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I recently heard the most beautiful tribute songs about special needs dogs. These songs, about an incredible parapawlegic German Shepherd, were written and performed by an even more incredible dog lover.

Deborah Kazsimer has produced a video (featuring this music) designed to help owners better deal with the care and treatment of handicapped pets.

Titled, Caring for a Handicapped Pet: A Holistic Approach, the video includes a wide range of treatments including special nutrition diets, acupuncture, magnetic therapy, and infrared light. These holistic pet treatments were inspired by Kazsimer’s paralyzed German Shepherd dog Sheba.

Sheba suffered from the incurable spinal cord disease Degenerative Myelopathy (DM). The dog’s condition inspired Kazsimer to seek alternative medical solutions to her beloved pet’s distress. And the dog’s spirit inspired her to pen “Sheba You’re my Best Friend” and “Dear Mommy”.

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Nine years ago, when Mom and Dad took me to my first vet visit, Mom saw pet insurance brochures on the counter. She remembers thinking to herself; “Insurance, for dogs? You’ve gotta be kidding.” Being new to dog parenting, she didn’t give it a thought after that, for a while.

During the first several years of my life, my vet bills were never more than a couple hundred bucks a year. But then I got cancer.

And as they say, houndsight is 20/20. Mom now thinks differently about insurance. She feels that if health insurance is so important for her, and my Dad, why not for me? I’m a family member too!

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Many thanks to Barley’s people for sharing his story with us …

Born in the woods of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Barley moved to California’s Mendocino County when he was 6 months old.

He enjoyed 11 years of hiking, swimming, over 6 cross-country road trips, and more kisses from his people than you’d think possible.

In the fall of 2007, his front leg gave out and he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Just before Thanksgiving, his leg was amputated.

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A fellow dog lover just let us know about this special pup at the Lost and Found Dog Rescue in Wilmington, Delaware who is still in need of a foster home. Please visit the L&F website for complete information about adopting Barnaby.

Barnaby is a Lab/Hound mix about one and a half years old. A special friend has paid his vet bills, so there will be no adoption donation required for Barnaby! Plus the shelter will provide a one year supply of the the joint pain medication he needs to manage his pain from losing his leg.

He is a very loving boy and gets along well with most dogs, but not cats. He is young and strong but the weight of his body makes his remaining front leg bend in a painful way.

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Mad Dr. Matt just mentioned me on KHSU and my people got all excited because I was in the paper and on the radio in one day!

Yup, this pup was featured in today’s San Francisco Chronicle story about happy three legged dogs! A while back, my people were interviewed for this piece about a couple Greyhound rescue dogs – Kit Kat and Ozzy – who are loving life on three legs. We ended up getting a great write-up about the health tips, resources and discussion forums we have here on this site for human companions coping with canine cancer and amputation for their furry friends.

The article quoted doctors from UC Davis where I had my surgery over 18 months ago, and even mentioned how people can help three-legged dogs get around with the Ruff Wear harness my people use with me.

The writer sent us the link to the online story this morning. Then we heard from our friend Chris who said he’d send us a copy of the print edition. And just now when my people called in a request to Alternative Therapy, the mad doctor himself remembered us and I heard him mention “Jerry the three legged dog…” So overall, it’s been a great day for canine cancer awareness. But then, every day as a three-legged cancer survivor is a great day.

In June, my pawrents and I arrived at our summer destination: a real dude ranch, in the beautiful mountains of Western Colorado.

We’re in a place called Lake City, and the name says it all! I get to swim in the lakes and rivers here, play in the forest, and best of all, bark and guard our RV from the many deer that eat grass in front of me all day long.

I’m pretty healthy, and the metronomic protocol is working great. The only side effect is that my stomach can’t handle raw eggs with fish dinners anymore. But otherwise, I get around really well, and am just a little slower because of this pesky knee problem that gets aggravated by hard play. After a Tramadol with dinner, Mom and Dad give me lots of massages on my knee, with some castor oil heated by my Balla’s Pain Relief Pack, and it makes me feel soooo much better.

So if you’re on vacation and want to have some fun with me, come see me down on the ranch!

I’m so happy to hear that Only Natural Pet Store just opened their first retail store in Boulder, CO.

I’m glad because we’re spending the summer in Colorado and maybe I’ll get to visit this new super pet store that sells only natural dog and cat products. But I’m especially happy to hear this news, because society needs more stores like this. Hopefully it’s the first of many to come!

This news reminds me of how upset I get about the mass market crap pushed on unsuspecting pet owners by the leading pet store chains. One time we received a free gift from one of the major “pet marts” but I would have nothing to do with it. The list of ingredients on this “treat” reminded my people of the tainted pet food recall tragedy.

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We say it all the time; three legged dogs can get along just as well as any four legged dog. And sometimes, they can get along even better!

Serpico Wolfgang Krugel is an official member of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Narcotics Unit. And, he’s a tripawd!

He has written a book, which we know you’ll enjoy, called “The K-9 Chronicles.” Order your copy today!

My heart broke the day Lalla said goodbye. But although she is no longer earthbound, we will always communicate in our own special Tripawd way. . .

Here’s to fellow American Shepherd Tripawd, Luna! She sent us this pawtriotic Fourth of July greeting, and her photo became the 100th image in our first Tripawd Pals gallery. Preserved here in this post for perpetuity.

We’ll probably start a new Tripawd Pals gallery now. So send us your photos and maybe your three legged friend will be featured here in my canine cancer blog! Or, let us publish your photos and story in your very own custom photo book.

All loud bomb noises aside, I hope you all had a Hoppy Fourth. Just remember, every new day is cause for celebration when your living – and loving – life on three legs.