Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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A few pics to share –
Shireen & Samwise "I Love my Dog!"
Front right leg amputated 4/1/09 (Canine Osteosarcoma)
Awwwwwwww, so cute! And 8 months!!! Hoooraaaaaaaaaay! Way to help keep those statistics up, Samwise.
No kidding about the manuevering in the snow and ice. I was the first one to go down on the ice since our winter began, and that was this morning. Gerry came running back full-tilt, but he only half-slipped when he got back to me. I guess it's the third leg that makes the difference 
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Hi Samwise, Shireen and Mom
Great to hear an update on Samwise. I found his video ("I love my dog") the first day I was looking into amputation last July, a little bit before finding the tripawds' website. It made a big difference in my thoughts about amputation. I sent that link to many people, especially skeptical friends and family. So I had been wondering how you were doing.
Glad to see that Samwise is being as crazy as any golden. So the other dog must be the silly puppy from the summer videos.
Shireen & Samwise "I Love my Dog!"
Front right leg amputated 4/1/09 (Canine Osteosarcoma)
Lookin' good there Sam! Thanks for the great update. 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Tazzie said:
Hi Samwise, Shireen and Mom
Great to hear an update on Samwise. I found his video ("I love my dog") the first day I was looking into amputation last July, a little bit before finding the tripawds' website. It made a big difference in my thoughts about amputation. I sent that link to many people, especially skeptical friends and family. So I had been wondering how you were doing.
Glad to see that Samwise is being as crazy as any golden. So the other dog must be the silly puppy from the summer videos.
Here is the video ("I love my dog") that Tazzie is referring to. Link --
The making of this video was part of my coping process. If I can make only one person feel more confident that amputation is not nearly as scary as it sounds then I will be happy! For us the decision was the hardest part, once we made the decision to amputate we never looked back, except to share our story with other's whenever possible.
Do you know that 100% of the pain from the bone cancer is gone over-night after amputation? People with bone cancer have described the pain as it feeling like a slowly exploding bone and the worst pain ever felt. Someone with bone cancer told me that he could not even lay a sheet over his leg as it was too painful.
Also, unlike humans, dog's do not get depressed over a missing limb the next day. Dog's focus on balance. Your dog will never judge you, they will only thank you with many wags to come.
Were still wagging!
Shireen & Samwise "I Love my Dog!"
Front right leg amputated 4/1/09 (Canine Osteosarcoma)
Great updates! Thanks for sharing the pics and video of Samwise. He looks awesome at 8-mth post-op. Keep up with the good job!
That is a beautiful video. My all-time tripawd favorite that I think everyone should see when making the decision about amputation (caveat: not everyone gets on their feet quite as quickly). It doesn't hurt that the music is my all-time favorite either. I didn't think I had the heart to watch it now, having lost Tazzie recently, but I did. I am crying, but I know we had a great few months with Tazzie as happy as he ever was. Probably moreso since that was everyone's focus, "in the world that revolves around Tazzie", during that time.
Stop in again sometime, Samwise and your cute little sidekick Shireen, to let us know how you are doing.
Happy 8 month ampuversary Samwise!!! 
Glad to see you are doing so well!! Love the videos of you and your baby sis! 
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Congratulations Samwise Goldeneyes! He is now past his 1 year anniversary from
limb amputation. His surgery was on 4/1/09 and today it is 4/2/10.
Sammy’s success did not stem from chemotherapy or other
meds. We said no to this for several reasons but the most important reason was
that Sam’s life was all about quality and not quantity.
We owe much of Sam’s success to:
- A supporting Mom & Dad who are dedicated every
day to educate themselves with canine osteosarcoma and limb amputation. - The support of everyone at Tripawds! Your information
has helped us with every turn. We read the stories about your fur-kids and then
smile or cry like babies. - Switching from Costco-Kirkland brand dog food to
a good quality 6-star food after doing much research. (No-grains). And snacks
are now raw meats with bones instead of grocery store bought dog cookies and
rawhides. - Exercise everyday (it is so important to keep
Sam’s weight down taking pressure off his left front leg). But we always save
plenty of time for rest and games. - Bringing home Sam’s new little sister, now a 1
year old English Cream Golden Retriever, Juno. Juno keeps Sam playing like a
puppy. The bond of our pack is full of love and respect. Some have asked me if getting the puppy was a
good idea. I think it would depend on the situation, but in our case… this was
the 2nd best decision we made. And the 1st was to
amputate without hesitation.
Our prays are with all of you for many days to come wagging on
3 legs.
If anyone wants to plan a TRIPAWD party in Utah, we would
love to see you there.
Shireen & Samwise "I Love my Dog!"
Front right leg amputated 4/1/09 (Canine Osteosarcoma)
And a lot of luck never hurts. Congratulations you lucky Samwise - and Juno too!
T.
Congrats to Samwise & mom (and the rest of the family, too) as your last post indicates, it takes a huge amount of dedication to keep these pups fighting. The pictures are awesome, he looks wonderful and happy. Good job, pawrents!
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.
Great news! Congrats Sam and have fun with your new buddy, Juno!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Samwise has been awesome from the beginning. Thanks for the update and congratulations to all!
Mary and Cemil
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
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