Without Regret: A Handbook for Owners of Canine Amputees [Paperback]

Susan Neal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2002

This book is a useful and informative guide for anyone who owns, interacts, lives with, loves, or is curious about canine amputees. It is also a moving tribute to these canine survivors and those who love them. This unique and practical book contains many photographs that demonstrate the strength and heart of both canine amputees and their owners.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Susan Neal has been involved in nearly all aspects of animal care for more than twenty-five years, including breeding, training, showing, grooming, teaching, rescue, veterinary care, volunteering, and business management.

She currently owns the VIP Pet Care Center in Francestown, N.H. The owner of a canine amputee, she seeks to tell the story of her experience--and the experiences of others--with these special animals.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

So, what can you do with a three-legged dog?

We must remember that dogs are not humans. Though they may exist on the same planet that we do, dogs live in a vastly different world. They are not affected by the emotional baggage that we carry. A dog's quality of life, his ability to function as Nature intended, and his desire to perform the work and activities that he loves and for which he may be born and bred, will be almost completely unaffected by his amputation.

Perhaps the greatest thing that dog owners can do is allow our dogs to continue performing those chores and activities that they so love, as long as they are able. ...

Operating on three legs is seldom a deterrent to a working farm dog. The sheep, geese, cattle, and horses are just as respectful of a three-legged dog as they are of a four-legged one. In fact, the animals being herded are probaly not even aware of any difference in the dog at all. The eyes and body posture of the dog are what encourage the herd to move, not how many paws he or she is using. ...

Never underestimate the capabilities of a disabled dog. ...Some amputees have even become movie stars. The movies Thunderheart (Tri-Star Productions) and The Whole Shebang (Whole Shebang Productions) featured canine amputee actors, proving that amputees are just as smart and trainable as any dog.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Doral Publishing (July 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0944875858
• ISBN-13: 978-0944875858
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #589,470 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very difficult decision, August 5, 2005

By 

CWF (chenango forks, ny United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Without Regret: A Handbook for Owners of Canine Amputees (Paperback)

How many people would look for a book like this? Yet for those of us faced with a very difficult decision, it is a godsend. My dog Kerby was diagnosed with bone cancer in his right front leg, and because he was not a candidate for palliative radiation, we were faced with two choices: euthanasia or amputation. He was in horrible pain, but he was not ready to die; we had to do something. This book convinced me that amputation was not a hideous choice. Kerby is a big shepherd mix, 12 years old, and I had many doubts; but 2 days after surgery he was ready to jump up into the car (no, we didn't allow it), and a week later jumped up on the couch. Yes, his days of 2 mile walks are over, but he has done so well, and our time together is something so important and special that I find it hard to describe. I urge owners of dogs facing amputation to read this book to gain confidence in your decision. Susan Neal has done a fine job describing what to expect and actions to take.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It may not be a literary masterpiece, but it's definitely useful, February 17, 2008

By 

Wii Dad - See all my reviews

This review is from: Without Regret: A Handbook for Owners of Canine Amputees (Paperback)

I suppose some of the literary criticisms I've read in "professional" reviews elsewhere on the web may be valid (hence four stars, instead of five), but I'm inclined to cut the author plenty of slack. After all, there is very little competition among titles in the "canine amputee" section of the book store!

This is obviously a labor of love, intended to help others learn the lessons learned by the author, with fewer hard knocks. I read it cover-to-cover just before our dog's operation, and picked up a number of tips that made things easier for us and our dog. For that I am grateful. It's definitely worth your time and money if you have (or might have) a canine amputee.

If you're reading this, you might be interested to know that our 13-year-old English Shepherd is doing well after losing one of her front legs to bone cancer less than a month ago. The most surprising aspect was her apparent lack of pain. She actually slept on the side of the amputation right away. Apparently, there are few nerve endings there.

As an old dog, she doesn't run around as if all was normal, as some young dogs might. Walking is slow and tiring for her. The best things we did were to buy carpet runners for the kitchen (slippery floors are very difficult for her), and a RuffWear "Webmaster" harness, with two belts under the belly. We use that to help her walk when she's tired, and to get into and out of the car, etc.

We continue to see steady improvement. Most importantly, she wags her tail.

Best wishes to you and your dog.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great help, February 10, 2008

By 

Katie Buckingham (Troy, IL) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Without Regret: A Handbook for Owners of Canine Amputees (Paperback)

This book was very helpful when I found out that my dog had cancer. My vet recommended that we amputate a limb. This book was a great help in understanding everything I could expect from the surgery. It also had wonderful referrals for vet schools and I found a trial of free chemo from it. This book is a must for anyone considering amputating a dog's limb.