Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Osteosarcoma 13 1/2 year old chocolate lab
Hello everyone,
First, I need to start off by saying my heart goes out to everyone who has lost a fur baby, it seems so many these past few weeks. My thoughts are with all of you!
Following the lead of some pretty bright people (who just happened to have started this little community of ours) Tim and I took the girls out on a camping (RV--more for my husband than the dogs 
) trip for the weekend. We rented an RV and started plotting our course, well, trying to figure out where weather is going to be good in the Midwest is an exercise in frustration, so we took our chances and headed up to Indian Cave State Park in eastern Nebraska. It's about 120 miles straight north of us, so we figured it would be less driving and more playing.
We got a nice little campsite, plenty of trees, plenty of good stuff to snorfle around in, and set up camp. OMG--the girls were bugging out. There's a leash law--which we stretched about 10 feet--but all in all, things were great. Tika was, oooo, smell this, looky at that, mmmm, different type of branch to chew (Tika is four-thirds woodchuck!). We spent the weekend, exploring and hiking about, wishing we had a backup vehicle so that we could go a bit further for our Tripawd.
The only weird moment was when the teenage girl from the next campsite over said, OOOOOO, LOOK AT THAT DOG, IT ONLY HAS THREE LEGS, CREEEEEEEPPPPY.
Okay, folks, make fun of me, make fun of my family, but don't make disparaging remarks about my cancer doggie. So, I responded in the most grown up, mature manner I could think of: "Well, WE think YOU are creepy!!!!!!" Yeah, hubby really loved that. He almost, ALMOST, took away my wine. Ooops. (Folks, there's a reason I have pets and not children, I think you understand)
We found a camp area that they hadn't opened up yet for the season, so we got to give Tika a little time off the leash. Tim thought if she started doing her Malamute stunts, he could catch a three-legged dog. Well, guess what, you can't. It takes momma's 'ugly voice' to get her to park herself. Later she almost ate or adopted a tiny baby squirrel, we didn't give her the chance to find out. However, Rocky, as baby squirrel got named, decided that I was gonna be his new momma. Luckily, common sense did win over. I've raised enough baby wildlife to know! I didn't have the camera to get a picture of him.....
So, long story short, once again, Tika (well really both dogs) just amazed us, she figured out the camper, she figured out the long leash...after hog-tying herself once or twice. She did really just great. It is soon going to get way to warm for Tika to camp out, but I might try backyard camping with them and go to area lakes. If she is still with us in the fall, we'll celebrate by tent camping. She'd love it, I may be going solo as a human....see above!
I hope you enjoy the pics......
Dog as my copilot
And she's off....it was Kentucky Derby weekend ya know!
Waiting for the fire to get going for dinner (momma CAMPS, so ignore her gorgeous outfit!!!!!!!)
I'm SOOOOO cool, and very, very tired. (Showing off my 'good side' also! 
)
Love to all, Tika says big Malamute sloppy kisses to those who are hurting, have faith to those who are recovering,
and to NOVA, YOU ROCK!!!
--Tika (as dicated to Kim)
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
Tikaani said:
... make fun of me, make fun of my family, but don't make disparaging remarks about my cancer doggie.
LOL 
I think we can all totally relate.
Thanks for the RV update! Ready to go full-time yet? 
It looks like y'all had a grand ol' time. And that Tika is one beautiful big ball o' fur.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Your babies are so precious and happy, too! It looks like you all had a wonderful time in the great outdoors. It's really great to just kick back and relax for a little while. We are glad to see that Tika is doing so well.
Sheri and Leo
LOL- I love it- you tell em! Love the story, love the pictures. Thanks so much for sharing with us.
And Tika - you look great. We're so happy that you are doing so good- and we will keep good thougths coming your way, so you will be celebrating fall with tent camping.
( I am still laughing thinking of you yelling back at that teenage girl) Too too funny!
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
You guys can come camping with us anytime! Looks like so much fun, the pups sure had a blast.
