Homer's Odyssey

Homer's Odyssey is the story of an amazing cat born blind.

Like any disabled animal Homer didn't know he was dealt a bad hand or even care. He is everything a typical cat is and more: adventurous, curious, adorable! He uses sound, smell, and touch as well as spatial information from his whiskers to give him a sense of shape. This book is a reminder that lacking a sense or two should never keep you down.


All thanks to gwencooper.com

Looking to adopt? Consider a disabled pet!

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while. But now I'm back in force with a message of why when looking to adopt an animal you should consider a disabled pet. This is thanks to an article from webvet.com

(The animals mentioned in this post were thanks to www.petswithdisabilities.org, founded by Joyce Darrell and Michael Dickerson)

 This is Deon, a 10 month old deaf dog. He needs a home TODAY! See what you can do to help Deon and other pets like him here. You can contact about adoption or make a donation

For starters there are a lot of them and they need your help. "Of the average 300 to 500 animals at a typical animal welfare organization, approximately 10 percent quality as disabled. They're often the last to be adopted." Because they don't fit into your typical idea of "cute and cuddly" disabled animals are often passed over.

Though they don't fit into the usual mold disabled animals offer a unique experience that you won't get with a healthy animal.

from petswithdisabilities.org

Consider Debbie Richie from Charlottesville, Virginia. Talk to her for more than five minutes and you can't miss the fact that special-needs animals have something soulfully distinct to offer.

"You form a different kind of bond than you do with healthy dogs,'' said Richie, who adopted a wheelchair-bound five-year-old Boston terrier named Teddy from Darrell's organization. "I can't explain it, it's just special.''

"I tell people that it might take a few months to get adjusted, but that they'll never have a more gratifying experience,'' said Darrell, who with Dickerson has rescued 16 disabled dogs (six of which are in wheelchairs) of their own and a cat born with one eye.
"What people don't realize is these animals can do anything,'' said Johnson, whose blind collie, Lady, practices agility and "reads'' with special-needs kids every Friday.

 Take a look at Howie here.

 This is not to say that you can adopt a disabled animal without thinking it out first. Just like any animal you need to plan the process out before you adopt an animal. It is not true that owning a disabled animal is more complicated, it simply takes more planning and possibly an adaptation or two.

• Have a plan for where it'll eat, sleep, and exercise. For example, when Richie leaves for work, she places Teddy on several comforters (sort of a makeshift playpen) with his food and water bowls.
• Pet proof the physical environment. Make sure there's nothing protruding or with sharp edges that can be harmful.
• Carve out time to spend with the animal, especially in the beginning, when it needs help adjusting to new surroundings.
• Make sure they have the necessary equipment. There are not only wheelchairs available for disabled animals, but also ramps, steps, beds, and harnesses.
• Embrace the differences between cats and dogs. Cats tend to be very self-sufficient and don't always need the same kind of care and attention as dogs.
• Be prepared to treat them as normally as possible. "How do you exercise a wheelchair dog? By taking it for a walk,'' Darnell said. "The only difference is you may have to help it along.''

Take a look at Bella here.

Any animal takes work and a good environment. Before adopting any animal make sure you have the resources and facilities to give the animal the proper care they deserve. But if you can find it in your heart to reach out to a disabled animal you will receive more than you ever thought in return.

Science Daily: Saving dogs with spinal cord injuries

I have a special interest in this subject because of my own spinal cord injury.

These dogs are more prone to disk displacement that closely mimics a traumatic spinal cord injury in humans. The treatment focuses on reducing damage to those nerves that are were interrupted by the injury but not severed. What this means is that it focuses on repairing existing function instead of regrowing new nerve pathways, another active area of spinal cord research.

Read the full article at:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120118155338.htm
 

Rolling Dog Farm

Rolling Dog Farm is a charity that involves the rescue and housing of disabled animals of all sorts. Their residents include blind dogs, blind horses, deaf dogs, blind cats, and animals with other neurological and orthopedic disabilities.

Some of these animals include:

Baily

A miniature Dachshund with a spinal problem, he wound up in the hands of an animal hoarder. Thankfully rescued, he now enjoys his freedom and comfort. He sleeps in front of a warm stove at night reminding us to take pleasure in the little things in life.

