Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I'm so happy to have found Tripawds! My name is Suzi. My husband and I have been involved in dog rescue for several years. Dharma is the newest member of our pack and she is a very special girl. Earlier this year, the Humane Society of Missouri's (HSMO) 18-month investigation led to the largest dog fighting bust in US history. Federal law enforcement officials led raids and made arrests in 8 states, with the largest busts taking place in Missouri and southern Illinois. HSMO took in almost 400 dogs, with nearly 150 puppies being born after the bust. I was fortunate enough to be able to volunteer at the "secret bunker" where over 500 dogs have been cared for by HSMO. This was one of the most amazing experiences in my life. I encourage everyone to read all about the operation at either the HSMO or ASPCA websites, where you will also see Dharma's story!
The rescue that I work with, Mutts-n-Stuff, has taken in several of the bust dogs with special physical and/or medical needs. Almost all of the dogs from these busts are American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, or mixes of bully-type and other breeds. Some were bred to be sold as show dogs, some were used for fighting, and others like Dharma were forced to carry litter after litter of puppies. When the HSMO investigation team raided one of the largest bust sites, among the many injured dogs they found was my little girl. She was outside in the dirt at the end of a huge tow chain, but she hopped right up to her rescuers as if she knew they were there to save her. There is beautiful picture that HSMO chose as their Fall magazine's cover page, of Dharma being held that day by HSMO lead investigator Tim Rickey. Her front right leg, only a stump, is clearly visible. We still don't know how the injury occurred, but I'm sure it was painful and traumatic. Most likely, she underwent an amateur amputation with no anasthetic or pain relief medication. The HSMO medical staff determined that she was not only causing nerve and bone damage when she walked on the stump, but that it was likely causing her pain. They decided to amputate the leg at the shoulder and we were all amazed at not only how quickly she bounced back after the surgery, but at how much better she could now move around.
Dharma is a 3 year old pit bull mix and only weighs about 28 lbs. From the moment I met her, I knew she was a special girl with a gift for making people smile. She LOOOOVES people and hops right up to strangers to say hello and give them kisses if they will let her. We are currently working with a wonderful CPDT-KA trainer and Dharma is well on her way to earning her Canine Good Citizen certification. After earning her CGC, Dharma will be trained and certified as a therapy dog. Our plan is for her to visit hospitalized children with physical disabilities. I'm amazed at how well Dharma is able to play with other dogs, run around outside, and do almost anything the other dogs do. She has her challenges and I am trying not to freak out every time she falls or takes a spill. This is my first experience with a tripod dog and I hope to find knowledge and support on this forum.
Welcome Suzi--what an incredible story! How lucky all those dogs are to be rescued, and Dharma in particular, coming to you! I think you'll find that as she learns a new way to balance and move around, she will fall less. After a few weeks, probably not at all. You've come to the right place for tripawd information--ask away!
Mary
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Suzi, your precious Dharma is one special girl indeed! Welcome to Tripawds, and thank you for sharing her touching story. You are truly a saint for the work that you do, and taking her in.
I'm not sure we have ever had a Tripawd here who came from such a heroic rescue attempt. I put links in your post so people can read more about her in that HSMO newsletter.
What a miracle that she survived, and that you were able to give her such a great home. It touches our hearts to know that there are good people like you out there making a difference. Thank you so much.
It sure sounds like she is getting around pawesomely. We are excited that she'll be a therapy dog like our friend Shelby, and can't wait to hear about her visits. If there is anything we can do to answer any tripawd questions let us know!
Best wishes,
Rene, Jim, Wyatt Ray , Spirit Jerry
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
How wonderful for you to take Dharma in and give her a forever home. I am sure she will pay you back ten fold with the love that she gives to you. Like others before me I think you will find taking care of a tripawd dog is not much different than taking care of any dog. The only two things I would suggest is that you get a harness to help her walk on uneven ground to to help her jump on the beds as a therapy dog, and also that you start joint supplements like glucosamine as soon as you can.
Dharma sounds quite small so I don't think a medium ruff wear harness would fit her but you might try to post on the Angel Exchange for a small one. Take her girth measurement first just in case a medium would fit. Emily's harness that first belonged to Mac is on there now. Raven has it but needs a bigger size so I know one is available.
Good luck and God bless you for taking in this poor puppy that needed a home so badly.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Suzi,
Welcome to our little community….thank you for sharing the amazing story of Dharma with us. She and you are an inspawration to us all. Bless you for giving of your time and effort to "save" these pups!
I hope Dharma will heal and flourish, as you show her love and care. Thanks again for what you do and for telling us your story. I feel inspired!!
Gineej & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Pitbulls are my love, just behind tripawds. Thank you for adopting this wonderful girl and giving her the chance she deserves. You will be blessed many times over living with a tripawd. They bring a whole new perspective to your life. Welcome to our group.
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.
Hi Suzie and Dharma!
Welcome to our Tripawds family!! I'm so happy to hear that Dharma was rescued from her nightmare life! It's incredible how cruel people can be... but what's even more incredible, is how many people like you are out there, helping to save these poor innocent dogs from a life of living hell. Dharma is so lucky to have been adopted by you, and it sounds like you two have great plans to bring joy and happiness to sick children's lives! Being a therapy dog is a beautiful thing! God bless you!!!
Hope that soon you will start up a Tripawds blog for Dharma... where you can post many stories, pictures and videos of her adventures...
She looks absolutely precious in the article you included... How long has it been since her amputation surgery?
