From the very beginning, Ruhn’s life was defined not by what he lacked but by what he gave.
Born with only three legs, this bright-eyed pup learned to move through the world with a rhythm all his own.
When his family first brought him home, they quickly realized that his missing leg wasn’t a weakness — it was just a small part of an unstoppable spirit.
A Three-Legged Spirit Who Never Slowed Down
Ruhn ran across the yard like a burst of sunlight, faster than most dogs with four strong legs.
He chased toys with wild joy and dug holes in the garden as if he were on a mission to reach the center of the earth.
Strangers would sometimes pause and ask why he walked with a tiny sway, unaware that he was missing a limb until his mom gently explained. Every time, their surprise was the same — because Ruhn didn’t seem “disabled” at all. He was just a happy, determined dog living life at full speed.
Brittany Ketcham, Ruhn’s mom, often says that her boy doesn’t let anything stop him. To her, Ruhn isn’t just a survivor — he’s a teacher.
A reminder that joy doesn’t depend on perfection, and that every soul deserves to run, even if it’s on three paws instead of four.
When Ruhn Met a Puppy Just Like Him
Over the past year, Ruhn’s family has opened their home to countless foster dogs — eleven, to be exact.
Each one arrived with its own fears and stories, and Ruhn greeted them all with kindness.
He showed them how to play, how to trust, and how to feel at home again. But one day, something extraordinary happened.
A rescue organization called Mae’s Mutts reached out to Ruhn’s family looking for a foster home for a litter of puppies.
Among them was one special little pup named Tricycle — a young dog born with three legs. The moment Brittany saw his photo, she knew exactly what to do.
Though her home was already full with twelve permanent dogs, she couldn’t ignore that spark of connection.
“I’ll take him,” she told the rescue. She knew Ruhn had never met another dog like himself — and deep down, she believed the meeting would mean something.
@pawfectpastures Ruhn said “momma! He looks like me! I’ll teach him don’t worry!” 🥹🥹 Tricyle is up for adoption through Mae’s Mutts and looking for his furever home! #pawfectpastures #fosterdog #tricyclethetripod #tripod #tripoddog #tripodsoftiktok #adoptme #adoptabledog #dogtok ♬ were going to be friends – speedylyric
When Tricycle arrived, he was shy and unsure, moving awkwardly on his three legs. But the second Ruhn saw him, his tail wagged like a flag in the wind.
It was as if he recognized himself in that small, hesitant pup. Ruhn didn’t hesitate — he trotted forward, bumping noses with Tricycle, then bounded away in play.
For the first time, both dogs seemed to realize that they weren’t alone in their difference.
Teaching Each Other How to Shine
From that day on, Ruhn became Tricycle’s patient mentor.
Every morning, he showed him how to hop across the grass, how to balance, how to dig without falling, and how to run even when it felt impossible.
When Tricycle lagged behind, Ruhn circled back, nudging him forward as if to say, “You can do this.”
At first, Tricycle struggled to find his rhythm. His steps were uneven, and sometimes he grew frustrated when he stumbled.
But Ruhn never gave up on him. Together, they practiced — side by side, one experienced teacher and one eager student.
Slowly, Tricycle’s movements became smoother. His confidence bloomed. He began running, leaping, and chasing his friend through the yard, leaving trails of flying dirt and laughter behind them.
Their bond became something truly special — not just between two dogs, but between two survivors who saw strength in each other’s scars.
Ruhn showed Tricycle that missing a leg doesn’t mean missing out on life. In turn, Tricycle reminded Ruhn of just how far he had come since his own uncertain beginning.
Today, Tricycle is thriving in his foster home. He’s learning that he’s capable, strong, and loved — lessons taught not by humans alone, but by a fellow tripod who once had to learn the same.
Ruhn, now a proud foster brother, continues to guide every new dog that comes through the door. Yet none have mirrored his story quite like Tricycle.
For Brittany, watching the two of them together is nothing short of magic.
Their friendship is living proof that empathy doesn’t need words — just hearts that understand. “Seeing Ruhn teach Tricycle how to live without fear was beautiful,” she said. “He didn’t do it because he felt sorry for him. He did it because he knew exactly what it was like.”
Every hop, every wag, every joyful sprint they share is a celebration of resilience — a reminder that strength isn’t found in what we have, but in how we choose to move forward with what we’re given. And for Ruhn and Tricycle, that means running toward life with three legs, but endless courage.