Lena

A blind Quarter Horse, Lena story begins with a problem of rearing up too often, likely caused by an inexperienced rider pulling too hard and often on the reins. It was decided she needed to be taught a "lesson": tying the reins to the back of the saddle, which would cause her to fall over backwards. They did this so many times, causing her to land on her head, that she is permanently blind. Saved by a caring soul who saw her predicament, she eventually was put in contact with the Rolling Dog Farm, where she now receives the love and care she deserves.

Based out of 120 acre ranch in the White Mountains of Hampshire, Alayne Marker and Steve Smith have spent over a decade devoting their lives to these animals. A website everyone should look at, the non-profit includes a page on animal myths about disabled animals. (also see Top 5 Myths About Blind Horses) These include:

1) Disabled animals can't have a good quality of life.
All you have to do is look at a few videos of these animals, playing, roughhousing, and generally having a blast to understand that these animals have amazing lives! Just because you have to have a few adaptations to your life doesn't mean it's not still fun to wrestle:


2) Disabled animals have a lot of medical problems.
Not so! While the disability itself may represent a little extra time and care, disabled animals are no more prone to getting sick than any other animal.

3) Disabled animals have behavior problems – they’re more likely to snap and bite.
You cannot attribute the personality of an animal to their disability. Many otherwise healthy animals snap and bite and this is not blamed attributed to anything other than the personality of the animal.

4) It’s more difficult to care for a disabled animal.
Generally not much extra care is called for, the largest exception being spinal cord injuries. As with any animal, you should never agree to adopt them if you cannot provide them with the space, care, and time that they require. If you make time for them in your life they will always bound back with more excitement, energy, and love than you could ever return.

You can read about some of the other animals who include
Cinder (with kittens Ash and Spark) - blind

Travis - fused jaw

Ella - 3 Legs

for more information visit their website at:
http://www.rollingdogfarm.org/
their facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/rollingdogranch
their blog:
http://blog.rollingdogranch.org/
or their youtube page:
http://www.youtube.com/rollingdogranch

 

Council's Newest Member: Jean-Paul the Bear

Jean-Paul the bear is the lawyer for the Council of Disabled Animal Friends, settling disability claims and any legal issues the Council may enoucounter. He was injured a few weeks ago when coming out of court. A former client, mad that he didn't receive enough money from his case (which he still ended up winning though) took a shot at him. Nicking the spinal cord, he suffers partial paralysis and will need to wear the neck brace while his spine heals. Though the injuries are severe it looks like he may not suffer any permanent damage. The former client on the other hand will not be so lucky. I will advise this: No matter how mad you are, DON'T MESS WITH A LAWYER!

Jean-Paul's home is in the office of my spinal surgeon. The Turtle Walks

 

3 Legged Tortoise With a Wheel Prosthetic

Keep going strong, oh brother in arms!

Newest Member of the Council: Percival the Bear

Be sure and 'like' The Council of Disabled Animal Friends on facebook. Visit the facebook page here or like it below the post.

Percival the Bear is in charge of new memberships to the council. All potential members go through a screening process directed by Percival. This includes multiple interviews, aptitude and talent testing, as well as educational presentations training which will help further their success as a member of the council.


Percival is missing his right eye. Back in the wild he traveled the world, in search of other teddy bears with similar experiences, the love of a young child and loss as the child grew up. While on these travels he fell for a young disabled turtle. Unfortunately while pursuing said turtle the bear lost an eye in a fight with the turtle's current partner, a snapping turtle. Though he lost an eye and the fight, he ended up winning the heart of the turtle.

Both were rescued at a local thrift store and given a good home to someone close to me. They both have been through hardships and I hope that their stories remind you that the animals around you are experiencing the same struggles as you are, so treat them right.

Now both work for as members of the council. The story of the disabled turtle coming soon.

Daniel the Beagle - Survived a Gas Chamber

Daneil is a dog who survived the gas chambers. There is now a movement to ban gas chambers as a form of euthanasia. It's needlessly cruel to animals that have already had a rough life. You can read more about the movement at www.change.org/petitions/michigan-tell-senators-to-ban-gas-chamber-killings-of-dogs-cats-now

Newest Member of the Council: Donald the Whale

I haven't written on the blog in a while but I update The Council's facebook page regularly. So 'like' us on facebook to stay updated. 'Like' Button is below the post!


