Saturday, September 4, 2010

An Amazing Story - Pets with Disabilities

Cat lovers like me, might have seen my post about Caboodle Ranch in Florida last week. I LOVE cats, but really I'm just a sucker for ALL of God's creatures, especially those down on their luck. I came across another inspiring story that I had to share. I hope you enjoy it!


Pets with Disabilities Founders, Joyce Darrell and her husband Michael Dickerson
 
Joyce Darrell, along with her husband Michael Dickerson, founded the Pets with Disabilities organization in 2000. Their lives were changed forever after their rescue dog Duke broke his back playing as a puppy. 
 
Having nowhere to turn for help in caring for him, they started the organization Pets with Disabilities - a rescue and resource that provides information and support to families caring for pets with disabilities. The story of Duke (and later Misty, another wheelchair-bound dog)  has helped raise awareness about disabled pets and has reached thousands of people worldwide.  The grassroots organization and Web site, provides support and information to animal caretakers whose pets suffer from birth defects or have become disabled due to illness or injury. 
 
Mike and Joyce travel all over the country with Duke and several other dogs, promoting their mission: "Provide a positive voice for dogs and cats with disabilities that desperately need homes"




  
Powerful spokes-dogs Duke and Misty have been featured on NBC’s Today show, as well as in Prevention and Dog Fancy magazines. They are always the center of attention at every pet exposition they attend!

19 comments:

  1. Wow, that is really sweet and touching. Those animals are precious.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This sounds like an awesome organisation. It takes quite a lot to care for an animal with a disability and i think that its really neat that they established Pets with Disabilities. I saw a book published by Hachette Books called Oogy. I think its on the same subject. You should definitely check it out : ) Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This sounds like an awesome organisation. It takes quite a lot to care for an animal with a disability and i think that its really neat that they established Pets with Disabilities. I saw a book published by Hachette Books called Oogy. I think its on the same subject. You should definitely check it out : ) Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This sounds like an awesome organisation. It takes quite a lot to care for an animal with a disability and i think that its really neat that they established Pets with Disabilities. I saw a book published by Hachette Books called Oogy. I think its on the same subject. You should definitely check it out : ) Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This sounds like an awesome organisation. It takes quite a lot to care for an animal with a disability and i think that its really neat that they established Pets with Disabilities. I saw a book published by Hachette Books called Oogy. I think its on the same subject. You should definitely check it out : ) Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great post - I have a deaf cat and found little to help me with his issues. Glad these folks are out there.

    ReplyDelete
  7. That's so cool! We had a disabled dog, when I was a kid but she wasn't on wheels. She had hip surgeries that didn't end up helping and she stopped using her legs (just dragged them behind her). Other than that she was healthy though, and managed to get around fine (even up and down a small set of stairs to the yard - when she got older we put in a ramp). She lived to be sixteen years old and had the disability for about half her life.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Those people have hearts of gold and so do you for sharing this post - your love of animals comes shining through. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your week ahead.
    An English Girl Rambles

    ReplyDelete
  9. That is such a touching story! I was really moved reading the story. Thank goodness for people like Joyce and Michael who give animals the love and care they need.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love this! What a wonderful thing they are doing and I want to hug the dogs.

    ReplyDelete
  11. That was such a great post and thanks for sharing such important information, love lovely critters are making a difference.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Awww...man. That just breaks my heart to see those photos ... but I'm glad they got the help they need. What a wonderful organization ... and I'm glad the animals can adapt to these types of devices!

    ReplyDelete
  13. They are wonderful people for founding an organization to help these sweet animals. Thanks for sharing their story.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I actually tried to comment on your latest post - but found that the last bit of the post overlapped the next one. I dont know whether this is only a problem for me (my computer fault) or not. Just thought I'd let you know.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I loved this post. And the Caboodle Ranch post too. I'm also a sucker for all of God's creatures. I don't know what it is, but I feel so drawn to helpless animals. These people are my heros!

    I've never seen a cat in one of those wheelchairs...love that paralyzed cats can be mobile too.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for sharing this, Diane. It's awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  17. This couple is amazing and I am so glad that there is someone out there who gives a voice to animals with disabilities. Thanks so much for sharing this with us, Diane!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I live right near Eddies Wheels - www.eddieswheels.com which makes custom made 'wheelchairs' for dogs and other pets. A Great group of people.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to visit and double thanks for any comments. If you ask a question in your comments, I will try to reply to it here, or by email if your settings allow me to do so. Thanks again for visiting.