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!
Boy, Dharma is sure a cutie! Thank you for giving her a new, loving forever home. I'm sure she will bring you many blessings for years to come. How amazing it will be for Dharma to see that the bad people she started life with can't hurt her any more, and that she is free to give and receive all the hugs, love and kisses that were not available to her before.
The kids are going to love her too. 
Michelle
Thanks to each of you for such lovely comments and warm welcomes.
Mary, you should have seen her when she was limping on that stump... poor girl was having such a hard time. Now that the leg was fully amputated, her balance and mobility have already improved tremendously. She has been happily hopping around inside and outside for a couple weeks now, but just tonight she ran around the yard full speed for the first time and you could have knocked me over with a feather. She was FAST! I nearly cried because I'm sure this is one of the first times she has ever been able to run like that just for fun. It was beautiful.
Jerry, thank you so much for adding the links to my post. I wasn't sure whether or not linking would be appropriate, so I'm so glad you did. And thank you for your very kind words. Rescue is hard and heartbreaking work no matter what the breed, and APBTs are statistically the most severely abused dog in the nation. It is very difficult seeing the horrors that are inflicted on them, but being able to rescue dogs like Dharma and the other members of my little pack is the light in the darkness.
Debra, thank you for the suggestion of getting her a harness. That was actually going to be one of my first questions. I use the Sense-ation harness with my other dogs and was wondering if I would need to get something special or custom made for Dharma. I checked out the RuffWear harness and it looks like that is definitely the way to go. Thanks so much!
Gineej, thank you so much for such lovely comments. I hope that Dharma's story will inspire many people in the years to come.
Hugapitbull, I am so glad to see another APBT lover on this forum!
Jakesmom, thank you for your kind words! And I'm so glad you read her article - I forgot to mention that HSMO had originally named her Tallulah when they did her intake. Nobody else could spell of pronounce it, though! We don't know when her original "at-home" amputation was - which I hesitate to even call an amputation, but I won't dwell on the negative! I'll have to check her medical records for the exact date, but HSMO performed her surgery around October 8th. She came home with us on October 23rd. At first we worked a lot on her fear of doors, doorways, corners, and hallways. She has pretty much overcome all of that now. We followed a "Two Week Shut Down" protocol for bringing new dogs into a home, which we strongly recommend to all of our fosters and adopters. It helps a dog to feel secure and confident in a new environment and bond to her people. I think it made a huge difference for Dharma because as much as she loves people, she was obviously terrified and insecure. She's a brave and confident little girl now! Regarding the blog... I already manage Mutts-n-Stuff's blog (muttsnstuff.wordpress.com) where we post updates on all of our MO bust dogs. I may eventually start a blog here just for Dharma, though... if I have time, lol!
Michelle, isn't it amazing?! A dog that had never known a kind or loving touch from a human hand, only cruelty... and she is one of the most affectionate, friendly, people-loving dogs I've ever known. I can't believe how much she just adores people
Oh gosh, we are hoppy to share her story with the world! It deserves to be told.
It's interesting how she was hobbling on that stump, considering that most dogs, when a leg goes bad, immediately start to take weight off it and learn how to be a Tripawd. Lucky girl to have been lightened of that burden.
Be sure to keep us updated on her progress and her certification, she has much to share with this world! Thanks again for joining.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Suzi,
I love this story! I'm glad you found us here.
I have a slight connection to Dharma's story. I have a rescued senior bulldog named Betty that spent the begining of her life as a puppy mill bitch. I understand the amazement that you feel when you see these dogs that have been so mistreated/abused and they still forgive and live in the moment. I swear they have "gratitude" for those of us who are kind to them, even though they have every right to hate every human being.
Last month I was contacted by a woman with Bulldog Club of America Rescue Network. She asked if she could use Betty's picture in an ad campaign with UGA IV (Univ. of GA Bulldog's mascot). In talking with her, she is also involved with Pitt Rescue and was very involved with that bust you mentioned. Such a huge scale, I am glad that they were busted, I only wish the legal system would set a precedent and lock up the offenders for a decent amount of time!
I will reply to your PM about the harness, I hope it works for Dharma. It is so awesome that you are going for her CGC. Pitty's need to show people what good dogs they can be and represent the breed in a positive way. She will be a True Inspiration!
Dawn and Raven
Rottie Raven, osteosarcoma at 8-1/2 years old, amputation in October '09 and in February '10 due to liver mets he went back to heaven where he came from. raven.tripawds.com
Now I have Miles, rottie mix amputee from a shelter and traveled 1500 miles to find his way here through the Rescue Railroad thanks to tripawds.com. miles.tripawds.com
I am so proud to be writing to someone who was involved in such an amazing feat. Thank you for your part. So glad to learn about Dharma and all that she is.
May 2001-Jan 21, 2010.....I'm a dog and I'm AWESOME!..... Always.
Dawn that is so cool! Do you have pictures of Betty on your blog? I'll have to check. I don't remember if I met anyone from Georgia when I was at HSMO. There were people from all over the country... it was incredible. And yes, the laws and sentencing guidelines really need to be stronger so these criminals actually serve time. Unfortunately, most get away with probation on a plea deal. And then they are just back at the cruelty and abuse again. So frustrating. That's why Dharma and so many others are such wonderful breed ambassadors... people can see for themselves that a bust dog is still just a dog and that they deserve a chance at happiness!
Cairasue, thank you so much!
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