Rescue Puppy Who Couldn't Walk Finally Gets His Own Wheelchair

Howie, a rescued 3-month-old beagle, is proof that good things come in small packages.

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You'd never be able to tell by his adorable face and floppy ears that this happy pup was found in the back room of a beagle breeder's house during an investigation by Brunswick County's Animal Protective Services (APS) in North Carolina in May.

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What was even more shocking than the conditions was the fact that Howie could not walk. "We were advised the puppy had been paralyzed since birth," Lieutenant Tommy Tolley, director of the APS, told The Dodo.

Despite Howie's disabilities, Sheriff's Office Captain Mose Highsmith and his wife volunteered to be a foster family for the little puppy. By late May, Howie had found a home and an entirely new life with them.

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Though Howie will need special care throughout his recovery, the Highsmiths seem more than pleased to give Howie all the attention he needs.

"It's not a matter of why did we want to foster him, it's like we were the lucky ones that got to," Captain Highsmith told Star News Online. "You can't look at that little fella and not want to foster him."

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In the meantime, Howie isn't slowing down anytime soon thanks to his new wheelchair.

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"He has adjusted to it very well," Tolley said. "He is very fast, and has learned to navigate around objects and back out of tight places."

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Howie has no feeling in his back legs or feet due to a fractured vertebra and has been doing physical therapy five days a week to potentially help him walk on his own.

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His sessions start in the mornings with swimming exercises and shift to "land" exercises in the afternoon - they are meant to increase Howie's strength, coordination and muscle memory.

"He has made very noticeable progress," Tolley said. "When we first got him on May 21, he could not stand at all and dragged his back legs at all times. Now he can stand. He generally stands when he eats. He can now take three to four steps with his back legs before losing balance."

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As far as adoption goes, Tolley says, the plan currently is to get Howie to be the best dog he can be - and then consider a potential forever home.

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For now, Howie's enjoying life to the fullest, pampered with plenty of new friends ...

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... playtime ...

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... and of course, nap time.

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"His personality, and his determination, make us smile every day," Tolley said. "Even when we are cleaning up behind him."

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You can keep up with Howie's adventures on Facebook.

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Check out this video and see just how fast Howie is on his wheels: