Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I had all sorts of bad ideas for topic names for this post. Thoughts that have been going through my head this evening, but could easily give you all totally the wrong impression. Titles like, "It Finally Happened," or "Poor Yoda," or "How Will He Ever Forgive Me?"
You see, Yoda caught and killed a rabbit in the yard tonight. Not-so-deep down I always suspected it would happen. I still tried to scare away any bunnies that might be out there in the dark, before I would let Yoda go, just like I did when he had four legs. But that never helped much pre-amputation anyway, he still caught four or five of them in the yard over the last three years. I had kinda hoped that not being able to catch rabbits would be the one and only limitation of being a tripawd. Alas, three legs were still plenty.
So, yeah, I feel awful for the rabbit, I always do, but I'm also glowing with pride and feeling bad for poor Yoda who wanted to dig into his kill. I thought it was hard to disappoint him before – try hanging on to your willpower not to let your dog eat a rabbit when he has been suffering from a pretty severe lack of appetite over the last couple weeks! Thankfully, his appetite is good in the evenings, so I was able to talk myself out of letting him have it. I just had to keep telling myself, "worms, bone splinters, fleas, nausea, worms, bone splinters, fleas, nausea…"
I actually had some rabbit meat canned dog food on hand, but he's not impressed by it. It's the thrill of the kill and the warm body, I think, not the mere smell and taste of rabbit meat, that makes it all so sweet.
Anyhow, I'm sure Yoda is as pleased with himself. I hope that'll be enough. For the next day or two, he's going to rush to the door every time I move in the hope of being let out in the yard to try again.
Catching a rabbit was the only skill Yoda hadn't proven himself capable of since his amputation. I was going to count it anyway, since he came very close one night, til I got in his way. But now it's official - Yoda can do anything.
Yes, he can drive me just as crazy on three legs as he did on four. 
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
First of all, let me say I really do love bunnies. We have a beloved classroom pet my entire family is very attached to. But I can totally relate to the Tripawd pride. Yeah he's still got it in him! I almost posted a similar story about ten days after Romeo's surgery. It was the same "Ok I'm not thrilled with this behavior..... but I'm so glad he's still got gumption!" I should say I wanted to post, but thought people might think I had a mean dog or I was promoting bad behavior. But since you've gone first with the guilty pleasure...About ten days after surgery Romeo met a new dog, a very rambunctious two year old male lab. Romeo is half lab and seems to really identify with labs and he just plain loves all dogs (except boxers for some reason---sorry guys!). Still as he's gotten older the crazed lab puppy play he himself indulged in has lost some its charm for Romeo. But Romeo was running around with his new friend having a great time and we were just amazed at his speed and playfulness. Anyway, the new guy started to get a little physical and just as I was about to say to the owner, "I just don't want him get under Romeo's incision..." the dog dove underneath Romeo's belly. Well in half a second Romeo had the dog PINNED and was a little snappish in his face like "Back off Buddy! That's private!" To be honest, we were half horrified, half thrilled.
We do occasionally run into unfriendly off-leash dogs and we were terrified if there was ever a scuffle Romeo would never be able to defend himself. I also worried other dogs would sense weakness and go after him. So yes, ten days post-op we had a Tripawd bruiser on our hands. We were so relieved. And of course the other owner couldn't be upset---who could be mad at a three-legged dog in a t-shirt?
Romeo has been on his best behavior since then and I hope the bunny population does not suffer any more losses. But just this once I have to say "You go Yoda! WhooHooo!"
Thank's for sharing your stories Yodasmom and Romeo2. I was thrilled reading them. Thumbs up Romeo and Yoda!!
Awesome job Yoda and Romeo!!! I totally understand that feeling of "YES!!! He's still got it!!" even if that includes killing an innocent little bunny 🙂 Keep it up guys, you are amazing!!!
Mmmmmmm....tasty! Yeay Yoda, you kick butt!
