Having a rescue dog by your side means having a devoted companion for life.
When Graham and Skip Fellers, from Asheville, North Carolina, decided to welcome Dime into their home in 2014, they had no idea he would become the center of their world.
Leaving his rough beginnings behind, Dime gave his heart completely to his new parents, ready for a wonderful life together. But somewhere along the way, the couple uncovered a heartbreaking truth about their beloved dog.
A Gentle Giant Named Dime
Dime spent the first three months of his life outdoors in a junkyard in Atlanta, Georgia, alongside several other dogs. One day, he and his dog dad managed to jump the fence, and Dime soon found safety at the home of a kindhearted woman.
Just a few days later, Graham Fellers got a call from a friend in Atlanta asking if he knew anyone who might adopt Dime. Graham didn’t hesitate for a moment.
He was smitten with the handsome pup immediately, and within days, Dime had a new forever home.
Graham and his wife, Skip, were thrilled to welcome him. Living in the mountains gave them plenty of open space, something Dime enjoyed right away.
Though shy at first, his gentle nature soon shone through. Even as he grew into a large dog, Dime remained nothing but loving and kind.
In 2020, the couple added another dog to the family, an American Bully named Pork Roll. While very different from Dime, the two quickly became inseparable.
Unlike his older brother, Pork Roll was silly and full of personality, constantly keeping Skip and Graham entertained.
“He either has the energy of a Tasmanian devil or he’s napping for 6 hours after his breakfast. He’s stubborn, playful, goofy, and ALWAYS will get his way,” Skip wrote on Instagram.
The two dogs loved playing outside, going on walks together, and snuggling up at the end of the day. Still, Dime’s absolute favorite person was his dad, with whom he shared an unbreakable bond.
An Unexpected Diagnosis
Years into his life with the Fellers family, Graham and Skip began noticing something unusual. Dime started favoring one foot and found it harder to move around as easily as before. Concerned, they took him to the vet.
After nearly nine wonderful years together, the diagnosis came: degenerative myelopathy, , a progressive spinal cord disease that leads to hind-leg weakness and numbness.
Determined to help him, the couple did everything they could to keep him comfortable.
At first, all Dime needed was some extra help on walks, so Graham designed a custom harness to support his back legs.
They later got him a wheelchair so he could move on his own. Sometimes, his little brother Porkie would even tug the wheelchair to help him along.
Despite his condition, Dime stayed cheerful and adjusted to his new way of life. Even with a few extra rules to follow, he remained happy and full of love.
“Dime has lived the most full life with us. He’s been to baseball games, national parks, backpacking trips, hundreds of restaurant patios, the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and countless hikes all over,” his momma wrote on Instagram.
His family makes sure he is always included. Whether walking in the mountains with Pork Roll, enjoying couch cuddles, or getting special treats, Dime’s days are still filled with joy.
For Graham and Skip, his illness is only a small obstacle in the incredible life they continue to share with him.