Bosco's Tripawd Life

Wayside Waifs in Kansas City has a touching video sharing a tripawd’s story:

Hope’s story

(I can’t figure out how to embed this video, so all I can do is link it.)

It’s got a happy ending: Hope was adopted in February. The guy who adopted her says having Hope has brought him out of his comfort zone with people. I have found myself that having a tripawd means having lots of strangers talk to you. It’s a rare walk with Bosco where someone doesn’t stop me to ask, “What happened to his leg?” I’ve been flagged down across a street, across a park even, by people wanting to ask this. I tell his story while his great attitude and energy shows them that there’s really no need to pity him!

Bosco was a five-month-old puppy when he was picked up by Animal Control after he had been hit by a car. The Human Society of Greater Kansas City took him in and cared for his injuries. He had to have one of his rear legs amputated (as well as his tail). I met him a few months later at an adoption event, and was charmed by this wiggly, happy guy. I didn’t even notice the missing leg until the HS volunteer mentioned it! I wasn’t ready to adopt at that point — I had only lost my previous dog a month before and needed to wait until after the holidays — but I said I’d keep an eye on his listing. I did so, and also found the Tripawds site here, which helped me get used to the idea of having a tripawd myself.

I adopted Bosco on Dec. 30, 2011, and by now I’ve become so used to him that it seems strange I ever thought having a tripawd was something to worry about! He’s as active as you’d expect for his young age, and he is just about the most cheerful, happy-go-lucky dog I’ve ever known. I’m grateful to the Humane Society for saving him and to the Tripawds site that gave me the information and assurance to bring him into my life!

Here are some photos of him enjoying the recent snows we’ve had: