Every dog has its own charm and deserves to be in a loving home, regardless of their appearance. This includes dogs who may look a bit different from the norm, such as a one-of-a-kind pup who was born without a neck and half a spine. Despite his unique physical traits, this special dog named Cooper, an American foxhound, was able to overcome his challenges and find a perfect forever home. Cooper has a rare genetic condition called “short spine syndrome,” a condition where his vertebrae are fused together and compressed. Only 30 dogs in the world have this condition, according to Daily Mail.
The Daily Mail reported that Elly Keegan, the owner of a dog with fused spine in two places, shared that her furry companion has to turn his entire body just to look behind him due to his lack of neck. This peculiar-looking dog had a difficult beginning as he was probably from a puppy farm in Halifax, Virginia and left behind because of his birth defect. It is believed that his disability may have resulted from the puppy mill’s inbreeding practices.
In 2017, Cooper was rescued and brought to a shelter called Secondhand Hounds in Minnetonka, Minnesota. However, the first home he was placed in did not work out as he had a tendency to chase their cats. Luckily, Cooper eventually found his ideal home with Elly Keegan and her family. Despite his unique appearance and disability, Elly has a soft spot for differently-abled dogs and is dedicated to providing Cooper with all the love and assistance he requires. It is heartening to see that Cooper has finally found his forever home where he can thrive.
According to Elly, she knew from the beginning that Cooper would require medical care, but Secondhand Hounds had her back. At first, the pup encountered a few health problems, such as a neck fracture in five places and a bone infection.
However, there have been positive developments in Cooper’s condition as well. Elly explains that because of his birth defect, he essentially had to lie on his back to go to the bathroom, but a surgical procedure has now made it simpler for him to do so independently.
According to Elly, Cooper is an incredibly happy dog, and he always manages to put a smile on people’s faces whenever they see him. Despite all the attention he receives wherever he goes, he seems to love it and basks in the limelight. Elly even mentioned that Cooper has amassed a considerable following on Facebook due to his friendly and charming personality.
Every dog deserves to be loved and taken care of, regardless of their physical appearance or unique needs. It’s heartwarming to know that Cooper has finally found a forever home where he will be loved and accepted just as he is.