Please welcome our newest arrival, an adorable 9-month old female Chihuahua named Roo who came yesterday. She was born without her front legs. A local rescue group, Riverside Rescue in Lunenburg, Vermont, had a breeder show up at their door last Tuesday with Roo. Sharon from Riverside Rescue emailed me on Wednesday to ask if we could take her, and we said yes. So Sharon dropped Roo off at our vet clinic in Whitefield for a medical check-up and a spay, and then on Saturday, Kim from the clinic was kind enough to bring her out to us.
We're not sure who named her Roo -- we think it was the breeder -- presumably because she looks a bit like a kangaroo when she's up on her back legs:
Although she can hop around, she doesn't stay up for long and ends up scooting around on her chest. So we will be contacting our friends at Doggon' Wheels for a quad wheelchair for this little girl. Then she'll look like a kangaroo in a go-cart!
Yes, we do know about Faith, the two-legged dog who's made the rounds on the Internet for a number of years now. Faith basically walks on her back legs and does just fine that way. But Roo isn't able to do that -- she can hop a couple of times on her back legs, or maybe four or five times if she gets really excited, but soon she has to drop to the ground and rest on her chest. Then she'll hop and slide, using her chest to balance herself as she moves forward. So far she doesn't have pressure sores, but her chest is bald in that spot and thus a problem would develop in time if we let it.
However, this doesn't really matter as far as Roo is concerned, because the only place she wants to be is in our arms, not hopping around on the floor! She is a total lovebug, and her little tail twitters so fast you think it might just fall off. If I walk over to her when she's on the bed, she will hop over to my feet, stand up, lean against my leg, and look up at me. At that point it is impossible not to pick her up and hold her. (She knows this.)
Here's Roo reaching for Alayne:
She is great around the other dogs, and doesn't mind at all if they come over to check her out. But speaking of other dogs, the Dachshunds are more than a little upset that they're now facing some serious competition, i.e., they no longer have a monopoly on the "small and cute department." The Dachshunds got together last night and decided unanimously, 7-0, to vote Roo off the island. However, since this particular island is run by benevolent dictators who can ignore the wishes of certain self-interested and petulant inhabitants, we annulled the Dachshund vote and told the assembled rabble to, in effect, "get over it as fast as your short legs can carry you." They've spent much of Sunday walking by Roo and casting nervous glances over their shoulders at the tiny 5-pound (2.27 kg) thing on the bed.
Although Roo is not the first dog to arrive since we came to New Hampshire -- blind and deaf Gabe the Cocker was -- she is our first-ever New England dog. So please say hello to little Miss Roo!
This is such a loving breed and Roo seems especially loving! Welcome little Roo to RDR!!! You have found heaven on earth!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | August 02, 2010 at 12:27 AM
Hi Roo! You are such a cutie & the Doxies will definitely love you soon! They are worried now but once they know you're there to just be their bestie things will go wonderful. And, I can't wait to see you in your new go-cart so you can give all the bigger guys/gals a good run. Kisses on your sweet face! And, Steve & Alayne I can certainly understand why it would be hard not to pick her up & carry her everywhere you go.
Posted by: Colleen & In Memory of Sweet Kitty Erin | August 02, 2010 at 12:17 AM
Poor minnions................
Posted by: Ev | August 02, 2010 at 12:13 AM
She is a sweetie pie for sure. I like the sling carrier idea...I wonder if this disability happens with other breeds too.
Posted by: Ev | August 02, 2010 at 12:13 AM
Oh my gosh, she's adorable...look at those ears and that little face! Roo is so lucky to be with you all, I think she's going to add so much more love to RDR. Can't wait to see her running around in her new cart soon! I also think she's going to win over the Dachshund side of the pack in short order :)
Posted by: Ann | August 01, 2010 at 11:20 PM
OMG.....I am in love! I totally agree with Lynn from Louisiana....get a little baby dog sling and carry this one with you all the time....I know I couldn't resist that little face! The blessing of being born without her legs means she doesn't have to face a lifetime of constant breeding and now she gets to know lifetime love and joy in the beautiful hills of New Hampshire.
Posted by: Marla | August 01, 2010 at 11:17 PM
Welcome to RDR Little Miss Roo!
I'm sure in time The "Dachshund Brigade" will find you as adorable as we do, and come to love (or at least tolerate) their new baby sister!!
Congrats on the newest addition to the RDR family.
Posted by: Doe George | August 01, 2010 at 11:02 PM
Oh how this blog entry made me laugh. Such clever writing. There was actually another Chihuahua named "Roo," without his (her?) front legs, that was looking for a home in the bay area (Ca.) fairly recently. I can't remember all the details, yet the dog found a home with an organization that makes carts for dogs.
Roo is too precious....
Posted by: Cory Mitcham | August 01, 2010 at 10:22 PM
What a doll! Once she gets her wheels, those dachsunds better watch out!
You've heard, of course, about Roo the cat without front legs? He lost his to a horrible accident and went to Best Friends a few years ago where he was in the Guardian Angel program. He's now living in a wonderful home in New York and doing very well.
I'm sure the physiology of cat rear legs is a bit different than that of a Chihuahua, but I'm still confident your Roo will also have a wonderful, well-adjusted life!
Posted by: Linda | August 01, 2010 at 10:17 PM
Awww, sweet Roo! I can't wait to see her fully mobile in her wheel cart!
Posted by: Darcie | August 01, 2010 at 09:55 PM
Oh, Miss Roo, welcome to RDR! What a special place you hold in the annals of the Sanctuary. You sure are a sweet, little thing. Between you and me, I think it's time the Dachels learned there are other small dogs on the face of this Earth! I can't wait to see you blasting around in your new go-kart. Please have the benevolent dictators post some pix real soon. Kisses on your noses.
BTW, there's another Roo (http://tinyurl.com/28dnozz), a kitty, who also doesn't have her front legs either. What do you think about that?
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | August 01, 2010 at 09:41 PM
Steve and Alayne -
what a cute new addition to the ranch. i used to work for hanger prosthetics and orthotics. one of the girls in the office had a dog very similar to roo, her name is josie. the staff there created a prosthetic for her to manuever around. here is the website: http://www.famouschihuahua.com/chihuahua-news/josie-the-chihuahua-fashions-prosthetic-wheels/
don't know if you have seen this piece but very inspirational here in wichita.
Posted by: Debra Mullen | August 01, 2010 at 09:40 PM
You are so lucky - to be on the receiving end of the love these animals have to share. And these animals are so lucky - to be on the receiving end of the love you have for them. What a beautiful relationship!
Posted by: Janet P | August 01, 2010 at 09:38 PM
How in the world will you get your work done?? You'll have to get a sling carrier for sure! :-)
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | August 01, 2010 at 09:21 PM