I know I know, not cool to jump up and down over killing a wabbit, but hey I'm not celebrating that, I'm dancing and hopping all over the place because you are showing the world that nothing stops a Tripawd!
Too bad you didn't get to taste the bunny, but that's probably a good thing. I've tried a few times to go after them but those little critters are really fast. Will you show me how to catch one?
Wyatt Ray Dawg . . . The Tripawds Leg-A-Cy Continues!
Read all about my adventures at my Tripawds Blog
Yoda and Romeo,
You two are sure proving that tripawds rule!
Debra
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Wohoo Yoda! Oh mighty rodent killer--there's a skwirl at my house I have just been itching to dispatch. Unfortunately I can only levitate a few feet off the ground and this insolent fluffy tailed rodent tends to stay on the rooftops and in the trees. Can you come to my house and get him? Pretty Pleeeeease? Smokey and me will help! Yesh, we will!
And Romeo, dont take no guff from no 4 leggers--ever! Pin 'em and make 'em cry! Yes indeed!
You guys are pawsome!!!!
xoxoxo
Codie Rae
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
LOL - YOU ROCK YODA!!!
Very cool story (even if it's at the expense of a little bunny - poor bunny 
)
Keep it up pal showing everything that WE CAN DO ANYTHING!!!
TRIPAWDS RULE 
Spirit Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Codie Rae said:
Wohoo Yoda! Oh mighty rodent killer--there's a skwirl at my house I have just been itching to dispatch.
Yoda says:
Oh, I wish, Codie Rae, but even on four legs I was always a step behind those skwirls - though I still try for fun. If Mom would just move a little faster, or drop the leash, I could totally get them on walks. They're all la-dee-da when they're outside my yard. However, my buddy and former roommate, Lando has caught a skwirl. He is fast, but I think he must have disoriented it first with sonic waves of his incessant barking (he was always barking at skwirls, and Mom could never figure out how to get him to chill - I'm not sure Lando's Mom knew how either). Then maybe it just fell out of the tree and he pounced on it. I haven't had a chance to ask him about it personally. I'll give him a howl. Mom says he doesn't live much closer to CA than we do, but maybe he'll have tips.
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
Wyatt Ray Dawg said:
Will you show me how to catch one?
Yoda says:
It takes a burst of speed at just the right moment. And, of course, you must harness the powers of the Force. Mom says I can't tell you any more than that because your pawrents might not want me to. But when I'm a spiritdog, I can come visit and give you lessons and our pawrents won't find out! Spiritdogs visit me a bunch. Mom calls them my "imaginary friends," or sometimes my "imaginary enemies," because I'm usually telling them my yard isn't their's anymore. But sometimes we play too. I'll visit you in three-legged form to help you remember it's me and not to chase me off!
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
I'd never chase you off Yoda! We Tripawds have to stick together. Thanks for the tips, I'll keep 'em in mind. It's getting harder to chase bunnies now, they're hiding in the snow!
Wyatt Ray Dawg . . . The Tripawds Leg-A-Cy Continues!
Read all about my adventures at my Tripawds Blog
Yoda - Don't go and get any ideas about becoming a spiritdog before your time! Personally I want you to stick around, even if you can't catch as many rabbits as you might be able to in the future.
Tazzie
We were happy when Polo started "Tweeving" again (a couple of days ago). That's our word for when he lays on his back and kicks with all his legs, which in Golden Retriever means happy, froggy, or maybe an itchy back. Anywho, he seems to take pleasure in it. Squirrels are definitely the enemy in our back yard, but no one has caught one yet.
Great to hear Yoda and Romeo are doing dog stuff!!
Polo Jones, Golden Retriever, Shalimar FL
OMG! Jake also does the 'tweeving' routine... on the couch! Usually after he's come in from swimming... That is so funny! 
Wolfie also does the exact same thing, after he's eaten dinner... Like he's so freaken happy that his tummy is full! 
Dogs are so awesome!!!
Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
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