03/03/2025
Today is International Tri-Paw'd Awareness Day!!
Our dog, Beigni (pronounced “Benny”), has a story that defies the normal path of adoption to become a fun and very loving part of our family. Her story seems perfect to tell on International
Tri-Paw’d Awareness Day!
As many of you may know, Emily worked in veterinary clinics for over two decades following Aaron’s duty stations across the country before opening her dream store- Cameron Pet Supply. Her last role was as the Hospital Manager of a 24-hour small animal hospital in New Orleans. She has many funny and interesting stories from her time in the Big Easy, but none with a better outcome than Beigni’s story.
On the 5th of May 2022- a small, fluffy dog was brought into the New Orleans animal emergency room after getting into a fight with two larger dogs while attempting to protect her puppies. The small momma dog was standing in her kennel in very poor condition because her severe injuries were several days old. The emergency room staff were amazed that the little dog was even alive seeing that one of her front legs was broken, nearly ripped off, and necrotic. As the staff was discussing with Emily on next steps, Emily looked over to the kennel and saw the little dog with big brown eyes and a strong will to live standing on three healthy legs looking back at her. That moment bonded Emily with the little dog and the decision was clear to attempt a very risky surgery to save the little dog’s life.
The surgery required removing the maimed leg, reattaching muscle and skin to close the wound, while managing multiple infections and smaller wounds. After a multi-hour and multi-step surgical procedure the little dog was on the road to recovery but would require many hours of medical care and love to nurse her back to health. The animal clinic staff all rallied around this little dog and cheered her along her path to recovery, checking her progress every hour of the day!
Two weeks after the surgery, the smaller wounds and infections were clear. She still had stitches and internal pain around the shoulder that lost its leg. Even still, the little dog was always up in her kennel and smiling at every staff member that had cared for her. She was healed enough to begin going on short walks around the clinic yard. Soon, it was time to leave the clinic, and Emily was ready to take her to her new home. But... she didn’t have a name.
Aaron and Emily had already talked about her coming home (initially as a foster 😊) and had settled on a fun name. Since they were stationed in New Orleans, they had come to love beignets with coffee. Beignets are a local favorite baked doughnut-like triangle with powdered sugar sprinkled over it. The little dog’s new name was Beigni because of her light brownish-red hair coat, sweet personality, and New Orleans-style love for life (all very similar to beignets).
After Beigni went home with Emily, the family was touched by her loving personality after such a traumatic event and were excited that Beigni found a forever home (after Emily convinced Aaron to keep another dog!). At home, Beigni has unbounded love of life. She is as FAST as ever and can hop on her two back legs to “dance” for a treat. If she knows that she is going with Emily to the store, she will jump three times her height to the doorknob. Beigni loves to be picked up, hugged, and wraps her one front leg around your neck to hug back. It truly is a joyful ending to such a difficult start for our little three-legged Beigni!
We'd love to see pictures hear about your Tri-Paw'd stories in support of this awareness day! ~Emily
