Three-Legged Dog, Petunia, Changes Her Adopters’ Lives for the Better

Cameron “Cam” G. wanted to adopt a dog ever since she moved out of her family home and set off for college, but with limited funds and plenty already on her plate, it wasn’t the practical thing to do.

Instead, she “stalked” the ASPCA website for about three years, looking at the available dogs and hoping one day she could make her dream of adopting a reality.

That day finally came in December 2025.

“When I first saw Petunia, it was about two hours after she was posted to the website,” Cam remembered. “My first impression, after I finished melting, was that she looked very small. I didn’t realize she was a tripod until the staff later added a bio for her — her cute little face draws all of the attention in her photos.”

Having quickly fallen in love with the three-legged dog in the photos, Cam and her boyfriend Cade realized this might finally be the dog that would make their dreams come true.

“We needed a dog on the smaller side, as logistically our apartment would be too small for a 60+ pound dog,” explained Cam. “I had been talking about getting a dog for years, so although the criteria for my heart were wide open, I was pretty familiar with what we could realistically handle within the scope of our current life, budget, schedules, etc.”

Petunia seemed to fit the bill.

“Cade was also very pleased that she liked cheese as he is also quite the fan and he was excited to bring home a fellow cheese fanatic,” Cam laughed. “In short, it was just kismet that she was a tiny little pittie mix, with big brown eyes and a cheese affliction.”

What Cam and Cade couldn’t tell from Petunia’s photos was that just months prior, she was a shy, nervous dog in a lot of pain.

Painful Beginnings

Just days before Halloween 2025, the NYPD received a call about a one-year-old dog with a leg injury. The dog, later named Petunia, was transferred to the ASPCA Animal Recovery Center where she would receive the expert care she needed.

Upon examination, Dr. Kovach, director of veterinary services, noted that Petunia was underweight and had old fractures to her right femur and right pelvis. Due to the pain, she was unable to walk on her right hind limb at all.

“As the fractures were too old to intervene upon surgically, she had a right hind limb amputation the day after intake,” explained Dr. Kovach who also noted that Petunia was fearful and nervous upon examination.

Despite how an amputation might sound, most dogs live a very normal life with three limbs, especially when the amputation occurs at a young age, as it did in Petunia’s case. Dogs put more weight/force on their front legs rather than their hind legs, so amputating a hind limb is an easier adjustment.

Once a dog has an amputation, it may take them some time to learn how to use their new body but should not impact their life or require more care than a dog with all four limbs.

After her surgery, Petunia recovered well and eventually warmed up to our staff, showing off her sweet side.

Just weeks later, Petunia became available for adoption and was posted on our website where Cam and Cade spotted her. 

Finding Her People

After researching more on tripods, Cam and Cade felt confident that they were the right home for Petunia.

“We live on the second floor of our building, very close to a nice park with dog runs and slower streets, and we are both very active individuals, so we knew that we could accommodate her energy and endurance levels no matter which end of the spectrum she fell on,” said Cam.

With that, the pair signed some adoption papers and headed home from the ASPCA Adoption Center with their new dog.

In her new home, Petunia settled in quickly, gaining confidence slowly at first and then all at once.

“Cade was traveling for a couple of weeks, so we had some girl time to bond, during which we slept on the couch every night and learned quite a few tricks,” Cam told us. “Potty training was relatively quick, with really no accidents at all after a couple of weeks. I attribute most of them in the beginning to the new environment, starkly cold weather and a fear of the outdoors that has since been shaken.”

As Petunia has gotten more comfortable in her surroundings, she has shed her timid shell and has stepped into, as Cam puts it, “the ‘crazification’ of the very mild-mannered dog we came home with.”

Petunia showing off her silly, sometimes mischievous side, actually brings Cam and Cade comfort knowing she feels safe with the both of them in her new home.

“She was quite scared of outside when we took her home,” recalled Cam. “Now she walks the same route that she cowered down that first day, exuberantly, seeking pets and friendship wherever possible, provided she is not preoccupied with a good sniff or stick.”

The couple adore taking Petunia for walks and watching her get excited by little kids, other animals and all the interesting sounds and scents the city has to offer. For longer walks, they pack a shoulder bag that they can carry her in when she gets tired, which Petunia loves. In fact, Cam refers to Petunia as a “made-of-Jell-O-dog” as she loves being picked up and held, melting into her carrier.

Through their walks, Petunia has helped her pet parents connect more with their community as people often recognize the three-legged pup hopping their way. She’ll also often stop at a bench, hop up and claim her seat to stare at passersby.

“I think she thinks they’re like outside couches,” laughed Cam.

After their time outside, Cam, Cade and Petunia like to snuggle up on the couch, refueling with cheese and veggies.

“Petunia loves anything with a nice crunch to it, and we agree,” said Cam.

All in all, Cam, Cade and Petunia love their new lives together and are grateful they’ve all found each other.

“Petunia has changed our lives in a million ways for the better!” Cam told us. “Our days have a few more responsibilities in them, but they are filled with more silly moments and laughter than ever before.”

“It feels amazing to be able to give Petunia a safe, loving home,” she added. “There are so many dogs in need of homes and love that it would be hard to feel anything other than glad to contribute — they deserve the world and we hope to give it to her!”