Before being rescued by Florida Urgent Rescue (FUR), Buster was living as a stray. His luck took a turn for the worse when he was a victim of a hit-and-run accident and left paralyzed on the streets for weeks. Searching for help, Buster dragged himself out of the road. When he was found, his kneecaps were raw from dragging on the pavement, and his underside was infected.
“In rescue, we see the worst in people and the best,” according to FUR. “Despite all the people who passed him by on the streets, some amazing people jumped into action to save his life.
“We want to thank those who found him and brought him to the Bahamas Humane Society, as well as Lissa McComb, Steph Hickman and the BAARK! Team — who once again jumped into action to save an animal in distress. They reached out to us at FUR, and we knew we had to help. We all agreed to do whatever we could to help him.”
Dr. Valentino Grant and his vet tech, Sam, brought Buster to the vet clinic, where x-rays revealed a spinal injury, causing his rear-end paralysis.
Seeing his zest for life and eagerness to walk again, FUR got Buster a Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair, to give him a second chance at life and the gift of mobility.
"Even if he can't use his back legs, it doesn't mean he can't have a wonderful life,” according to FUR. “Buster is starting to show some reflexive movements which is encouraging, as it gives us hope that spinal walking may still be a possibility down the road. His personality and confidence have taken off. He’s a completely different dog than when he first arrived, and his wheels are a huge part of that. They’ve given him the confidence boost that he needed and he loves being in them."
Buster is now settling in with his foster parents, Kelly and Ameen, getting comfortable and doing well in his new wheelchair. However, his journey is not over yet — he now needs a forever home. His fosters mention that despite his terrible injuries, this is probably the best life Buster has ever had.
"With his wheelchair, he is a happy, confident dog with a pep in his step,” according to FUR. “Given his injuries, he'll always need a little extra help, but we'll do everything we can to give him an amazing life. A huge thank you to Kelly, Ameen, Diane and everyone in Buster's Dream Team for all you're doing to help him."
Those who want to help Buster and other dogs in need may make a tax-deductible donation to Florida Urgent Rescue at floridaurgentrescue.org/donate.
