He was born with only two legs and dumped as a puppy...but love and a big heart have turned his life around
BY CARYN N. CASEY

It was about as rough a start as you can imagine. Weeks after being born, the two wounded puppies were dumped under a freeway off-ramp in Los Angeles’s gang-ridden South Central. Even though the six-month-old brother-and-sister pair found—miraculously—a broken-down car to hide under, the chances of their traveling far enough to ensure real safety were almost zero: The male had been born without front legs; instead, two small wing-like stumps, pinned extremely close to his chest, were all that developed.

Despite the incredible odds stacked against them, though, the pups’ spirits were anything but broken. In the face of fear, bewilderment, and danger, as well as the obvious discomfort of the two-legged boy, the pair pressed on, huddled together for several months in the shelter of their abandoned car, according to nearby residents. And how lucky that they did. Just when starvation and dehydration were threatening to take their fatal toll, the dogs caught the attention of two women who—-after a full week of daily visits, soothing words, and proffered treats—managed to coax them out of their den.

A DATE WITH DESTINY?
When compassion and strength combine, powerful things can happen. And so it was that Scooby-Roo—a Long-Haired Dachshund/Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever mix—began the extraordinary life he was obviously meant to have. The people at L.A.’s Fuzzy Pet foundation—a nonprofit animal rescue and advocacy organization renowned for caring for senior and physically challenged animals—took Scooby-Roo and his sister, Sophie, under their wings and have worked tirelessly to provide the dogs with what they’ll need to thrive and ultimately be ready for forever homes.

“We truly believe that every animal, regardless of history, background, or challenges, is a genuinely beautiful expression of life, deserving of at least half the amount of unconditional love he gives us,” says Connie Rouse, Fuzzy Pets’ chair of pet adoptions. “If you spend your days searching for something more selfless, loving, or devoted than an animal, you may very well search until the end of time.”

The organization was instrumental in securing funds to purchase the first of several wheeled “walking carts” that the still-growing Scooby-Roo will need over the course of his lifetime. The cart supports Roo (as he’s often called) under his torso area, leaving his hind legs free to provide the propulsion he needs to get from place to place. He spends two to three hours a day practicing with his cart, which also stretches his back and gives him the opportunity to eat, stand, and move much the way a four-legged dog does. (Roo’s footwork during practice reminds those who’ve seen him of a tiny dancer—a dancer with a desire to get someplace very quickly, that is!)

“Though Scooby-Roo was scared about getting into his cart, he is now doing great,” says Sheila Choi, CEO of the Fuzzy Pet Foundation. “He knows he can roam around faster and with more ease in his cart. He gets better at it each day, and all of us have seen him develop more strength in his legs.” His physical therapist has reported that Roo’s spine is also getting stronger, Choi says, adding that the pup is happiest of all “when he’s put in his cart and gets to follow his person around the park or at adoption events, where his inspirational story can be shared with all of his adoring fans.” Indeed, rather than a shelter resident in need, Roo has become an ambassador for disabled dogs everywhere.

SPIRIT TO SPARE
Roo’s affection for people is boundless—and they’re drawn to him as though he were a magnet. “Everyone just melts when Scooby-Roo jumps into their laps and shares wet kisses,” says Choi. “When he’s outside, he’s approached by strangers, and he patiently greets every one of them.” But that effusive personality didn’t happen overnight. When Roo and Sophie were found under the wrecked car, fear and shyness were their defining traits. But trust was encouraged, and eventually earned, by those who took them in and cared for them at the Fuzzy Pet Foundation.

Now enhancing the lives of all who encounter him, Roo serves as a shining example of how obstacles can be overcome when compassion leads to action, commitment, and perseverance. “We take Scooby-Roo everywhere as our ambassador to educate the public about responsible pet ownership,” says Choi, noting that the unique little guy is also, of course, a living, breathing example of the rewards that come with adopting a dog with special needs.

While Scooby-Roo still learns and grows under the guidance of his foster mom, Sophie is ready for adoption. A stable but active environment would be best for this gentle one-year-old, who’d be great with kids who aren’t terribly rambunctious. exercise is instrumental in keeping Roo’s sister content, and she loves to wrestle and play with toys and other dogs. With her lithe body, Sophie runs with lightning speed; but with equally charming clumsiness, she might just as easily fall off the bed!

Right now, Scooby-Roo has a good life. He -receives regular physical therapy and has been given all the tools necessary to grow stronger and become an active participant in the world around him. It was not his destiny to be shunned or mistreated—or to die with his sister on a roadside. One day he too will find a lasting forever home—and provide an invaluable gift for the lucky family that chooses to call him their own.