"Kangaroo Dog" Gets New Lease On Life When Given Prosthetics After Adoption

Jan 28, 2020 by apost team

Gus, the "Kangaroo Dog," got a rough start in life. His right front leg was shortened at birth, and his left required amputation. That left Gus standing on his hind legs and earned him his nickname.

Sadly, the dog was soon abandoned, despite his sunny disposition. Fortunately, Gus found his way to Wyoming and the Black Dog Animal Rescue, where he was when his future owner, Melody Rezzonico, would meet him. Melody told Laramie Boomerang that she just knew she had to add Gus to her pack, which already included a Blue Heeler and a Boston Terrier mix.

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Things looked up when Melody took Gus home, but he still had to overcome the hurdles of his shortened legs. He couldn't eat, walk, or even use the bathroom like a normal dog. Melody wanted to improve his quality of life, so she met with animal orthotist Derrick Campana in Virginia to design prosthetics for Gus, reports A Dog Place.

With the help of generous strangers via GoFundMe, Melody and Derrick were able to create a prosthetic with multiple attachments for Gus. For the first time in his life, Gus was able not just to walk but to sled in the snow and run on wheels.

Now, Gus joins his owner hiking mountains, swimming, kayaking, and making plenty of new friends, all the while with a smile on his face! Fans of Gus can follow Melody and her pack on Instagram at @the3gs_and_melody.

This dog overcoming impossible odds just goes to show how far we can all come with a little love and help from our friends.