Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello to all
Rage is a Heller cross and we live in Australia, he is about 2 1/2 years old and was trained for security work….he did not have a very nice time there and became very unpredictable. Rage had bitten two trainers and his future was looking bleak. I was offered this angry dog and looked into those big brown eyes and we both knew…..
His nature is one of sleeping most the day and playing the rest now. A short time after we had been together he was hit by a car and left there…..His front right leg was badly damaged and had to be amputated to save him..12/20/08…..I was so devastated….worried and then I found this site….such caring people helped me through those first few weeks and Vet advice on the site helped so much. He is coping very well and reassures me everyday……Yesterday was his first day of a new life after a visit from a friend.
Sharing a little moment of the BEST DAY after operation.
I had a friend came over today and she was a little freaked out by the dog's look at first but then became oddly fascinated with him. She asked could he still run and move about etc. So my reply was “yes,” I asked
him to sit so he sat and balanced on his one front leg …….she asked for Rage to shake……..(shake paw)……I looked at her as oddly as Rage did??????????? “He cant do that” !! “Why” she answered.
I looked at her and laughed……….I seriously think she wanted the floor to open up and swallow her after I had to explain that he would fall over onto his face…lol.
Honestly how funny ….she just forgot his injury cuz of that beautiful face and how wonderful ….
We had a few friends over at the time. I am sure Rage knew what had been said…”humans are so silly” was the look..lol…My tripawd…RAGE…
Life's little moment's…we all collected ourselves after laughing till it hurt…it was really funny …
Best day after operation…It really seemed to be the first day…Rage A fully fledged tripawd
Rage woof woof,
and his amazed friend (owner) Lee
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Rage - it really sounds as if you've landed on your (3) paws in your new life with Lee. Have lots of fun!
Darcy – tripawd since 16th October 2007.
***Darcy would love to be your friend on Facebook - just search for Darcy Deerhound***
Hi Rage,
Welcome to Tripawds! Glad to finally meet another friend from the Southern Hemisphere!! You are such a cute dawg - I love your pic! (And you look very very naughty as well!!) 
Sending lots of licks,
Your friend from South Africa,
Dee xx
(Tripawds since May 2008)
Excellent story, Lee! Good on you for taking on a 'problem dog' - but it sounds like he was only aggressive because of the life he'd had.
Re giving paw - our Bonnie lost her front leg 8th December, but she still does 'paw'. She just has to do it really fast and I have to be ready to take it! And, obviously, there has to be a treat on offer...
Welcome Rage and Lee! 
It sounds like Rage is one lucky dog... finding a friend to love him like the way you do! I'm sure he will continue to give you that love back unconditionally... as our canine fur babies so lovingly do! Rage knows he is in good hands and you're in good hands as well... you've found the best website ever here!
Luv Spirit Jake, Smooch, Baby Gus & Mom (Sherri)
Thanks for sharing Lee! Rage is such a cutie and so blessed to have found a kind & loving owner!
Janie & Calamity
Janie & Calamity http://www.trix.....gspot.com/
Oh Lee, it's so good that Rage and you found each other. That poor dog just needed love; something his previous trainers never understood. Welcome to tripawds.com. Your story is truly amazing and it's so good to hear Rage is doing well after his amputation surgery. May you have many years of love and devotion to share with each other.
Thanks for sending the photos of Rage! What a trooper… That gruesome scar makes a nice addition to our Procedure Pics gallery. It should help others prepare for what to expect when seeing theit dog for the first time after amputation surgery.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there Rage - welcome to our special family...I'm just catching up on your story and I have to say that there are no bad dogs...just bad humans! I'm so hoppy that you found your special guardian...we wish you much love and more funny moments together (yeah, front leg tripawds can't give paw very well, but apparently we have a superstar in our pack - good girl Bonnie!!!)
Much love,
Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Anyanka said:
Excellent story, Lee! Good on you for taking on a 'problem dog' - but it sounds like he was only aggressive because of the life he'd had.
Re giving paw - our Bonnie lost her front leg 8th December, but she still does 'paw'. She just has to do it really fast and I have to be ready to take it! And, obviously, there has to be a treat on offer…
Hi from Lee n Rage, you were so right about that paw trick, I did not encourage it but I get the full weight one paw slapped straight at me regardless where is going to land. OUCH. So he is going to go back to his normal paw, on the arm only at command as he had come close to bowling me over with love........literally. ThANKS FOR YOUR ADVICE.......
Admin has put a new pic up from post op. pics nasty inciosion hoping it will all settle in time. BFN
lee said:
Hello to all
Rage is a Heller cross and we live in Australia, he is about 2 1/2 years old and was trained for security work….he did not have a very nice time there and became very unpredictable. Rage had bitten two trainers and his future was looking bleak. I was offered this angry dog and looked into those big brown eyes and we both knew…..
Hi again, Lee & Rage,
I just wanted to share the story about my little 11 lb poodle named Blazer. When he first came into my life he was on his way to be shipped out to a shelter and labelled as a "biter". Dogs labelled as "biters" are often times put down because of liability issues and I wasn't about to see that happen to such a sweet little dog. My best friend, Jeff, who told me about him has been a professional groomer for over 30 years and he said the woman who owned Blazer just didn't like him at all, and she was actually quite mean to him. I spoke with the woman on the phone and told her I would pay to have him and she just wanted to give him away. She had no idea what I would do with Blazer once I got him. Everyone knows you just don't GIVE a dog away. Well, I had just lost a wonderful dog not six months before and I just didn't feel emotionally ready for another dog, but I agreed to take Blazer on for one week to see how he behaved with my kitty and how well we got along. Immediately, we shared this bond and he trusted me. I can't say we didn't have a couple "biting" incidents, but they were early on in our relationship and partly my fault and it definitely reflected back to his upbringing. I didn't get mad because I realized something bad had happened to him in that house with that woman. To make a long story short, I have now been the proud parent of my beloved Blazer for five wonderful years (he's 9 years old, now). It's always so great to hear stories about people who give dogs second chances, like you have. As you know, you will be repaid in love & devotion many times over for taking him into your heart.
Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki)
Vicki, thanks for sharing Blazer's wonderful story. It's so sad when people have put bad labels on some dogs, without trying rehabilitation and love first. And like Lee, you too have a magic for helping these special pups to show the world that they really are great dogs. You rock!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for your kind words and sharing Blazer's story, Rage recovery has amazed me and he has had a huge personality change since the amputation. Its quite odd but very reassuring of the decision to operate…Rage now is more awake than ever and is really enjoying himself far more than before.
He really has understood what has happened and he is so happy to be running on three legs and is making the most of our life together…our friends have said the same..”he's not the same dog.” Rage is so full of life now it really makes me wonder what happened to his mind set to have such a huge change for the better..some say its Trust and bonding..others are questioning if he had a problem with the leg that was removed and now 'no pain' .. I must say I don't know myself. Rage does though LOL. Thanks again
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