Video of Chihuahua learning to walk without front legs goes viral
The video of a disabled Chihuahua learning to walk with the help of a modified children toy is the latest feelgood video to go viral.
Turbo learns to walk thanks to a cart made from children's toys.
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An Indiana couple were desperate to find someone who could help their month-old Chihuahua puppy born without front legs. They took the puppy to several veterinary clinics, told the staff that his litter mates would not allow him to eat and each time they were told the puppy would need to be euthanized. Thankfully, the couple refused to believe that was the only option and eventually wound up at the The Downtown Veterinarian in Indianapolis. Amy Birk, practice manager for the clinic, would not even consider euthanizing the dog, believing the puppy could use a cart to get around. Birk told
ABC7:
"A small dog can do well with a cart. So, unless he had another medical condition, there was no way we were putting him to sleep."
The couple agreed to sign the puppy now known as Turbo over to the veterinary clinic. The staff immediately got to work, having to think like engineers instead of like veterinarians Using parts from a Fishers Price helicopter, pipes from a toy welding kit and a ferret harness, the staff was able to build a cart for tiny Turbo. Birk told the
Today Show:
"We've been working with him every day. Just today, he was able to crawl over and put himself on your arm."
Two weeks after his new journey began, Turbo is adjusting to his cart, seeming unconcerned that he has no front legs. Veterinary technician, Ashley Looper, told the
Fox59:
“He definitely has a different personality because he is handicapped. He is just spunkier. In the morning, he is alert and ready to go and you see him walk and he is just happy!”
It is that spunk and happiness that won Looper's heart, and why Looper has decided to adopt Turbo.
Turbo's journey has not only touched the hearts of the clinic staff, but his story has begun spreading across the Internet. Turbo now has his own
Facebook page, allowing his nearly 5,000 fans to keep up to date on his progress. More than 9,700 people are following him on
Instagram, and his
video has more than 14,000 Facebook likes.
Sometimes the best things really do come in small packages.