Update on Smarty – April 2012 –
Letter from Smarty’s Owner;
I would like to tell you about my dog, Smarty, and his new lease on life. Two days before Christmas last year he became paralyzed in his back legs. Previous to this he was a normal dog that we walked everyday as a family. As we were waiting for a hopeful recovery it never came. We found out in February that he would never walk with his back legs again. It was a hard decision for my family and I to make but he was so full of life that we had to find a way not to put him down.
Kelly, a volunteer from NJ Aid for Animals, heard of our problem. She explained how NJ Aid for Animals has helped hundreds of animals through life saving shots they donate and have helped people try to save their animals.
NJ Aid for Animals said they would use a Chip In to raise money and told us they would be able to get Smarty a wheelchair and a dragbag so that he could get somewhat of a normal life back. Kelly set up the Facebook page for Smarty and they had his money raised within two days. A couple weeks later Smarty got his wheel chair and my family and I have been walking with him daily to get him accustom to it and get him out of the cage and walking around. He has been adapting and doing well.
If it was not for the help of Kelly and NJ Aid for Animals, our dog would have been put down. They truly have made the difference between life and death for him. Hopefully he will adapt and live out the rest of his years in health.
Today was a bright day for me. Since December I haven’t been able to walk without the help of my owners. With the fundraising efforts of NJ Aid for Animals this all changed today. I was fitted into my K9 Cart by Dr Balsama at Delaware Valley Animal Hospital today and right away I was off and running down the hall. Dr. Balsama was amazed at not only the ease of use of the cart, but my willingness to walk right away.
With my new wheels and ease of “walking” I was just as happy as ever wanting to greet all the other dogs and trying to drag myself all around the office. Even when I had to stand while adjustments were being made to my cart I was a good boy and didn’t cry or whimper or bark. I just stood there waiting to be turned loose. You can see in the video I moved so fast, I was off and running!!! First I ran right over to a pair of Golden Retrievers to say hello and then took I took off like a shot down the hall.
Almost as quickly as I got going, I was tuckered out. Dr. Balsama warned my human that I will need to be kept on a bit of a training regime to get me up to speed (no pun intended!) with my cart. This should take a couple weeks and then I can use it full time. In the mean time let’s not forget I also got a “Protect-A-Pet” bag to scoot around in while I am in training. Dr. Balsama and staff were so impressed with the cart and the construction as well as the “Protect-A-Pet” they asked for the brochures from K9 Cart East.
My owner, Bob, thanks NJ Aid for Animals and said without them none of this would have been possible. He looks forward to taking me and my human brother for a walk very soon. He doesn’t know what people would do with out an organization like this one. He knows I would have suffered greatly without NJ Aid for Animals
Thanks to ALL OUR GENEROUS DONORS who gave me my wheels. We could not have done it without you…..
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE .