Tripawds is a user-supported community. Thank you for your support!
Happy New Year! Takoda kicked of 2011 with a Tripawd Pawty. On New Year’s Day we met up with a tripawd Viszla mix named Otis and his 4-legged sister Violet for a playdate!
Otis became a 3-legger after he was hit by a car as a puppy. He was rescued by Animal Lifeline of Iowa, a no-kill special needs shelter, and was adopted by my cousin.
Takoda had a great time with Otis and Violet! As a human, it is also a great help to share experiences with other tripawd pawrents.
Posted in Uncategorized January 3, 2011
Tripawds is a user-supported community. Thank you for your support!
Howl-o … it’s me Takoda writing this entry! So sorry we haven’t posted lately, but I’ve been busy getting back to normal! It’s been 4 months since my ampawtation, and I am doing quite well! Most my fur has grown back too. I’ve been so busy lately … here’s some highlights of the last few months:
First off, here I am running around on the beach at Saylorville Lake in late October:
You can see that I kept up with my 4-legged brother just fine! More pics are here, including lots of Catori who is a total camera hog (but pretty darn cute, I admit).
Next up, we went to a cool Howloween pawty at Gray’s Lake. I didn’t dress up like a hot dog or a cow, but I still got TONS of treats, love and attention. When you’re a 3-legger with big blue eyes and a tie-dye bandana, I think a costume just might overkill!
This goofy husky was dressed up like a pumpkin. I guess his owner thought that was funny cuz he was a red husky. The things you hoomans do for laughs at our expense makes me so annoyed!
And, on the subject of making dogs look funny, here is something I saw at a dog park:
This boy (I know, right) was not allowed to get his big white Q-tip head wet or dirty. Basically, that meant swimming and playing was strictly forbidden.
Here my head is hidden by a cotton ball tail. Q-tip Head wanted to play SOOO bad. But once he started to get me and the little guy (right corner) into a good game of chase, Daddy said it was time to go.
But Q-tip had a good response for that! WTG fuzzy head! Even prissy white poodles should be allowed to have some fun, get dirty, and be dogs. Sometimes.
This morning it was only 19 degrees. I loooove the cold … it’s making me feel so energetic and happy! I can’t wait to play in snow!
Well, Happy Thanksgiving to everypuppy! Hope you get lots of turkey and sweet potatoes (one of the few vegetables my primal carnivore palate can handle)!
Posted in Uncategorized November 23, 2010
Did you know that this is Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week? According to Petfinder.org, the hardest pets to find homes for are:
- senior/older pets
- pets with medical problems
- victims of breed prejudice
- shy pets
- those who need to be the only pet
Petfinder’s “Why Less Adoptable Pets Rule” makes me smile…
Here are just a few reasons we love “special” pets:
- Older pets are mellower – you don’t have to worry about your lamp getting knocked over!
- Physically challenged pets are often unaffected by their handicap – but you still look like a hero!
- With “bad reputation” breeds, you get the chance to prove people wrong with your great dog!
- Dark-furred pets make it easy to accessorize – black goes with everything!
- Pets with behavioral issues allow you to form a tight bond as you overcome obstacles together!
- Big dogs are easier to find when it’s time to go to the vet!
Takoda and I have the experience to back some of these claims up! When I adopted Takoda 8 years ago, she was a dark-furred behavioral mess with medical problems. We overcame these obstacles together, and she became an awesome dog – sweet, loving, sociable, athletic and adventurous. I couldn’t ask for a better companion.
Now, of course, she is also a senior pet with some new physical challenges. And I can tell you firsthand, pets do get sweeter with age!
Check out Petfinder’s Less Adoptable Pet Week page>
Since Takoda’s leg amputation in July I have started noticing the many tripawds out there looking for homes. I can’t say enough about how amazing tripawds are!
If you’re looking for a new pet this week or anytime, consider a “less adoptable”!
Posted in Uncategorized September 22, 2010
I just got the latest issue (Fall 2010) of Modern Dog Magazine, and it has a 6-page feature called “Terrific Tripods! Three-legged Wonder Dogs”. Absolutely pawsome! The article features 6 tripawds wonderful stories and photos. You can also read the article & see some of the photos on ModernDogMagazine.com here.
The Bark, my other favorite dog magazine, had an article in their last issue (Jun/Jul/Aug 2910: Issue 60, “Three-Legged Dogs” By Nick Trout, DVM. This article talked about a boxer who became a tripawd due to bone cancer, which was misdiagnosed first as an ACL injury (like Takoda). It brought me to tears (both happy and sad).
The Bark also had a great story in their Jul/Aug 2006: Issue 37 called “Three Legs to Stand On“. The cover dog is a tripawd and couldn’t be cuter! I read it the first time with great interest but of course no idea Takoda, then just 4-years old, would ever be a three-legger. I just dug this issue out and re-read it. It’s available online too here.
