Special needs dogs often have emotional and psychological characteristics that present a challenge to their owners, with some displaying physical disabilities that make their care and lifestyle uniquely difficult.
However, the overwhelming consensus is that special-needs dogs bring larger-than-life hearts and stories of the joy they bring to others abound.
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Project Blue Collar (PBC) is an organization that encourages people to "Show the world your rescue pride" and seeks to "elevate the status of rescue dogs — so they are recognized as wonderful pets and companions."
On its
Facebook page, PBC volunteers chronicle the stories of special needs dogs. For example, "Lil Bomber" is a puppy being fostered by the Stray Animal Adoption Program. Bomber has swimmer puppy syndrome, which means she cannot walk, and has a flattened chest.
Usually puppies with this syndrome are euthanized.
Some high school students found the puppy near their school and they called PBC for help. Currently, Bomber is in physical therapy and everyone is thrilled with her progress.
"Discovery News" on the Discovery Channel reported on the story of a Husky named Derby who was born with no front paws and very short front legs. Tara Anderson, an employee of 3D Systems in South Carolina, decided to foster Derby and see if she could design a 3D printing solution for his limb handicap.
Together with a team of 3D designers, they were able to create loop-shaped prosthetic forelegs. "On the first trial run, Derby took off running and hasn’t slowed down." His adopted family says Derby, who is a joyful special-needs dog, runs two to three miles every day.
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A nine-year old Chihuahua in Kansas City, Missouri, was badly abused and abandoned on the streets. He had chemical burns over 75 percent of his body when he was found by animal control and was slated to be euthanized,
reports Life With Dogs.
However, an organization that rescues senior dogs, Before the Bridge Senior K9 Rescue, stepped in to save little Nigel.
Nigel's new owner is 96-year-old Kathleen Brown, who lives in an assisted living facility. "People call him a puppy around here because he’s so little, but I say, 'No, he’s a senior, just like you,'" says Brown.
Nigel is a lucky special-needs dog who went from being abused, burned and abandoned to a well-loved pet. He has been nothing but a joy to Brown, who says the little dog has given her companionship, unconditional love and something to look forward to every day.
The Washington Post recently reported a remarkable story of a stray dog that was found by a Swedish team competing in the Adventure Racing World Series, a grueling "430-mile race through mountain and jungle" in the Amazonian region of Ecuador.
The dog, who they named Arthur, was injured and starving, and the racers offered him some food, expecting him to eat and bolt. But Arthur not only stayed, he completed the rest of the race, which "calls on its participants to endure difficult natural circumstances while hiking, trekking, biking, and kayaking over hundreds of miles."
The special-needs dog stuck with the racers through some tough times during the race. At the end, one of them said, "I came to Ecuador to win the World Championship. Instead, I got a new friend."
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