Hi Cassie, My name is Casey, I'm a 10 year old German Shepherd. I lost my leg about 2 months ago, after I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. My parents were worried about how I would adapt to life as a tripod, as my hips aren't as young as they used to be. Did I surprise them! Just three weeks after amputation and my first Chemotherapy treatment we all took a trip to the mountains. I ran down to the lake, hopped on bounders, and even went for a quick dip in the cold water. My parents nicknamed me "Hop along Casey", so we have that in common. I especially like going to the beach were it is fun to hop in the soft sand. By the way, I have taught my parents a new way to play catch. I sit on the landing of the stairway (up about three steps), and toss the ball down to them to fetch. You should try it! It is a good way to keep your parents exercised and fit.

Life as a tripod can have its advantages, one hop along to another.

Love,

Casey

Hi Cynthia, My name is Alison and I adopted a dog from the pound here in Ireland who was due to be put to sleep because of her nervous nature with people. She had been abused by her previous owners. She was with me for three weeks when the unthinkable happened and she got hit by a car. Her front right leg is to be amputated next Monday and I am devastated about it. I am worried that with her previous history she may not be able to cope with this. The last thing I want is to put her to sleep and after reading stories on your site I am a lot more optimistic about it. Will it take her long to get over the op? And will she be able to lead a normal life after it? Could you let me know the downsides of the op so as I can prepare myself. I will send a photo of her when I get one. Many thanks for this great site. Thank you so much for your reply, I have attached a pic of 'Lola' She is an 18 month old lab and as you can see she is beautiful. I am feeling much better about the op now, she is going to the vet on Monday and the op should take place sometime next week. I will keep in touch and let you know how things go. I only want what's best for her, and thanks to your web site I know I'm doing the right thing. I hope Cassie is well despite the arthritis, give her a great big Irish hug from Lola and me!!

Alison Molloy
Drogheda, Ireland
Thursday November 11, 2004

Friday November 19, 2004:

Hi Cynthia, Lola had her op today, she is doing really well. Thanks again for your support, I don't know what I'd have done without it. After losing one of my beloved dogs 'Molly' to leukaemia in October I swore that the two I had left would be the last, the grief of losing her and the gap that she has left in my life is huge and I dread the day that I have to go through it again with the others, but as I am a sucker for punishment I'll probably continue till the day I die!!!!!A friend asked me to get her a dog as she too had to put her dog to sleep because of old age. I contacted the local dog pound and got talking to the dog inspector, needless to say I didn't find a suitable dog for my friend but ended up going to the pound to pick up Lola as she was due to be put to sleep! The inspector Fiona (a genuinely nice person) told me that Lola had been beaten and abused by her previous owners and as a result she had absolutely no confidence in people, therefore she was not suitable for rehoming. I was shocked at the thought of her being put to sleep and even though I hadn't even seen her I new I had to give her a chance. When I got to the pound and saw her she was in a pen with another dog and she seemed quite happy playing and jumping around, then Fiona took the other dog out and Lola ran behind the kennel and literally buried herself in a hole she had dug. She was petrified! After some gentle persuasion we eventually got Lola into my car and began the journey home. After about a week she started to relax and fitted in really well with Jasper and Bonnie my two other dogs and Sooty, Frankie and Squealer the cats, after three weeks we were all one big happy family! That is until Lola got hit by a car. I have never felt so sick in all my life, (I still can't talk about it) when I saw the state she was in I really didn't think she would make it, but she did, and to be honest at the beginning I felt it would be better for her if she died and for a second I considered putting her to sleep, but only for a second!!!! She had suffered minor injuries to her face and ear, which at the time looked a lot worse than they were, but her front right leg was paralysed, and her vet told me he would need to amputate it. When I stopped feeling sorry for myself I decided to look up the internet to try and get some info on three legged dogs because to be honest I hadn't a clue what they even looked like having never seen one before! That's when I found the lovely Cassie! And thank God I did! Reading about her and her club members has made me realise that all is not lost and I hope that Lola's life is going to be as happy as she deserves. I am now looking forward to life with my three legged friend, I haven't had her long but I feel like I've had her for a lifetime and as she's only 18mths old, we can put the past behind us and make sure that she never has to worry about anything again! Thank you Cynthia and thank you Cassie. Lola had her operation today and everything went well she is sprawled out on the couch in front of the fire after playing with Bonnie & Jasper for a while, and doesn't seem to have a care in the world and that's the way it will be from now on for Lola, God knows she deserves it! Alison & 'Lola' (love & kisses to Cassie)

Tuesday November 23, 2004:

Lola is doing very well, too well for her own good! I took her to the beach with my other two dogs yesterday and she was wearing one of my daughter's waterproof jackets to keep her wound clean. I was so happy to see her running around up and down the sand dunes as if nothing ever happened! I even caught her digging a hole in the back garden just like she used to! She has discovered that her nose is just as good for digging with; she looked a right mess. She has become a bit of a celeb around here. When I take her for a walk with her jacket, people just want to make a fuss of her, which, in a way, is good, as her previous history was bad with people, so she is learning that we're not all bad.I have to stop babying her because I'll end up with a monster on my hands; she even stole my husband's lamb chops last night; he ended up with a ham sandwich for dinner! Lots of love to Cassie, hope she is well.

Alison