MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- An abandoned puppy found dragging his legs down a road in the middle of nowhere is getting the chance to walk on all four paws.
The six-month-old Shar Pei-Pit mix named Sully was rescued in November in Bells, Tennessee, and taken in by a local vet technician.
"He had littl
e abrasions and scarring on his legs from whoever had him before. I'm sure they were set letting him drag himself all over concrete," said Alex Walker.
Sully. Courtesy: Alex WalkerWalker and Sully Sully. Courtesy: Alex WalkerSully's wheels. Courtesy: Alex WalkerSully stand on his back legs. ourtesy: Alex WalkerSully. Courtesy: Alex WalkerSully shirts. Courtesy: Alex WalkerSully hat designed by German artist. Courtesy: Alex Walkerh Sully. Courtesy: Alex Walker
Alex Walker works with the rescue group Paws New England and has been trying to rehabilitate the dog for the last several months.
"He's been in physical therapy since I've had him," said Walker. "He's been getting acupuncture and laser therapy every day. He does water treadmill. He's been fitted for two wheelchairs, and he's made huge strides."
Paws New England has been helping foot the bill. Walker said an artist in Germany also reached out and wanted to create some t-shirts and hats with the dog's logo to sell to pay for Sully's physical therapy.
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"He made $700 from that - from his hat and his T-shirts. It has been wonderful to see people in Memphis wearing it."
While Sully has come a long way, the pup still needs several surgeries to fix his knee caps and hips so he can use his back legs.
"His legs, unfortunately, are probably the result of bad breeding," Walker said. So, the plan is to correct his knees, cut the bone 25%, to where he can actually bend his knee. One knee at a time, and then if that's successful, then we do a total hip replacement."
Walker has officially adopted Sully and taken on all financial responsibilities for the pup. She has set up a GoFundMe to pay for his surgeries that will cost tens of thousands of dollars.
"We're hoping he will be able to walk at the end of all of this," said Walker. "Just knowing he has multiple surgeries and things to go on, he's not adoptable, and I honestly don't know how I could let him go after all I've been put into him."
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Walker and her husband have rescued and rehabbed dogs for a decade. She said they adore Sully and will do everything they can to give him everything he needs.
"He's so worth it. I love him so much," she said.
Alex Walker and Sully. Courtesy: Alex Walker
She said Sully's story inspired the German artist so much that he plans to start making dog prosthetics. He also gave her the rights to Sully's logo.
Walker said Sully's first surgery could be scheduled as early as next week.
For more information on GoFundMe, click here. ...read more read less