Our shelter has a special needs pup
About two weeks ago we acquired a special needs dog in our shelter on a court case. She is a sweet Lab mix who is paralyzed in her back end. No idea how long she's been that way. She was found living in a car with her owner, who is homeless. Now if that was all, and the owner was doing the best she could for poor Zion, I would feel differently, and I did reserve judgment until more came out when the case was heard. Zion was found lying in several days' worth of her own excrement on the floorboard of the car, being fed grapes because "Zion is a vegetarian"--not because that was all they had. She was terribly underweight and is still getting to the weight she should be at. We were able to obtain a wheelchair for her from Charlottesville, and puppy (we think she's about a year old) was so excited she took off running and took the shelter employee with her. It was a day or two before she figured out she could also walk. Everyone loves Zion; she is the sweetest girl imaginable who rarely barks and never complains. The court case has been heard, the owner got her 10 days to appeal, which was denied on grounds of gross neglect, and parental rights were stripped. Zion will most likely end up in Charlottesville, where they have a vet on staff who can deal with her situation and a population that may contain someone who will be able to care for her needs. We'll all miss her sweet nature and her puppy kisses.
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He was having trouble getting around and I was having to carry him outside. Having experienced acupuncture myself (in an effort to avoid surgery), I knew that it was non-invasive and rarely uncomfortable. We had previously tried canine chiropractic, but that had done little to help him.
We went in for a session every other week - though schedules may vary. And the only discomfort my dog felt was anxiety at being placed up on the table, so they allowed me to sit with him on the floor. And the acupuncture did what we hoped, my dog was able to walk easily, made it in and outside by himself for the rest of his life.
And while we were there, we met a couple of women who were there with their dog, a much larger dog than mine, a lab who they carried in on a stretcher, who was paralyzed and unable to walk at all. But the acupuncture was also working for this dog, when I first met her, she was already able to wag her tail. I don't know if this is available for this pup, but it works and I recommend it highly. 
Just mentioned her to spouse who wants to know what the baby looks like.
We're in Wmsburg, btw.
