People say this disabled dog shouldn't exist
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00:00 Jack was just born this way.
00:01 He didn't do anything wrong, but I've had people tell me
00:04 you shouldn't have a dog like that.
00:06 I'm Wendy, and this is Jack's story for GeoBeats.
00:10 He was dumped in a box in the parking lot
00:12 outside a vet's office, and he was covered in fleece
00:15 and no medicine, no support, no diapers.
00:17 And based off of his condition,
00:19 he clearly hadn't been taken care of.
00:21 He was born with spina bifida, and he couldn't walk.
00:24 The Lee Bully team stepped up to rescue him,
00:26 but nobody else would.
00:27 Oh no.
00:28 (dog whimpers)
00:30 His health was stable.
00:32 He could be okay.
00:33 He had a very large uphill battle to fight,
00:35 but he had a chance at life
00:36 if there was just somebody willing to take care of him.
00:39 I first saw him on Instagram.
00:41 There's just something about his eyes.
00:43 This little dog that went against all odds,
00:45 getting through all these major medical emergencies.
00:48 Hi.
00:49 Hello.
00:51 As soon as I saw him, I knew I was meant to love him
00:53 and give him the life he deserves.
00:55 His rescue was in Philadelphia, and I live in Oregon.
00:57 We drove all the way out to Omaha, Nebraska,
01:00 about 1,700 miles, and his foster parent
01:02 and another volunteer from the rescue
01:04 drove out to meet us, so kind of halfway.
01:06 I was crying as soon as I saw him.
01:09 We had two other dogs at the time,
01:10 and they all just got along instantly.
01:12 We took four nights to get home and stretch out the trip,
01:15 so nobody was in the car too long.
01:17 On the fifth day, we got home,
01:19 and Jack went right to the bed that I thought he would
01:22 and just plopped down like he'd been there his whole life.
01:25 He gets around the house really well.
01:27 We've done a lot of physical therapy and strength training.
01:30 We're a real active family.
01:32 We hike a lot.
01:33 If he gets excited for the wheelchair,
01:35 that's nothing compared to the backpack.
01:37 It's a whole new point of view for him.
01:39 He puts his paws on my shoulder,
01:42 and a lot of times he likes to style my hair
01:44 or nuzzle into my neck.
01:46 Come back.
01:47 Come back.
01:48 There's a large amount of people that are negative,
01:51 and some are very rude.
01:52 I've had people who tell me I should be put in jail.
01:54 They think I did this to him.
01:56 I'm making him suffer by being alive.
01:58 (Jack growling)
02:01 And I try to be positive
02:02 and just be kind in those situations and educate people.
02:05 I try to just always remain calm for Jack
02:07 'cause he knows when someone's laughing at him.
02:10 I just wish people would look at the joy on his face.
02:13 We have a really good time together.
02:14 He's living his best life now,
02:16 and that's what's most important.
02:17 He has no idea that he's different,
02:19 and even if he did, I don't think he would care.
02:22 He just wants to be a dog.
02:23 He likes to do silly, naughty things.
02:25 If he knows I'm getting ready for work
02:27 or I'm gonna go out, he'll steal whatever clothes
02:30 he can get his hands on to try to prevent me from leaving,
02:32 and he'll run off with it.
02:35 He would live in my skin if he could.
02:36 He's laying on the other side of the door right now
02:40 because he wants to be in here, but he would be barking.
02:43 His clothes aren't for a purpose.
02:44 He can sunburn really easily.
02:46 He can chafe in his wheelchair.
02:48 He has some environmental allergies,
02:50 so wearing the clothes keeps him safe
02:52 and helps keep him comfortable.
02:54 He's overall very, very healthy and strong.
02:57 One of the things I really wish he could understand,
02:58 especially when we're getting negative words spoken to us
03:01 and he's getting upset, I really wish he could understand
03:04 so many people love you.
03:05 Just because one person or one set of people
03:08 did something wrong to you,
03:10 there's still so many people that can love you.
03:12 (gentle music)
03:15 (gentle music)
03:17 (upbeat music)
03:20 (upbeat music)