Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Poe is my fur baby <3 He is not just a pet, but apart of our family. He and his sister Scarlet, who was never found, were stolen from our front porch where they were sleeping in their house on feb 27th.(Poe will now be an indoor dog, all 40 lbs and still growing, of him.) The next week was just filled with complete despair after the sheriff told us there have been a lot of pit bulls going missing in the area and there is assumed to be a fighting ring.
Of course I thought the worst from the start, and with each passing day I felt like my chances of ever seeing my babies again was just vanishing in thin air until March 7th when we got a phone call from the vet, someone had found Poe! but he had disappeared threw out the night, they were afraid to put him up because they saw he had some sort of wound and thought he would attack if they picked him up and accidently hurt him more.
Well, after hours of surveying the area where they saw him the night before he came running up to us out of a field, and i mean RUNNING. My moment of pure bliss at seeing him was short lived when i noticed it. He's missing an ear down to his skull, and his front paw is just gone, completely torn off. We instantly rushed him to the animal hospital were they assessed him and his wounds, the first thing they said is someone did this to him, not something, not a car accident, someone tortured my baby. And if that wasn't hard enough to hear i was told he might be completely deaf and his whole front leg would need to be amputated.
My heart instantly sunk, but they were positive if Poe made it threw surgery and didn't have any infections or form a blood clot during operation he would make a speedy recovery and live a healthy happy life. Well sense the day we had to leave him alone at the hospital we have gotten mostly wonderful news, he had no infections, his ear canal was still perfectly intact and would suffer no hearing loss, and he made it threw surgery just fine and was even alert and wagging his tail once he was awake.
How ever they discovered his back leg on the same side has two fractures in it, which will make it difficult for him to gain his balance and strength back as fast as they were hoping. my latest update i received from the hospital was that they were able to remove his tubing with out a problem but he's still draining alot so they had to keep him today, but hopefully will be coming home tomorrow, if not Thursday.
I know we have alot of hurdles to overcome still, but I am just so glad we have our baby back, and so happy that there is a whole community of people who have gone threw and made it over those hurdles 
I am very hopeful that poe will be coming home tomorrow, and that he will live a full happy healthy life, and that we will be able to support him and make him feel safe and at home once again. <3
Oh my gosh, I am so sad to hear the terrible thing that happened to Poe and Scarlet! My heart goes out to you, and all I can say is that whoever the evil soul is who did that to him will get their payback eventually.
But, Poe is a strong boy who WILL pull through this and amaze you with his strength and courage. Have you read Jerry's Required Reading List yet? Be sure to check it out, it will prepare you for what to expect when he comes home.
Thank you so much for joining us. Your future posts won't need approval, so keep us posted on how he's doing OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Poe sounds amazing to have survived all he has and still have so much trust in us humans to make him better. So sorry about your Scarlet. Those that hurt them will receive their payback in time. Now it is time to cheer Poe on and I have a feeling he is going to do great!
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
OMG! There is too much evil in this world! I'm so sorry that you haven't found Scarlett but so glad Poe was able to find you again. They are terrible injuries but it sounds like he will be OK. And with you to love him I'm sure he will flourish.
Many hugs
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
thank you all for your encouragement and well wishes, I'm really hopeful that he can feel at home again soon <3
We have noticed he flinches a little when Alex, or any of the male techs pets around his intact ear, but he is fine with me petting his ear so hopefully he will warm up soon, I'm surprised he is so welcoming and trusting after what happened to him, it just makes me realize that much more how truly amazing he is and im so proud that he is apart of this family and that my son will grow up with such an amazing friend.
I have to say I'm getting so happy reading on tripawds all that they can still do like they never lost a leg at all. I was especially excited when i was told Poe would be able to swim still and that its even encouraged for therapy. Zoie, his mom who passed away in November, Loved going down to the stream and swimming around and I can't wait to be able to take Poe down so he can enjoy it like his mom did if he really enjoys it we're thinking about planning a road trip to the beach. And yes by all means Poe is going to be spoiled now, haha I just can't help but think after what he's been threw he deserves all we have to give.
