It is surprising how quickly dogs can recover from the hardships that life has dealt them.
A Treeing Walker Coonhound named Lieutenant Dan lived in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was named as such from a character in the movie Forrest Gump. However, he was the total opposite of his namesake, who had a terrible disposition. Lieutenant Dan had physical limitations but these did not hinder him from enjoying life and was incredibly energetic.
Lieutenant Dan had paralyzed hind legs. His owners were forced to have him examined by a neurologist. They had to confirm that the condition was a congenital anomaly and not the progression of Neosporosis, an illness brought about by a parasite in dogs. Thankfully, the Neosporosis tests were negative, indicating that his illness was hereditary.
The veterinarians had to amputate his hind legs to alleviate strain on his spine and prevent sores from developing on his legs.
After several weeks, they saw that his tail had swollen. The x-ray definitively proved that the bone was cracked and that an infection had already started.
An examination revealed that the tail had been broken numerous times in the past due to his hyperactivity. In order to prevent more damage to his tail, they felt that amputation was the best course of action.
After the surgeries, he had to use a wheelchair to be able to move around. Now, the dog could still chase a ball across the room without the wheelchair.
Despite his condition, he possessed an exceptional zest for life. It did not concern him that he differed significantly from his furry siblings in appearance. When he chose to enjoy himself, he did so. He really loved spending every moment with his family, whether he was home playing with his toys or outdoors swimming or hiking.
Lieutenant Dan entered the competition for America’s Favorite Pet in 2000. He placed second in the semifinals and that was a remarkable accomplishment.
The number of internet users who followed his Instagram story also grew substantially.
Source: Lieutenant Dan