Trinity the Amputee

We at Marley's Mutts have had a lot of amputees, but none of them quite like Trinity.

Trinity was found by a homeless man after he heard cries coming from the bushes. She was only 5 weeks old, very skinny, suffering a severe amputation to her leg and near death. Fearing for her life, the man walked for miles and miles until he found a vet. From there, Trinity was stabilized and transferred to Kern County Animal Services. KCAS immediately contacted us to see if we could help save her. Without a moments contemplation, we said yes. I posted her video and within minutes I had offers from Dr. Karen at UC Davis and a slew of others volunteering to help.

The most interesting message came from a Dr. Mayuri Kerr, a medical engineering student from UCLA and accomplished dentist in her native India. Dr. Kerr believed, because Trinity's leg was severed below the knee, we could work on a prosthetic! What an idea- a fully functional canine prosthetic. As soon as we imagined the dream, Blake and Tehachapi High School Team 585 robotics was messaging us to offer their 3D printer and innovative minds.

This type of selfless support has become the rule with Mutt Militia members: our fans jump into with help, support, ideas and become part of the solution. It's beautiful!

As it stands now, we have done several plaster casts of Trinity's leg to get an idea of how we want to emulate her good leg with the prosthetic. Several meetings and fittings have provided several options. This Friday, we are meeting at Tehachapi High Robotics Lab to try on some working prototypes. The great thing about Trinity's damaged leg is that she still tries to put weight on the non existing leg, which will make transition to a prosthetic less unfamiliar.

Proud doesn't begin to suffice. I am awestruck at the volume and quality of help that has been offered and provided. We are going to be able to provide Trinity with a life she thought was no longer there. Someone abandoned this sweet girl, but our community responded en masse to pick her up and do whatever it takes to offer her a quality of living she thought she lost with her leg.

Well done, Mutt Militia!