When Breanna Sarver decided to get a puppy, she started searching online for a healthy, energetic golden retriever. Among her options, one stood out: Casey, a dog born with only three legs. Sarver felt an instant connection and knew Casey was meant to be hers.
Without hesitation, Sarver drove two hours to bring Casey home and officially welcome her into the family. From the moment they met, they were inseparable. Despite her physical difference, Casey was never bothered; she was just happy to be with her mom and best friend, living life to the fullest.
“Everyone who’s ever met her would describe her as ‘happy,’” Sarver told The Dodo. “She always had a smile on her face. Every day, she’d ride with me in the van to work, excited to meet new people, make friends, say goodbye at the end of the day, and pick out her favorite toy at Petco. She was incredibly sweet and loyal. For over a year, she was my constant companion—I never left the house without her.”
Moved by Casey’s joyful spirit and wanting to help other dogs like her, Sarver and her partner decided to adopt Harper, a shepherd-mix. Things were going great between Harper and Casey after they moved in together, but just a month later, tragedy struck.
Not long after welcoming Harper, tragedy struck when Casey sadly passed away in an accident. Sarver was left devastated and unsure of how to cope, while her parents were equally shocked. Two days after Casey’s death, Sarver called the woman from whom she had adopted Casey to share the heartbreaking news. During the conversation, she learned that Casey’s brother, who was also born with three legs, was still looking for a home. Despite her grief, Sarver wasn’t completely closed off to the idea.
“I never thought I’d be able to open my heart to another dog so soon after losing Casey,” Sarver said. “But sometimes, fate has a way of working in unexpected ways.”
Just four days after Casey’s passing, Sarver brought Chance, Casey’s brother, into her family.
“It was one of the best decisions I could have ever made,” Sarver said. “Even in my grief, he comforted me in ways I never could have imagined.”
As Chance grew older, Sarver was struck by how much he reminded her of Casey. They shared similar personalities, physical traits, smiles, and even little quirks. It felt as though Casey had never truly left, as if her presence continued to live on through Chance.
“Sometimes I forget they’re not the same dog,” Sarver said. “It’s hard to explain, but I truly believe her spirit is still with us through Chance.”
After helping Sarver heal from the loss of Casey, Chance and the other three-legged dogs welcomed a new member to their pack—a blind puppy named Oakley. With Oakley’s adoption, the couple affectionately began referring to their dogs as the “tripawd squad.”
People often wonder how they manage to care for so many dogs with disabilities, but for Sarver and her partner, it feels completely natural. To them, it’s simply their family.
Contrary to what some may think, Sarver says that three-legged dogs don’t struggle nearly as much as people assume. “They’re great at jumping, running, swimming, and playing. The only difference is they tire out a little faster than dogs with four legs. They actually use hopping to move larger distances, which takes more energy than walking. We always want to take them on adventures, but we have to be mindful not to overwork them.”
To avoid putting unnecessary stress on the animals’ joints, the spouse carefully monitors their weight. They also stay healthy and active, taking joint supplements regularly to help prevent future joint issues.
The three dogs genuinely care for one another and seem to understand they’re all in this together. They look out for each other in ways that never cease to amaze their parents, especially when one is feeling unwell—the other two are quick to rush to their side.
“Chance knew Oakley was blind before we even realized it,” Sarver said. “When we brought Oakley home, Harper’s obsession with sticks meant that Oakley never had a chance to get any. But Oakley would wait patiently and, as Harper walked by, he’d make sure to grab the stick and hold it up for him to chew on. It was like he knew exactly what to do.”
When Sarver and her partner first met Casey, they hadn’t intended to adopt three-legged dogs. However, after experiencing the love and joy these remarkable animals bring, their perspective has changed. They are thrilled to honor Casey by welcoming a new puppy named Willow as the fourth member of their growing family.
Sarver believes these tripods are truly special because they never feel sorry for their limitations or differences; instead, they are always grateful to be alive.
