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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Just one month ago a sweet new pup entered our lives.
In November, our sweet dog Mia, passed away very suddenly from advanced liver cancer. We'd been mourning her and had just begun discussing bringing a new furry friend into our home when I got a call from our roommate. She found a puppy, it's paw was broken, and it was at our house in her dog's kennel until someone claimed it or we found it a home.
Needless to say, I got home, lifted this chunk of a 30 lb 'puppy' from the kennel, looked into his deep brown eyes, and fell immediately in love. I took him to the vet and got him scanned, no chip, while my roommate posted on every available outlet to try and find his owner. Surely someone wanted him. The Vet took x-rays and gave me the bad news. His right back femur was broken, and it would probably need surgery. They referred us to a specialist, and we made an appointment for the following Monday for the first available slot.
I took him home, and my husband fell head over heels for him too. Our little 'wandering samurai', we had to name him Ronin.
Monday he went in for surgery, and I recieved a frantic call from my husband. Ronin was open on the surgery table, and they'd identified SEVEN additional fractures. His bone was falling apart. We had to make a quick decision, and with the surgeon's advice, they took his leg. We were devastated. Many hours I spent surfing the web, looking for every shred of information on amputation. I found this site, even!! Turns out, taking his leg was the best thing we could possibly do for him.
Since his surgery, he's become the sweetest boy, and gained another 10 lbs (sheesh). He enjoys a home with us and his 'dog cousin', my roommates great pyrness who has a chromosomal disorder similar to down syndrome. Our special boys love to play and cuddle and talk to each other.
Turns out, our little samurai was just looking for his way home to us.
Hayley, Ronin and family welcome! Thank you for taking time to share his story here. What a lucky pup to find his way to you! Isn't it amazing that you were just the perfect people for him? How wonderful you saved him from dog knows what. Thank you!
I didn't know that "Ronin" means Wandering Warrior, that's just beautiful. Got any photos you'd like to share? Here's a link that explains adding images to the Forums. Let us know if you'd like help.
Now, I know you didn't ask any tips on this, but since you mentioned he's gained weight, I wanted to let you know that it's a common issue we face with our Tripawds. Weight control is a constant struggle but it's super important in order to prevent huge long term problems and even cancer. Check out these Tripawds Nutrition blog posts about weight management for Tripawds for some ideas how you can keep Ronin fit.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I LOVE A GOOD RESUE STORY WITH SUCH A HAPPY ENDING! YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE AMAZING!
You found the right site. The people here are amazing and helped me thru some tough times!
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"
OMD!!! I'm head to toe warm fuzzies! Such a sad beginning that quickly transformed into a beautiful story full,of magic and miracles! This little pup was born to be with you!!! It is soooo clear Mia sent him to you. She knew you would be the only ones willing to do whatever it takes to give Ronin (love the meaning) the most fun and loving home a dog could have. She knew that because that's the kind of home you gave her❤
Cannot wait to follow this little Warrior on all his escapades.....with pictures of course! And pics of his cousin too! Glad the Cuz is surrounded by love and care too!❤
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!
Thank you all so much for the outpouring of love and support! Our little warrior is improving every day, and ready to live his best puppy life. You can follow his story on facebook at https://www.fac.....heCuddler/
Soooo adorable! Thanks for our Ronin fix of the day. Keep us posted on how he's doing.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Omd he's adorable!!!! What a story! So glad you found each other, he's a lucky boy ❤
Looking forward to seeing him grow up 🥰
Hugs,
Jackie and Huckleberry ❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Now I see how you feel in LOVE with him! He has those loving "smart eyes". You can tell he is going to be so loyal to his family.
"RESCUES ARE THE BEST"
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"
CUTENESS ALERT!!!! CUTENESS ALERT!!! As adorable as Ronin is, no way you could not take him into your heart❤ And his buddy is a good looking fella' too!
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!
Ronin is recovering well from his fever/infection over the weekend. He walks most of the time, and only 'scoots' (we call it Igor-ing because he looks like Dr Frankensteins hunchbacked assistant when he does it) when he is really tired or just trying to go TOO FAST.
He's definitely back to his spunky self, and last night he finally slept through the night again, so bladder control is back!! I can't tell you how thankful my husband and I are for that small mercy.
I'm hoping to get some video of him hopping around tomorrow or this weekend, and trying to get plans together to go down to the Houston area meet-up, so stay tuned!
-Hayley, Mark, and Ronin
So sweet! What a great pupdate❤ Glad he is turning the corner and staying to feel better!!!
Hugs,
Jackie and Huck❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Oh THAT FACE! I just can't resist, I want to reach through my screen and plant a big sloppy kiss on his forehead!
So happy to hear he's on the mend and you're getting much needed shut eye. Here's to more great days ahead with this adorable cuddler.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We hope to see you at the Houston Tripawd Party. But just FYI, I think I'm going to fall in love with him! I can't resit those smart eyes! Ronin has the eyes that look right at you and not thru you. He is one smart pup! Well you already know that because he found you!
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"
We went to the vet yesterday for Ronin's follow-up after his infection. Our vet was amazed at how much progress he has made!! H'es up and running around, wagging his tail, eating well, and generally living his best life. When he gets tired, he still tends to do a sit and scoot method, so we are working on keeping him a little subdued until he builds his strength back up.
We are finally transitioning off his pain meds, and he is due to get his neuter in a month and a half. We are so happy and positive that our new baby is finally on his way to recovery!!
Plus, who can resist that smile?
-Hayley, Mark, and Ronin
This cuddlebug sure knows how to work a ca rea! He is absolutely adorable!!
YAAAAAY FOR A GREAT CHECK UP!!!😁 So glad the rough times are fading j fo a distant past.
We've probably already mentioned this, but getting an appointment with a Certified Rehabilitation Specialist can do wonders in helping your wandering Warrior build his core strength. The Tripawds Foundation will pay towards the first visit/evaluation.
One more aside, and as I'm sure your already know, the thinking now is to delay spay/neuter at least to year one, or two. Speak to your Vet about it and do your own research. Of course, a challenge with rescues is they often require through signed paperwork that owners spay/neuter st six months. I would think Ronin's could ve delayed until a year simply because he has already been through so much and needs time for his precious pupoy self to fully recuperate. Anyway, just in the 'for whatever it's worth" column.
Soooo happy to see rhis pupdate and see more of his adorable self!
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!
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