I will certainly keep you all updated on poes recovery. Here he is the day after surgery, they wouldn't let him out of his kennel because his back leg is fractured, so he was pouting that he couldn't play with Jeremy(our 10 Month son) but other then that he was super happy and wagging his tail at us being able to visit. 
Oh that little sweetie, what a face.
He'll get back to loving life again soon, hang in there. You will be amazed, and he will show you how incredibly forgiving dogs are. He is a lucky pup to have you for pawrents.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Being an animal lover, this story just broke my heart. Being a pit bull lover, it made me want to find and torture the person(s) who would do this to your babies.
Poe will adapt, and keep loving. Recovery may not be a fun time, but thankfully it is usually pretty short - a couple of weeks. Poe needs you to be in top form, so rest when he rests.
Sending tons of good thoughts for a speedy and uneventful recovery.
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.
Ugh, my stomach is in knots. This is one of the most awful stories I've read. I fear for Scarlett.... May she be without pain.
Poe is so cute! His color is gorgeous! Welcome home, boy. Welcome home! You are going to excel!!!
Keep us posted.
~ Katy
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Poe is so cute. I can't believe that someone so evil would hurt him. Speed recovery Poe. This just made my heart break & tears came to my eyes.
Michelle
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
What a terrible, terrible thing. This just breaks my heart. Poor Scarlett. Speedy recovery to Poe <3
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
Yay Poe and Yay you! Look forward to hearing all about the successful recovery and Poe's first swim.
Since you don't kow what happened to Scarlett, it IS possible that some good samaritan found her, got her medical attemtion if needed, and is taking good care of her. Hold onto that thought as it is certaily possible.
Best to you, Sally ans Happy Hannah
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!
Well we got an update on Poe he's been walking around more and building up strength, they said his fractures healing already and he's gaining his balance back but they didn't remove his drain until this morning so they are now keeping him for 24 hours to make sure everything all good to go. Fx'd he gets to come home tomorrow <3 its been 2 weeks sense i last had them home, and it'll be a week tomorrow sense we found Poe 
So hopefully we can get him back home and situated sooner, I am definitely glad he's having this recovery time with his vet tho sense i know they can take care of him and he would probably heal faster under their guidance with their experience.
As far as Scarlet being missing we are sure she is swimming at the beach with her mom right now. It is certainly a more peaceful scenario for her then the nightmares I've been having sense we found Poe. Especially since they were practically glued at the hip. I couldn't imagine Poe parting with her unless she passed or they were forced apart. All I can hope is that she was either found by a loving family who is now taking her as their own, or that she passed quickly and isn't suffering any longer. 
Here is Scarlet and Poe after Zoie passed away </3 they snuggled like this for days.
I'm so hoppy to hear he's bouncing back so quickly!
Keep that beautiful image of Scarlet in your mind and focus on all of the good that she brought to you in her short life, it will help ease your broken heart. I'm so sorry.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jerry is right. Keep positive thought about Poe and try to remember Scarlet as you can with happy thoughts. Its not easy to do. Glad to hear Poe is healing well and he will be home soon with you.
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
What an awful thing for Poe to have gone through. He is such a sweet looking little boy. I am so very happy that you found him though and are getting him the care he needs. I will choose to believe Scarlet found a caring home because the alternatives break my heart. Best wishes with Poe's recovery and keep us posted.
Adelaide is a young tripawd Husky, from an injury. Her amp was on 10/1/12. She has 4 sisters, Aissa (a senior border collie/chow), Maggie May (a puppy Great Pyrenees), Mathilde and Morrigan and 1 baby brother, Bagheera. We are all watched over by our angel Brendol, who was dx with OSA 1/30/13, amp on 2/6/13, and left us on 8/20/13.
You can read their stories at http://adelaide.tripawds.com and http://brendol.tripawds.com
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