Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My 14 year old daughter has a wonderful Service dog, but he is so much more than a service dog he is a member of our family!
On Monday morning Feb 9,2015 Jasper was hit by a car. We had unexpected company late the night before and when they left, they left our gate wide open even though there were signs posted to please close and latch the gate. So Monday morning when Jasper was let out to go potty, he found the opened gate and decided to go exploring. He made it up to the highway was hit. We found him 15 minutes from the time he was let out. So he was only out for a short time. We rushed him to our vet and on inspection and xrays found nothing broken, alot of road rash, and a laceration to his front right leg that required 5 stitches. BUT he would not bear any weight on the R front leg. The vet told us to take him home and love on him and maybe he will start using his leg... We brought him back on Wednesday for a check up and the vet did some testing and Jasper had no feeling from his shoulder down. We were given options to take him to specialized vet for more testing or we can move forward with amputation. In my gut I knew he was going to lose the leg one way or another and why should we prolong his recovery any longer so I made the VERY hard decision to have his leg amputated. On Friday Feb 13, 2015 Jasper had his R leg amputated. When the vet called to let me know how the surgery went she said we made the right move with amputation that there was major artery damage, the muscle was completely severed and there was major nerve damage.
We are not even a week out of surgery and Jasper amazes me how well he is trying to get around. Our biggest hurdle is keeping him quiet and still. He normally is with a active 14 year old all the time. Because of the nature of his responsibilities as a service dog he still will be able to "work" once he is recovered.
PLEASE FOLLOW US @ https://www.fac.....dtohealing
Aww so glad to hear Jasper is doing well! What a scary time for all of you. It's clear that your love for him is the healing power that helped him overcome the ruffest parts of recovery. What kind of pup is he? Big? Little? We'd love to see some pics! Not all of us are on FB so do share 
Thanks for joining, your future posts won't require approval. Oh and we have many Tripawd service dogs here, so Jasper's in good company. Glad that he'll be able to be back at work soon.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My dog is a "Jasper" too!!! Except she's a girl and not a golden (and not a Tripawd)... I lost my tripawd almost a year ago.
Jasper is going to do great as a Tripawd! I love his photos.. he's a handsome one!
For those not on FB, here's a photo from Jasper's FB page.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Hey, Jasper. We are so glad to see that you found your way here. I don't know if you are aware of this, but we live in the same town. We have been following Jasper's story ever since we saw him on TV. We also go to the same vet! It's great to hear from you.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
OMD what a cutie! Alison thanks for posting that!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yay you did it! Oh he is darling. If there is anything we can do to help during recovery just holler OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to the community!!! You and Jasper will find lots of support here....this is a wonderful place for those on the journey of amputation with a furkid!!
And Jasper is just adorable in his t-shirt!!! I'm sure he will inspire even more folks as a service dog when they see how well he does after amputation!!
Sending you and Jasper best wishes!!
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Hello, Jasper! and welcome Jasper's mom. Johnnie and I already "liked" your Facebook page. Let us know more details on Jasper. How old is he? How did he get trained to be a service dog? Glad to know he will still be able to do his job.
You will find plenty of advice on how to adapt your house to a tripawd, the do's and don'ts, what gear you should have.
At this moment, please be sure to raise his feeding and water bowls, and check for slippery floors.
hugs from Daniela & Johnnie
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
Hi and welcome,
What a cutie your Jasper is! Of course I have a soft spot for retrievers anyway......!
So glad he seem to be doing well after such a traumatic accident......he is so very lucky in many ways, though. The loss of his leg is terrible, but at the same time, he will adapt and go on to live a happy, good-as-new life on 3 legs.
Just love these pics of him, and thank you Alison, for posting that first adorable picture.....2 Jaspers here now, and both very special pups for sure!!
Keep us updated on Jasper the service dog, looking forward to more pics!
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Daniela & Johnnie said
Hello, Jasper! and welcome Jasper's mom. Johnnie and I already "liked" your Facebook page. Let us know more details on Jasper. How old is he? How did he get trained to be a service dog? Glad to know he will still be able to do his job.You will find plenty of advice on how to adapt your house to a tripawd, the do's and don'ts, what gear you should have.
At this moment, please be sure to raise his feeding and water bowls, and check for slippery floors.
hugs from Daniela & Johnnie
Jasper just turned 4 on Thanksgiving so he is still a young'in......
When we 1st got Jasper and he was about 8 weeks old my daughter who has had un controllable seizures since she was a newborn, had a really bad seizure while laying on the floor playing with the puppy. Jasper started flipping out, barking like crazy, running in circles and whining. Over the next few weeks my daughter has many more seizures and Jasper did the same thing. So i did alot of research to find out why he was doing this. And then we brought him to one of Brittanys neurologist appointments and she just happened to have a seizure in the office. The doctor was amazed and helped us find a place to get him trained as a service dog. We all spent 6 weeks in Nevada with him while he was getting trained and they tweeked the way he alerts us. He now alerts to her seizures up to 15 minutes, usually about 10 minutes, before she has one. He still flips out and barks like crazy but now he comes and gets one of us and runs back to her and sits with her until the seizure is over and she is coherent. If they are outside on the leash he stays with her until she is coherent. But he lets her know that she needs to find some where safe to sit down or to tell whom ever she is with that she is about to have a seizure. Due to her other medical issues (High Functioning Autism) she is not outside alone she always has a caregiver with her. Before Jasper came into our lives Brittany slept in my room on a twin bed, so that I would hear her if she was to have a seizure. (as Jasper is recovering she once again is in my room). He has given her some Independence and me a normal life of having my own room. 
.... Jasper is far more than just a dog... he is my daughters best friend, he is her lifeline to normalcy, he is my 3 legged kid. He is loved so much.
We got him a elevated feeding/water bowl. Since we have all wood floors I bought carpet runners for the area's he uses. Keeping his foot fur shaved and his toe nails have been trimmed short.
mom2shelby said
My dog is a "Jasper" too!!! Except she's a girl and not a golden (and not a Tripawd)... I lost my tripawd almost a year ago.Jasper is going to do great as a Tripawd! I love his photos.. he's a handsome one!
For those not on FB, here's a photo from Jasper's FB page.
This was 3 days after the accident. He got a care package from a friend....
Jasper has never liked his pictures taken and since his accident he really don't like his pictures taken. But I just love his face so much that I am always taking pictures of him.... I got this picture the other day... THIS IS WHAT HE THINKS OF THE CAMERA IN HIS FACE ALL THE TIME.. (caught him in mid-sneeze)
Woooah! Wow what a story, you have an amazingly special duo there, truly beautiful. Talk about a gift sent from above!
I hope you and Murphy get together, did you see his Mom Kathi's post above? You two live in the same town, I sense a pawty in the works
Thanks for sharing the photos, we look forward to more!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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