The employees and volunteers here at ECPR try not to pick favorites. Key word, TRY! But none of us can deny that sometimes, certain pets will touch our hearts in specific ways. When that happens, sometimes we choose to foster, sometimes we choose to adopt, and sometimes we just do everything we can to help that animal find their ideal home.
Chewey, a chihuahua/dachshund mix, has been with us for nearly two years. He is a wonderful dog: sweet, energetic, eager, smart, adamant about getting attention, and more!
When Chewey first came to us, he had suffered an injury called IVDD, or Intervertebral Disc Disease.
IVDD is a condition in which a disc develops a problem and the material inside escapes into the spinal column, ultimately causing pain, nerve damage, and even paralysis. The condition is seen more often in dogs than cats.
When Chewey came to our rescue, we made sure he got the corrective surgery that he needed for his IVDD, but then, it was up to us, and Chewey, to see how far he could come in his rehabilitation.
Chewey began his recovery with the use of a wheelchair.
Click here to see a video of Chewey previously zipping around in his chair!
As soon as Chewey realized he could scoot around at warp speeds and keep up with his doggy-friends, he was as happy as a clam. We were grateful that we could provide him the tool he needed to get around like any other dog, but we also knew that his recovery was not over.
Our passionate, dedicated staff began daily physical therapy with Chewey, and slowly, he began to move his back legs and regain some mobility.
Then, in stepped one of our amazing volunteers, Linda. Linda does one of the hardest things to do in rescue: she fosters dogs in need, helps to heal their wounds whether emotional or physical, and then finds the strength to let them go when they find their forever families. She decided that she wanted to take Chewey home for a weekend just to give him a break from the rescue environment, but it didn’t take long before she declared that she and Chewey were in it for the long haul until he gets adopted. She quickly learned all that she needed to know about his disease, and how to help him with his recovery.
To our absolute amazement, Chewey has made LEAPS AND BOUNDS of progress with Linda! Chewey has regained a lot of movement and feeling in his legs, and he can now go on walks unassisted, even getting up and down curbs all by himself! Every day, Chewey grows stronger.
Click here to see a video of Chewey NOW!
IVDD can be unpredictable in just how much recovery is possible, and the severity of the injury is different with each animal. We didn’t know if Chewey would ever regain motion in his legs, so to go on a walk with this little guy and see him happily and confidently keeping up a brisk pace walking all by himself brought tears to many of our eyes. The dedication that Linda has shown Chewey, and the progress Chewey has made, reminds us of our ECPR mantra, Love Can Save Lives!
Chewey has come farther than any of us thought possible, but he is still searching for his perfect forever home. We know that his ideal family is out there waiting to find him! He has so much courage and an endless amount of love in his heart. To steal a quote from Marley and Me, “Give him your heart, and he’ll give you his.”
To learn more about courageous, loving Chewey, give us a call at (206) 557-4661.
Categories: Featured Rescue Pets
Posted: February 25, 2019