A puppy with a severed paw is getting a boost with a new prosthetic limb.
Debbie, a 3-month-old pitbull mix, was found abandoned in Northwest Miami with a missing paw two weeks ago. On Friday, she was fitted for a new paw.
"We're here today getting her fitted for a little prosthetic limb that will hopefully help her have a long, happy life like a normal dog," said Debbie's foster mom Michelle Rodriguez. "She can run and play and do everything she needs to do."
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Rodriguez, who runs the non-profit 1 Lucky Dog Rescue from her home in Hialeah, took Debbie in after she was found. The dog was 10 pounds underweight and her paw had been cut clean off. Vets said the wound was most likely intentional.
Luckily, Debbie's remaining limb will be able to bear weight, said Shawn Conrey of Around and About Orthotics and Prosthetics, who fitted Debbie for her new paw. That means she can still put pressure on the bottom of her remaining limb.
Despite the loud noise from cutting of the cast for the mold, Debbie kept her cool through the procedure.
"Little debbie is a great patient," he said.
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The next step for Debbie will be testing out the new limb. Rodriguez said once she adopted, her new family will have to make sure to adjust her prosthetics has the puppy grows to full size.
"I see a wonderful future for her," she said. "She's a wonderful girl with a wonderful temperament."
To learn more about how to help this puppy and others like her, visit 1luckydogrescue.com.
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Photo Credit: NBC 6 South Florida