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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Aww yes we can see the picture! Looks like you all had a beautiful time on the mountain, that's terrific!
Yes, three-legged dogs move faster than four legged dogs, in order to balance and push themselves forward. We do recommend a harness like the Ruffwear Flagline harness or Ruffwear Webmaster harness . That way you can clip a leash to the top of the harness without causing her to lose balance or put pressure on her neck.
It's still early in her recovery so she will likely need more time to build strength and stamina. Take it slow and easy, she'll get there!
Glad you had fun together. It's great having her back again isn't it?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
She looks absolutely adorable in her pretty red sweater. I think she knows it too😉
So glad Lola is adjusting so well. She is so loved and so well cared for, we knew she would recover with great exuberance!
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!
Thak you everyone... yesterday i was looking for an harness, some supplements as you suggested, but obviously I didn't find anything similar 
i'll order everything from the web! Thank you so much for helping out with the links!
My vet didn't mention about neck stress, helping her in balance, nothing, he just told us that the harness that we used before her amptution, was't good anymore, so we bought her a new collar... but i obviously made a mistake ..
The only good thing that i found is Metabolic food, to help her in loosing fat and ideal for joints care! It's very expensive but worth it, my vet approves! Hope it'll help her 
In these days i noticed that she has a lot of ear discomfort, so i made an app with the vet for thursday! I'll talk to him also about supplements and where i can find them, if he has any suggestion..
However, lola is great.. i tell her about your compliment for her sweater
thank you!! you're right, she is exuberant and so stubborn sometimes but always joyful..
I'll let you know about what my vet will say!
Hugs from me, lola and rudy!
P.s.
I won't stop thanking you for not making me feel alone right now!
Awww hugs back at you! Lola is going to continue doing very well thanks to all of the great questions you are asking. That's what we call being a great advocate!
And remember, we all had a learning experience after amputation. It's something that doesn't come naturally at first, but by being here and asking good questions, you are already getting the hang of it. Give yourself credit, you deserve it 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Do you check out the Nutrition Blog
on this site? There are a lot of suggestions for supplements, and you can find the harness in the gear blog.
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 and thank you for you answers!
Yes i'm reading all the tips on this website, from other dogs recovery.. to nutrition, supplements, everything!
I was looking for this one :"wag worthy hip and joint" on amazon, but is unavailable at the moment, i don't know why! And i can't find anything similar in Italy 
i hope my vet, tomorrow, will help me in finding out something that can help her!
I'm very happy today because this morning she did something that she used to before surgery!
She jumped over my bed, she waked me up with her tongue ( lol ) and after a cuddle moment, she rolled and crawled over the bed growling and barking! I've been waiting for this moment for 20 days ... guess what? I'm in heaven
Thank you so much for your kind words and your help! Big hugs from me,lola and rudy 
Jerry, Do you remember the name of that supplement you recommended for Brownie, and you were giving to Wyatt? It could also double as a pill pocket. That supplement was great for Brownie's joint pain.
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"
Hello Lola's Mom,
If you ever have trouble in translating let me know. My husband is fluent in Italian he is first generation American. Our family is from Mola diBari so we are from the other side of the boot so to speak.
I joined the day after you with my dear little Patches who will be joining the Tripawd pack on January 7th. But Lola looks great, I hope my boy does half as well. Currently just trying to prepare for surgery and post op.
Buon Natale.
Hello Patche's Mom, and Hello everyone!
i'm so happy your family is from Italy too, you can't imagine it. How is your lil boy patches? He is so cute, i already love him! looking forward to see any other pictures of him. thank you for your help in traslate english, actually my big problem is writing and specking beacuse i can't really pratice a lot.
did you all enjoyed christmas? hope so.
My christmas was such an emotional day because deep inside i know that it might have been the last one with her. Dispite what i promised i didn't spend the day being more dog, but such an emotional human. I'm really so sorry about that because i konw that is so stupid acting like that right now.
on friday 12/24 we went to the vet for her ear's discomfort. He said that it was everything ok, she just had a little bit more earwax than usual on her right ear. I asked him even if one of her lipomas ( that one under her right armit ) can bother her in walking o running but he said No, at the moment we can't do anything for it. He just said to be careful with her food. She still has to lose from 2 to 3 kilos.
When we are home i look at her and sometimes she seems sad on her pillow or on her side of sofa.
Vet said that sadness is just in me, not in her. He said that she's lively and active. She eats, she barks a lot, she wags her tail, she plays with her toys. He said that is normal that she gets tired quicker than before, that she rests herself more than before. He asked me what is her reaction when we took the leash. She is always happy to go outside, i know that.
But despite what he said and his reassurances i'm a little bit sad and worried. There are happy days and bad days. Yesterday was one of the bad. so sorry because i can't come back in time!
here are some of my favourite pictures about her and rudy about this days :
https://www.dro......jpeg?dl=0
https://www.dro.....8.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dro.....1.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dro.....9.jpg?dl=0
they were not so happy to wear christmas stuff ( lol )
and she's her on 12/23 playing with one of her fovourite toy :
https://www.dro.....7.mp4?dl=0
Can you see them?
Wish you all great holydays. Lot of love for everyone and your specials friends
We also had an emotional Christmas, and can relate to how you feel. I think everyone around the world did, how can we not? This has been a tough year for every person on the planet and it's no wonder that emotions are running high. So go easy on yourself.
