Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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I loved your comment "Amazing how one day in the sun makes it all worthwhile," because that's exactly how I feel about Susie. I remember thinking at the time of her surgery that it couldn't be a worse time of year for her to be laid up, since getting her outside during the post-op period would be complicated by the winter snow and ice. Now that Spring is definitely on its way, I'm glad she's able to really enjoy the sunshine.
She and Otis seem quite a bit alike. She, too, has become a complete mattress hog, spreading herself completely across the thin (not-quite-twin-sized) mattress on the living room floor. Now that she's well on the road to recovery, I don't feel as guilty when I lift up the sheets and covers to get her to move a bit to make room for me!
So glad that Otis is recovering well, too!
((((hugs))))xxx from Nancy and Susie
We have a blog with photos, courtesy of my 16 year old daughter! Otis and Tess - Photos.
Took our first walk this morning (next Tuesday will be our one month ampuversary. He was so excited, he really did not want to turn around, but six houses was about all I thought he could handle. And such a mental boost for me to be able to walk my dogs - those walks every morning are really important to me too.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Just got back from looking at those great photos on your blog....still grinning ear ro ear!
Here's the link for everyone just in case it rotates out before you get a chance to see this handsome boy and his pretty sister!
http://otisandt.....llo-world/
Isn't it wonderful to see some of their normal routine return? Otis is feeling good and it shows!
Good job everybody!!
Love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Just took our second Tripawd walk. Still really short, but he was so excited I thought he would lose his balance from the enthusiasm with which he was wagging his tail. When he saw me in my "dog walking" clothes, he immediately went and grabbed his leash and hopped around the house shaking it loudly. Much better balance on the walk overall, at times I thought I was slowing him down! So glad we are able to walk together again!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Just caught Otis standing on his hind legs, one paw on the counter, so that he could help himself to one of the cat's food!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Today we are officially 1 month post amp., and I am finding it bittersweet. He is doing great, all of my fears and anxieties related to the amputation have been proven unfounded. Today, at the end of our walk, he rolled in the grass! All of these little moments of doggie joy are so worthwhile.
On the other hand, I now find myself thinking more about the cancer, especially when I read posts from folks who lost their companions much too soon. If he seems "down," I think, is it the cancer? If I see either dog licking a leg or paw, is it cancer? (Yes, Tess gets this stress too.). About midway through the work day, I want to go home to be with him - he is so happy on the weekends when we are all together. I know that all of this is me, not him, but still, can't help it.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
This is where 'Be More Dog ' comes in. It is hard for us as humans not to worry, but Otis doesn't have that burden. All he cares about is his next walk, his next cuddle or his next chase around the yard! So try to take Otis's view of things. You are still early on in this, and I think it does get easier. The worry, the 'what ifs' start to fade a bit as time goes on. Pretty soon you'll be thinking of Otis as just Otis, full stop.
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
SSshhhh! Oris doesn't know he has cancer! Our best Advice is to Be More Dog . 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
otisandtess said
. . .
On the other hand, I now find myself thinking more about the cancer, especially when I read posts from folks who lost their companions much too soon. If he seems "down," I think, is it the cancer? If I see either dog licking a leg or paw, is it cancer? (Yes, Tess gets this stress too.). About midway through the work day, I want to go home to be with him - he is so happy on the weekends when we are all together. I know that all of this is me, not him, but still, can't help it.
Oh my gosh, I'm constantly stressing over the quad-girls about the smallest things! And even though my "come to Jesus" meeting with myself brings me back to earth, I find that I just can't help it.
"Be More Dog ," is one of the hardest life-lessons I've ever tackled. But we all know that the world would be a better place if we could all be more good dog.
I am so happy that Otis is doing great! Now, just sit back and enjoy his contentment and remember, a fake half-smile is the beginning to the real thing. Just try it; you can't do a fake smile without it ending in a real, full blown one.
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
I agree with Pam: "Fake it 'til you make it!"
That's what I'm trying to do! 
('Cause, boy, do I know what you mean!)
((((hugs))))xxxx from Nancy & Susie
Chemo # 2 is done! Otis still seems to be tolerating it well, and the oncologist is pleased with his blood work. The cul de sac (7 houses) seems about our limit on walks, and he tends to lie down at house 5, roll, and then just lie there looking around for 5 minutes or so. Still limiting ourselves to the 1st floor, but I moved the box spring down too, so I am getting better sleep than just on the mattress, but without a frame, he can get up and down. Also ordered a new rug for that room, so we can move the industrial floor mats, yoga mats, etc. to other parts of the house now that he is moving around more. Tess, by the way, has managed to get both an ear and a lip fold infection. The vet was joking that Tess sensed that I missed having to give all of the medicine, and she didn't want me to be bored.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Oh, so, so sweet! You just keep on hopping around Otis! You are doing just fine! Murphy will do that, too, when he's done, just lay down lol And so great the way Tess supports him!
The worry just never goes away, no matter how much we try to Be More Dog ! These girls just had to pull me back off the edge of the cliff back in January when I found a growth on Cassie's foot. I was completely convinced that she must have cancer and we were going to go down this road with her, too. Thankfully, it ended up being just an abnormal growth of normal cells. Ugh! This really is the best community ever!
BTW Tess, you can get extra treats without getting sick! Just look really sad 
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Tess is pretty smart, she already figured out the extra treat thing. In fact, Otis' weight is down .5 (a good thing) and Tessie is up the same amount (not a good thing due to the cruciate repair),
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Just finished chemo #3 today! Only one left to go. His x-rays were clear, blood levels normal, so I am just so relieved. Pawty! Plus he is playing more with Tess and with toys, and came up the stairs again this morning. I was in the shower, and I heard that tri-pawd hop outside the door and there he was, ready to share the morning routine with me.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Way to go!!!
And you know, routine is so important right now in the healing process.
WOOT!
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
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