Dog Rescue Stories: Oscar Was Abandoned and Paralyzed. Tiki Survived Life on the Streets.

Rick and Christian had no experience with special needs animals, but a few days later, they realized they’d both been searching the web for things like “dog wheelchairs”, and it was obvious that they wanted him in their life. They learned how to express Oscar’s bladder (there are many good videos on YouTube), and they found Tinkle Trousers, drag bags, a stroller and his Handicapped Pets wheelchair. His care was a little intimidating at first, but they quickly got the hang of it and realized it wasn’t much more demanding than it would be for a fully-abled dog. Oscar was slow to acclimate to his wheelchair, but Rick noticed that if another dog came by, he would be eager to play and start moving in his wheels. Rick took him to the park as often as he could for three months and then one day it just clicked – he walked them for a mile to his favorite dog run in Tompkins Square Park (he had memorized the route in his stroller). In the five and a half years that Oscar has been in his forever home, he’s been a happy, fun-loving boy and a daily inspiration. Rick and Christian are very proud that he shows the world his joy and lets people know that they shouldn’t give up on a pet that loses its mobility due to injury or age.

 Tiki was a stray in Kentucky and wound up in a high-kill shelter. In Our Hands rescued her and brought her to New York, along with dozens of other dogs. In June of 2012, Rick saw her at random while walking by an adoption event outside Unleashed By Petco on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. There were dozens of dogs and cats in kennels above and below a long line of tables, and she was on the ground next to a pen full of puppies. The crowd was three-deep at the puppy pen, but Tiki was being completely ignored (most likely because she is a black dog). Rick looked at her and she flashed him the hugest smile. He was hit instantly with a wave of love and almost lost it right there on the street.

 Christian and Rick had been talking about adopting a second dog, but with Oscar’s special needs, they weren’t sure they were ready. Rick turned to go but thought he should get her name and the name of the rescue just in case, and when he did, Tiki hit her with the smile again! Rick had to leave in a hurry to avoid openly weeping in public, but he was still worried that a second dog would be overwhelming. He spent the first few days that week dragging himself around and wrestling with it, looking at Tiki’s Petfinder profile and trying to think it all through. Then, a good friend said to him “What are you going to regret more? Getting her or not getting her?” Who knew the answer was so simple?! Rick called In Our Hands that day and told them he was interested, but needed to make sure Tiki and Oscar would get along. It turned out she’d been getting so little attention and was so nervous during car rides that they weren’t going to bring her to the next adoption event, but they brought her out that weekend to meet Oscar and the two pups got along instantly! Now she’s his protective big sister, and together they enjoy life in New York City, cruising their neighborhood and visiting as many parks and dog runs as they can.