Disabled foster dog in Summerside gets new wheels with community help

When Jo-Anne Praughtput out a call on social media to helpher foster a disabled dog, she didn't expect to get a big response.

She was looking for a used dog stroller, since Ritz, a three-year-old shepherd mix, can't walk on his own.

She didn't get the used stroller but she did get about $1,500 in donations in less than 24 hours to help buy a new stroller and pay for other expenses.

"It just kind of caught on like wildfire and I had over 40 people donate to purchase that stroller," said Praught.

"I was speechless and so grateful," she said.

She said Ritzcame toSave a Life Canada Animal Rescue Societyafter hewas shotand abandoned on the side of the road in Texas.

"He was shot in the back, which led to the paralysis of his back legs. He was found on the side of the road probably there for a number of hours alone," she said.

"He's a strong little guy and he's persevered."

Praught said sheused some of the money donated to get a new stroller for Ritz, which he's already enjoying, and to buy him a sweater as,being from Texas, he's not used to Canadian winters.

Donations will help lots

Praughtsaid the stroller arrived earlier this week and Ritz is already enjoying it as she takes him for walks a couple of times a day.

"He's very sociable, and he's very loveable, and he loves to meet new people,so the stroller will help.When I go for walks he can now come with me," she said.

"His world has opened up so much more."

Ritz also has wheels which attach to his back, allowing him to walk on his own, but his current wheels are too small and in poor shape.

She used some of the donations to buy him a larger set of wheels and some will help cover upcoming surgeries he needs.

The rest of the money will go to the rescue group to help cover surgeries for other animals in their care.

Praught didn't ask for money in her social media posts, just help in finding a stroller,but she saidreceiving the generous donationsis proof that "P.E.I. is a great place to live."

In foster care for now

Ritzis expected to be in foster care withPraught for a couple of months.

He'll be neutered and get dental surgery while he's in Praught's care.

Shesaid he's not up for adoption yet, but when he has all his medical and equipment needs taken care of, hisprofile will be posted on the rescue dog website.

She describes him as a friendly, loving dog and she's happy so many people reached out to help him.

"People are really generous, even though probably 2020 wassome people's hardest year, there's a lot of animal lovers on P.E.I."

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