A Chihuahua born with no front legs has been given a new lease of life after a team of vets built her custom-made wheels.
Scurrying across the park, leaping from the sofa, or even playing with other dogs was just a dream for Chispi, the two-legged Chihuahua.
Sadly, she spent most of her time being carried around, and when she did walk. She could only manage a few steps before falling over.
But now, thanks to a team of experts at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The pup can run and live an average dog’s life.
The team designed a ‘vest on wheels’
After numerous visits to her Bronx, New York home, the team designed a custom-made ‘wheelie vest. She was making a fiberglass mold of her body and adding wheels to give her mobility.
Dr. Lori Bierbrier, from ASPCA, said: ‘When I heard Chispi’s story, I thought, ‘This is a dog we need to help.
‘Chispi’ is in a loving home; she’s well cared for; she’s healthy. Overall she has a good quality of life. But her mobility is compromised, so she can’t be independent.
‘Since she can’t walk properly, this puts extra pressure on her back and hind legs.
‘Most of her time is spent being carried from place to place, and when she did walk on her own, she could only hop a few steps and sometimes fall.
We had to make a solution.
We knew we needed to go the extra mile to find a solution because we wanted her to have a full quality of life.
Giselle Pescador, a Community Advocate for ASPCA. I first met Chispi’s owner when she brought her pets for vaccines and neuter surgery.
She said: My reaction when I first saw Chispi was mainly shocked.
‘I had never seen an animal like that. I wondered, ‘How will this dog ever live a normal life?’
‘I felt such joy when I saw that the whole family was there watching Chispi walk for the first time. When Chispi took her first steps, it was fascinating.
‘It’s life-changing for the whole family, not just Crispi.
Chipsi – whose name comes from the word Chispita, which means ‘spark’ in Spanish – took to her new wheels immediately.
Dr. Bierbrier added: ‘Typically with devices like these, they need a few adjustments to work perfectly. But the minute we put Chispi in it, she started walking, and it was like she was waiting for it; she just took right off.’
‘Having this chair is going to improve her quality of life significantly.
‘It will allow her to get around the apartment, go outside for walks, meet other dogs and smell the outdoors.’
