Thank you for sharng her story here, and thank you for finding us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well, personally, I'm hoping it works out for you to have her. If you've already joined here and already made a donation, I think Lena could not possilby find a better home. You obviously are quite smitten with her. She's a lovely dog, and does seem to have quite a bit of stamina. She will make a wonderful pet.
And as a fellow pittie owner, thank you for not being afraid to adopt a pittie. They make wonder companions and are so loving.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
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