MIRACLE DOG
Power of love: Paralyzed pup walks again after rescue Perfect match: Blue Bell woman found ‘Teddy Bear’
BLUE BELL » The story of how Martine Ott of Blue Bell found a dog for her mom is a story of a pup who started at a Lancaster County breeder and ended up at a Chester County veterinarian to be fostered by a Delaware County couple — and along the way, became a miracle.
Advocate Lakin Harmon rescued this gentle dog, named Teddy Bear — then known as Prince Harry — this past summer from a licensed breeder in Lancaster. The dog, considered being between seven and nine years old, direly needed medical treatment.
Harmon is the founder of Zoe’s House based in Reading. The nonprofit rescues “broken dogs, just looking to be loved.”
Teddy had spent most his life inside a cage as a breeding dog at a Lancaster County puppy mill.
This resulted in a serious medical diagnosis in July prompting rescuers
to bring the dog to Ludwigs Corner Veterinary Hospital. The dog suffered from multifocal degenerative intervertebral disc disorder, among other issues.
“We see and treat many dogs and cats from rescue situations. It is particularly heart-wrenching when they have a devastating condition with a poor prognosis,” said Gillian Harclerode, a veterinarian at Ludwigs.
Harclerode said she was very concerned after diagnosing the traumatized poodle-mix with a condition involving paralysis of his hind legs. When he was presented to the hospital, he could not walk. He also had difficulty urinating.
“We are a grassroots organization, working tirelessly to rescue dogs from situations that no creature should ever endure,” Harmon said. “We give life-saving medical attention, hope for a better future and a loving human touch some have never known, and find them their forever home.”
Prince Harry went on to become a foster dog of Michelle Weirch, who lives in Delaware County.
When Weirch first met the senior dog, he was paralyzed.
After a week of companionship, however, to Weirch’s surprise, she said one day she looked outside the window and saw him running in her backyard. He could walk again. He could run. He was a cheerful dog.
The joy of movement, freedom, coupled with the power of unconditional love, proved healing.
“I became involved in animal rescue because I wanted to make a real difference in the lives of animals,” Weirch said. “I feel privileged to be a part of a community of committed animal lovers that works every day to transform the lives of animals that have suffered through neglect or abuse.”
Weirch has worked with dog rescuers across the Greater Philadelphia Region for the last decade and serves as a foster parent to rescued pups.
“We offer them the love, care, and comfort that they — and all animals — deserve. Every time I place a dog in its forever home I am grateful to the adopter and to the breeder who gave up the dog giving it a chance for a better life,” Weirch said. “As long as consumers continue to buy dogs from breeders I know that I and my rescue friends will work every day to save as many dogs as we can. This is a lifelong commitment. Sadly, the quest to save animals in need never ends.”
“I was elated to hear that Harry successfully recovered from his acute injury and was able to urinate and walk again,” said vet Harclerode of Ludwigs. “Thankfully, rescue organizations such as Zoe’s House allow veterinary hospitals like Ludwigs to care for these animals and give them a second chance. We certainly wish (the pup) all the best and a long, happy life with a loving family.”
“It truly takes a village,” said Harmon, the founder of Zoe’s House. She noted that volunteers are always welcomed to help and roles needed range from foster parents to drivers to transport rescued pups.
Zoe’s House paid thousands of dollars in medical fees to get Teddy ready for adoption.
“What makes it rewarding for us is the reciprocation of love from the adopted families and the dogs. I can’t tell you how many times they save each other,” Harmon said.
Then, Ott came into the picture.
Her mother C.J. Susko is a retiree who has lived in Northampton, near Allentown, for the last 45 years.
She lost her last dog about two years ago. This past summer, she found herself finally ready to rescue a new pup to bring into her home for companionship.
“I am alone, I’m retired, and I thought, ‘I think I’m ready for a rescue,’” Susko said.
Ott began helping her mom look for a rescue dog available for adoption.
“Prince Harry caught my eye,” she said. “I renamed him Teddy because he looks like a bear. His name is Teddy Bear now — Teddy Bear Susko.”
Susko said when she watches the early videos of Teddy in foster care — when he still couldn’t walk — “it chokes me up with tears.”
When Susko pursued adopting Teddy, she was told he was paralyzed. Then Weirch reached out with a surprise update.
“She told me he started walking,” Susko recalled, speaking through tears.
“He’s doing remarkably well,” Susko said. She noted that he’s still fearful of loud noises, such as the roar of the vacuum cleaner, but he’s getting adjusted day by day.
Susko officially adopted Teddy on Oct. 30, and it’s been a little more than a month since he arrived at her home.
“I’m working on his training,” she said. “He’s a senior gentleman.”
Susko said Teddy loves to play, and she enjoys taking him out on playdates with close friends. “He’s coming out of his shell and he’s doing really well.”
Susko said Teddy still walks a bit awkwardly, however, he’s getting stronger every day and doing really well, concurrently.
“He just makes me smile, I can’t wait to get up in the morning to see him,” Susko said. “He’s just really cute.”
When Susko reflects on Teddy’s life before her, and the fact he spent years inside a cage without the ability to walk around, tears emerge with both notes of compassion for the love he’s given her and grief in consideration for what he’s endured prior to coming to her home.
“It’s actually heartbreaking,” Susko said. “He’s come a long way. He’s adorable.”
Susko said she hopes people rescue unwanted dogs instead of buying them.
Of Teddy, she said simply, “He’s a delight.”