Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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And I found her right outside the bathroom this a.m. which was huge (and now I have to watch for her in the mornings since God knows where she is and I don't want to step on her). But I took the suggestions someone gave me about "putting her to bed" since she seemed to keep wanting me to go w/her into my bedroom. So I put her to bed on the floor and she slept a good part of the night in there. I kind of cheated and closed the door enough to make her feel secure but also enough that she could get out if she really wanted to. I heard her walking around my bedroom in the middle of the night so I put her BACK in a laying down position and she seemed to be calm. It's like she gets up and can't figure out how to get back down so she either stands OR paces. Then this a.m., found her outside the bathroom in the hallway.
However, she did poop in my house again yesterday (different spot). I don't know what that is about since she's never done that - not even as a puppy (she was a rescue and already trained when I got her) so I am not used to picking up after her inside. I gave her two pretty decent walks today before work with ample opportunity to really get her stuff done and she only went once so I hope there are no more presents for me when I get home. Whether she understands me or not, I told her that was NOT acceptable.
Otherwise, aside from some passive aggressive pouting last night when she wasn't getting 100% of my attention (she took to the bathroom and actually I think I told her to go in there or go to her room), she seemed "normal" last night. I guess we are still early in the recovery process and probably still finding our way to the new normal.... I hope !
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I love that......"Go in there or go to your room!"......And sne did!! Dang! That ks one s art girl!
Bt we already k w that!
A d dn't forget, f you come home to a #2.....she's "told" yo she needs TWO poops n her walk and she only did one this a.m. ........just sayin'...
Is 't it gratifying to see her making progress...getting back nto her routine, etc. I think you hit on something about the "sta ding".....it could indeed be that she still has t "think" about hlw to .lay down with three legs. Thi gs don't "work" li,e they used to, so she has to re-configure things in ner head and then send the message to her limbs. Hmmm...could be! How does it feel to be a genius??
You roc ShelbyStrong!!!
Hugs and love to all!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Thank you Sally and Happy Hannah! 🙂
I am trying the 'tough love' approach w/my girl and it seems to be working. She is definitely not a fan of when I go all "alpha dog" on her. And when I said go to your room, I really didn't think she would go to the bathroom so that cleared that up in my mind that that is indeed "her" room.
I tried to get her to poop twice today but she was having none of it. She wants to walk and walk and walk and I let her go about 20 minutes before I say - 'we're done' so basically she's getting the same amount of outdoor time as before. I think I read someone else on this site had a dog that 'milked' it a bit. I can see her looking at me saying, "Mom, I have cancer, I have 3 legs, let me have a longer walk.... please.....". I also get the sense that she's bored w/me because if we see other people, she perks up. Now nothing has changed in that respect - it's always been her and I (for the most part). Suddenly I'm not good enough for her? I think I need more wine!
I guess I read so much on this site about dogs that lay around a lot and my dog just seems to 'stand' around a lot. Between the standing and the staring at me (and not because she thinks I am cute) ... it does stress me out so this mama is learning to chillax! And becoming very addicted to this website. I guess it's a good outlet for me during a very stressful time in my life. It calms me since obviously, I cannot drink wine at work! Ha ha!
Hugs and love to all!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Aww well we're glad you're a Tripawds addict, that's why we are here!
Yes, some dogs have been accused of milking it. But I still don't know if that's something that humans make up in their heads or if it's real. What matters is that she's getting back to normal little by little. YES you are getting to the "new normal"!
I'm sorry about the accidents, but just try to keep in mind that this was a major life-changing event for both of you.
It's always best to pick up right where you left off. However you were with her before, behavior-wise, just pick up where you left off. The more normal you make life, the more normal it will be. She doesn't like pooping in the house any more than you do. Pick up the walking routine you had before and get back to the routine. She'll figure out there's no more messing around, life is just the same as ever (minus one leg)!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Your relationship with Shelby is really heartwarming and humorous!! I enjoy your stories about her while adjusting to her Tripawd way of life. I agree with you also, with being somewhat addicted to this great website.......the life stories here with everyone and their pets, is calming. It is a special club, and there are so many of us out there to support each other along the way. In your post, you said, "the new normal" .......that sounds about right for all of us.
{{hugs}}
Bonnie & Polly
Thank you all! I am glad that you enjoy the Shelby antics! She definitely is a 'spirited' dog with a mind of her own! Thankfully we had no accidents in the house today - we had a nice decent sized walk (for her). I was out of food so I had to walk her and then go get her dinner and bonus - free canned food w/a bag of dog food! So there was NO drama with dinner tonight (for her). Mixed a little wet food in with her dinner and she licked the bowl clean (she keeps going back and licking it). I also picked her up a pig's ear and another bone like antler thing since I think she's bored and she gets through her Kong pretty quickly.
