Gaz is a 4-year-old Lab mix. She is a very sweet girl who loves attention and cuddling. Gaz is housetrained and does well with kids, dogs, and cats.
Dear reader, recently a tripawd guest came to CAPS, and if you do not know what a tripawd, is I would like to clue you in. A tripawd is the term given to a dog who has only three legs. Rowdy was our tripawd. He is missing a back leg but that does not stop him.
I wondered what the long-term prognosis for dog amputees was, so I decided to find out. According to Dr. Pavia, who specializes in amputations, life improves after amputation because the source of pain is gone. The pet is already used to shifting his weight to three limbs to avoid pain so adjusting to loss is easier.
Compared to human limb amputations pets recover much quicker. After amputation, pets still have three legs, and they can quickly adjust to redistributing their weight to them. Pets also do not suffer from the psychological trauma of limb loss, because many are unaware that they are any different.
Some three-legged dogs do better than others do depending on their size, age, and other physical problems. Smaller dogs tend to do better than larger. The biggest challenge a dog faces when they lose a limb is that they have to relearn proprioception, which means they need to get a new understanding where their body is in space and how to balance.
Losing a front leg is much more difficult than losing a back leg, because the front leg accounts for about 70 percent of the dog’s strength and balance. Normally the front leg leads and the rear follows. With only one front leg, the dog has to shift weight to the rear and that requires conscious effort.
Tripawds need exercise and it is important that they are not carrying around extra weight because that can cause joint problems. Swimming is the ideal, but if not available walking is the best exercise.
Fortunately, tripawds have very few limitations and lots of love to give. Our Rowdy is doing just fine and recently found his happy-ever-after home with loving people and a cute girl dog.
LOOKING FOR A HOME
We have six adorable six-month-old puppies. There are three girls and three boys.
We also have seven fluffy kittens ages 15 to 20 weeks. There are five boys and two girls in a rainbow of colors. All our babies need foster homes. Call 775-7500 for details.
IN NEED OF
Folks to sign up for AmazonSmile program the details following.
Fancy Feast kitten wet food.
Cat litter for our guests’ comfort.
Aluminum cans. We will pick up your cans; give us a call at 775-423-7500. You can also drop them off at CAPS.
SHOUT OUT TO
All the folks who registered in the AmazonSmile program, we received $205.37 in donations.
Paws applause to you!
Everyone who volunteered to be jailed in the pound. Millions of pooch smooches to you!
The Grid for hosting our “Going to the Pound” day. A four-paw-salute to you!
COME SEE US
CAPS is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We suggest appointments for adoptions and food pantry.
DON’T FORGET
November Holiday: National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week.
Register in the AmazonSmile program, a website operated by Amazon. Customers enjoy the same selection of products, low prices, and shopping features as on Amazon.com. The only difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organization selected by you.
If you would like a newsletter, call 775-423-7500 or email caps@cccom.net.
CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89407. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. CAPS’ email address is caps@cccomm.net. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnevada.com) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are like-able.
Over the Rainbow: If you would like your pet remembered send his/her name and a short description to Kathleen Williams-Miller a CAPS volunteer, at jkwmil@outlook.com.