AURORA, Colo. — A Chihuahua puppy born without front legs wasn’t going to just roll over and play dead.
A good Samaritan brought Roo to the Aurora Animal Shelter in March after someone dropped the two-legged dog off near a local school, according to Dr. Cathlin Craver.
The tiny pup’s drive was obvious from the get-go.
Roo weighed just 1 1/2 pounds, but she was able to pull herself around to reach her food and water, and burrow herself into blankets, officials said on the shelter’s website.
“With that kind of spirit, the shelter knew it had to do whatever it could to help Roo have a long and rewarding life,” shelter officials wrote.
The shelter worked with OrthoPets in Westminster to create a special “wheelie vest” for Roo, and AuroraTV.org produced a video of the dog.
While Roo waited for the custom prosthetic device, she went to live with a foster family.
“I feel like she was put here for a reason,” foster mom Jeanne Morris said. “I just think she’s gonna do great things in her life and maybe teach other people that you can overcome whatever obstacles are put in your way.”
Roo fit right in with the Morris family and their other dogs.
“It doesn’t stop her at all. She chases the other dogs,” said Jeanne’s son, Robby.
Robby broke one of his legs and happened to be using a wheelchair when Roo started rolling on her new set of wheels.
“I just think it’s adorable because, like, she has her wheelchair, I have my wheelchair. We’re like little twins,” Robby said.
Roo’s unstoppable attitude was infectious.
“You can’t do as much, but after a certain amount of time, you know, you overcome it. Obviously she’s done that. I feel like I can do it, too,” Robby said. “It gives me no excuse because I only have one leg.”
“She’s so happy. She has no idea she’s special. She has no idea that she’s handicapped. She doesn’t see it that way,” Jeanne said.
Now that Roo is more familiar with her wheelie vest, she’s ready to find her new forever home.
“If she goes to the right home, I’m OK with it,” Robby said. “Spread the love to everybody else.”
To adopt Roo, contact the Aurora Animal Shelter at 303-326-8280 or fill out the interest form.