I also found a story and video on The Bark I hadn’t seen before: “Inspiration on Three Legs: An artist immortalizes his tripod in clay—and video“. Beautiful – well worth a watch and a read!
I saw Takoda position herself to scratch with her right side today and then she look somewhat frustrated. I called her over and gave her a good scritching and that seemed to work fine for her. Otherwise, things are going just fine!
Posted in Uncategorized September 13, 2010
One of my favorite places to walk dogs is a park called Gray’s Lake. We love the beautiful walking trail, beaches, and people enjoying outdoor activities from sailing to yoga to rollerblading. Of course we also love all the adorable dogs taking their owners for walkies and playing in the water.
I have been there this summer with my other pups, but sadly Takoda had not been able to go since the beginning of Spring. Normally we walk the 2-mile loop once or twice and stop for swimming, dog greetings, and fishy hunting in the rocks on the shore. This time we just walked along the water for probably a quarter mile and then took a rest and got a drink and relaxed. We walked back along the rocky shore where Takoda likes to search for dead fish (ewww, I know!). She had a little difficulty figuring out how to maneuver but I let her try and she did well. Then she splashed around on the sandy beach. Takoda met a ball-crazy lab, a weimeraner with a pretty pink color, and a Basset Hound who roo-rooed at her until he finally got to say hi.
We haven’t been out in busy places much yet so it was interesting to hear people’s comments. I heard a few “oh poor dog” exclamations, a few people said “it looks like she gets around really welll!”, and one couple ran up to ask what happened to her. But most people didn’t seem to notice!
Although we didn’t cover much ground compared to our old walks, Takoda was pretty exhausted afterward. I am still working on trying to find a balance between doing everything she wants to do and not doing too much. This was just the beginning of many more adventures as we slowly get back to doing the things we used to do!
Hunting for fishies at Gray's Lake on Labor Day
Posted in Uncategorized September 7, 2010
Takoda playing with her furbrother Catori on YouTube>
Here’s Takoda last weekend practicing her pro wrestling skills with her furbrother Catori. Takoda says “Who needs 4 legs to have a good time?! Not me!“
I saw a beautiful white Shepherd tripawd having a good time at the local Farmer’s Market on Saturday. I also saw two little huskies puppies that were adorable beyond measure! One was red and the other was black and white with blue eye, a little pink bandana, and expressions that were sooooo Takoda. I just stood and watched them a while. One found poop to sniff while the other climbed up in a wagon to lick a little kid’s face, which drew some “awwws” from the crowd. I was there dog-free (highly unusual!), but I got my dog and puppy fix anyway!
I don’t wanna move
I’ll just sit here in my living room and
See what’s on the tube
While I’m hanging out with you …
People pressing my flesh, taking my time
They don’t know a thing about my life with you
I’m trying real hard – it’s hard not to care
‘Cause all I ever really want to do
Is sit around doing nothing with you, because
Nothing’s only fun when you’re there …
I’m not lazy
I’m in love
–lyrics from Descendents, “Nothing With You”
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: "Farmer's Market", "YouTube", dog, husky, play, Takoda, wrestle September 5, 2010
Tripawd Husky Takoda, 5 weeks after back leg amputation due to bone cancer
This chapter of our life together began one Thursday morning when Takoda suddenly began limping. Saturday morning the limp had not subsided, and we took her to the vet. The vet mentioned a few possible causes, worse case scenario being cancer. While the vet took Takoda in back for x-rays, we (Takoda’s human pawrents) looked at each other in disbelief. Cancer? We wondered why the vet had even mentioned the word. Days before, Takoda was a healthy, happy husky who depended on adequate exercise and entertainment to retain her sanity and ours. Takoda was easing into middle-age as she had just reached her 8th birthday. But as a 47-pound mixed breed I thought for sure hybrid vigor and her medium size would guarantee her a long, healthy life. I pictured her running and playing her way into her mid-teens. I couldn’t picture my life without her and I still can’t.
Takoda returned, smiling happily and pulling the vet along despite her gimpy back leg. The vet told us she had good news. It wasn’t cancer. We breathed a sigh of relief and let go of the panic-inducing thoughts that had entered our minds. We still wondered why she’d even put the grim idea into our worried heads. From the x-ray and the way that Takoda was “toe-tapping”, the vet was sure that Takoda had a partial ACL tear. While annoying and expensive, an ACL tear is a common and treatable injury that will heal with surgery or adequate rest and restriction. The vet prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and said that she’d probably be better within the week, but that the injury would most likely return and we should consider surgery sometime in the future.
Takoda at the beach in 2009, one year before the amputation
Within a few days she was back to her hyper, stubborn, and very sweet self. Despite the fact that she had stopped limping, we kept her restricted to a leash while outside, kept her exercise to a minimum (hard!!) and discouraged her from jumping on and off of furniture in an attempt to allow the ligament to heal. I became very knowledgeable of canine ligament injuries with the help of some very informative websites, especially Tiggerpoz.com and Conservative Management Yahoo group. I remain a huge fan of these sites, if your dog has a ligament injury check them out.
