A paralyzed dog named Hercules is living up to his name after learning how to walk.
The 2-year-old dog came to the Sacramento SPCA in September after his owners told the organization they came home one day, and he couldn’t walk (possibly due to a fall). They were forced to surrender him after they didn’t have the means to care for him.
Upon arrival at the nonprofit, an extensive examination was done. It was determined the dog had a spinal compression, leaving his back end completely paralyzed. Surgery was not an option.
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Hercules was unable to move his back legs and couldn’t go to the bathroom on his own. Still, the Sacramento SPCA was not going to give up on him.
For the next few months, staff and volunteers worked tirelessly with Hercules. They helped improve his mobility with different therapies, including in the water.
Last month, he took a major step in his recovery – literally. The dog walked on his own, despite being a bit wobbly.
“He gets better and better each day, but still needs some assistance with stairs and slippery floors,” says his foster mom Sarah Varanini.
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Fortunately, Varanini’s other dogs have been helping Hercules get acclimated to his new abilities. “[H]aving dogs was helpful to get him in and outside,” she says. “He will follow them out the door and back inside, as well as play with his favorite dog Zelda , a mini schnauzer who is just his size.
And despite the challenges he is not slowing down. “He’s always been FULL of it whether he was sitting and dragging his feet, or standing and wobbling around, says Varanini. “He loves to play with toys and is just starting to try fetch.”
His outlook looks good. The specialists told the Sacramento SPCA his recovery time could take up to 16 weeks and he has already made leaps and bounds in just over two months. The organization is hoping to find his forever home before Christmas.
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