One characteristic that I have consistently respected about dogs is their determination. I often ponder how they manage to withstand so much and remain so upbeat.
No matter how challenging their existence may be, they always find a way to turn a new page and live their best lives. Phelps was a remarkable illustration of this.
He was a puppy born with swimmer syndrome, meaning that his back legs were reversed.
Nevertheless, he was eager to learn how to walk and was fortunate enough to encounter a special individual who would assist him in doing so.
Phelph’s Therapy
Prior to being brought to a rescue organization in Texas, he resided with a breeder who couldn’t cover his medical expenses.
The individual took him somewhere he could get the care he needed. Kathryn encountered Phelps and immediately noticed how charming he was.
She was determined to provide him with a new opportunity. Kathryn conveyed to The Dodo: “I specialize in special-needs neonates. That’s my passion. I’ve been doing this for years.”
When he first arrived at the organization, everyone worried that he might not be able to rectify his swimmer’s syndrome.
Typically, it’s easier to address this when puppies are quite young, but Phelps was somewhat older when his owner gave him up.
A Sign Of Progress
Thus, he was going to pose a considerable challenge. Kathryn observed that it was rather tough for him to accomplish anything. Even the act of eating was challenging, prompting her to assist him.
They had to support him to enable him to stand upright for a while. Kathryn remarked: “That does help him but there were occasions when I would prop him up – only to find that I walked over and he was flat on his back.”
She attempted various exercises to help him become more flexible. He underwent therapy daily. This was one of the primary tasks that needed adjustment before moving onto the subsequent steps.
Kathryn supported him almost daily. They engaged in all activities together. He also participated in treadmill and water therapy.
After several weeks, he managed to stand on his own for short periods. This was a significant step forward, and Kathryn was extremely proud of him.
However, despite his progress, there were still numerous hurdles to conquer. The primary one was that he was gaining weight as he developed.
Though it may not appear to be an issue, this was making it increasingly difficult for Phelps to keep his balance while walking.
A Huge Change For Phelps
Kathryn stated: “The more he grew, the heavier he became, and the less enthusiastic he was about using his legs.”
He was brought to a clinic in Texas for an MRI, where they discovered that he also had luxating elbows, meaning his bone was detached from the joint.
As time passed, all of Phelps’s achievements began to diminish and he stopped walking on his feet. At this point, Kathryn incorporated a carrying system into their everyday routine.
In this manner, he would always be with Kathryn and her husband while they took other dogs on their outings.
Phelps consistently brought them joy and Kathryn came to the realization that she was going to adopt him. Though they haven’t completed their mission of helping him walk again, he has made significant improvements.
Having a family to depend on is a dream realized for Phelps, and he feels immensely thankful to be in the company of such amazing individuals.