Takoda has always loved any and all adventures!
For nearly a month Takoda rarely limped or expressed any discomfort. It appeared that she was on the road to a full recovery without the need for an expensive and possibly risky knee surgery. Then one day she suddenly started limping again only this time it seemed a bit worse. Re-injury is quite common with ACL injuries so we assumed that is what happened. At this point we really cracked down on not allowing her to jump or do stairs, we moved our bed mattress to the floor, covered slippery floors with rugs, anything we could think of to help Takoda heal. We decided to give it a few more weeks and if she wasn’t improving we would schedule her for surgery.
Over the next few weeks Takoda got worse instead of better. She stopped using her right back leg at all, and held her leg up consistently. Occasionally it appeared that even sitting was painful. Through this time we had it tough trying to restrict Takoda’s activity, but now she was beginning to restrict herself. We made a vet appointment for a re-check intending to schedule surgery ASAP. This time saw another vet at the same practice. This vet agreed with the original vet’s diagnosis, though he seemed surprised by how painful it appeared that her knee had become. ACL surgery was scheduled for the next Monday.
We dropped Takoda off for surgery at 7:30 July 19, 2010. That morning I posted on my Facebook page, “How empty does your house feel when you’re missing a dog? My husky mix Takoda is at the vet for ACL surgery today. I am trying to pass the time & wait for 4:30 when she can come home. Can’t wait until she can return to her active, stubborn husky self!”
Last winter Takoda was still running like a maniac!
I was told I could call after noon to check on her. It was just about that time when I got a call from the vet. My heart raced when I heard his voice. He sounded distraught and apprehensive. I could barely respond as the vet explained that they’d started the surgery, that Takoda has bone cancer, that he was so sorry, that things are never easy, and that they’d like my husband Jason and I to come in and talk about options and that he didn’t want to do that over the phone. It was hard to answer and hard to listen. He was empathetic and kind and I apologized that he had to tell me such bad news. I felt empty. It was a dark and stormy summer day and rain was pouring. I took my other Husky mix and my German Shepherd for walks which soaked my clothes and drenched my hair and I didn’t feel a thing. I still had to tell Jason and the thought of that cut like a knife. I didn’t have to tell him, from the look on my face he guessed, and we cried. And he said “the crazy thing is, if Takoda was here she’d be comforting us”. And she would have. That’s the kind of dog she is. The “once-in-a-lifetime” kind that knows I’m upset before I do, who won’t leave my side when I’m sick or sad or frustrated. She knows what kind of day I’m planning by the shoes I put on, what trail we’re driving to by direction we leave the driveway. She’s smart, intuitive, and fiesty, and she is our world.
These are the eyes that see into my soul.
Takoda the day after the amputation, still a bit groggy
“A dog is the only thing on this earth that loves you more than she loves herself.” — Josh Billings
At 4:30 that day we met with the vet. He explained chemotherapy and amputation and told us to take our time. We had decided on amputation before we’d left the vet. He told us it wasn’t a cure but it would allow her to be nearly pain free in just days, and that was about all we needed to hear. He delivered the devastating and startling prediction of 4-5 months until the cancer would overtake her. We still hope to beat the odds and that months will turn into years, but at that moment a pain-free week, month, anything was something.
Takoda was groggy and her leg was stapled from the would-have-been surgery. Not wanting to miss a moment, we stopped at a little park on the way home and let her walk a little which she loved. We walked a short distance to a little creek and then carried her back to the Jeep.
Another photo from the day after amputation, already smiling!
Three days later on July 22, 2010 we returned to the vet for a second surgery, Takoda’s amputation. Thanks to a good dog friend, I discovered bonecancerdogs.org and Tripawds.com, both of which were a huge help in preparing for the amputation and knowing what to expect. This time I called the vet and she was doing just fine. She was awake and standing. We were able to take her home the same day. I was nervous on the way to pick her up. But once I saw her everything felt fine. She looked much brighter and better than when we’d brought her home from the previous surgery.
Takoda recovered surprisingly quickly and her wound healed without any issues! We adopted Takoda when she was about 5 months old, and she had a broken leg at the time (another chapter in Takoda’s life ,read that story here>). The amputation was nothing compared with complications and time involved in healing the broken leg. Within a few days she was running and doing the stairs and she even enjoyed a brief playdate with a friend’s tiny dog.
3 days after the amputation we took Takoda to a trail for a short walk to boost her spirits. She was so fast, I couldn't keep her in the photo!
August 2nd Takoda returned to the vet and got her staples and stitches removed. The vet said she was doing great. She took a nap on her back with 3 legs up in the air. She hadn’t done that in a while!
The top photos are from today about 5 weeks in and she is doing amazing. She plays with her fursiblings, runs around the backyard, takes short walks, and nearly caught a ground squirrel today!
Posted in Uncategorized August 30, 2010
