Some dogs walk on 2 legs, others leap 20 feet at Pet Expo
A Chihuahua named Roo and Joey the miniature pinscher wowed crowds and warmed hearts as they walked around the Pittsburgh Pet Expo in their unique way. Both balanced on hind legs — effortlessly and endlessly — as they hopped from person to person. Their tails wagged and they seemed to relish being petted and praised.
Each dog was born without front legs. They taught themselves to walk on hind legs and were lucky enough to be rescued from shelters by Pat Holcomb of Cleveland, who operates a nonprofit rescue for handicapped pets.
Joining Roo and Joey were several dachshunds whose hind legs are paralyzed because of intervertebral disc disease or other back injuries. Some use wheeled carts that support their back legs.
Ms. Holcomb was at the expo to tell people how to live with and help pets that lose their ability to walk.
“A ton of people stopped by,” she said, and found the dogs to be cute, happy and inspirational. Look for tips to prevent back and disc injuries and care for handicapped pets on her Facebook page, “Butch and Roo from Cleveland,” and at dodgerslist.com. Also see the end of this column.
The paid attendance for the Pet Expo on Nov. 2-4 was 16,000, and there were at least 16,000 canines there as well, because most people brought dogs and many brought two or more.
Those who didn’t bring a dog enjoyed petting and visiting with other people’s pets at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in
Downtown. There were more than 200 booths of exhibitors. There were adoptable animals from local shelters and rescue groups, including Midwest Beagle Rescue Education & Welfare, whose volunteers brought several adorable spotted dogs.
Just one week after she was rescued from an Amish farm in Ohio, Tilly, 3, wore a vest whose pockets were filled with donated dollars and a leash that said “Adopt me.” Jamie Ozolek of Franklin Park, Tilly’s foster mom, took the beagle to play with the handicapped pets.
“Pat Holcomb is going to heaven,” Ms. Ozolek said. “There’s a special place for people like her.”
Ms. Ozolek is no slouch, either. She has fostered 70 beagles in the last 12 years. Tilly will have no problem finding a good home, she said, “because we have a waiting list for people who want a young female beagle. What we need is more foster homes.”
Go to gotbeagles.org for more information about BREW.
Dogs were able to try new things, like lure coursing and a mini agility course. Other events included the National Dachshund Races and the North American Dock Diving Dogs competition, a perennial crowdpleaser. Most of the divers I saw were Labrador retrievers, but there were also two German shorthaired pointers and an adorable Boykin spaniel named Bugg. At just 24 pounds, Bugg was much smaller than the other dogs, but her jumps exceeded 18 feet, just like the big dogs.
Dogs run to the end of the dock as their owners throw a toy far out into a pool 40 feet long and several feet deep. Some dogs fly at least 20 feet in the air, grab the toy and swim back to the dock. After two dives, Bug cuddled in the arms of Janet Wasson of Columbus, Ga. The little dog was shivering, but not from the cold water. Bug was trembling with excitement. “She just loves this and she wants to do it again,” Ms. Wasson said.
A Boykin spaniel is a breed most people have never seen, but they are adorable. They come in shades of brown, resemble cocker spaniels and were bred in South Carolina to hunt birds in swamps and lakes. They swim like seals, according to the American Kennel Club website.
Tips to avoid back problems
These tips from Pat Holcomb on minimizing the risk of disc and back problems are especially important for dachshunds and other breeds with long bodies and short legs.
• Exercise them regularly and don’t let them become overweight.
• Limit use of stairs and discourage jumping on and off furniture. Ramps are strongly encouraged.
• Use a harness rather than a collar.
• When lifting a long-bodied dog, use one hand to support the chest and one to support the rear end.