Valley Dish Pet Pride

Being a 3-legged dog has is perks — like extra pets from strangers, naps on the couch, stuff like that. The best perk though is being interesting enough to be featured on a local tv show! Photog Chencho from Tram Mai's Valley Dish visited us at home and interview Dixie and me about her life as a tripawd. We went skateboarding and sniffing in the grass (Dixie did the sniffing). Poor Chencho had to jog to keep up with us! Should have told him to bring his running shoes…

Check out our Pet Pride here!

Phin Ready

Hopalong Dixie is updated on her shots, nails trimmed, medications refilled. She's ready to roll on the open road!

Got me a Tripawds.com tshirt!

A while back, I took a survey on Tripawds.com and was entered into a drawing for a $10 gift certificate to cafepress.com… and I won! So I just ordered a "Tripawd Power" organic t-shirt and I'm very excited to wear it. Now we need to get a bumper sticker for the Phin.

Dixie Look-a-Like-a-Kelpie

Awesome Aussies
Shirley is a cross of Australian Cattle Dog and Kelpie, another tough, tractable, medium-sized herding dog from Down Under. Since both breeds in her background are very athletic, it's not surprising that Shirley is an agility champion with many titles. Her owner is David Coggan of Belmont, Queensland, Australia.

via Page-a-Day Calendar

Bookin' it at the dog park

Tripawd Party in Mesa

We finally met some fellow tripawds this weekend! We met up with Tripawds.com's Renee, Jim and Wyatt Ray (who were making their way through Arizona to Texas) and Eleanor, Tevis and Chuy from Mesa. Coloradans Ted and Mary happened to be in Tucson for work and drove up just to meet us. So nice! We all played at the Quail Run Dog Park, a large dog park with nice shade (bonus!) in Mesa.

Dixie did really well with the other dogs and bonded with Chuy right away. Chuy is missing the same leg as Dixie.


Wyatt is definitely a crazy Shepard puppy but he was very sweet and so handsome! Wyatt is missing one of his back legs.


We all shared our tripawds' stories: car accident, cancer, abuse. It was wonderful to talk to others who can relate to our experiences. Adam and I told Dixie's story on camera for Renee. Hope I wasn't too negative — "I thought Dixie was going to die!" — and gave some good advice — "Don't blame yourself and go to Tripawds.com for support!"

Dixie and I ran into a tripawd in our neighborhood on Friday. I told him about Tripawds.com and our meet up. His dog gets carsick so they couldn't make it out to the party in Mesa. I hope he joins the site because we'd love to have a North Phoenix tripawd party!

Stretched Out

photo by Mattyj

Wedding Weekend Dog

photo by Mattyj

Sun Bathing Dixie

She looks mad, but she's just squinting in the sun.

My Review of Guyot Designs Squishy Pet Bowl - 48 oz.

Originally submitted at REI

The ingenious Guyot Designs Squishy pet bowl mashes down into a thin, flexible layer in your pack and pops back into shape when you pull it out to offer your 4-legged friend a drink or meal.

Guyot Designs Squishy Pet Bowl - 48 oz.

Almost Perfect

By emmysue from Phoenix, AZ on 3/10/2010

4out of 5

Gift: No

Pros: Easy To Drink From, Attractive Design, Good Height, Easy to Clean, Stay Put, Tough, Good Depth

Best Uses: Active Dogs, Indoors, Outdoors

Describe Yourself: Long-time Pet Owner

My dog seems to favor this bowl over any fabric/drawstring bowl we've tried in the past. I like that it keeps it's shape no matter smashing it into a bag for a hike. The only thing I wish it had is a place to hook a carabiner on to hang in between water breaks. PS – Love the color (orange)!

(legalese)

My Review of Ruff Wear Grip Trex Boots

Originally submitted at REI

All-terrain, all-season and all fun, these Vibram®-soled boots let your best friend keep up no matter the adventure underway!

