Cooper, an American hunting dog, is a unique little dog. He is one of the few dogs in the world living with short spine syndrome.
The short spine syndrome is a genetic disorder where the vertebrae are severely compressed and sometimes even fused together. It is believed that the condition is caused by inbreeding.
In 2017, a two-month-old puppy was found abandoned near Halifax, Virginia, USA. The animal protection agency picked up the dog, and he was placed under the care of Secondhand Hounds, a rescue center in Minnesota.
Elly and Andy Keegan agreed to care for Cooper. Despite his struggles with mobility, they worked with him to improve his quality of life.
When Cooper first arrived at the Keegan’s home, he fell and broke his neck in several places, but that didn’t stop him. And a bone infection, which he didn’t develop until a few months later, didn’t stop him either.
“He also underwent a surgery that allows him to go to the bathroom a little better, which means he now requires very little assistance and can go alone,” Elly told Fox News.
After caring for Cooper for six months, the Keegans offered Cooper for adoption. Elly was sure that the ‘happiest dog’ would receive numerous applications.
“Nobody wanted to adopt Cooper,” she told The Dodo. “And then we got an applicant. I think I went crazy every hour. I thought, ‘Andy, I don’t know what we’re going to do!’ I couldn’t imagine just handing him over and saying, ‘Okay, now be Cooper’s family.’”
They decided to adopt Cooper themselves.
Although he initially struggled and still encounters some issues, Cooper fully enjoys his life and helps his new home do the same.
“With our other rescues, there was no introduction period,” Elly said. “It was a family from the start.”
“Many dogs with conditions like Cooper’s are euthanized, which makes me so sad,” she told Fox News. “They have so much to give, and Cooper is a real example of that. He now has a happy, normal life and is an important member of our family.”
You can follow Cooper’s adventures on his Facebook page. If you can’t get enough of this sweet dog who “has a short spine and is big on love,” share this article with your friends.
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