This is the newest member of the council, Donald.

Donald is the Vice-Chairman for the council. He has a broken tail, paralyzed due to spinal cord injury, most likely due to a fight in the ocean somewhere. He ended up getting picked up by the circus, where people came to gawk at his broken tail. He was picked up by my friend Philip, who gave him a good home. Now he speaks out for disabled animals everywhere, reminding people that animals are always in need of love no matter what condition they are in.

Rosie: Reabsorbed front paw

Born with a miniature front paw that reabsorbed back into the leg, she is lively and upbeat as any dog would be. Her full name is Rosabelle Degli Angeli Neri but Rosie works just fine. She refuses to be left behind for anything and will fight with the determination that only a dog can. Hobbies include sitting on mom's lap and barking at anyone who comes to close to the fence.


Thanks to Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog for this story.

Winter the Dolphin - World's First Prosthetic Dolphin Tail

Winter the Dolphin had her tail caught in a crab trap back in 2006 off the coast of Florida. Rescuers got her to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in time to save her life, though she lost her tail.



Fearing for the safety of her spine as she tried to swim without it, the aquarium called upon the services of Kevin Carroll who has designed prosthetics for dogs, ostriches, and ducks. The work was much more complicated than initially thought. Because of the unique way that dolphin tails operates, with the entire tail moving in all directions, it was more than a year and a half to design a working tail.




Now winter is swimming happily. She swims differently than she used to but doesn't seem to care in the least. A lesson for us all.



This story thanks to Katie (love you girl) and to dailymail.co.uk Send me more stories of other amazing animals.

The Council of Disabled Animal Friends is now on Facebook! Click 'like' below to get updates right to your facebook page.

Bernice - Burn Victim

This is the journey of Bernice. She is an amazing cat who survived a fire, severe burns, and the regrowing of lots of skin. The video says it all. She's now walking around but her journey is not yet over. This is her story.

Bernice's Story from Brad Gehrt on Vimeo.

www.specialneedspets.org/

www.specialneedspets.org/

This website is a great resource for those looking for information to help their injured, disabled, etc. special needs pets. They specifically focus for a pet who:
* has a physical disability
* has a chronic or terminal illness
* is recovering from a serious injury
* is elderly and/or requires hospice care at home
* has emotional and/or behavioral problems

They have advice on proper vet care, choosing the right vet, and a whole lot more. Good source for resources for your disabled pet or for finding a disabled pet who needs a home.

Naki'o the Bionic Dog (All 4 Legs!)

Naki'o the Bionic Dog

I was sent this link by a close friend. Naki'o was the first dog to receive all four bionic legs.



This amazing animal has been through so much. Abandoned by a family after their home was foreclosed on, he and the rest of the litter barely survived the harsh Nebraska winter. Stepping into a frozen puddle in the basement he got all four paws stuck in the ice. Eventually rescued, he lost all four paws to frostbite.

Adopted by a caring veterinarian technician, he wiggled around on his belly because it hurt to much to use his healed stumps. His owner held a fundraiser to pay for prosthetic for his two back legs.



The orthopets felt great about the success of the first two legs they agreed to complete the other two legs free of charge. While shaky at first he now can walk, run, and chase the other dogs in his adopted family. The bionic leg mimic the movement in the muscles of a dog's leg. This is the first time that all four legs were replaced by bionic limbs.

Not only was he given a new chance at life, he was given his life back. He's his own dog again.

Rocky Mountain Raptor Program

www.rmrp.org
The Rocky Mountain Raptor Program is amazing program based out of Fort Collins, CO. I lived in Colorado for a few years and I volunteered with them during my time there. They perform great services both for the birds and the surrounding community.



For those who don't know raptors, or birds of prey, are birds that hunt almost exclusively with their feet. This includes Owls, Eagles, Falcons, Hawks, Osprey, and (depending who and when you ask) Turkey Vultures.



