Soaked, frail, and frigid – Petey was miles away from being secure.
All he ever desired from his humans was their acceptance of him as he was, yet he and his baby sibling were discarded on a damp blanket near a park, forced to survive alone.
Discovered by a compassionate woman escorting her son home from school, this pup from California was already teetering on the brink and required immediate help!
The woman sprang into action, though at that moment, she was unaware that Petey was indeed a remarkable pup.
A One-Month-Old Puppy Struggling to Survive
Upon his initial intake by Sacramento SPCA from California, Petey was inactive and scarcely moving. Sadly, his sibling didn’t survive and passed away upon arrival.
The staff promptly administered warm fluids and Karo syrup to restore Petey’s blood sugar to normal levels.
Eventually, Petey began feeling a bit better and started consuming wet puppy food.
He faced numerous challenges – ringworm, wounds on his chin and neck, and severe malnutrition, but one particular issue drew the attention of his caregivers – he was incapable of standing steadily on his paws.
As per Sarah Varanini, a staff member at SSPCA, Petey was unable to remain upright without tumbling, and he certainly couldn’t walk correctly.
Initially, his caregivers speculated that this was due to his malnutrition; however, following an in-depth examination, he was diagnosed with cerebellar hypoplasia, a neurological disorder that indicates the underdevelopment of the cerebellum.
This condition usually manifests as overall clumsiness, frequent falls, and a lack of coordination, but the positive aspect is that it does not worsen over time.
Discovering How To “Dog” With the Support of Caregivers
Petey wasn’t the sole one requiring guidance in adapting to his condition – his caregivers needed to learn, too!
The team ensured to secure his living area as much as possible, while also keeping him away from stairs and furniture.
Once relocated to a foster home, Elizabeth, Petey’s foster parent and SSPCA volunteer, took every measure to create a cozy environment for him!
“Petey’s foster mom came up with a fantastic idea: an inflatable pool for him to play safely without injuring his head! Everything was going splendidly until he punctured it about 5 minutes later,” shared the SSPCA team.
Before long, Petey accepted his condition and began learning how to “dog” in his distinct manner!
He started engaging with toys, consuming his meals, and snuggling with his new foster mama. Each time she took him to her workplace, he was thrilled to meet new individuals and other dogs.
He was just like every other puppy around – playful, inquisitive, and enthusiastic about having fun and socializing! He quickly adapted to his lifestyle and felt at ease in his skin, even though he, unlike his peers, couldn’t realize his full abilities.
Petey Secures a New Home
The SSPCA team understood that when the moment arrived, Petey would require someone ready to invest their time and commitment to this adorable pup completely, and before long, that individual appeared right on cue!
“This remarkable pup has cerebellar hypoplasia, which made his placement a bit challenging, yet he has finally found a family and cannot wait to embark on his new journey,” the SSPCA team communicated.
Petey received the most suitable owner available, who embraced him for who he is without hesitation! Petey plays, snuggles, and constantly discovers inventive ways to amuse himself and those around him each day.
Once a discarded puppy with little hope of survival, today, he’s the most joyful special boy in the world!