The North Shore Animal League in Port Washington, NY on Long Island is the world’s largest no-kill pet adoption center and is home to many special needs pets. Donna Imhof works as a veterinary technician at North Shore, and is mom to four chihuahuas who were born with a congenital defect that left them without front legs. Imhof adopted Carmen, Pablo, Venus and aptly-named Scooter in July, 2007 after they were recovered from a puppy mill in Virginia.
The handicapped chihuahuas get around on special scooters that were custom-built for them in January. Generous donors contributed the $1,000 cost of the scooters. (I think that was the total cost for all the scooters, not the individual cost for each, but the source article is worded vaguely.) Prior to being outfitted with their new scooters the dogs got around by hopping and walking on their hind legs. With their new aluminum-frame scooters they have more mobility and less chance of back and joint problems. They also look so cute.
If you live on Long Island or nearby and are looking for a pet the North Shore Animal League has many dogs and cats that need a good home. If you’re looking for a pet anywhere in the US, the humane society is a good place to start.
Photo credit: BARM/Fame Pictures. 9/15/08
Way to go CB! 😀
I have been donating to NSAL monthly for a couple years now. They are a wonderful organization that really help animals in need.
Those pups are sooo cute!!
Thanks for this thread 😉
*edit, Codzilla, my donation goes specifically to elderly dogs, they’re harder to place, most people want puppies. It’s a great cause isn’t it?
Daisy: I’ve been donating to NSAL monthly for two years, also! Wonderful organization. And thanks, CB, for the sweet story.
A great cause, indeed. A few years ago we adopted a 12 year old shepherd mix from the local shelter, and while she passed away later that year (she came with a bevy of medical issues), we loved her dearly and felt privileged to have provided a loving home for her remaining days. We had three younger dogs at the time, also, and she loved running around (albeit a little slowly) with her new pack.
Sorry for the rambling, but this is what happens when you get me started on critters or kids. 😀
Codzilla, you made a huge difference in your Shepherd’s life giving her a home, no matter what her age. btw, I’m the same way about animals and kids.
Thanks for the heart warming story, it made me smile 😉
Oh! Little pups! Poor sweetpeas! I keep trying to convince The Fiance that we need to adopt another furbaby, but alas, he says that we have to afford to feed the ones we have…
I wonder how long did it took them to get used to their new mode of transportation.
That’s a really heartworming story. The little dogs are so happy to have those little carts. Donna is a special person.
I meant “heartwarming”….sheesh!
What movies were these two in? I dont remember. Are they up for an emmy or a grammy or something? Isnt the one on the right in rehab?
What a beautiful image. Those sweet babies getting to run and play. Way to go!!!
I’m so torn about this. I foster feral kittens and support a neighborhood dog rescue organization, but I sometimes wonder about the amount of money spent on these ‘special needs’ animals and if there isn’t a better use it could be put to. It’s a very difficult question and I have to admire the people who put so much work into this; I’ve seen their dedication first hand (and mine).
I love it! I am a cat person and all of my kitties are special needs too. God bless her and these precious babies
Viva Chihuahuas!!!! What a wonderful story!!! Thank God for people like Donna in the world! And thanks CB for sharing this story with all of us!
I’m sorry, even though this is sad, it is also hysterical
What about donating $1000 to starving kids in poverty??? Is humanity not a better investment?
Sweet story. Don’t get the ‘less valid’ vibe here at all. I think it’s really admirable that org’s like this are supported – can’t be an easy one to raise money for. Dog lover here and the pleasure that dogs in particular give is enough reason to love the effort here to make these little creatures’ lives easier and happier. Anyone that cares for abandoned, needy little critters has my wholehearted respect.
@Keira – loving your earlier ‘heartworming’!
I’m all for their good cause and I admire their work.
Strawberry: sometimes I’m really not so sure that humanity is a better investment.
But chihuahas suck. Even poor legless ones. They’re yapping, annoying little critters. Oversized rats in cuter outfits. And all the chihuahas I’ve ever known had the worst dog-stinky-breath I ever encountered.
I love dogs but I don’t count chihuahas as being canine. They’re evil pretend-dogs. Like golf is a pretend-sport. Incidentally, a lot of golfing people have chihuahas and vice versa… I smell a conspiracy.
