Siberian Husky Shania at 8 weeks old.

Siberian Husky Shania – I love her more than words can say.

One of the first things that most people note about Shania is that she is a three legged dog.

Siberian Shania was born with a condition called radial head luxation. The bones on her left front leg did not connect properly, and as a result, she would often experience pain when putting weight on it.

She was first diagnosed at around 9 weeks old. We were devastated.

The surgeon told us that the leg will continue to get worse and worse as she grew, and ultimately we would have to amputate.

He presented us with three choices –

1. Try to straighten the leg. This would be very expensive and may include multiple surgeries over a period of one year.
2. Amputate the leg. He suggested that we amputate earlier rather than later. The leg was not weight bearing and it would progressively become more and more of a painful hindrance to Shania.
3. Return Shania and get another puppy.

Siberian Husky Shania - I love her more than words can say.

I seriously considered returning Shania.

Dog amputation is a big decision that I have never had to make before. I didn’t know what taking care of a three legged dog entailed, I didn’t know if I would like a three legged dog, I didn’t know if a three legged dog could have a good life, and on and on it went. Most people advised me to just return Shania and get a ‘whole dog‘.

Even though I had only known Shania for a very short time, she had already captured my heart. That is the way Shania is. She is the sweetest, most beautiful girl I have ever met.

Siberian Shania went through the leg surgeries like a champ.

The next week we went into surgery to try and straighten her leg.

Radial head luxation was a fairly uncommon condition in dogs, and most of the time it goes untreated.

Still, the surgeon was pretty optimistic and he was going to drill small holes into the bone, and insert a metal rod into it. Then we would slowly realign the bones a few millimeters at a time.

Once we do this, hopefully the tissue will heal properly around the joint and hold it in place. The surgeon told us that Shania would always walk with a slight limp but if the procedure was successful, the leg will be weight bearing.

Straightening Siberian Shania's leg.

Over the period of the first week, we were able to slowly realign the bones.

10 days after the surgery, we took off the leg device that was holding together the bones.

This was something that would affect the rest of her life, so I felt it was worth it to try the procedure. The surgeon gave it an 80% probability of success and in the worst case, we would need to amputate – which is what we would have to do anyway without the procedure.

Things looked very promising after the first surgery.

Over the period of the first week, we were able to slowly realign the bones and everything looked good. 10 days after the surgery, we took off the leg device that was holding together the bones. Now we would see whether the bones could stay in place on their own …

The bones slipped again, and went back to their disconnected position.

We weren’t about to give up yet. The surgeon wanted to open up the leg and set the bones back into position manually.

On the morning of the surgery we were all waiting anxiously by the phone. The surgeon called suddenly – earlier than anticipated.

He told us that there was too much cartilage damage around the joint, and the probability of Shania being able to use the leg was extremely low. Even if we were able to miraculously straighten the bones, there would always be a lot of joint pain.

The surgeon suggested amputation. We agreed, and that was that.

Siberian Shania after her leg amputation.

We had to keep activity low until the stitches came out in 2 weeks time.

When we brought Shania home after the amputation, she had a big bandage around her body. She was groggy from the surgery and was out of it for the rest of the day.

The next day, Shania was back to her bouncy, happy self.

She wanted to go everywhere and she wanted to play with our other dog!

However, we had to keep activity low until the stitches came out in 2 weeks time. This was probably the most difficult time because both dogs were raring to go, and we had to be the kill-joys saying No, No, No.

Most of the time Shania stayed inside an enclosure that we set up in the living room. We took turns sleeping with her in there during the night.

We also bought a sweater for Shania because it was raining a lot at the time and we wanted to protect her stitches from getting wet or dirty.

Siberian Shania in her stylish hooded sweater.

Siberian Shania after the leg amputation stitches came off.

An older Shania with her James Brown, 'I Feel Good' toy.

After two weeks, the stitches came out, and Shania was ready to go go go!

The hospital staff had also fallen in love with her so they took lots of pictures and even wrote an article about her in their newsletter. They were inspired by Shania because she was very upbeat the entire time, even when she had to go through the leg straightening and subsequent amputation process.

Despite all her difficulties, Shania was always happy and willing to give everyone many licks.

When she stayed over at the hospital, the staff gave her this fun toy that would play James Brown’s ‘I Feel Good‘ song, whenever she pushed down on it. They told us that she would go around to visit each of the hospital staff and play the song for them.

Siberian Shania off exploring after the stitches came out.

Siberian Husky Shania playing with Shiba Inu Sephy.

Siberian Husky Shania opening presents.

Now Shania is over 2 years old and she is still happy, bouncy, and willing to give everyone lots of licks!

Siberian Husky Shania – I love her more than words can say.

She has a beautiful body and an even more beautiful soul. I would not trade her for any other dog.

Shania is more ‘whole’ than most people and most dogs.

Siberian Shania has a beautiful body and an even more beautiful soul. I would not trade her for any other dog.

Other articles on Three Legged Dogs

Siberian Husky Shania is a happy, bouncy, and energetic dog.

• Caring for a Three Legged Dog.
• Three legs and a spare – When does amputation make sense for a dog?
  by Christie Keith from SFGate.
• Three Legged Dog Stories
  Inspirational stories from other three legged dog owners.

Siberian Husky Shania - Over 2 years old.

I have never looked for others with tripods until today and find myself doing so because I believe we are coming to the end of a wonderful 11 year odyssey.

Alex lost her left foreleg for reasons unknown to us. She was reportedly a 3 yo American Rottweiler, with a fresh surgical wound when we adopted her from a shelter. She has touched many with her jaunty little walk. Often people would assume at first that she was limping, but woould then stop when they noted a missing limb. After hearing her story, many would then continue on with their day with a little more “can-doedness.”

Arthritis has taken the grace from her step and cataracts have clouded her vision, but her nubby tail always greets us with a rapid wag and makes us feel loved. The shelter staff still keep in touch with us and often remark at how lucky Alex was to find a home with us. However, it is clear that it is us that should be giving thanks for the blessings that she has brought to us.

For those of you just beginning with a “tripod wonder” and wondering how it will impact your family. Both of our daughters were yong when Alex came and both learned about tolerance and acceptance in the procee. One is finishing her doctorate in physical therapy and the other is in her first year of premed, as tribute to what they have learned.

Sorry for the windedness, but just wanted to share what we have gotten in exchange for our little bit of effort. We will certainly miss our Alex when her years are done. God Bless to all of you just taking up this uncertain and sometimes painful path…it is worth it!

Thank you for the story Nicole. Shania and I enjoyed it very much. We would love to see Alex, so please post us some pictures when you can. Below are some pictures of Shania giving licky licks