We should start a Forums thread about great comeback lines for stupid comments like that. What do you think?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
That would be awesome. My husband has lots. After the episode with obnoxious teenager, my husband had been quiet for awhile. Then out of nowhere he says: too bad we didn't have a big ole hamhock or side of beef on the grill. I could have held it up and said, "Yep! She's good eats!" I almost fell out of my chair.
His other saying when somebody asks is: Well, she kept running away from us, so we figgered this'll slow 'er down.
Totally inappropriate. But funny in a really sick, sick way.
The Frontline is kicking in, obviously, ticks think malamutes are good eats also. Jeez. I've had the heeby-jeebies all night.
It's a beautiful night tonight, the girls and I have been on the back deck being poster children for "Life is Good"
Cheers all!
Kim and Tika
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
Tikaani said:
“Yep! She's good eats!”
lol ... I've always said: A dog that good, you can't eat all at once! 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Kim and Tika,
What an awesome trip! Looks like you made some great memories out there camping. I definitely recommend that all Tripawd parents take the time for a little getaway like this. I am so thankful I took Nova on that trip to the mountains back before Easter, where we got to do all sorts of amazing things. With her being blind now, I don't think we could make that sort of trip now, or at least do things like climb 4 flights of stairs!
Glad to hear the Pepcid is working. Nova has been on it since day 1 with the piroxicam.
Comeback lines to stupid comments? I am all over that. Being a Great Dane owner I already have my owner arsenal of comeback lines when people make stupid comments about her size or ask me for the 1,237,382th time if she has a saddle. 
I am still grumbling about the guy in the vet waiting room way back when who looked at Nova and said "I can't believe she would do something so cruel to that dog, she shoulda just let her go to heaven instead." This was a guy with his dog in an ONCOLOGIST'S waiting room. I really feel sorry for HIS dog!
Let us know how the x-rays go on the 18th, Nova will have hers in mid-late June.
Sue and Nova
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
Hi Sue:
I'm so glad you are sounding so much better. I was really impressed by your ability to express all your fears, anxiety, etc when things took an unexpected turn with Nova.
BTW- I LOVE Great Danes. They crack me up. I totally understand why the Marmaduke cartoon was developed. My friend had one, and it of course insisted it was a lapdog. She was always embarrassed, but I loved it because at the time, I lived in an apartment and not doggies allowed.
Oh, and peoples' comments, maybe meant with good intent. However, when Tika was first diagnosed, and I was explaining to my co-workers what was going on and that I would be available but just working from home. My one coworker said, why would you do that, I can't believe you aren't getting a second opinion. What kind of life will she have?
Fortunately for her, I didn't have the ability to fire her on the spot. Let's just say I wasn't particularly smooth with my response. At this point, I was a emotional wreck, we just had a surgeon, 2 vets, and an oncologist confirm the diagnosis and 'do it now or she will probably be gone in 2 months.' The rest of my coworkers were appalled also, and I got drug away to have a good cry.
Anyhoo, not to get maudlin. My hubby is all into the snappy comeback thing now, when we have our weekend 'meeting' with the Tika fan club, I'm sure we'll come up with all sorts of groovy things. I'll share if we do!
Have a good weekend all! My goal this weekend is to get all video sorted out to share. Three legs in the pool, good stuff!
--Kim (and Tika....and Caya dawg who is feeling so left out!)
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
Tikaani said:
... too bad we didn't have a big ole hamhock or side of beef on the grill. I could have held it up and said, “Yep! She's good eats!” I almost fell out of my chair.
I just kept thinking about this topic and the old Native American vagrant who told us this joke upon meeting Jerry in Bemidji, WI...
This Ojibwe and a Choctaw meet in a bar. The Choctaw asks the Ojibwe about the three-legged dog by his side. The ojibwe says, "A dog this good, you can't eat all at once."