Orangejulius – I do the same, support feral cats (and kittens) by working with the Paws organization to get them spayed and neutered. I don’t care for the SPCA, to be honest. I realize there’s very little choice when they’re inundated with so many pets, but I can’t stand that an animal usually gets one week to find a family or they’re put to sleep (in my local SPCA anyway – not speaking for all of them). Again, I realize there’s little choice, but I will never take these animals to the SPCA for that reason.
About the article, I think all creatures deserve a chance and I’m glad to see these little pups getting a chance at a happy and semi normal life. I don’t adhere to the belief that some hold – ‘humans before animals’ – for me, it depends on the human. My child, yes… some of the meanies who post on this site, no.
Hey now! I have a chihuahua and while she does have stinky breath I don’t know many dogs that don’t. And, yes, she does bark but at least I know when those f-ing solictors are walking up my sidewalk! And, just for the record, I don’t golf.
Those doggies are so freaking cute. I am a HUGE animal lover and it is so awesome to see people contributing their time and energy to such a great cause.
Hey – no hatin’ on the chi-chis.
My mommie adopts and rehabs “nervous” chihuahuas ( I know, I didn’t think there was any other kind of chihuahua, either). All the puppies we’ve ever had at my parents house were chihuahuas, and those little apple domes grow on ya. I’ve forwarded this story to her, and I’m pretty sure next time I visit, I’ll have to watch out for these legless critters underfoot.
It’s so sweet to see these little guys truck around and have a great quality of life. !Viven los chi-chis!
“What about donating $1000 to starving kids in poverty??? Is humanity not a better investment?”
Newsflash Strawberry…you can donate money to humanity AND animals. We are all one big family.
Jesus loves us all, canines included.
@Anna…..your comment just made me reall really sad. Just to let you know.
@Blanche…thanks for the news flash *puts sunglasses on.
I’m just saying that $1000 might have saved the life of the poorest of poorest human beings.
What is a dog’s wheelie compared to a saved human life?
Doesn’t mean these dogs don’t deserve attention and care, that’s not what I mean. I think we all lost a bit the imagination of the value of a human life and prefer chihuahuas because they are cuter than stick-thin dirty ill children.
Very sad tis attitude, honestly.
Strawberry: I’m sure most of the posters here don’t prefer Chihuahuas to starving children (what a ridiculous accusation), but the story itself is about animal rescue, hence the responses would follow suit. Now go away and let us fawn in peace.
To all the Chihuaha lovers and owners here: I may hate Chihuahas myself (that’s why I made those sarcastic quips and I do stand by them), but rest assured that I find it delightful that you love yours. All animals deserve to be loved and protected and if you love your Chihuaha, more power to you. I am sure they, just like any other pet that is loved and taken care of, give back lots of love and affection. Even if it’s by yapping incessantly to warn you about the solicitors 🙂
Strawberry: personally, I don’t find Chihuahas cuter than anything, let alone starving orphans. But Codzilla is right, in this thread, we were all thinking about dogs and not so focused on human beings. As for my comment saddening you, I’m sorry if it did but that is my opinion. There are days where I really wonder if we are all that. Note the “WE” please.
I’m not trying to be rude or mean, I just don’t see a “cuteness” to these dogs. I do think this is a great thing for any dog to have – is it hard for dogs to learn to “walk” or roll like this?
As a mom to several rescue dogs, I think this story is amazing. It’s always nice to see that not everyone thinks they should be dumped by the road or starved and otherwise neglected when they outgrow the puppy stage. But I am disappointed to see that you linked the HSUS. Petfinder may have been a better choice. Let’s not forget that PeTA and the HSUS are the biggest supporters of BSL and they believe that no one should have pets. They’re very closely aligned and since PeTA is known for killing over 97% of the pets they take in, surely there’s a better way to point people towards adoptions than linking one of the richest and most corrupt animal rights, not to be confused with animal welfare, organizations in the world. The HSUS doesn’t run shelters. They just take money and use it to further their insane agenda.
to the person who said we should donate to starving kids in poverty….F YOU…kids can get help and will easily…animals are voiceless and can’t GET food/help like a human being can
Holly: I don’t see why you need to get rude about this. You have something of a point, but there are nicer and more constructive ways to phrase it. You should pick your cussing battles with more wisdom.