Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I'm sharing Stella's story. She is a four year old, three-legged Great Dane living in Boulder Colorado. She was hit by a car when she was five months old. Bad accident. Broken femur was rammed through the hip bone. Previous owner did nothing to help her. "If it doesn't heal on its own, I'll shoot her," he's reported to have said. After weeks of dragging her injured leg, Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue intervene, drove her overnight to a specialist in Colorado Springs who removed her leg and part of her hip. We got her as a rescue dog when she was 10 months old.
Here's the good parts. She runs like the wind--she has seemingly forgotten that dogs have four legs. She outruns our other Great Dane by body lengths. She's also a certified therapy dog. Her favorite place to visit in the juvenile section of the mental hospital where the kids love her story, especially the parts about being abused, abandoned, placed in foster care, etc.
That said, when we first got her, she had about six months when she wasn't very mobile. It took time for her to build up her strength. We weren't sure it would happen and we could tell she was frustrated, wanting to run and play like the puppy she still was. Eventually it happened. Don't give up on these big dogs. They are wonderful tripods when they get it all pulled together.
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Hi Jerrie! Thanks for sharing Stella's inspawrational story.
I too was a therapy dog, and loved putting smiles on people's faces, which isn't hard with three legs.
Stella is a beasutiful big girl. And my how she can run! Please keep us posted on her progress. Sharing stories like Stella's is of great help to others questioning amputation for their dogs, especially large breeds.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
What a wonderful story!!!
I was just outdoors yelling at Calamity to SLOW DOWN as she chased Munchie & Morgan around the yard. She was in her "greyhound zone" and didn't hear a word I said to her! It's such a joy to see her playing the way she loves, even with 3 legs!!
Janie & Calamity
Janie & Calamity http://www.trix.....gspot.com/
Thanks Jerrie & Stella for posting on tripawds! I just left a comment over on your page for her and the picture of her running is so amazing! Stella's horrible beginning has turned into being a fairytale life; she's such a beautiful dog.
Janie & Calamity, that's funny how you call it the "greyhound zone" where she doesn't hear you because she is having too much fun running around! You just can't keep a good dog down!
Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki)
She is beautiful!
And what an encouragement - if a dog her size can cope with tripawdity, even at the more difficult rear, then there's hope for every three-leg.
Thanks for sharing your story - have a great Christmas!
LuvYourPets said:
Janie & Calamity, that’s funny how you call it the "greyhound zone" where she doesn’t hear you because she is having too much fun running around! You just can’t keep a good dog down!
Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki)
Vicki,
Greyhounds, being sighthounds, fix their eye on something and run for (or to) it. Like chasing a lure when they race or lure course. They are trained to focus on the object & nothing else.
When they are in their "zone" not much can break the focus. In the summer we can use a super soaker & spray them with water. It's much harder in the winter!
She now gets back in her zone when she races or chases the others. She's living the good life, I tell ya!!
Janie & Calamity - and her "lures", Morgan, Trigger, Munchie & Kade
Merry Christmas!
Janie & Calamity http://www.trix.....gspot.com/
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