Meet Toby, the Shihzu/Yorkie rescue pup who got himself a set of brand-new wheels! Toby suffers from hydrocephalus (water on the brain) which makes it tough for him to walk on his own. But thanks to Florida Yorkie Rescue and Walkin’ Pets, he now has a tiny wheelchair that lets him scoot around to sniff as many butts and bowls of dog food as he likes! You know when the Grinch’s heart grows three sizes larger because he discovers the meaning of community and love? I can’t say that’s happened to me yet, but this puppy has got me pretty close to feeling normal emotions!
Toby was born with mobility issues and his original owners considered euthanizing the little guy (send them straight to jail!). Thankfully for us and Toby, Florida Yorkie Rescue got involved to take care of the puppy and find him a new home. Via People:
“Every life is worth living, just because he has some challenges, they are never too big for Florida Yorkie Rescue,” Kit DeRoche, the president and founder of the rescue, said in a statement to Walkin’ Pets about why the rescue chose to help Toby.
Florida Yorkie Rescue shared details about Toby’s journey on social media, which caught the attention of Walkin’ Pets. The company was moved by the pup’s perseverance and decided to grant the dog’s Christmas wish to walk on his own. Walkin’ Pets team members flew from New Hampshire to Palm Beach, Florida, to meet Toby and outfit him with a custom wheelchair built for his small size.
After a few tips from the Walkin’ Pets team, Toby took to the wheelchair quickly and is now able to stand and walk on his own with ease.
“The wheelchair will help him to build up the strength in his front legs, I’m very optimistic, and I think he is too!” DeRoche said of Toby’s future.
Not only does Toby have new wheels to show off, he’s also got a brand-new home for the holidays. Kit DeRoche, the founder of Florida Yorkie Rescue, decided to adopt Toby and make him a permanent part of her family.
If you can’t get enough of the pup on wheels, you can see him testing out his new wheelchair here:
We need a few more stories like this from Florida and less of the usual stuff that comes out of there. If Toby can be rehabilitated and have a happy ending, then Florida can, too!
Pic: YouTube