Book review:

Tripawd Heroes and Tributes

EVERY day in vet offices around the globe, there is a pet guardian who must decide whether or not to amputate their dog's leg in order to save its life. At that moment, under the harsh glare of the exam room lights, it may be difficult to envision their own animal bouncing back into good health on three legs.

But not any more. Tripawds.com, an internet community of three-legged pets and their humans, just released Tripawd Heroes and Tributes, a colorful, hard-cover photo book with inspirational tales of more than 20 canine cancer survivors and other tripod dogs.

These stories of tripawd heroes and tributes to beloved companions who have passed, are sure to amuse, encourage and enlighten any animal lover. Pet guardians facing the difficult decision of amputation will find the insightful stories and included tripawd tips and resources especially helpful.

These true stories were submitted by tripawds.com readers who have gone through the experience of watching their beloved animal undergo amputation, recover, and rebound to live a fulfilling, happy life.Examples include an Irish wolfhound cancer survivor in New York; an abandoned dog from Puerto Rico that had its petrified leg removed by a generous vet; and a yellow Labrador from Minnesota who continued to hunt even after losing her leg to cancer.

Dog lovers have two special editions of Tripawd Heroes and Tributes to choose from: Option 1: Jerry's First Book of Tripawds - This first edition of Tripawds features Jerry – the Tripawds.com hero – on the cover. The cost for this heirloom quality book is only $65 including tax, handling and shipping. Option 2: A custom Tripawd book featuring your dog. Pet guardians can put their beloved three-legged friend in the spotlight with his/her photo on the cover of Tripawds. By simply sending in their story and a few high resolution photos, they will receive a custom book with their pet’s story on page one. The cost for this heirloom quality book is just $75, including tax, handling and shipping.

“We had never even seen a three-legged dog in person, until our own dog was diagnosed with cancer and had to have his leg amputated” says René Agredano, co-founder of Tripawds.com. Because examples of happy dogs on three legs were non-existent on the Internet, she wasn't sure if her nine year-old shepherd would be happy as a “Tripawd.” She almost considered not agreeing to the amputation, until changing her mind at the last minute.

“No matter what my vet said, I had a hard time believing that a three-legged dog could be happy. But if my vet had a book like this in my vet's office, I would never have hesitated,” she added. Agredano, along with her husband Jim Nelson, wanted to share the wonders of tripawd dogs with the world, by creating “Tripawds.com”. Today, the print version of stories from Tripawds' heroes is available to the public.

For those guardians who can't decide whether to amputate or not, tripawds.com provides a wealth of inspiration. Jerry's dog blog is regularly updated with movies of him running on the beach, catching Frisbees, playing rough with other dogs, and even swimming. Readers can comment to share their own stories. In addition, tripawds.com also includes photos, a storefront with tripawd needs in mind, definitions of canine cancer terminology, and public discussion forum for the sharing of concerns, questions and answers about canine cancer and life on three legs.

For photos, custom book information and online ordering of Tripawd Heroes and Tributes, please visit tripawds.com, or contact us at jerry@tripawds.com, or call (707) 845-3129.