Frankie scampers through life, tail wagging and wheels rolling, says owner Barbara Techel. That’s why Frankie, a perky Dachshund, left partially paralyzed after a fall, has been named the mascot for National Disabled Pets Day.

National Disabled Pets Day

National Disabled Pets Day, May 3, is an effort to promote disabled dogs like Frankie. Organizers hope to draw attention to the disabled, special needs, and senior pets awaiting adoption. The day is also intended to encourage animal lovers to volunteer time or donate money to organizations that assist disabled dogs and other disabled animals.

“Watching Frankie persevere, I knew we had an amazing opportunity to educate others that animals with disabilities can and do live quality lives if we give them a chance,” says Techel, who has written two books about Frankie “the walk ’n’ roll dog.” Frankie even works as a therapy dog, visiting the residents in a seniors’ facility. While Frankie’s back legs don’t work, he runs and plays like any other dog, happy to be alive.

Celebrating Disabled Dogs

Frankie is far from alone, says Laura Bradshaw, executive director of Healing Hearts Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, where disabled dogs and other special-needs animals are given a permanent home or placed for adoption, when possible. “Not everybody knows that these disabled dogs can have fun, full, happy lives,” says Bradshaw. “We’re trying to get that perception changed.”

Owners of disabled dogs are often eager to share their pals’ tales. Here are just a few:

Gidget the Cocker Spaniel

Gidget’s missing front right leg didn’t stop Joanne Kaufmann and her husband from bringing the puppy home two years ago. Someone had tossed Gidget down a flight of stairs, injuring the pup’s leg so severely that it had to be amputated. “We still haven’t told her she only has three legs, and I’m not sure that she has figured it out yet,” says Kaufmann. “We do make accommodations to make her life easier. Her food bowls are raised, and she has a wheelchair she uses for walks.”

Gidget keeps up at the local dog park by playing smart. She will anticipate other dogs’ moves and “cut them off at the pass,” explains Kaufmann. The irrepressible Cocker Spaniel even digs for clams on beach vacations, despite having just one front leg.

Maurice the Maltese

When Yvonne Kleine’s dog, Maurice, was 12 years old, a degenerative neurological disorder and a failed surgery left the dog without the use of a rear leg. Maurice also lost his vision yet thrived to the ripe old age of 18, says Kleine. Maurice used a wheelchair for disabled dogs. “He would race around to the point where we called him Hot Wheels,” says Kleine. “His blindness was not a handicap as far as we could tell. We kept the furniture in the same places, and he navigated perfectly. I truly believe that having the freedom and mobility that the wheelchair afforded him contributed to his happiness and long life, despite his handicap.”

Garcia the English Sheepdog

It wasn’t a traumatic injury, but aging that slowed Maryglenn McCombs’ beloved Garcia. The 10-year-old, 125-pound English Sheepdog suffers from such severe arthritis that he could barely move several months ago, says McCombs. Garcia’s veterinarian recommended aquatic therapy. Garcia’s walks on the underwater treadmill at a canine rehabilitation center in Nashville, Tenn., have changed his quality of life, says McCombs. “His progress has been nothing short of incredible. Garcia is now able to take daily walks that sometimes last up to an hour,” she says. 

Article written by Author: Kim Boatman

“Traveling with a blind dog is not much different than traveling with a sighted dog”; “He adapted to his wheelchair immediately and uses a harness in the car”; “Road trips with a senior dog just require a little extra planning.” These are the comments echoed by the canine guardians of Little Bit, Benjamin, and Brandy Noel, respectively.

Their bodies may be injured, but their spirits are never broken. Fido’s road can get bumpy occasionally as fate deals its cards, but as potholes are meant to be filled and broken bridges repaired, Fido, too, just needs some extra TLC to keep his motor running. With a host of products available to assist in his comfort and transport (such as those collapsible wheelchairs from www.handicappedpets.com), guardians have many resources to turn to when it’s time to hit the road.

Traveling with a Blind Dog

When South Carolina resident Arlene O’Neil’s Labrador-mix pooch, Little Bit, became blind, she knew it meant adjusting but never giving up. “To accommodate Little Bit’s size and lack of sight, my vehicles always had a full bench seat. Bucket seats were too confusing, as Little Bit could not see where he was in relation to the dashboard or gearshift. He never acquired what is referred to as ‘car legs,’ so I built the car’s back floor up with blankets and pillows until it was flush with the back seat. The blankets prevented him from falling off the seat onto the floor,” she proudly beamed. “On the few occasions that Little Bit and I stayed in a hotel, I always requested a first-floor room. Upon arrival, I walked the room with Little Bit on a leash, announcing and slapping the furniture’s succession: door, couch, bed, bureau, etc. Within moments, Little Bit had the room mapped out in his mind and seldom made an error as he moved about the area. Traveling with a handicapped dog is only as complicated as you allow it to become.”

Adjustments for a Paralysed Dog

Raegan Hawk of LaVale, Maryland, knows first-hand how life can change in an instant. “Ben and I were out playing in the backyard with a ball. He screamed, fell to the ground, and could not move. He was eventually diagnosed with a ruptured disk.

Forty-eight hours later, he had permanent hind leg paralysis. Vets suggested I put him down.” Hawk soared like her namesake, swooping in and refusing to accept the grim news. Ben uses a dog wheelchair to get around, and he has quickly adapted. “I express Ben’s bladder four times a day. He’s so smart and cooperative, lying on his side for me as we use a puppy pad and diaper. We have a routine established. It was an adjustment but doable.

Ben is fantastic and has such a passion for life. As a Canine Good Citizen, he visits nursing homes and goodwill industries. I owe him the same loyalty. Ben loves his wheelchair and gets around just great,” Hawk related.

Brandy Noel the Cocker Spaniel

Leave no dog behind®, and that means seniors, too. This writer traveled with a loving Cocker her entire 15 years, even when old age made things a bit more complicated. Thanks to a pet stroller, Brandy Noel was able to travel from sea to shining sea. More frequent pit stops for potty breaks and plenty of water for a thirsty road warrior were both mandatory and doable.

Fate holds the wristwatch, but we, as guardians, control the direction of the hands. Our dogs add so very much to our lives, from companionship to laughter, loyalty to unconditional love.

A few adjustments in the road of life means sometimes taking the path less traveled. Finding an alternate route is sometimes a necessary diversion on life’s highway, and being able to stay on that highway with Fido makes the diversion worth it.

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Article written by Author: Carol Bryant