This image has not been photoshopped.
The dog’s name is Faith.
She was born without her front legs. As a deformed puppy, they found her mother trying to smother her as an instinctual response.
Faith was taken from her mother and raised by Jude Stringfellow. Their vet implored them to have her euthanized, but they continued raising her. (Source: Two legs are just as good as four for OKC family pet. Graham, Ginnie)
She eventually learned to walk on her hind legs. The US Army commissioned her as a therapy dog. She has visited over 2500 different soldiers in hospitals, many of them having lost legs.
She works to give inspiration to those who are now adjusting to life without a limb, and to people who have pets which were born “different.” Euthanization isn’t always the answer.
Close to me at the Clearwater Aquarium in Clearwater Beach Florida is Winter the dolphin. She was found tangled in a crab trap and ended up losing her tail fin. It was recommended she be euthanized due to her injury and the amputation would impede her having any quality of life.
She proved the vets wrong by not only surviving, but thriving despite her missing tail. Unfortunately, she was using more of her lower body in order to swim and was developing a spinal curvature. She was fitted with several different types of prosthetics and eventually, one was found to work for her. She is not only an inspiration for those who have to wear prosthetics, she's an inspiration to anyone who comes to see her and the other more or less disabled animals at the aquarium. They even made a movie about her that brought many to come see her and revived the aquarium that was close to shutting down.
Winter the dolphin not only gives hope to the many who come visit her, she also pushed the limits of designers who worked to create a prosthetic that worked on a dolphin. How incredible right? Seeing her in real life was very touching. Looking around at the audience and seeing several children (including mine) in awe at such an amazing animal made me tighten up my sunglasses as I teared up. She truly seemed to enjoy being so loved and admired.
If you're ever in Clearwater, Winter is a must see!
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