A 10-year-old German shepherd who lost the use of his hind legs is now running laps around N.W.T. SPCA volunteers thanks to a brand new wheelchair.
An NWT SPCA shelter worker straps Sucky the dog into his new wheelchair. (Mitch Wiles/CBC)
"We are having a hard time keeping up with him," said Dana Martin, vice-president of the N.W.T. SPCA.
The dog, who is named Sucky, came to the SPCA shelter in Yellowknife from Lutselk'e, Northwest Territories. Degenerative myelopathy, a disease that sometimes affects older dogs, has weakened his hind legs. The disease is progressive but is not painful.
"The condition will degenerate further; it's not going to get better," Martin said. "But his life is definitely improved.
"He's a really happy dog. He loves his new wheels."
NWT SPCA vice-president Dana Martin says Sucky 'loves his new wheels.' (CBC)
Martin says before the wheelchair, workers at the shelter walked Sucky by holding up his hindquarters with a towel. The wheelchair cost about $700.
Martin says Sucky is available for adoption.
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