On December 10, Reuben’s owner took him swimming at the beach.
By home-time Reuben was dragging his back legs and was unable to keep them upright.
A rushed visit to the vet and a transfer to the WA Veterinary Emergency and Specialty revealed that he had popped a disc and punctured a spinal cord. He was also haemorrhaging.
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It was touch and go for a week but he recovered.
But he had lost feeling in his back legs and was unable to walk.
Reuben’s owner Tanya Stone had already spent thousands on his emergency vet care, but he still needed a way to get around.
He had been attending Peekaboo Doggy Daycare since it opened and hearing of Reuben’s plight, owner Janine Pace jumped into action and started a Go Fund Me to pay for wheels.
They reached the $1400 fundraising target in a week and Reuben got his wheelchair.
“So many clients donated, so did friends and family,” Janine said.
“It plays on the heart strings of many people; they see an injured dog and they want to help.”
Caring for Reuben is labour intensive .
His owner has to express his bladder manually and he has no bowel control.
Reuben also requires physio and exercise on his wheels.
He still comes to Peekaboo and after playing with his doggy friends he keeps Janine company in the office.
Janine said caring for a dog like Reuben wasn’t for everyone, but it was rewarding for someone willing to put in the time.
“Dogs give unconditionally; it doesn’t matter what has happened to them, they forgive,” she said.
“All they want to do is be loved.”
Janine described Reuben as a “people person”.
“Nothing changes for him,” she said.
“His quality of life is good because of his mum.”