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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Jake, my black lab, had his right front leg amputated on March 25 after being shot several times by someone. I am so amazed by his recovery! We've been going on hikes again and he can still catch a frisbee! In fact, last week we were walking through state land trails when a big stray rott/mix came running up on me from out of no where… He didn't look very friendly and Jake immediately RAN after him growling like I've never heard before, and acting very tough…he chased this big scary dog away from me and we continued on our walk! We even took our first therapy dog class this past week as well. We have a lot of work to do, but I hope he can eventually be certified for CGC (canine good citizen) or TDI (therapy dog international). Everyone in the class was thrilled to have a tripawd in the group and he just melted their hearts! I can't stess enough how he amazes me every single day as he continues to get stronger. This has been a real learning experience for me. I look forward to being able to help others when Jake finally becomes a certified therapy dog. Just the thought of taking him to a veteran's hospitol someday brings tears to my eyes…. My veterinaritan did me a big favor on the cost of the amputation...only charged me $237, probably just the cost of the materials he used, when I know that such a big surgery could cost almost 10 times that amount. Giving back to the community will be my way of "paying it forward". 
Hey it's so great to have you here! Thank you for posting and telling the world how cool Jake is!
Did you know we have another member from Michigan here? Nova. She's in Linden. Is that near you?
In our experience, sometimes Jerry would get extra defensive when a dog would sneak up on him from behind, and he would do the same thing. Maybe he was just extra sensitive about being a Tripawd, or maybe he was just defending us. Either way we were surprised to see him act that way, but it never let to any problems.
Yeah, that would be neat to have Jake as a therapy dog. What group are you going through? How neat that you're in a class for it.
You are already helping people here, now, by sharing his amazing story. To be able to trust humans and go on living life with gusto isjust the most amazing, inspawrational thing to witness. Dogs are incredible creatures, and humans would do well to take a lesson from them!
What a real hero!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I think it is awesome you are in training for therapy work. I'm considering the same for Trouble, but have not yet checked to see what my options are in this area. Is the class you are in geared to you and Jake or just you? I looked into it before Troubs was a tripawd and they were human based training, and I was much more interested in having the dog involved.
Keep us posted on your progress.
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.
The class is a "drop in" class offered once a week at a local feed/pet store called Redbird. It only costs $5 each week you go and you get to bring your dog with you. They run through the entire therapy dog "test" every week with all the dogs that come and the lady running the class gives you individual help with your dog as you go through it. Whenever they have a large group that the woman thinks is ready to actually test and pass, she puts on a day of testing that costs $20 for each dog. If you don't pass though, you have to wait a full year to test again so you have to be sure you can do it!! Whoever had Jake before me... before my friend found him in a ditch...didn't teach him a whole lot and he's older..maybe 7 ish, but he'll get there I think. The hardest part of the test for him, I think, will be the "leave it" when they bring out a big tasty plate of food that he has to ignore, cuz he loves food more than anything! And right now it's difficult to have him heal and walk and turn at my side because he now hops! The trainer says his balance will get better with time and thinks he will be able to slow down a little as his strengh improves. We had a lot of support from the other teams and that felt really good...
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