Marshall’s little paws are deformed on the underside. This happens often to dogs that are kept in cages with wire floors. The pads of his paws are large, and his feet are webbed, much like a ducks because he had to keep them stretched out as big as he could to keep them from falling through the wires. They almost look like little paddles on the end of his legs.
Because of
this, and the fact that his muscles aren’t built up very well, his gait now looks much like a kangaroo. He does quite a bit of hopping from back legs to front. When he walks he paddles outward in front just a bit.
His stance is still quite lowered. He’s afraid to stand tall; his back haunches hunker down as he tucks his tail. But there seems to be that rare occasion when the tail goes up and he actually becomes delighted. I’m hoping these moments appear more frequently.
He’s also found courage in numbers. As Sharkey and Charm charge in through the open door, he takes an extra circle to sum up the nerve to barge up the steps. Quite a change from even a week ago. It’s not consistent; in fact, he has his good days and bad. Sometimes he still hesitates to even come out of his crate. On those days I pick him up and carry him to the door.
“That’s OK Buddy,” I whisper. “We all have days that we need some help from our friends.
To help Marshall and those like him please buy his calendar. The money to print these calendars was given by The Sharkey Fund. 100% of your donation under $10 will be sent to help the animals still in need of rescue: http://www.sharkeypup.com/content/aboutcal/
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