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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Hi everyone my name is Tyler and I have a 10 year old Chihuahua Schipperke mix named Midnight. I adopted him at the end of May this year. When I went into the shelter he came right up to the glass and I knew right then he was the one. He's such a sweet dog and loves to be near me at all times. We've had a great time since May and everyone I know loves him and says we're perfect for each other.
The first day we met at the shelter.
Silly guy at home on the couch.
He comes to work with me everyday and gets to hang out with three other dogs. He's not much of a social dog so he usually sleeps on my lap. 🙂
In the middle of September I was away and my dad was watching Midnight for the time I was away. I trusted my dad with him. That trust is gone now. Midnight got out of the house and was missing for 15 hours. After he was found he had a severly broken rear leg and the other leg had some cuts on it. My dad took him to the animal hospital where they thought it would be best to remove the badly broken leg. After a call I never wanted to get the surgery was done and my little man has three legs now. I still can't believe he's missing his leg but recovery is going well. He can still walk and run. I do miss him being able to jump into my lap.
It's a journey and definitely an adjustment for both of us. I think it has brought us closer together if anything good can come from this. Once he is all healed and fully recovered he will be back to his fun self again.
What a sweetie! I just want to smooch that boy's adorable gray muzzle!
Oh gosh I am really sorry about the accident but so glad that Midnight is on the mend. What a super senior! And yes this awful experience does bring you closer together, that's for sure.
If we can answer any questions or help in any way don't hesitate to let us know OK? Good luck during recovery, we are cheering you on 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi tyler and midnight, welcome to tripawds!
Oooohhhh What an adorable face, i think im in love with your little man! What a lucky senior guy to have adopted such a great dad!
Im sorry you had to find us this way but midnight sounds like he's showing everyone how much senior tripawds rock. How long ago did he become a tripawd? A couple of weeks ago?
Hugs ❤ Bev, nurse Moe cat, Autumn's Angel Roane & Angel dog Gypsy 🐾
My sweet soulmate Roane was diagnosed with osteo in June of 2019. Had a rear leg amp on July 2nd & crossed the rainbow bridge to be with her sister Gypsy on the first day of Autumn Sept 23 2019.
Online
Hello and welcome to you and Midnight, although I'm sorry we are meeting under such circumstances.
He is a cutie- and good for you for adopting a senior!
I've had two small rear amp Tripawds. Maggie was my first, a Pug who lost a leg to cancer. She used to do this thing where she would run to me and jump up to my knee height and I would catch her. After her amp she couldn't do that any more and it made me a little sad. But as I watched her heal and get back to doing what she wanted I realized she wasn't missing anything- that was all me.
My current Tripawd is a little Pug x Chi x a bunch of other breeds, I call her my Pug-Mutt. Elly lost her leg at 7 months old after being hit by a car. She will be 5 at the end of December, being on three is pretty much all she has ever known. I do have little stairs or stools in front of the furniture she is allowed on- and she uses them most all of the time. She is strong enough on the one back leg that she can jump up on the furniture without them, which I actively discourage. I also try and keep her from jumping down from furniture without using the steps. I've had small dogs for years so steps and stools are a way of life around my house.
I hope Midnight's recovery continues smoothly.
Oh, and you are right about the bonds becoming stronger!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
jerry said
What a sweetie! I just want to smooch that boy's adorable gray muzzle!Oh gosh I am really sorry about the accident but so glad that Midnight is on the mend. What a super senior! And yes this awful experience does bring you closer together, that's for sure.
If we can answer any questions or help in any way don't hesitate to let us know OK? Good luck during recovery, we are cheering you on
Thank you!!!
roane226 said
Hi tyler and midnight, welcome to tripawds!Oooohhhh What an adorable face, i think im in love with your little man! What a lucky senior guy to have adopted such a great dad!
Im sorry you had to find us this way but midnight sounds like he's showing everyone how much senior tripawds rock. How long ago did he become a tripawd? A couple of weeks ago?
Hi! He had his surgery on 9/25. It's been a little over a week and he's doing great. We have a visit to the vet tomorrow so we will see what they say.
krun15 said
Hello and welcome to you and Midnight, although I'm sorry we are meeting under such circumstances.He is a cutie- and good for you for adopting a senior!
I hope Midnight's recovery continues smoothly.
Oh, and you are right about the bonds becoming stronger!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Thank you!
CUTENESS ALERT!!! I'm head over heels in love with spunky Midnight! It sounds like he's past the hardest part of recovery. He still has to take it easy for a bit longer though.
And be easy on your Dad. I'm sure he feels awful. Unfortunately a lot of dogs find their way here as a result of the same kind of accident.
Keep us posted AND keep those pictures coming of that precious Midnight.
Hugx
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 Tyler,
Midnight is adorable and I'm glad he is doing so well.
Sally said exactly what I was thinking. It was an accident, and I am sure your Dad feels horrible! Unfortunately these things happen. You see, I know how your Dad feels. Years ago I thought I shut the barn door tight, but I didn't. Unfortunately one of my dogs got a hold of my baby goat. I lived with that guilt for years.
Anyway, so happy Midnight is doing so well!
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Hi Tyler and Midnight. He is certainly a good looking pup and is so fortunate to have you in his life. I know that your life is made whole with Midnight in your life as well. Accidents happen. The good news is that he was found and received treatment. My Maggie is 4 1/2 years old and lost her right front leg the same way. However, the owner did not seek any medical attention and abandoned her in the backyard. By the time she was rescued it was to late to save her leg. We adopted her 1 1/2 years ago and it has been a blessing having her in our lives. Maggie runs, barks, and loves to go for walks and car ride. Losing a leg has slowed her down just a bit, but has not changed her at all. Everyone that meets her cannot believe how well she gets around. If only we humans could forgive and love like our canine companions do.
Keep in touch and give Midnight a pat from Maggie.
Hi Tyler and Midnight!
He is such a handsome pup, and he looks like he is doing really well! I am really glad you found us and I hope Midnight's recovery is continuing to go smoothly 
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Thank you for the kind words everyone!
We went to the vet on Saturday and it was all good news. He is healing fantastic. He's allowed to walk more and get the strength in his leg back. He's slowly getting used to going up and down stairs. No more meds and he seems like he is back to his old self. Now for his hair to grow back!
Omd if ever a CUTENESS ALERT, this is one!!! He is a total heart stopper, isn't he?? I could smooch that beautiful grey muzzle from right here! He looks so happy and content, I am really glad this turned out well for you.
He is going to rock life on three, you just watch 
Thank you so much for sharing those photos, I just keep scrolling up to see that adorable face! He is a lucky pup to have you.
That hair will be back in no time, I know it seems like forever but usually in a couple of months you can't even see where they clipped.
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
CUTENESS ALERT!!! EXTRA, EXTRA, CUTENESS ALERT WHEN FROSTY MUGS ARE INVOLVED!!! Absolutely adore this pup and cannot stop smooching the screen😊
Yeah, stairs are often a rough challenge for tripawds. Have you thought about a harness to help. It looks .ike he's small enough to carry up and down maybe? Do you have non slip strips on the stairs for traction ?
Tha ks fot rhe uodate AND those smile making pictures!😊
Hugs
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!
Great news! I just want to scoop him into my arms and smooch him!
Hey don't furget you can take advantage of the Tripawds Foundation Rehabilitation Reimbursement Program, where the foundation may pay for your first rehab visit . That way you can learn all the ways that he can get strong and how to keep him from injury. Let us know if you have any questions about it.
By the way that's an interesting photo sharing site you are using, never seen it before.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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