This is an exciting time for Benjamin Bunny, who is smiling with pride and moving at rapid speed.
The 12-week-old puppy, who was born without the ability to use his rear legs, is walking for the first time with the assistance of a custom-made wheelchair from Walkin’ Pets, a pet mobility company that helps all types of animals get on their feet.
Rescue dog Benjamin has had a tough start in life, and his metamorphosis has been a welcome bright spot in his otherwise gloomy outlook. According to a press statement from Walkin’ Pets, the puppy was surrendered to Bosley’s Place, a Georgia-based dog rescue that specialized in tiny puppies, when it was only two weeks old by a dog breeder, who then adopted the puppy.
Throughout Benjamin’s early years, Bosley’s Place provided him with specialized care, including bottle-feeding him on the premises for many weeks at a time. Benjamin was placed in a foster family as soon as he reached the age of six weeks, having grown sufficient strength at that time.
As a result of the connection made between Benjamin and The Tucker Farm and foster mom Beth Williams, the rescue was able to aid the pup in starting the rehabilitation process for his rear legs.
Williams decided to contact Walkin’ Pets after seeing Benjamin try harder at treatment for weeks without displaying any major improvement in his mobility. Walkin’ Pets agreed to assist Williams in setting up the delighted puppy with a wheelchair for him.
Walkin’ Pets was thrilled to design and manufacture a custom adjustable mobility cart for Benjamin, which can be easily updated to ensure that it continues to fit the puppy as he grows in both size and height over time.
“Benjamin is very smitten with his wheelchair, and he considers his wheelchair time to be really valuable! In order to develop Benny’s strength, we are only allowing him to spend small periods of time in his Walkin’ Wheels at this time. However, Benny would gladly spend the whole day in his Walkin’ Wheels if we permitted him to.” Afterwards, Williams conveyed his excitement at the tiny dog’s reaction to his new cart via a statement.
“With his wheels, he has a certain kind of independence that I like. Considering that we spend a significant amount of time outside, the fact that he is able to wander freely and acquire what he needs has had a profound impact on all of us.” In her words, “Benny doesn’t seem to spend much time feeling sorry for himself, but rather takes delight in what he has.” The foster mother went on to say that the always beautiful Benjamin now “sparkles with joy.”
The wheelchair, on the other hand, does not give a comprehensive answer to Benjamin’s mobility issues. According to neurologists, the dog suffers from a major spinal anomaly behind his shoulders, which is the cause of his immobility from the shoulder blades to the base of his tail.
Even while Benjamin still seems to have some movement in his hind legs, experts caution that this is not an indication that the dog will be able to regain mobility in the foreseeable future.
“The fact that he moves his back legs and tail so much makes it tough to figure out what he is thinking about. He is fully unconscious of the fact that this is going place, according to both doctors.
Benny is lucky in that his wheelchair mobility is enhanced by his ability to move his hind legs!” Williams took the initiative to express himself.
Because of his spinal deformity, Benjamin will never be able to walk on all four limbs, but his new wheelchair allows him to master the skills required to walk in a way that is pain-free for him.
In the meanwhile, Benjamin will continue to live with Williams until a suitable permanent home for him can be found. From the time of the puppy’s birth until the time of his adoption, Bosley’s Place and The Tucker Farm worked together to raise money to cover the puppy’s mounting medical bills.
Watch the full video below…