The motto of RMRP is "A Second Chance at Freedom." RMRP receives birds brought in from the humane society, national park service, or anyone who calls reporting an injured bird. Most of the time the highly trained staff will go out themselves and retrieve the injured animal and rush it back to the RMRP building. There medical staff, along with a small horde of trained volunteers, will treat the birds as well as humanly possible. The most common injuries I saw in my time there were car collisions and West Nile Virus; birds were also injured as chicks falling out of the nest, from electrocution (electric fences), from gunshots, to name off a few. The crews patch them up as best they can, give them fresh food, a warm place to sleep, and then wait. The lucky ones begin the healing process, the first step toward release.

A shorter life in the wild is better than a long life in captivity.

It is the mission of RMRP to release as many birds as possible back into the wild. There are numerous flight cages where the birds can gain back their strength and confidence again in preparation for release. Some birds, because of their injuries, are unable to return to the wild. Under National and State Guidlines raptors are only allowed to be kept in captivity if they have a positive quality of life, proven by their ability to "work" so many days a year. At RMRP this work takes the form of the Educational Ambasadors. These permanently disabled birds have some injury that kept them from being returned to the wild. In exchange for their free room and board these birds go to various events and functions, heavily supervised by those volunteers trained to work with them.



The educational ambassadors act as living breathing educational tools. While it is interesting to talk about birds, the environment, and habitat conservation, nothing brings home the point than a wild bird sitting on your fist. While the birds go through training and listen to a select set of commands, they are still very much wild animals, worthy of respect and caution. If nothing else the impressive talons, beaks, wings, and feathers makes them impossible to ignore. RMRP shows up at the Colorado Renaissance Festival, a variety of different local festivals and holiday celebrations, come to private events, classrooms, etc.



As a volunteer I had the opportunity to partake in the both training paths, medical and educational. The program is structured so that the more time you spend with the program the more responsibilities you take on. At the beginning level you are doing cage cleaning and food preparation (who knows how to clean a chicken, rabbit, and prairie dog? I DO!). Though you never get away from these basic tasks you eventually graduate to handling the educational birds, from smallest to largest, and performing ever more complex medical tasks. With the supervision of the amazing staff, volunteers help make care for all these birds possible.



Starting off as an extension of the Colorado State vet program, the RMRP has morphed into a full nonprofit of its own. The program continues to change and grow but their mission always remains the same. Not only do they help the injured birds themselves but they also help teach the public what they can do. Though I'm no longer living in Colorado I will always remember my time there with joy. I started there hoping to bring in a few volunteer hours. I ended up working every weekend at Ren fest and a few treatments during the week the summer I stayed there. And the more I did there the more I felt I could, and should, be giving more of myself.

8 Disabled Animals That Triumphed Over Adversity

1. Faith

Born with only two back legs and one deformed front leg, faith was rescued as a puppy by a young boy. She was taught how to hop on her back legs using Peanut Butter. On numerous different shows (Oprah, Montel Williams, Animal Attractions Television and Ripley’s Believe it or Not) and has gained a whole bunch of internet attention. I mean she's awesome. She hops! She has her own website, myspace, and two books: With A Little Faith
and Faith Alone.

2. Hoopa

Hoopa pushes himself forward with only his back legs. He has a jerry rigged harness made with training wheels. Adorable right? Photo Gallery

3. Chase


A cat that due to an accident early in life lost one leg and most of the skin on her face. She has a blog and works as a therapy cat for the group Paws For Friendship for people with disabilities. Proof that no matter what you look like life just keeps coming at you; it is what you do with that day that matters.

4. Rowan

Born blind, this German Spitz uses echolocation to navigate his world. Putting those ears to good work.


5.Daisy

Born deaf and blind, Daisy was given up by both her initial family and her first foster family. Because of this bad experience she mistrusted people. After gaining her trust, the Faresh family allowed her to explore their apartment, using only her sense of smell and touch. She has a website and is the inspiration of a children's book.

6.Kelly Anne

Chased up a tree by some dogs and accidentally electrocuted, Kelly Anne had all four legs amputated by vets. Her main limitations are that she can't scratch or groom herself but she can scoot around using her four "flippers". She doesn't use a littler box but does use wee-wee pads. The staff is waiting for a family that is up to taking care of all her special needs, though they have all ready had several requests.

