Damon's touching and heartfelt tribute to his three-legged dog

We found Peggy on the freeway when she was about six months old. She’d been dumped in a bag by some disgusting human, and by the time I saw her, she’d already been hit by a car. 

We raced her off to the vet, but it didn’t look good. Her one front leg had been broken in six places. She was badly cut, and her one back leg was also broken badly. The vet said that she’d probably live, but with all her injuries, it may be better to put her down.

But I wanted to give her the chance to live.

Her front leg had to be amputated, but over the weeks as we nursed her back to health, she got stronger and learned to cope on her three legs. That was 16 years ago and since then, she’s been my faithful companion.

Although she’s never been able to run, she never missed out on a single thing in life. If I took my other dogs to the beach, I’d carry her there too. If we went to the park for a walk, she’d come too and just lie there, quite content to take in the sights and sounds.

Over the last few years, as she grew older, her health deteriorated. On Wednesday last week when I got home from work, I noticed she was battling to walk. Her back legs seemed tired and were unable to hold her weight, so I took her back to the vet. Sadly, by Saturday, she wasn’t getting any better. She could no longer stand, and it was time.

I sat with her stroking her head for the last time and fed her biltong, which was her favourite snack.

Then, just like that, she was gone.

Rest in Peace, my three-legged Princess. 

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