For
those who follow the progress of North Shore Animal League America's
famous Chihuahua trio, Venus, Carmen and Pablo, there's news: these
charming dogs, born without their front legs and rescued by the League
from a Virginia shelter, now have front-wheel drive, in the form of
carts that will assist their mobility.
The three have been practicing getting about and eating using their new, custom-built, aluminum carts with Velcro-held polar fleece padding for comfortable body support and lightweight foam wheels. Constructed by Eddie's Wheels of Shelburne Falls, MA, the carts, used for 10-minute periods at a time, help the dogs maneuver and eliminate some of the stress on their lower spines from walking on their hind legs and from the lack of proper posture
The Chihuahuas are each missing their front legs as he result of a birth defect believed to be the result of irresponsible over breeding also known as backyard breeding. Normal in every other way, the pups seem unaware of their disability and have accepted the challenge of their new carts much as they did the challenge to learn to balance themselves on their back legs. There's another heartwarming footnote to their story. The three now live in their "forever" home, adopted together by a North Shore Animal League America Veterinary Technician, with whom they have bonded, and under whose care they have thrived.
North Shore Animal League America, headquartered in Port Washington,
NY, is the largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization in
the world. Since 1944, The League's mission has been saving the lives
of pets through adoption, rescue, spay/neuter and advocacy initiatives.
Every year, the League reaches across the country to rescue, nurture
and adopt nearly 20,000 pets into happy and loving homes. To date, the
League has placed close to 1 million puppies, kittens, cats and dogs
into carefully screened homes. One of the first animal rescue agencies
on the ground in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the
League rescued more than 1400 pets from the region.
Jody DeVere
President
www.askpatty.com
www.carblabber.com
animal rescue
