Yasko The Three-Legged Crime Fighter

Yasko the German Shepherd had the distinction of being only three-legged member of the Paso Robles, California police force. Although he was diagnosed with bone cancer last fall and had his left hind leg amputated, Yasko gamely returned to work on the canine unit within a month.

His human partner, Sgt. Tod Rehner, told the San Luis Obispo Tribune "He loves working. He doesn't know any different. To him, everything is the same as it always was."

Yasko was known for his stellar tracking abilities and regarded as a tireless detective. He knew approximately 20 police commands (all in German) and once tracked an armed suspect for 45 minutes until he successfully sniffed out his hiding place.

After his amputation, Yasko worked with Sgt. Rehner on narcotics detection. At the end of his shifts as a three-legged crime fighter, Yasko got to relax as a family dog at Rehner's home and play fetch with the kids.

Sadly, Yasko lost his brave battle with cancer in May, just two weeks before his eighth birthday and he is deeply missed by his colleagues on the Paso Robles police force. According to Sgt. Rehner, "Yasko was a great dog and a better partner."

Although this tripod's life was claimed by cancer, his legacy as a three-legged hero will endure. Yasko was living proof that pooches can and do adapt after loosing a limb, and can even carry on as professional working dogs.

Blind Frisky - A Hurricane Katrina Hero

Back in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, George Mitchell nearly lost his life to the storm. The octogenarian was stuck in his house, treading water for hours. Exhausted, George felt himself "about to let go" when he was encouraged and revived by his ever-loyal companion Frisky, a blind 19 year old schnauzer poodle mix. To see a CBS interview with George (and his canine hero!), click here.

Tripod Is A Lifesaver

"God sent a little hero," said Mary Smith of Batesville, Arkansas after she and her wheelchair-bound husband survived a devastating house fire. That little hero is Tripod, their rescued Rat Terrier who has four legs, but can only walk on three. It was Tripod who leapt into action last year when the fire broke out in the elderly couple' bedroom. By the time she was able to wake Mary and John, flames were already surrounding their bed. Overwhelmed and disoriented, they were immobilized with fear. Tripod, however, refused to let her guardians perish. The five year old pooch pulled at Mary's nightgown and remained present until she and John were safely out of the house. In recognition of her bravery, the Humane Society of The United States nominated Tripod for a Dogs of Valor Award. She has received accolades from newspapers across Arkansas and beyond. But her biggest fans are Mary and John. "I can just say that she's my angel," her grateful guardian told a TV station. Three cheers for Tripod!

Love On Three Legs

Every weekday, Comet - a handsome yellow lab golden retriever mix - attends 8th grade. This friendly pooch is not in school to learn American History, however. As a service dog, he's there to help his human - 14 year old Veren Betzen. Since Veren has cerebral palsy, Comet provides indispensable companionship and assistance. Comet is a lot like service dogs everywhere except for one remarkable distinction: he is disabled himself.

Comet became a tripod last fall. After he began limping badly, a battery of tests at Colorado State University Veterinary Hospital ruled out cancer, but his right left leg still had to be amputated. Although Comet's family was concerned that he would no longer be able to function as a service dog, he adapted to life on three legs very quickly.

This wasn't surprising to the veterinarian who treated him. "We joke sometimes that dogs are born with three legs and a spare" Dr. Clara Goh told the Denver Post. "Right after surgery, they hop up with minimal help and hardly seem to notice."

These days, Comet is glad to be back in the classroom with Veren. He is well known and loved at Russell Middle School in Colorado Springs, and he helps the other students connect with Veren.
Click here for a wonderful audio slideshow that's presented in Veren's own words, but be warned - your eyes might not be dry by the time it's finished!

Tripod To The Rescue!

An unlikely hero recently saved a Texas family from a group of armed robbers. Calamity Jane, a three-legged Golden Retriever, had already survived being shot herself. Perhaps that's why she sensed that something was wrong at her neighbors' house one night in late January. As the Koleman family was being held at gunpoint, Calamity Jane began barking urgently in the yard next door. The startled intruders fled - with the brave tripod at their heels.

The Kolemans credit Calamity Jane with saving their lives. "Things could have turned out a lot different had it not been for her," Steven Koleman told a local TV station.

Incredibly, this tripod hero had been hurt and abandoned just weeks before. Calamity Jane was discovered by the side of the road with a bullet wound. Her left front leg had to be amputated in order to save her life, and during the emergency surgery it was discovered that the poor pooch was also pregnant.

Calamity Jane was transferred to the care of Golden Retriever Rescue of North Texas where she adjusted to life on three legs and gave birth to seven healthy pups: Cat Ballou, Belle Starr, Rose Morgan, Pearl Hart, Butch Cassidy, Wild Bill, and Jesse James. The puppies were just a few weeks old when their brave mama leapt into action to help the Koleman family. What a gal!

Disabled Dog Saves The Day!

Meet Milo. This jaunty 7 year old pup lives in Southwest England, where he enjoys seaside walks with his mom Lynda. Sadly, Milo's life hasn't always been so idyllic. He was abused by a previous owner, leaving him with injured legs and brain damage. Still, Milo's limitations didn't stop him from saving another dog's life last year. The little terrier raced into the ocean and pulled a drowning pooch out of the water. Because of his bravery, Milo beat 500 other contestants to win the 2008 PetZfactor competition. One of the judges said, "Having rescued another animal from drowning, despite having damaged legs himself, he's a true star." We couldn't agree more - hats off to Milo for proving that disabled dogs can still be heroes!