Three-Legged Dogs Do Adapt
“Sometimes,” she answered. “I passed two women the other day, and the first loved her up and never said a word about her missing leg and it was great, but then another one got all upset and worried about how Zoe could possibly cope, and I found myself getting really angry at her.”
Hmm, I thought. Perspective can be a funny thing.
“And what about your other Boxer? How’s he acting around Zoe?” “Absolutely no different,” said Ellyn. “It’s as though it never happened.”
I smiled, hesitated and said, “I like that,” thinking, once again, it takes another dog to see all that matters, proving a point that what counts hasn’t changed one little bit.
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This article first appeared in The Bark, Issue 60, Summer 2010
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I recently watched a dog running, hunting through the hedge, clearing a stile, and generally having a wonderful time - it took me several minutes to realise that the slight oddness I was aware of was that he had three legs. I hope Zoe does as well!
I have a little tripawd Dachshund/Terrier mix. She lost her leg last year, due to nerve damage. The leg was already dead when I met her. I find the reactions to her very interesting. They range from awe and admiration to sad, complete with condolences, to sometimes vaguely accusatory.
The hardest thing is convincing people she doesn't need their sympathy. She's a very happy girl.
I often see three-leggers and can't help but smile at them -- they seem just as happy to be on a walk as any other dog.
What a wonderful story and perspective. It reminded us of the moment our tri-pawed, Maty, met a 9 year old girl at the Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championship in 2006. We were told a young fan was waiting on the sideline across the field who had come specifically to see the first 3-legged dog to ever qualify & compete in a Worlds Disc Dog Championship. Maty was not competing that day, so we asked if she wanted to toss the disc for Maty. When she stood-up, we realized the connection between this girl and Maty, she was missing both hands and a leg. They played frisbee and laughed and forged a lasting friendship across the nation.
See Maty at work and play: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4KJMXnmQH4
More on the day Maty met Sushma can be read at: http://www.peoplepets.com/news/heart-warming/meet-a-member-maty-the-3-le...