Ruhn has only three legs, but you’d never know it from the way he zips around the yard. Adopted as a puppy, the energetic tripod has always lived life to the fullest — running, digging and outpacing many of his four-legged siblings.
“You would never know he was missing a leg,” his mom, Brittany Ketcham, told The Dodo. “He doesn’t miss a beat! People often think he’s just limping, and when I explain he’s a tripod, they’re shocked.”
In the year since joining the family, Ruhn has helped foster 11 dogs, enthusiastically stepping into the role of big brother. But one foster in particular turned out to be extra special.
Through Mae’s Mutts Rescue, Ketcham learned about a litter of puppies in need of foster homes. At first, she hesitated — with 12 permanent dogs, her house was already full.
But when she saw that one of the pups was also a tripod, she knew it was meant to be.
That puppy was Tricycle.
The moment Ruhn met Tricycle, something clicked. For the first time, Ruhn saw another dog moving through the world the same way he did — and he couldn’t have been more excited.
“Ruhn immediately started playing with him and trying to get him to run around,” Ketcham said. “It was like he recognized that Tricycle was just like him.”
At first, Tricycle struggled to find his rhythm. But with Ruhn by his side, he quickly grew more confident.
“Tricycle was having trouble with his walk and hop at first,” Ketcham explained. “Ruhn seemed to show him the way. He would run to me, then circle back if Tricycle wasn’t keeping up. Now they run, play and even dig together — using one front paw!”
For Ruhn, every foster dog is a friend. But meeting Tricycle was different. It was like finding a mirror — a reminder that being “different” doesn’t mean being less.
“Ruhn loves all dogs,” Ketcham said, “but there’s just something special about him connecting with another tripod.”
