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Story By: Joseph Golder, Sub-Editor: Joe Golder, Agency: Newsflash
This adorable two-month-old puppy that was born without front or hind paws has been rescued after it was abandoned by its owners.
The young puppy called Booster was abandoned after being born at a dog breeding centre some two months ago. The tiny Rottweiler has now been taken in by an animal refuge in Ceret, a commune in the in Pyrenees-Orientales department in southern France.
The founder of the refuge, Marina Pastou, has launched an online appeal for help so that they can give Booster prosthetic legs.
Pastou told Newsflash: “As soon as I saw his picture, I caved. He is so cute. And to see him abandoned, it brought tears to my eyes.”
The adorable puppy was born with a congenital defect that means he has no paws and cannot walk. Instead, he has to hobble around, and with great difficulty.
Pastou’s animal refuge centre is a kind of “Noah’s Ark” in the Toulouse area that she founded in 2018. She looks after horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, rabbits and rodents.
She explained that the owner could not take care of the dog without considerable financial loss so she signed it over to Pastou along with an “abandonment certificate”.
She added: “It was far too late to euthanise him. Booster only wants to live. The proof is that now he plays and eats and does everything he can to move around.”
She launched an appeal for help (https://www.leetchi.com/c/travaux-refuge) because prosthetic legs can cost about EUR 10,000 (GBP 8,700).
Pastou said: “I found a story on the internet about an adult Rottweiler in Colorado in the United States that had all four paws amputated and was given prosthetics that allowed him to live an almost normal life.
“If we could do this for Booster, it would be a first in France maybe even in Europe, but it can cost a lot of money. About EUR 10,000.”
Franck Joumier designs prosthetics in the south of France. He is specialised in prosthetics for amputees and said that as soon as he saw the images of the puppy, he wanted to do something to help.
He said: “I have created prosthetics for humans so why not for animals.”
So he created four little foam boots that are the same length as what Booster’s paws should be. He then wants to make him some rigid prosthetics that would allow him to walk. He aims to complete them by July.
A woman called Sophie Melle has also joined the team and she is passionate about creating objects using her computer and a 3D printer, and plans to use her skills to help Booster out.
For now, Booster is reportedly doing well and Pastou is hopeful the campaign will give the puppy a shot at life.
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