Literally - has almost NO interest in these toys. BUT is being a royal PITA (pain in the ass) unless she's next to me on the couch and I am petting her. While I do love loving on her, this is bordering on obsessive. I just want to rest after a long day/week at work!!
So fingers crossed we have a great weekend and she will be looking forward to me going back to work on Monday! I do notice that she will start to limp or pant if I discipline her but her mood shifts about food/cookies/anything. So yeah, Jerry, I would say she's totally milking ALL this! 
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Well yay for no accidents and a good evening together! But she went from wanting to be alone in the bathroom to insisting on obsessively laying next to you on the couch? Oh Shelby! You are a mysterious doggie!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm glad things are slightly better! YEY! But...sorry about the packages. Maybe she's rebelling?
When she's in the bathroom, can you tell if she's on her stump? I wonder if the coolness of a bathroom floor eases her wound or nerves?
BTW - it took many weeks before Jackson would rest on his stump. He'd try all the time, but upon approach, it'd hurt, and he'd have to repeat all the circling to just get down. I wonder if Shelby's love of the bathroom is b/c it's a safe place and is kinda cool?
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Shelby seriously does test my patience ... (and you all wonder why I drink)! Kidding. I love her with all my heart and soul. So last night she did sleep in the bathroom and yes, she will sleep on her amp site or the other side. Doesn't really matter to her. I don't know that it is cooler in there because if I put a blanket in there, she won't go in - she has to have that purple mat in that room. I think it's one of her weird little quirks.
BUT she does circle a lot before she sits or settles, like she can't figure it out. She also gets rather manic (for lack of a better word - looks a little crazed) before she goes for a poop outside so I think it must still be a challenge for her to navigate the squat on 3 legs. We're 3 1/2 weeks out - she should be pretty much better, right?
However, my dog that used to let me sleep in did not do so this a.m. and she was walking around. However, I told her to chill and this is what she did. This is the view from my bed! And did hear/sense her checking on me a lot last night. 🙂 
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Okay,it's time.....clearly you need to drink more u til you get in a drunken stupor!
"Why you ask?" The abundance of alcohol will block your brain from thinking about anything and you'll just sit there and giggle. If your brain is prevented from thinking you won't "over-analyze" every little thing that sweet Shelby does.....you'll just sit there and laugh.: She'll stare back at you, wag her tail and laught right along with you
ALISON!! She IS "pretty much better" .....and above and beyond for jist 3 1/2 weeks!! Are you kiddin'? Shelby is, in my opinion, a miracle!! Eerytime I remind myself of everything she's been through, chemo, all those surgeries in seven months, blood transfusion and thirteen.....this dog ASTOUNDS me!!! She is doing unbelievably well! REALLY!!!
Being more dog...being more Shelby...that's what it's all about now. Just stay in the present withher and enjoy every single oneof her "quirks" (and I know you really do)
Actually, a little bit of her hesitation to squat, could be a little arthritic stiffness because of her age and all the extra joint stresss due to the amputation.
Just a "maybe".....anyway, you can ask your vet avout rimadyl or meloxicam, that could help IF that's what it is.
Okay SHELBY STRONG and MOMMASTRONG, we're wrapping up some wine n a purple bath mat and sending it off! And "Why you ask?" So you can sit on your own purple mat in Shelby's bathroom and drink wine!!
Thanks for the smiles Team Shelby! Love and lots of hugs!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Oh Sally.... how you bring tears to my eyes and make me smile!!! Thank you so much for REMINDING me all that she has been through and how amaze-balls she really is! She really is doing great and it's true - her mama needs to chillax and let her be a dog (albeit quirky).
Good point about the arthritis though, I hadn't thought of that. She's on Metacam (meloxicam?) and glucosome daily so when she goes back for her onco appt in a little over a week, I will ask them about that. I try and give her massages which might be part of the 'needinesss' - she loves it and wants more and more and more! I do know she's got some liver spots so they don't want her on rimadyl long-term. But that makes perfect sense. I did see her sit down today - she kind of eases on her front legs and then lets the back side drop. Not that glamorous but it works for.
Oh and I got back from my long run and she was in her bed! Out of the bathroom. On the floor. In her bed. She's back in it now (she came out when I was eating - eternal optimist that she is) and she's laying on her amp site.
So nights seem to be when all hell breaks lose and I'm going out w/my friends tonight so I'll miss it! But I do know she'll be fine on her own. She definitely is #shelbystrong
Hugs and loves! Happy saturday!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I think the wine was the best advice, since I don't have any advice of my own to offer. I do love Shelby and her quirks 
She was in her bed? YAAAAY!!!!!! See, you're THERE!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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