One thing I’ve always admired about dogs is their incredible perseverance. No matter the hardship, they somehow remain hopeful and full of life.
Even when faced with the toughest challenges, they still find ways to start fresh and live happily. Phelps was a shining example of that spirit.
This little pup was born with swimmer syndrome, a condition that caused his back legs to face backward.
But Phelps was determined to learn how to walk. Luckily, he crossed paths with a kindhearted rescuer who believed in him and was ready to help.
Phelps Begins Therapy
Before Phelps was brought to a rescue group in Texas, he lived with a breeder who couldn’t cover the cost of his medical care.
Knowing he needed more help than they could provide, the breeder surrendered him so he could get the chance he deserved.
That’s when Kathryn met Phelps. She immediately noticed his sweet personality and decided to give him a shot at a better life.
Kathryn told The Dodo: “I specialize in special-needs neonates. That’s what I love doing. And I’ve been doing it for years.”
At first, though, his condition worried everyone. Swimmer syndrome is usually easier to correct in very young puppies, but Phelps was already a little older when he arrived.
Signs Of Progress
Helping him was going to be a challenge. Kathryn saw how difficult even the simplest things were for him. Eating on his own was tough, so she had to support him just to sit upright.
She explained: “That does help him but there were times where I would prop him up – little did I know, I walked over there and he was flat on his back.”
Determined to help, Kathryn tried various exercises to loosen his muscles. Daily therapy sessions became part of his routine, and little by little, improvements began to show.
Along with treadmill and water therapy, Kathryn worked with him every single day. After a few weeks, Phelps was able to stand on his legs, even if only for a short while.
This milestone made Kathryn incredibly proud, but the road ahead was still uncertain. As he grew, his increasing weight made balancing even more difficult.
A Big Turning Point
Kathryn admitted: “The more he grew, the heavier he got and the less he wanted to walk on his legs.”
An MRI at a Texas clinic revealed another issue: luxating elbows, where the bone slips out of the joint.
Sadly, the progress he had made began to slip away, and soon he was no longer able to walk on his own. That’s when Kathryn introduced a carrying system so he could still join her and her husband on outings with their other dogs.
Despite everything, Phelps brought constant joy to their lives. His playful spirit and resilience won Kathryn over, and she knew she couldn’t let him go. She decided to adopt him.
Though his therapy isn’t over and they continue working to improve his mobility, Phelps is thriving. Surrounded by a loving family, he finally has the life he deserves.