Eros, a disabled Siberian Husky, gets a walk in a neighborhood in Mesa by his foster owner. Neglect by a previous owner led to Eros losing his hind paws.
Eros arrived at his foster home with two amputated hind paws and a forlorn look, ears back. But the Siberian husky pup was soon scooting around with a wheelchair and winning contests.
For the second year in a row, the blueeyed pup from Mesa will grace an annual calendar from Walkin’ Pets, a non-profit that equips pets with wheelchairs. More than 200 pets in wheelchairs from around the world, from cats to goats, were in the running. Winners were based on votes.
Eros’s caretakers hope to capitalize on his calendar fame to take his recovery to the next level. There is a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for prosthetics. The campaign, which is run by the Valley-based Arizona Siberian Husky Rescue and Adoption (ASHRA), already has raised more than half of the $12,000 it will take for Eros’s prosthetics, vet visits and rehabilitation.
Debbie Stahmer, who cares for the husky with her husband, said she hopes the calendar and Eros’s story raises awareness about the options available to pets.
“Just because your dog is lame, it doesn’t mean you have to put him down. There are other options out there,” she
said.
The local husky group rescued Eros after he was discovered with canine parvovirus, a contagious intestinal virus. Improper treatment led to infection in his paws and, eventually, amputation, Stahmer said.
He was placed with the Stahmers in February 2016 while he recovered from surgery at less than 1 year old. He arrived with two bandaged legs.
The recovery included late-night pharmacy runs to replace bandages the dog would scratch off. But even before Eros got a wheelchair, his affectionate nature was clear. He would hobble on bandaged hind legs to kiss, lick and greet visitors, Stahmer said.
She worked with Walkin’ Pets to get Eros an adjustable wheelchair at a low cost. The wheels made all the difference in his mobility. He follows Stahmer everywhere, which makes going to the bathroom tricky, she said.
“I’m not even sure he knows anything is wrong with him,” she said. “We’re in awe of how he handles things.”
Now 2, she wants to give prosthetics a try. She hopes they will give Eros even more mobility, allowing him to play with other dogs “as a dog should.”
She would also like to see Eros trained as a therapy dog, to connect with children overcoming similar struggles.