So I finally put together this humorous Tripawds BBQ apron, because Jerry also taught me that laughter is indeed the best therapy.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
"So, I responded in the most grown up, mature manner I could think of: ”Well, WE think YOU are creepy!!!!!!”
That would be awesome. My husband has lots. After the episode with obnoxious teenager, my husband had been quiet for awhile. Then out of nowhere he says: too bad we didn't have a big ole hamhock or side of beef on the grill. I could have held it up and said, “Yep! She's good eats!” I almost fell out of my chair.
His other saying when somebody asks is: Well, she kept running away from us, so we figgered this'll slow 'er down."
Ha Ha Ha - this is too funny. I love your "mature" response and your husband's followup. I'll definitely keep those in mind. We live on a ranch in southern Alberta, so you can just imagine what people will think of treating a dog with cancer this way. I'll keep your comments in mind for amunition - and for a good laugh.
Tazzie's surgey (Tazzie #2) was yesterday afternoon - by 4:30 I was wondering why I heard nothing and by 5:30 was really wondering - but the vet called and all went well. Later in the evening, I toasted Tazzie's surgery with a glass of wine (the fact that he got through it fine), which shocked my friends. But they were the ones who seemed to treated Tazzie as though they were saying their last goodbye's before he went to surgery.
I think it will be a new adventure (although I realize the next few weeks will be hard). My mother had a serious stroke last year. While I would never ever wish that on anyone, there were certain positive developments from it in terms of relationships with family and other people we never would have met. She has also met every obstacle as a challenge to be tackled - I had no idea she was so determined and resilient. I figure the post-surgery time will also be a new adventure as long as we can keep more good moments than bad for Tazzie.
Susa
Tazzie said:
I toasted Tazzie's surgery with a glass of wine (the fact that he got through it fine), which shocked my friends. But they were the ones who seemed to treated Tazzie as though they were saying their last goodbye's before he went to surgery.
Susa
Cheers to Tazzie! That is wonderful news, congratulations!!!
You have a great outlook on the situation, and you're so right; yes, there will be challenges, but if you keep your hearts and eyes open, you'll experience a tremedous amount of joy at the many new lessons that Tazzie will teach you as she confronts this battle head on, without fear or regret.
As traumatic as something like cancer or a stroke can be, it really helps us to examine our own lives and relationships in new ways, and that's when we finally learn to truly appreciate all that we have, even when it feels like our world is being ripped out from underneath us. Tazzie will show you what it really means to live in the moment, you'll see!
Hang in there and keep us posted.
P.S. You live on a ranch? Cool! Last winter we went to a Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Alpine Texas, and got to watch this awesome cowgirl poet, Doris Daley, who is also from Souther Alberta.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Vet called so I have to tell you: Tazzie has already been outside for a few walks this morning (it is only 15 hrs post surgery now!) and is "doing great" with just some swelling at the incision site. HE (note, not a 'she' although perhaps we should have had a sex change operation done at the same time - no one gets that right) took one misstep and then figured it out.
Can someone send the video link to Tazzie (great dane) video? I can't find it. Also, I assume you have all seen these fantastic videos (Samwise the 3-legged golden), but will include the link just in case. And did you see the 3-legged agility start on Dogster.com (see below)? Amazing.
Samwise recovery:
http://www.yout.....feature=iv
feature=channel_page
feature=channel_page
Agility star
http://www.dogs.....gs/1002499
Susan
Tazzie said:
Can someone send the video link to Tazzie (great dane) video?
FYI: Tazzie is a 175 lb. three-legged English Mastiff
And here's a discussion topic with Jerry's three legged agility dog video playlist.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm glad to hear that your Tazzie made it through surgery okay. It is funny that everyone thinks that yours is a girl, since everyone who sees my Tazzie thinks that she is a boy! I think it is because she is so big. I should try to take another video so that everyone can see that my Tazzie is actually doing better than she was before. Maybe I will try to find someone with a camera for her 1-year anniversary party. Or maybe Jim and Rene will be in Washington again some day....
Pam and Tazzie
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