Life of Layla Dog – Layla’s Tripawd Journey

it’s been a while!

Wow! Time flies when you’re having fun! Layla has been doing very well as an amputee. Her ultrasounds come back clear along with her blood work. We are trying to figure out some other health issues that are not related. She has a lot of G.I. issues. I’ve worked with our veterinarians to figure out if this is a food issue or something else. Also have realized that no matter how quickly she needs to go outside in Arizona, we have got to put the boots on. Her feet blistered terribly this summer. There were times that her urgency to get out the door us from putting her boots on on a few occasions, this was a bad mistake.

Last January we rescued another pup (Harvey), which actually makes Layla the middle child. It has been some adjustment having a 50 pound solid linebacker in the house. He plays a bit more rough than I would like being around Layla. She is the alpha in the group. ROFL IS ALSO STILL VERY ACTIVE AT OVER 14 years old.
Here are a few of my favorite action shots…

Training prior to an after amputation really pay off!

I did some of our obstacle course for the school virtual talent show where I work. Layla learned most of this before amputation, and it has been a great benefit in her care post amputation. Her physical therapy post amputation is also included, which is so important to keep up strength and flexibility for these 3 legged critters! If you think about it, they could really be in a bind if they injury just one of the remaining three legs! So just a little background- our school promotes ROCKS- Respect/Responsibility, Power of ONE, Compassion, Kindness, Safety. Here’s the video…

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17Y7DlnHc16dP5EUZmvXEUBSKC6NGMNfG

Cancer Free

Apparently I didn’t publish my last 2 posts- obviously over excitement of Layla’s good news! We stopped giving her chemo mid January and her 2 ultrasounds since are all clear! She does great at letting me hold and comfort her while they do the ultrasound, which does help in the cost, eliminating sedation which she doesn’t do great with. She is still strong and playful, just as she was prior to amputation.

5 months in!

Layla has been a tripawd for 5 months now. She is sporting her new harness from the Kaiserin Pet Cancer Care Package that she received! So far, her bloodwork has looked great! We stopped at this backdrop on the way home from her appointment today! #staypawsitive! #tripawdsfoundation #lifeofLayladog

Learning from the Road

Layla continues to thrive as a new tripawd. She still has strength, energy, appetite and love! We have traveled to Arizona. A few weeks before heading south, my daughter suggested we get the dogs used to boots. Excellent advice! Being so concerned that most of Layla’s weight is carried on her single front leg and then taking her onto the grounds (which I’ve been told is about 150 f to the touch) is just irresponsible and unacceptable.

I was concerned about stopping at our favorite dog park in Albuquerque, especially on a weekend day. We stopped, and it was unusually not crowded. To my surprise, after 15-20 minutes, Layla ran to the gate to let us know that she was done. Usually, it’s like trying to get a small child to leave the best amusement park ever! We typically are there up to an hour. The dogs all wanted to play. I’ve found that people are either very interested in WHY your pet is a tripawd or they are judgemental…something I’ve been very used, having a son who was born with a club foot- in a cast for most of his first 2 years. Now he is a resilient adult because of it!

The desert Layla tripawd dog heat has definitely made her more tired. She got out the front door last week and I’m so thankful she didn’t head to the really busy road!We got her back safe right away after a short run.