DECATUR, Ga. - We all like to brag on our pets, but Charlesetta Charles says her boy Bookie is a rock star."He is very energetic,” Charles says. “He's a happy dog. The 3-year old beagle-lab mix is also in a wheelchair.“About a year and a half ago, he got hit by a car.” “He ran out in the street."The accident left Bookie's back legs paralyzed, so he had to scoot around using his front legs. And his family began to struggle, too. December 15, they returned home to find themselves evicted."We when got there, we saw our things outside,” Charles says. “I looked on the door and they had a number for us to contact them to let us know where Bookie was."Bookie had been taken by an animal control officer to DeKalb Animal Services, a county shelter run by Lifeline Animal Project. The shelter called the family. PR director Karen Hirsch says Charles made it clear they loved Bookie, and wanted him back. They just needed a little time."We kept him in the front office because he's a super friendly dog,” Hirsch says.
“And our volunteers and staff fell in love with him."But they noticed Bookie was having a hard time.“He was just dragging his back legs around,” Hirsch says. “He still got around good, but he had sores on his back legs."So the staff and volunteers decided to buy Bookie a wheelchair. And especially (for) this family, (they) had been evicted,” says Hirsch. “They're still without a home and without a car."So, the Lifeline crew and volunteers donated the money for Bookie's chair. Hirsch says they found it on eBay. If they were willing to assemble it themselves, they could get it for half price, about $200.On Christmas Eve, the Charles family reclaimed Bookie. Three weeks later, they came back to the shelter, for a wheelchair fitting.And we went in and this was the wheelchair,” says Charles. “And they gave him a big bucket full of dog treats and food. It was just a wonderful thing. I was so happy. Because my baby didn't have to slide around anymore."Because Bookie is now a free man.“
He wants to run! He has me running!” says Charles.DISTRACTIONDog in wheelchair becomes best friends with man in wheelchair A handicapped dog got a new chance at life after being adopted by a man in a wheelchair. A dog that had been left for dead on the side of the road after being hit by a car has a new lease on life and a new best friend that understands the challenges he faces -- Michael and Chance both use wheelchairs to get around.The two friends are featured in a documentary-style commercial for Kleenex. Chance was nearly euthanized after being hit by a car, but he was saved by individuals at San Antonio Pets Alive. Now, Chance is living life like any other happy pooch after being adopted by Michael and his wife. "I knew his struggles as well as mine and I knew that we could overcome those obstacles together," Michael said in the video. "When he's in his chair and we're running together down the street, we feel free. It's easy for us to relate."Michael says the two have bonded over their similar situations."
I deal with the same struggles that he deals with," Michael said.The video has received over 23 million views and 600,000 shares since being uploaded on June 24, along with a swarm of positive comments."Friends are friends, no matter how they look," wrote one commenter."I had to hug my dog after this," wrote another. We can only continue to help with your support. Click here to meet our new friends!! SAVE THE DATE - Annual Fund raiser - June Contact Sharon, our director of fund raising, with any donations for the VERY EXCITED TO INTRODUCE "HEALING HEARTS - CRITICAL CARE TEAM" OF Join a team of caring individuals supporting the extraordinary efforts of Pets with Disabilities. be displayed next to each dog that uses these funds � �critical care� � unexpected expenses � life saving medical attention. They are the dogs that are overlooked because of �the defect� people see on the outside - people typically aren't willing to take the
time to see the wagging tail of the deaf dog chasing the ball across the yard, or the blind dog going up a flight of stairs to get the treat or hug they know is waiting for them, or the 3 legged dog run like the wind with their friends in the joy of living. We have several fund raisers every year to support our rescueWe anticipate each dog coming into the rescue program will require $1000-$1500 in �typical� medical needs � and our fundraisers help us cover those costs. Once a dog is accepted at PWD, - whatever it takes, for however long they need. We can see the obvious external needs of a dog, but until they get to our vetting team, we really don't know what the real medical implications will be to help a dog become as healthy as they can be. is necessary to provide on-going, available funds to cover the extraordinary cases we encounter. For example, in one 3 week period - those needs wereThis is our commitment to the dogs that find their way to PWD -
the commitment of our hearts, our time, our energy, our sleepless nights of worry, and money! We can make that commitment because it's the right thing to do , but it also takes a lot of time and effort away from the daily needs of the rescue and other dogs to do the additional fund raising to cover these costs. regular monthly gifts provide a consistent, reliable income stream that allows us to spend less time fundraising�and more time savingBecoming a member of the PWD CCT is an easy, efficient and tax-deductible way to fight neglect and make a difference for disabled dogs all year long. CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE TEAM! helps more dogs in finally get the gift of SIGHT! After yesterday's eye appointment it was determined Rusty is a prime candidate to have his cataracts removed and a new film put in his eyes. The surgery is schedule the beginning of the year and will be at least a 3 month recuperation for period for him.