A quartet becomes a Trio.
![21356885_350x500[1]](http://dlpetersen6.tripawds.com/files/2014/08/21356885_350x5001.jpg)
Trio is a new addition to my family. He is a one and a half year old Rottweiler / Shepard mix. He showed up at a rescue home about 2 months ago; a scared, limping baby full of love and excitement. After a few days of playing with the owners personal dogs, Trio allowed them to examine his leg. He was not in pain or discomfort, but his leg dragged and hung limp. There were no obvious signs of injury and it was assumed that he had been hit by a car. But to our horror, the vet discovered that he had been shot behind the left shoulder some time ago. It severed the nerve rendering the leg useless. Although he had no out word signs of injury, he leg and chest area had bullet fragments remaining. This poor creature had suffered a major gun shot wound, endured the damage for, presumable months, and his body healed the entry wound. Yet, as is typical of God’s gift to mankind, he held no grudge, no hatred, no fear of humans. He simply yearned to be loved and to give love.
I took Trio into my pack just days ago. I have an older Shepard/Terrier mix, a small Cavachon, a Yorkie, and a large cat. They have all embraced him as one of our family and he has done the same for them. Trio comes to me with all four legs. He is scheduled to have the amputation on August 18, 2014. Our journey together is just beginning. His journey in touching the lives of others is just beginning.
I wish to thank Sarah, who cared for Trio before he came to me, and all the wonderful volunteers at the rescue group Out of the Woods (OOTW) in Little Rock, Arkansas for saving Trio’s life, and for providing the surgery that will improve his quality of life. A big thanks to Pinnacle Valley Animal Hospital for the work they do to support these rescue efforts. Please consider donating to OOTW in Little Rock or a rescue of your choice to insure these efforts continue on behalf of our fur babies.
Sadly, Trio is one of the luck few to survived a culture of shooting any and all dogs outside a gated yard. In spite of making this illegal, it continues to happen with lack of enforcement.
Welcome to the family that no one wishes to have to join. Thank you for choosing to take in a pet that may have had a harder time being adopted.
I took in a stray cat that was believed to have been shot as well; one vet said she thought it was more likely an animal attack though because there was no gunshot residue. We will never know for sure what happened. Her wounds had not fully healed, but they were getting there.It was also discovered that her nerve was comletely severed.
As hard as it is to say, Trio has an advantage to life as a tripawd. Many animals here are cancer survivors. Their legs were taken away and they weren’t expecting it. Treo, llike my cat Smore, does now use his bad leg. He’s already living life much like a tripawd. He will be just fine. I hope he adjusts post surgery as easily as my Smore did. To her, it was just another day, but things were a little weird due to medicines.
You’ve found the perfect support group for your journey with Trio. Keep us updated and feel free to post in the forums. The people here are truly loving and supportive in every step of the way.
Hugs from Tina, Smore, and Pebbles
That should read that he doesn’t use his leg now and sorry for mispelling his name. Oopsies. 🙂
Thank you Tina. And you are so right, this is the family no one wanted to join… but thank goodness there are those willing to do so. I cannot imagine life without him and I have only had him a few days. I have spent every extra moment researching how to make his life better, how to compensate for his loss of balance (its a front leg and 60% of their weight is on the front legs). I have researched how to protect that remaining front leg for the increased strain. Don’t get me wrong, I am not frustrated, as I teacher, I find this a normal process for my special needs child! I look forward to the support and advice of my new community.
I’m a teacher too. I feel like tripawds are great teachers in facing adversity and living life despite being different. Or at least that’s what Smore is teaching me. Overcoming our obstacles is another lesson she’s taught me.
Did you try selecting add media to add your picture or what exactly did you do to try to upload it?
Thank you for your continued support Tina. I clicked on add media but it just showed the boxes I was trying to upload with a small part of the green bar… like it was trying to upload but couldn’t. Admin messaged me so I will check with them to see what I can do to fix it.
I plan on certifying Trio as a therapy dog (I am already working on that with my Cavachon, Rice) so that he can assist me in my new position as an ALC teacher. He would be the perfect inspiration for those students, an me.
Hmmm… We just confirmed successful upload to you Media Library, so post details in the Tech Support about any issues you may have encountered and we’ll be happy to help!
PS: Thank you for upgrading Trio’s blog with Tripawds Supporter subscription!!! Just sand us a PM if you want to schedule a time to meet in the chat room to discuss any issues you’re having.
Ohh my gosh thank you for adopting this sweetie pie, what a lucky dawg he is to find you!!!
I’m always just stunned that anyone would shoot a dog, makes me nauseated. THank Dog there are more good people like you out there.
And THANK YOU also for becoming a supporter!
Thank you Jerry. I am finding great comfort in this new community of like minded tripawd parents!
As for my human community, I just joined a rescue organization fighting an impossible fight. The only animals they take anymore in Faulkner County are the severely injured and headed for amputation. Laws will NOT be enforced because of the culture in this area. Recently a judge told a member of the group that he cannot prosecute since he himself has put down more than 40 this year alone… but he does it the “right” way. He never shoots at large, he only shoots when the gun is right between their eyes. It sickens me beyond words. I don’t know what more can be done. Its not like there is a tripawd adoption system to find them homes in other states where they can be appreciated for the gift they are.
I am grateful to God for saving Trio for me.
It wouldn’t let me reply to your latest comment for some reason (I’m guessimg it reached the end of its nesting ability) so I’ll reply in a new comment box. 🙂
it looks like you figured it out. He is gorgeous!
I want to certify my cat has a therapy cat too. Never thought about bringing her to school. I just figured she would be a great inspiration for people in hospitals or maybe even injured veterans or anyone who has lost their own limb . She’s amazingly affectionate, and I think she’d easily tolerate being petted by someone. I’m in a rural area though so it’s hard to say if there’s anywhere around here to do that at though.
what is ALC? Alternative learning center?
I read your later comment, and it is sad that people shoot animals. I’ve heard people shoot animals here as population comtrol because vet trips and ethunasia are more expensive than bullets. I teach in an extremely impoverished area, and it makes me sad to think that bullets are used due to expenses. No one should have to resort to that.
Yes, Tina… ALC is an alternative learning classroom. There will be no more than 15 students (mostly 7th and 8th graders) who are smart enough to succeed but for some reason have given up on themselves or life. Trio can and will be a valuable and precious tool to show them that it is never too late.
That sounds awesome that he will help, but it’s sad seeing kids give up on themselves. I teach some of them too. It’s hard to motivate them when they see no potential in themselves, their community, or their future. I hope Trio does well when his therapy training begins!
Oh PS- if your rescue group finds more tripawds, there is a rescue announcement section on the forums. I’m not sure how well it works, but hopefully other critters will find homes somehow