I witnessed a Thanksgiving miracle. My dog, Baxter, took tentative, wobbly, awkward steps with his paralyzed back legs.
Last Tuesday, I glimpsed some movement. On Wednesday, my partner Brian saw the same thing. On Thanksgiving morning, he managed to right himself and began taking some steps.
This is definitely something for which we are thankful.
We adopted Baxter, a 3-year-old Shih Tzu, a month ago from the local SPCA. His background is a mystery. Since he has little musculature on his back end, doctors assumed that he had had a spinal injury some time ago and that the damage was irreversible. He was originally scheduled to be euthanized. But after someone built him a makeshift wheeled cart, he was given a new lease on life. He was taken off death row and placed for adoption. Many people expressed interest but left abruptly when told he was paralyzed.
Brian and I started receiving messages from concerned friends soon after this. They told us we were the only ones who could save this dog. We already have a house full of misfit animals, what's one more? We went to see him at the shelter. He was terrified, shaking pathetically in the back of the cage. We could not leave him there. After paying a small adoption fee, we walked out with him. No questions asked, no background check. They were glad to get rid of him.
The first week was difficult for him. He was sullen. But as soon as he got in that cart, his tail (which, by the way, works just fine) wagged and wagged. He became confident and social. He started looking us in the eye. After a few weeks, he decided a house of gay guys and crazy animals was not so bad after all.
I do not know if he will ever walk normally. We will bring him to a specialist next week and see if there are any exercises that will strengthen his legs. But his story is inspirational. He was written off so many times. He persevered. We cannot help but love him.
All my dogs are inspirational. The oldest, Festus, had his front, right leg amputated as a puppy. He had gotten trapped under something when he was alone on the streets. Luckily, he was found and brought to an animal refuge. I saw him on a website, http://www.petswithdisabilities.org and knew he was my dog. Today, six years later, Festus is a therapy dog. He meets fellow amputees at one hospital, wonderful kids at another. I am told routinely that he is an inspiration.
Cyrus was born without front legs. He was dumped at an animal shelter with no explanation, perhaps a product of a backyard breeder. We had a custom-made cart built for him and he is training to be a therapy dog as well.
Trixie has four legs. When we adopted her, one of those legs was shriveled and useless. After an operation, the leg was made functional. Now she follows me everywhere.
We have a cat, Polo. He has 23 toes. But that's a different story.
So, what's the message here? If you are thinking of adopting an animal this holiday season, consider the following:
I choose to believe that we were not Baxter's only hope. He is so resilient. He would have survived any circumstance. I believe that he was meant to be part of our family. Friends say that all he needed was a little love, like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. But, really, we are the ones who receive all the love. And for this, I am very thankful.
Follow Domenick Scudera on Twitter: www.twitter.com/domscud
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i truly think senior adoptions and special needs animals are incredibly loving and grateful for all kindness shown. my "biggy" was feral for his first 7 years, he is 13 now and it was a dedication of a solid 2 years to tame him have him really be a family member and find love and peace of heart. of course its wasnt all milk and cookies after 2 years but i wouldnt trade those times for anything. he is an incredibly wise fella and my heart is full when i am with him.
my fb page is pretty much dedicated to helping find shelter pets homes, public awareness, petitions and letters to get convictions, new laws and seeing that justice is done in the court room.
the funny thing is, you think your rescuing them, and you find out, they rescued you. thank you for what your doing and this article.
we need more people like that in this world.
Domenick(do you read these?). Um...I want to live with you and Brian and your miracle furries. I mean it! After my last girl (cat) left this plane (yes she was a very emotionally damaged rescue); I decided the heartbreak was too much. My "girls" (hmm. I may be a cat lesbian..all girls :-)..2 lived to 20, and two sadly succumbed at 16 and 15. "But" like you, I clicked rescue and OMG...the most beautiful feline ever ever. Found on the street..left injured in a shelter for 3+ days in intense pain; she WAS saved by Spunky's (small private rescue in Malibu). I went there, thinking of another little cat but this girl, who'd lost one beautiful blue eye in one incident(no one knows)..and also her long tail was so mangled and infected, it had to be amputated...she walked up to me when I entered the arena of felines..proud, prancing, wagging that little nubbin..not ONE shred of self pity. She carries with her zero baggage. She is HAPPY! I KNOW she should be a therapy girl for any age..those who've lost eyes or limbs...I want HER attitude (I know I brought her home hoping she would rub off on my as I get stuck on my pity pot). ^--^
Thanks again!
http://www.utahpets.org/nmhcms/
Thank you.
What a great story....Thank you.
"Saved animals" rock!