Bi-Ped Puppy's Future Bright

| Print | By Jo Singer | April 6, 2009 2:05 PM

Judy Sarulllo, of Pet Rescue by Judy, has a heart as big as all outdoors. She wears her passion for animals on her sleeve and is deeply involved in their welfare. So when nine two to three day old puppies were found on the side of an Orlando, Florida highway, and brought to her non-profit shelter, Judy got busy. Many shelters may not have had the time or financial resources to be able to spend the time required to nurse these babies, but at Judy's rescue group they found the care that they needed. Euthanasia was never a consideration

But to her surprise, one of the puppies, now named Hope, and who is being fostered by Judy Walker, was born with two legs. Judy said, "All the sudden it came to our realization like, 'Oh my goodness, this one doesn't have any legs" Ms. Walker added, "This is one wonderful dog. He has a great disposition. He's mellow, he patient, he's loving."

Hope
6-Hope Biped Puppy And Judy.jpg
Judy Walker has her hands full to be sure. She takes care of Hope's four-legged sister, Noel. Ms. Walker says that Hope can do all of the same things his sister can, but just a little differently. "You don't tell anyone who's handicapped, you can never do that. It's just you have to do it a different way but you can do it." Judy remarked.

Cheryl Tano, DVM, a veterinary orthopedic surgeon at Affiliated Veterinary Specialists in Maitland, Fl. is not quite sure how Hope will get around, but feels that his mobility based on his birth defect, is rather remarkable. She feels he will require some extra assistance, and added, "In a cart or wheelchair he will be in a more quadruped position, so in the grand scheme of things that would be better bio-mechanically for him than being a biped."

But with new and promising prosthetics in the field of veterinary medicine, resembling the commonplace tooth implants available today for humans, Hope may have a lot more "hope" in store or him. Dr. Tano explained, "Probably the most innovative is where they're implanting little posts into the bone, which will get bony in growth and you can attach a prosthetic limb to that."

Since Hope must be fully grown before he can be fitted for a wheelchair, cart or prosthetic limbs, quite a stretch of time remains ahead for him. However Judy Sarullo and Judy Walker are both optimistic for Hope's future. Ms. Sarullo said, "We're going to need some additional help and guidance and advice but the dog is going to get whatever the dog needs." Hope's foster mom added, "He's going to have a good life. He's going to have a good home; we're going to make sure of that. There's somebody out there for him."

Hope will remain with Judy Walker until the perfect "forever" home can be found. With people like Sarullo and Walker, Hope's world is a lot brighter and full of "hope", since the bond between special needs animals and the humans that care for them often run very deep.

Learn more about Judy's shelter and rescue by visiting her website at: http://www.petrescuebyjudy.com/

Have you ever adopted a special needs pet? Please leave a comment and share your experiences.

RELATED TOPICS: Blogs (262) , Rescue (23) , Shelters (8) , Special Needs (3)



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Comments (7)

Vicki April 6, 2009 4:18 PM

Judy must be a very special person. It takes a devoted loving person to care for these kinds of animals. I have nothing but praise and admiration for her.

Donna April 6, 2009 5:02 PM

There should be a lot more people like Judy in this world...TRUTH!

Anonymous April 6, 2009 5:20 PM

What a wonderful story! Here's hoping for Hope.

Cheryl G April 6, 2009 7:57 PM

I agree with Vicki, that's amazing and so very sweet.

Amy April 7, 2009 5:41 AM

Maybe in the near future they will create something that will enable animals like Hope to actually be able to bend their artificial limbs and get closer to the "normal" animals.

Ruth April 7, 2009 6:10 AM

Yes Judy must be a very kind person ! I do hope and pray that Hope can be helped in some way to get around.I'd love to know the end of the story ????

Barb April 9, 2009 9:35 AM

While growing they could make an inexpensive cart for Hope. Instructions can be found at www.handicappedpets.com.

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