Paul Coover
10-16-2008, 11:55 AM
Yesterday, October 15th, marked 3 years since Johanna joined our family.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/paulcoover/IMG_7559_1.jpg
Johanna is such a special girl. Her story is nothing short of amazing.
Johanna is from Tennessee. In October of 2004, she was attacked by 3 teenage boys with baseball bats. She was severely injured from the attack. The nerves in her spinal column were severed, leaving her permanently disabled. She was left incontinent, just going whenever and wherever she goes. Her owner was very angry at this, so she was chained outside in the mud until April 2005.
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/9110/img6956111qj5.jpg
Finally, she was rescued from this horrible life. Her feet on her back legs were left infected from being dragged through the mud for 7 months, so several of her toes had to be amputated. But her situation was about to get much better. A woman from Fryburg, Maine decided to take in Johanna, who was formerly named Boo.
Johanna's Handicapped Pets Web Page (http://www.handicappedpets.com/johanna)
Upon her arrival at the Portland airport, the local news was there to greet her. Her story was broadcast on the television news as well as on the radio and on the internet. Kathy Barton's class of 4th graders from a school in Oklahoma learned of Johanna and her inability to walk, so they raised over $400 for the purchase of a wheelchair cart. Now, Johanna would have her freedom back!
http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/8151/picture1521ka.jpg
I was contacted and asked if I wanted to adopt Johanna, as she needed more time to let her tender legs heal. I agreed, and I left for Portland to get Johanna.
Now, one would think that because of her experiences Johanna would be very nervous and fearful. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. She is the happiest dog that I have ever seen. She loves all people and other dogs. She is truly inspiring. Johanna helped me to realize that dachshund rescue is what I was born to do. I was destined to give her a home, and she was destined to inspire me to help more dogs like her.
http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/6555/img085111vt2.jpg
Her story was immortalized when we were interviewed by Channel 7 news in Boston in August of 2006. Her story was viewed by thousands of people. I just know that her story of survival will inspire more people to help out handicapped animals all over the country and all over the world.
Johanna on the News in Boston August 2006 (http://www1.whdh.com/features/articles/specialreport/BO25472/)
In May 2008 Johanna had been using her Eddies Wheels cart for 3 years, and she had worn it out. Kathy Barton, the 4th grade teacher, decided it was time to help Johanna once again. Handicapped Pets, with the help of a Rhode Island Veterinarian, once again purchased a new wheelchair cart for Johanna, this time a Doggon’ Wheels cart. This time Johanna’s new cart was covered by all 3 network television stations out of Portland, as well as by the Portland Herald newspaper. Her story was once again immortalized in the media.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/paulcoover/IMG_4075.jpg
Johanna’s story is a lesson to us all. To overcome such a horrible event and come out on top is certainly notable, but the manner that she has overcome is much more important. She is a normal dog in every way. She loves a long walk, she enjoys the feel of cool grass and warm sunshine. She may now have 4 working legs, but she does not care. She has 2 legs and 2 wheels, and that makes her happy.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/paulcoover/IMG_4561.jpg
Recently I was asked about what I believe that Johanna would say if she were able to speak. Without pause, I exclaimed one phrase that I use as Johanna’s motto: Do Not Pity Me! That describes Johanna perfectly.
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/8415/picture2182gi.jpg
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/9307/img3416an1.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/5881/img3660lp2.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/paulcoover/IMG_7559_1.jpg
Johanna is such a special girl. Her story is nothing short of amazing.
Johanna is from Tennessee. In October of 2004, she was attacked by 3 teenage boys with baseball bats. She was severely injured from the attack. The nerves in her spinal column were severed, leaving her permanently disabled. She was left incontinent, just going whenever and wherever she goes. Her owner was very angry at this, so she was chained outside in the mud until April 2005.
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/9110/img6956111qj5.jpg
Finally, she was rescued from this horrible life. Her feet on her back legs were left infected from being dragged through the mud for 7 months, so several of her toes had to be amputated. But her situation was about to get much better. A woman from Fryburg, Maine decided to take in Johanna, who was formerly named Boo.
Johanna's Handicapped Pets Web Page (http://www.handicappedpets.com/johanna)
Upon her arrival at the Portland airport, the local news was there to greet her. Her story was broadcast on the television news as well as on the radio and on the internet. Kathy Barton's class of 4th graders from a school in Oklahoma learned of Johanna and her inability to walk, so they raised over $400 for the purchase of a wheelchair cart. Now, Johanna would have her freedom back!
http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/8151/picture1521ka.jpg
I was contacted and asked if I wanted to adopt Johanna, as she needed more time to let her tender legs heal. I agreed, and I left for Portland to get Johanna.
Now, one would think that because of her experiences Johanna would be very nervous and fearful. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. She is the happiest dog that I have ever seen. She loves all people and other dogs. She is truly inspiring. Johanna helped me to realize that dachshund rescue is what I was born to do. I was destined to give her a home, and she was destined to inspire me to help more dogs like her.
http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/6555/img085111vt2.jpg
Her story was immortalized when we were interviewed by Channel 7 news in Boston in August of 2006. Her story was viewed by thousands of people. I just know that her story of survival will inspire more people to help out handicapped animals all over the country and all over the world.
Johanna on the News in Boston August 2006 (http://www1.whdh.com/features/articles/specialreport/BO25472/)
In May 2008 Johanna had been using her Eddies Wheels cart for 3 years, and she had worn it out. Kathy Barton, the 4th grade teacher, decided it was time to help Johanna once again. Handicapped Pets, with the help of a Rhode Island Veterinarian, once again purchased a new wheelchair cart for Johanna, this time a Doggon’ Wheels cart. This time Johanna’s new cart was covered by all 3 network television stations out of Portland, as well as by the Portland Herald newspaper. Her story was once again immortalized in the media.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/paulcoover/IMG_4075.jpg
Johanna’s story is a lesson to us all. To overcome such a horrible event and come out on top is certainly notable, but the manner that she has overcome is much more important. She is a normal dog in every way. She loves a long walk, she enjoys the feel of cool grass and warm sunshine. She may now have 4 working legs, but she does not care. She has 2 legs and 2 wheels, and that makes her happy.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/paulcoover/IMG_4561.jpg
Recently I was asked about what I believe that Johanna would say if she were able to speak. Without pause, I exclaimed one phrase that I use as Johanna’s motto: Do Not Pity Me! That describes Johanna perfectly.
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/8415/picture2182gi.jpg
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/9307/img3416an1.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/5881/img3660lp2.jpg