Pumpkin, a West Highland Terrier, didn’t have the easiest start in life. Somebody stamped on her as a puppy, leaving the poor canine paralyzed, and she was then abandoned.
However, after being adopted by her dog parent she got a very stylish set of pink wheels, and a brand new job as a therapy dog. She goes around schools to help disabled and autistic children, and visits care homes too. And now, she’s the face of a new charity.
Helping Other Canines
Her dog mom, 42-year-old Tammie Fox, set up the charity Pumpkin & Friends to help other disabled dogs. Tammie, from Lincolnshire in the U.K., established the charity to raise awareness for disabled animals and help financially where needed too.
The charity offers disabled dogs wheelchairs and strollers if they need them, and contributes towards vet fees or any operations. The charity also helps with different therapies and practices like acupuncture and hydrotherapy.
Since the charity launched in June, it’s helped 61 dogs – and a goat! Pets who join the charity also join the Wheely Good Friends scheme.
Pumpkin herself is now a year old, Tammie first fostered her after local rescue center Breeds In Need asked her to. But when she “fell in love” with the disabled dog, she decided that she had to adopt her and give her a forever home.
Nail technician Tammie raised over £10,000 (over $12,000) through GoFundMe to afford an appointment with one of the best vet specialists in the world. After he told Tammie that Pumpkin wouldn’t be able to walk independently, she used the rest of the money to get Pumpkin her wheels from Walkin’ Pets. She then donated the rest to Breeds In Need.
“We’re Saving Animals’ Lives”
“Having a disability isn’t a death sentence,” explained Tammie to The Mirror. “It’s the beginning of a new adventure. Whatever the dog needs for a good quality of life and be out of pain, we want to help with that.
“Before I got Pumpkin I didn’t realize dogs and wheelchairs existed. I found it very isolating because I didn’t realize there was help out there. Now I want to show the world that these animals are amazing and deserve to live. I want to fight for them.”
“It makes me really proud that we are changing things and people’s opinions. We are saving animals’ lives and that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”
And certainly, she’s changed Pumpkin’s for the better.