But you know when I see those adorable photos of Lola I also see a very happy dog! Your vet is right, she isn't sad, she is living every day to the fullest, glad that she gets to enjoy another one with her favorite companions.
Don't be sorry about feeling the way you do. It's normal to worry and feel sad when think that your dog used to have four legs. But just try to acknowledge those feelings for what they are, just feelings. They don't define your sweet Lola today, unless you allow them to. Lola isn't looking back or feeling regretful. Follow her lead, she knows how to live!
May each new day be easier to follow her example. You can do this!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ciao Lola's Mom,
Checking in hoping your holiday's went well. Wanted to see how Lola is making out. Dear Patches is having his surgery on Thursday and I am more than a little nervous and anxious. But looking at your pics give me hope that he will be fine.
your friend american friend
Just saw those precious pictures of your beautiful Lola! Her. big brown eyes just melt my heart! I love the one of her giving your outstretched hand a kiss. So sweet😊
And the expression Rudy's face with his Chrismas outfit is hilarious!!
That video definitely shows a very happy Lola, wagging her tail and barking happily as she plays with her toy😎
I really like the way the Vet is having you focused on how well Lola is doing....and she is!!! His assessment is spot on!
Okay, when you were referencing a "bad day", you were describing your emotions, correct? Some insight from members here over the years may help you stay focused on the present, on the now, on all the joy Lola be happy Lola👍👍 will have better and more important to the
The only regret a member would express every now and then, is that they took so long to stay in the present, to Be More Dog , to not worry about the tomorrows but to embrace the NOW and to celebrate ⁷ glorious moment our dogs and cats are with us.
And one other little tidbit. If you find yourself starting to step away from the present, try this way to change your attention back to the present. Put a rubber band on your wrist. Anytime you start ro be sad for Lola, or step away from how happy she is now, ZAP THAT RUBBER BAND REAALY HARD ON YOUR WRIST!!! It will snap you back to the presen t I instantly!!
Update when you can
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!
Hello Everyone.
Thank you so much for your kind and sweet words and advices. I really wound not know how to do without you 🙁
on Jan 1st, was Lola first month after amputation.
on 28/12 we went to my parent's house. I thought i'd make her happy cos my dad is definitely her fovorite person! She was so happy to see him, and my dad too. he's not taken his fight with cancer very well. As I said on my first post is not common amputate dog's paws for cancer. When he saw her he almost start to cry. He was so impressed with the way she walked, ran and jumped from couch to couch. My father has 2 dogs too, Lola's biological mom and brother ( Luna and Rocco ).
At first she seemed happy to be there, but after a while she started to go to my old bedroom and stayed there on my bed. I thought was a very strange behavior for her. before surgery when we got to my parents's house she was a fury, she was always moving and playing with her bro and mom. This time was different. she started having a few coughs, but mainly she seemed to very happy.
this is a short video about her and the other guys having fun in the countryside:
https://www.dro.....2.mp4?dl=0
When we got back to Olbia I immediately call my Vet and I brought her to him. He obviously reassured me by telling my that it was probably too early for her to be with 2 other dogs and that this my have created too much stress for her. For the cough he told me not to always and only think about the worst. few cough can happen to us too. When she was with him she was super fit, barking, wagging her tail, running from one side of the clinic to the other, licking all the vet and asking them for food ( lol, like the brat dog she always been ). We She went back home as usual thinking that we are crazy. She ran and played heavily for the rest of the day.
On sunday things changed. She started to have shots even when she was standing still and lying down, some sort of hiccup, which made scare her and consequently cry. She did 3 times in the morning so we thought she played and ran too much the day before. So we gave her some painkiller, but nothing has changed so we immediately stop it. We rested all sunday at home.
On monday she did just twice in all day. the cough is still there and today, at 3:30 pm we should have her second chemo. But I will talk to my oncologist before her 2 dose. I want to be sure that everything is ok.
I'm a little bit worried about her cough! in 9 years she's always been very healthy and she's never had anything apart from lipomas. She is my warrior princess , and i hope that everyting is gonna be alright. I'll update as soon as i can.
PS @benny i'll try with rubber band, i promise. thank you
@Patches's Mom, please stay strong for your lil boy. I promise to be strong too for Lola.
Thank you all for your support.
Here are some other videos and Lola n Rudy's pictures :
https://www.dro.....jpg?dl=0 ( resting with dad )
https://www.dro.....jpg?dl=0 (she knows to be a princess , Lol )
https://www.dro.....jpg?dl=0 (after a walk, lol, love them so much )
https://www.dro.....mp4?dl=0 ( look how fast she is even with three paws, this was made on dec 27th)
the last one, about 2 days ago, of her and rudy playing with daddy : https://www.dro.....6.mp4?dl=0
Sending you all our love ( Lola, Rudy and myself )
OK first, I love the blanket game you are playing with her! And the countryside is just beautiful! That is such great medicine for all of you.
SO, did you see the oncologist? How is everything? We have our paws crossed that you got good news. Please update when you can OK? Stay strong!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Love the videos! and pictures & I'm with Jerry loving seeing the countryside.
Lola seems to love to run and go, go, go but from what I have read maybe shes just getting tired very easily. Plus she has had the Chemo and that stuff can be wearing on her body too.
keep the faith my friend. we are praying with you.:)
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