Ruff Wear Grip Trex Boots

Better than expected

By emmysue from Phoenix, AZ on 3/10/2010

4out of 5

Gift: No

Sizing: Feels true to size

Pros: Good Quality, Easy to Put On

Cons: Adjust often

Best Uses: Harsh Weather, Outdoors, Travel

Describe Yourself: Single Dog Owner

I got these for my dog for the hot summers in Phoenix. The first time she wore them, she chased a duck into a pond and lost one of them (think it got stuck in the mud). Since we got her replacements, she hasn't lost a single one. They have saved her paws when going on long rocky hikes and on the hot pavement in town. People think she looks ridiculous, but we don't have to deal with ripped or burned pads ever! They do need to be adjusted often — every water break I need to tighten them. We use the liners and I can't really tell if they help the fit, but I think they do reduce rubbing on her ankles.

(legalese)

My Review of Ruff Wear Palisades Dog Pack

Originally submitted at REI

Dogs love to carry their own weight—let them do it with confidence and comfort in this full-featured dog pack from Ruff Wear.

Ruff Wear Palisades Dog Pack

Excellent Harness & Pack!

By emmysue from Phoenix, AZ on 3/8/2010

5out of 5

Gift: No

Pros: Easy To Load, Large Capacity, Highly Adjustable, Comfortable

Best Uses: Extended Hikes, Day Hikes, Special Needs, Heavy Loads, Light Loads, School, Travel

Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer

What Is Your Gear Style: Minimalist

We were recommended the Web Master Harness when our dog Dixie had amputation surgery on her front left leg. When I found the Palisades Dog Pack had detachable saddle bags on a Web Master Harness, I knew that was the product for us. Slowly but surely, we're working up weight in the saddle bags by filling the water bladders. Eventually we hope Dixie can once again carry her own water and food on a hike.

About the harness:
Dixie wears just the harness when out and about in town, or camping and hiking. The harness gives her overall support while navigating out in the world. We love the handle — it helps us get her in and out of taller cars and up and down rocks when hiking. It has withstood plenty of wear and washes in the washing machine.

About the saddle bags:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that they detach from the harness. It makes giving her a rest a lot easier than taking the whole thing off her. I like that the bags have water bladders, although I wish the valves were more like flexible Camelbak valves. I like all the adjustment options and everything seems to be withstanding normal wear and tear.

Thank you Ruff Wear for making such a wonderful product!

(legalese)

My Review of Ruff Wear Mt. Bachelor Pad Dog Bed - Medium

Originally submitted at REI

Now made with recycled materials, the Ruff Wear Mt. Bachelor Pad dog bed is the perfect place for your precious pup to call home.

Ruff Wear Mt. Bachelor Pad Dog Bed - Medium

Great Camping Bed

By emmysue from Phoenix, AZ on 3/8/2010

5out of 5

Gift: No

Pros: Comfortable For Pet, Easy To Clean, Attractive Design, Long Lasting

Best Uses: Camping, Indoors, Small Pets, Travel, Large Pets, Medium Pet

Describe Yourself: Long-time Pet Owner

Our dog Dixie is a tripawd so she needs a little extra padding when we camp. It's not a super plush bed by any means, but it gives Dixie a warm, dry spot to lay her head. We love that it rolls up relatively small and doesn't take up more room than, say, our tent in the car. We also bring it along when we go to friends' houses. It gives her a familiar place to "go lay down."

Tags: Picture of Product, Using Product

(legalese)

New friends

Beya & Dixie. Beya is an 8 month old American Bulldog puppy. Beya's crazy, but Dixie settled her down for a day-long nap while she stayed at our house for two nights.

Buy her vote!!

Dixie has entered the Humane Society of United States Spay Day 2010 Online Pet Photo Contest! She really wants to win. So click below to go to her voting page. $1 = 1 vote. All the vote proceeds for Dixie go to her chosen charity, Animal Defense League of Arizona. They will use the money to spay and neuter animals.

Dixie's goal is to raise $600 (600 votes). Vote today!

My person: Emily, Phoenix, AZ, United States
Nickname: The Dix
Favorite thing to do: camping
Most endearing bad habit: jumping up on the bed to say good morning

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Dixie has gone through so much in her life - from being homeless to fighting cancer - but she continues to love life and make those around her smile.

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My Charity: Animal Defense League of Arizona (Phoenix, Arizona, United States)

21 weeks post-amp!

I've been trying to get a good pic of Dixie so people can see how she's doing these days. She does not like getting her picture taken! But with some treats and patience, this one turned out pretty good!

Dixie – A Christmas Dog