7. Coal

Coal lost his leg in a battle with cancer. His owner, Reg Walk, was given the prognosis that Coal would have to be put down because he remaining legs couldn't take the weight. His owner paid through the nose to help his friend, giving him a bionic leg which gave him his life back!

8.Oscar the "Bionic Cat"

After loosing his legs in a harvester, he became the first cat to receive prosthetic limbs. During surgery holes were drilled into the remaining bone in which special implants were attached. Prosthesis are able to be attached. This was the same procedure as with Coal above, adapted for a double amputee cat.


http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/77699

Frankie the Walk N' Roll Dog

www.joyfulpaws.com
joyfulpaws.typepad.com
www.facebook.com/frankiethewalknrolldog
www.facebook.com/Frankiesdisabledanimalrescue



I ran across the blog of this amazing animal and she has become one of the reasons I am so passionate about putting the word about disabled animals.

On Easter Sunday 2006 Frankie ruptured a disk in her spine while staying at a kennel during a family vacation. The little dachshund had fallen and her back legs were not moving. She was rushed to the vet as her loving owner Barbara Techel rushed back across the country. Frankie underwent surgery to remove the ruptured disk. Initially daunted and discouraged, Barb and Frankie pushed through the challenges of early home care together, Frankie pushing on with the stubborn determination of a dachshund.

The greatest improvement made to her life was when they ordered a custom made cart for her back legs. The company Eddie's Wheels is a wonderful company that makes assistive devices for animals. Their ironic slogan "We Test Our Products On Animals" says says something about the humor and ingenuity they bring to their craft. While initially resistant to the new system Frankie quickly built up the strength and ingenuity to use the wheels full time.



Her owner and friend Barb has come out of this experience changed and inspired. She began to write about Frankie for various animal related periodicals telling of her transformational experience. After attending a writing seminar in the following March she was inspired to write a children's book about Frankie: Frankie the Walk N' Roll Dog

The book and its sequel Frankie the Rock and Roll Therapy Dog tells her story so that Children everywhere can benefit from her experience.


Frankie is still wheeling around, showing people everywhere that though her mode of locomotion may have changed, her joy for life hasn't altered a bit. She visits classrooms and other venues to teach people of all ages what it is possible to achieve. She is even now available to visit classrooms over Skype! We could all learn a lesson from Frankie and remember that no matter what life has thrown our way there's always something exciting waiting for us around the bend.

petswithdisabilities.org/

http://www.petswithdisabilities.org/

An amazing site, devoted to the adoption of dogs and cats with disabilities. The site focuses on dogs and cats that can't use their back leg and those that are in need of wheelchairs. Their is a fund to provide wheelchairs for animals whose owners can't afford the cost, the Duke and Misty Memorial Fund.



Duke was the first to be adopted by this wonderful pair of individuals. A Shepard mix with a spinal cord injury, he showed these dog lovers that special needs animals can wheel their way into your hearts.

The website has resources for adopting disabled animals and links to various websites for support for people who have pets with special needs. The best part is their mantra, which they have scattered throughout the website:

Because their spirits aren't broken.

disabledanimal.com - Disabled Animal Adoption and Assistance

disabledanimal.com

This is one website devoted to adoption and care of disabled animals. Though mostly small pets, the site offers everything from cats and dogs, to gerbils, to horses. All have various degrees of injury and you should only think about adoption if you can accommodate all their needs.

Rupert - Completely blind in one eye and partially blind in the other


Diamond - blind



Elvis - 3 legged

Newest Member of the Council: Memorial Day Frog

The council has made the decision to open open its doors to members all around the US and the globe. I hope to expand this so that we have members all across the globe.

Memorial Day Frog



Memorial Day Frog actually belongs to my cousin. When I was I visiting up in Pennsylvania I asked him if there was anyone he thought would be good for the council. He immediately rushed off and grabbed this little guy.
Most frogs are born with webbing between their toes. This guy was sadly born without any webbing. This makes him a slower swimmer than the rest of the frogs though he can still probably beat a human by a nose.
Memorial Day Frog is holiday planner for the council and local representative for the northeast United States. Remember disabilities aren't limited injured to humans or to one area of the country, or even this country!