Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives

Howdy, my name is jack crowder and my wife and I adopted a tripawd 1 1/2 year old Golden yesterday from Homewardbound Golden Rescue near Sacramento, Ca.

I was told she was a special dog dog but what we have experienced in the 24 hours we have had Shelby with us, has been an amazing, eye opening experience. Her right front leg was amputated on March 11th and I am awe struck by her spirit and her never give up attitude. She is as happy a dog as I have ever seen and as she makes her way around the house learning to live with her sister Penny, a Border Collie and Charlie, a Cocker, no matter how many times she gets knocked down or nipped at by her new older sister, she bounds right back with a smile on her face and her tail wagging to beat the band.  

 We were working in the back yard today and she was everywhere doing everything. When she's tired she rests and then it's back up for some more. She runs, jumps, plays tug of war and plays with the cats, and, then she rests for a while.

 We start basic obedience this Wednesday and we will eventually get our Canine Good Citizenship Award where she will become a Pet Assisted Therapy dog working with the Humane Society of Sonoma County. Both Penny and Charlie are PAT dogs and over the last 7 years we have seen the impact these dogs have on the Seniors we visit.  

 Shelby has already reenforced some life lessons I seem to have forgotten. You take what life gives you and learn to adapt to it and go on about living. She has also shown me that when you get knocked down, get up and get going again and things go much better when you have a smile on your face. And above all, sometimes when your tired you need to slow down, take a breather and if needed, a nap.

We'll keep you posted on how our training goes, we are so lucky to have found Shelby!