Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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A month or so ago, I posted a thread about our new puppy Bernie (aka "Bernie bin Laden", confirmed terrorist and menace to civilization in general).
We got him as a buddy for Linda, not long after we lost Max. Although Linda loathed him at first sight, after about a week she gave that up and decided to be his friend. They've been buddies ever since, at least 98% of the time unless he's being so obnoxious that even our patient girl can't put up with him. Like most puppies, he was a tiny fat little thing, weighed about five pounds, and could almost fit in one hand. His standing height barely reached the underside of Linda's belly. His paws and head weren't that big, and seemed in proportion to his body. We weren't sure he was going to grow much.
Then he decided it was time to start growing…
As you can see, he's now rapidly approaching Linda's height. He now weighs over 20 pounds. Unfortunately for Linda, he's just discovered he can jump up on the sofa, which was one of the last "safe zones" for her. Unfortunately for us, he can almost reach the kitchen counter tops if he stretches on his hind legs (unfortunately for him, I have a spray bottle and an itchy trigger finger). He seems to enjoy doing all sorts of puppy activities, such as…
Linda chomping…
…sunbathing at the beach…
…and sleeping in impossible positions.
There's no end in sight! Bernie's legs are like tree trunks and his paws look like man hands on a baby. He inhales his food (and anyone else's) like some sort of hairy vacuum, then begs for more. Sometimes I think I can actually hear him growing! I have to give him credit for having smarts, though. He picks up training commands (come, sit, stay, etc.) very quickly, and we're starting to think he's 90% housebroken already. He's responding well to leash training, and socializing rapidly. He might be socially presentable soon.
So we're putting all you NorCal tripawds on notice! Not sure of the dates yet, but we'd like to come up to Carmel (with a Mill Valley detour) sometime in June. As long as he's civilized by then, we're going to try.
He is too cute! And, I don't believe a thing you say about his antics. He looks well behaved in the photos.
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.
He needs to grow into those big paw prints, but it is very clear that he will develop his own personality. Allowing them to define themselves has always been a worry for me personally, but that does not seem to be an issue with Bernie. Linda does not apears to be enjoying the developments. Being one who lived with a total imp that could get into more mischief than one could imagine, I know that has it mixed blessings, but I am also sure that it brings many smiles - lots of sighs - but many smiles.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
PS: We will be in Yellowstone for our usual June in Yellowstone trip. Based upon our luck on traveling, that probably means that the volcano will start rumbling.
Oh so cute!! What great pictures. It looks like Linda is really enjoying her new buddy as annoying as he probably is to her. I still call our puppy Monster Boy because he is one (and he's going to be 2 in July). So I'm sure Bernie's AKA is very fitting for him. Congratulations on your new family addition.
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Too cute. I am so glad that Bernie is giving so much joy to you and your husband and even to Linda. I'm glad she decided to like him.
Debra
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.
Whooooah! Wow, what the heck? He was just a little thing a few weeks ago!
It's so great to see those two are getting along. Bernie's going to keep Linda young and on her toes, that's for sure. Maybe we should bring Wyatt Ray over again...he won't feel like the young kid anymore in your house, now that you have a toddler running amok!
Too fun.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
OMD - could Bernie be any cuter (and any more annoying) ?!!!
Poor Linda! Now we know why Momma dogs don't mind giving up their young to us human folks to raise! They are smarter than us!
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.
I was just thinking about you guys and wondering how Bernie was doing. Looks to me like things are going well. And look at those Cemil-size feet! Can't wait to meet him. What a cutie!
Mary
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
What a handsome boy!
Linda looks like she has her hands full and just think, he could be as big as Cemil in just a few more months!
Can't wait to meet him and his nick name looks totally deserved!
the chauffeur
Bernie is adorable and mischevious (according to what you've said 
)! We're going thru the same thing with Anka, Chuy's baby sister. 14lbs when we got her, she's just over 50 now and only 7 mths. old. She's figured out how to get on the sofa, loves to put her paws on the dining room table and tries to eat the siamese cat.
Anka has also turned out to be quite the gardener, trims the Arbor Vitae and Bouganvillas every day for us!
I'm sure Bernie will stop growing in a couple of years, LOL. But he sure is a sweetie!
Chuy, showing everyone that Tripawds do everything 3 times better than regular dogs!
Okay...I went back to Cemil's file and got some stats for you.
At 8 weeks, Cemil was 24#
3 months 40#
4 months 60#
13 months 120#
I guess he didn't go to the vet much. That's all I have for his puppyhood.
Anyway, with giant breed dogs, they caution you to slow their growth if you can. That means lower protein (but plenty of calcium for the bones). Dr. Pam can probably tell you why. I think it has to do with their bone development.
Grow slow Bernie!
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Bernie you are really getting to be such a big boy so fast. Oh, but so so cute !
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
"Tree trunks and man hands on a baby?!?" Bernie, you are growing so fast, what if you grow into a Great Dane?!? That crazy nap position looks EXACTLY like one of Nova's favorites. Mom and Dad better look out, I see some big time counter surfing in your future.
Sue and Queen 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!
Well it does not sound as though he is growing as quickly as Cemil (40 lbs at 3 months, holy cow! I assume Bernie is about 3 months now - is he?). But Bernie is a beauty and what great pictures!!
We're going thru the same thing with Anka, Chuy's baby sister
How come we didn't get to see puppy pics of Anka??
Hey Winnipeg! Where ya been? You missed the The Great Upgrade Debacle of 2010!
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.
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