Quasimodo and other special needs dogs are in need of loving, compassionate homes.
<br>For a dog without much spine, Quasimodo is pretty brave.
The 4-year-old German Shepard has Short Spine Syndrome, an incredibly rare condition where an animal's vertebrae stay in cartilage form instead of hardening into bone. The vertebrae get compressed, resulting in a much shorter spinal column.
Photo via Quasi the Great/Secondhand Hounds, used with permission.
It's a very, very rare disorder affecting just 14 dogs around the world, including this sweet dog named Quasimodo, who was picked up as a stray in Kentucky and transferred to an animal rescue in Minnesota.
Secondhand Hounds, an animal rescue in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, took Quasi in last week.
Though his back can't be surgically corrected, Quasi is currently receiving medical treatment for a few ailments, including wounds from an embedded collar and surgical correction for a small deformity in his tail. He's also getting neutered.
Though Quasimodo's stature looks uncomfortable, his spinal condition doesn't cause him any additional pain. In fact, his mobility is good and caretakers believe he has a normal life expectancy. Great news for this happy, pleasant pup.
"Quasi is one of the sweetest, most loving dogs I've met," said Sara Anderson, large breed foster coordinator at Secondhand Hounds.
"He's forgiving, he's a cuddler, and he loves being loved ... and giving love in return."
Quasi with Secondhand Hounds director, Rachel Mairose. Photo courtesy of Quasi the Great/Secondhand Hounds, used with permission.
While he awaits a forever home, Quasi is taking it easy and enjoying his brush with fame.
In between snuggles, examinations, and lots of treats, Quasi is also helping out with some medical research. Geneticists at University of California Davis are using a small vial of his blood to look for clues to the origins of Short Spine Syndrome. The research may help humans too.
Give us your broken! Quasimodo is a #GermanShepherd w/ Short Spine Syndrome - Welcome to SHH Q! #adopt http://pic.twitter.com/IE3MSxXwFD
— Secondhand Hounds (@SHHAnimalRescue) January 11, 2016
Quasi is living with a foster family while he recovers from his procedures and has his temperament evaluated before a permanent placement. He already has a dedicated Facebook page with over 50,000 fans, many of whom hope to adopt him and provide a loving forever home.
While Quasi's story will likely have a happy ending, there are other rescues around the country working to ensure a similar fate for other pets with special needs.
After working at a veterinarian's office and seeing owners surrender otherwise healthy animals who simply needed surgery or treatment, Jolene Heath, along with her husband Shawn, decided to found Heath's Haven, a specialty rescue for dogs with special needs, particularly spinal injuries and trauma.
In 2015, the couple rescued and provided treatment for 37 dogs in need, providing evaluations from neurologists, appropriate surgeries, wheelchairs ,and treatments to aid in their recovery, including physical therapy, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy.
The Heaths are able to rehome a majority of the dogs in their care, but adopting a dog with special needs is not without challenges.
For dogs with spinal injuries and paralysis in particular, "You have to make sure they're not dragging their legs and getting sores," Heath said. "You have to bathe them frequently because they do pee and poop on themselves. They're kind of like little toddlers running around in diapers."
Photo courtesy of Heath's Haven, used with permission.
That's why Heath's Haven makes sure potential adoptive families know just what they're getting into. Stairs and decks can be difficult to navigate and owners need to be able to lift up the dog with ease. And since these animals can't swim, homes with pools are a no-go.
"They live a happy healthy normal life just like any other dog, but you do kinda have to look after them a little more," Heath said.
Pets with special needs have so much to offer and desperately need kind, compassionate families.
Whether they have a rare disorder like Quasi's or require additional accommodations like the dogs at Heath's Haven, all pets want one thing: love.
Photo by Heath's Haven, used with permission.
"The dogs we work with have no idea they are different from any other dog," Heath said. "They're not depressed about their situation. They're not in pain. They just want to be dogs."
Photo courtesy of Quasi the Great/Secondhand Hounds, used with permission.
"They're the ... underdogs, the ones with challenges... These are the pets that give love when they have no reason to," Anderson said. "I'm hoping that Quasi will become a face of rescue, a face to remind people that there are many animals out there who are still looking for their second chance."
Thanks to Sara Anderson with Secondhand Hounds for the interview and photos of Quasi.
And thanks to Jolene Heath of Heath's Haven for the interview.
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