Hope Transforms Into Art and Becomes a Winner

This is a story about and abandoned puppy nicknamed 'Hope'. The little guy was born with only two legs and he and his eight siblings, all newborns, were found shortly before Christmas, in a box at the side of an Orlando, Florida highway. They were taken to a local shelter—'Pet Rescue by Judy'. Seven of the puppies were healthy, but Hope's two front legs were stumps. Volunteer Judy Walker fostered Art for about three months until he was ready for a new, permanent home. He had to grow and put on weight before he could use a wheelchair. He now has a new home, a new name, and new mobility. Hope is now called Art and lives an active life with three other dogs and a retired veterinarian. And he gets around just fine! "I just fell in love with him," said Art's new owner, Robert Weigle, a retired veterinarian. "He's taught me more than years of veterinary training ever did, and a lot about life priorities." At 10 months old, he weighs 25 pounds and has adapted beautifully to his new name and home. Robert added: "He's just a happy dog and he's very intelligent and if one thing doesn't succeed, he'll work around it and find a way that does". Weigle built Art two makeshift wheelchairs, one with four wheels and one with two, which Art uses when he leaves the house. "He really isn't overly-fond of either of them, unless we're in a strange area where he gets around and socializes with people," Weigle said. When he's at home, Art prefers to be free of his wheelchairs. "He travels about perfectly well on his own," Weigle said. Recently, Art's former foster caregiver, Judy Walker, had the opportunity to visit Art for the first time since he left her home in March. "He's happy and that's all I wanted," Judy said. For her it's come full circle: Art the abandoned puppy born with two legs is happy, healthy and amazingly active. "It's amazing what love can do, especially with animals," she said.