Spirit Gets Her Wheels
Spirit, the little Yorkie with paralyzed front legs who came to us in late August, got her wheelchair today ... and she was off and rolling! (See original post on Spirit here.) Lori and Chad Holbein, owners of Doggon' Wheels, came out to the ranch two weeks ago to measure Spirit for her wheels. Today they returned with the new wheelchair. I took the photo of Chad and Lori fitting her in our welcome center this afternoon.
Not only did Lori and Chad come out twice to personally take care of Spirit, but bless their hearts, they even donated the wheelchair! Thank you! We were just so touched by that generous gift.
Sitting atop her new wheels, Spirit didn't know what to do at first ... it had been a long, long time since she had done anything other than hop with her back legs and then fall flat on her face. But then we brought Oscar the miniature Dachshund into the welcome center and set him on the floor ... and she scooted off to check him out. That was the first sign she could use the chair. Then she got perplexed and seemed to lose focus and interest. She began crossing her back legs, which limited her ability to push off and propel herself forward.
The answer? A cat! We picked up Spirit in her chair and carried her out to Lena's Barn, where Smudge the barn cat helpfully appeared. That motivated Spirit all over again, and she took off after Smudge, but only briefly. The ground in the barn aisle is kind of rough and hard to wheel around in. We couldn't tell whether she had given up because of difficulty using the chair or the ground itself.
Hence we were still trying to determine how well she could really function in the chair, so I suggested we take her into the cat house, which has a smooth linoleum floor. A few minutes later, we set Spirit down on the cat house floor. Her eyes got really big at the sight of all those cats, and off she went! She wheeled from one end to the other, checking out the cats and letting them know who's boss (or so she thought).
That answered the question ... yes, she can really use that chair and has full mobility. Of course, it will take time for her to learn how to back up and turn. (She puts on a little too much left rudder!) But even in her first hour this afternoon using the chair, she had started backing up.
To show you this little girl cruising in her new wheels, I shot some video this evening of Spirit on our back patio. Bear in mind that when I took this video, she had been in her chair for an elapsed time of maybe 15 minutes. I think we're off to the races with her!
I still cannot believe Spirit is gone. I have a picture of her in her wheelchair both in my living room and office. Blessings. Claire S. Moen RN MEd.
Posted by: Claire S.Moen | January 08, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Spirit gives new meaning to "Rolling" Dog Ranch! Great video.
Posted by: Susan | September 22, 2006 at 07:38 AM
Lori and Chad: You are so generous and your compassion for animals is obvious. Thank you.
Steve, I watched the video of Spirit and it is incredible...she is free and mobile!
Posted by: Nina | September 21, 2006 at 08:31 PM
Absolutely wonderful!!! She looks soooo cute. Great day for Spirit!
Posted by: Karen SA/TX | September 21, 2006 at 03:49 PM
What big hearted people Chad and Lori are - thank you! Can't imagine what goes on in tiny little Spirit's head when she finds she can take off and move and explore. Wow! Spirit, you go girl!
Posted by: Miranda | September 21, 2006 at 10:10 AM
I'm absolutely thrilled for Spirit; her new found freedom is going to lift her to new heights!
A love filled thank you to Chad and Lori for their generous gift and taking extra care of Spirit by coming out multiple times.
What a stupendous day!!!
Posted by: Leilani | September 21, 2006 at 07:33 AM
YEAH!!! Thanks Lori and Chad for helping Spirit!!! She has a whole new world to exlpore now.
Posted by: Laura Whale | September 21, 2006 at 06:48 AM
Thank you, Lori and Chad, for this tremendous gift to Spirit and for the Ranch for taking this little girl in.
Posted by: Roz | September 21, 2006 at 06:31 AM
Thank you Lori & Chad for your great genorisity & making sure that Spirit had the right wheels to get her up & mobile again! It's a great thing that you do. I really enjoyed the video & seeing Spirit up & at 'em! This is just wonderful!
ginger & Tobias
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | September 21, 2006 at 03:40 AM
This video is priceless..free at last!
Posted by: MaryEllen | September 20, 2006 at 08:10 PM
Our family has been waiting for this day. Its absolutely wonderful to see Spirit cruising the drag with her newfound wheels. Again, we want to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for the love you have given Spirit. May God bless all.
Posted by: Phyllis and John | September 20, 2006 at 07:30 PM
Best video ever ! It brings tears to my eyes. A giant thank you to Lori and Chad for your incredible kindness.
Posted by: Leigh | September 20, 2006 at 07:24 PM