Ruhn, a spirited three-legged dog, has never let his disability slow him down. From the moment he was adopted, he’s been a powerhouse of energy, zipping around with his furry siblings and proving that a missing leg is no match for his enthusiasm.
“You would never know he was missing a leg,” said Brittany Ketcham, Ruhn’s mom. “He doesn’t miss a beat! He’s faster than some of the dogs, and he loves to dig. A lot of people always ask why he’s limping when we’re out, then I have to explain he’s missing a leg, and they say, ‘Oh my God, I didn’t even notice!’” Ruhn’s joyful attitude and boundless energy have made him a star in his own right, showing that a disability doesn’t define him.
Since his adoption a year ago, Ruhn has helped foster 11 dogs, taking his role as a big brother seriously. He loves showing other pups the ropes, but there was one moment he never expected: meeting another tripod dog.
Ruhn had never encountered another dog with three legs, and the moment he met Tricycle, it was like they instantly recognized something special about each other.
“Ruhn loves other dogs, and I think he was so excited to see a dog walking/hopping like him,” Ketcham explained. “He immediately started playing with him and trying to get him to run around.” The two bonded quickly, and Ruhn became an incredible guide for Tricycle, showing him how to navigate the world on three legs.
When Tricycle first arrived in his foster home, he was having some difficulty adjusting. But with Ruhn’s patient guidance, he started to thrive. “Tricycle was having trouble with his walk/hop when I first got him home, and it seems Ruhn has shown him the way,” Ketcham said. “It was cute because he would hop to me then look back and circle back to Tricycle if he wasn’t moving fast enough. They love playing and running together. Ruhn has shown him how to dig with one front leg.”
The bond between Ruhn and Tricycle is heartwarming. While Ruhn loves being a foster brother to all dogs, there’s something especially meaningful about meeting a pup who is just like him. The two have proven that even with unique challenges, love, support, and friendship can make all the difference.
Ruhn continues to shine as a beacon of strength and positivity, showing Tricycle—and everyone around him—that being different is something to celebrate.
