Cocker walks again thanks to determined owner

Linda Burns of Fleetwood, UK was frantic after finding her three-year-old cocker spaniel unable to move. She adopted him a year ago and named him Rooster for his red coat. Mrs. Burns rushed him to the PDSA PetAid hospital in Blackpool. Veterinarians suspected his paralysis was due to a disc injury. After 2 days in the hospital, Rooster showed no signs of improvement and his family was faced with the likelihood he might never recover. Mrs. Burns had two choices. The first choice would be the daunting task of caring for an invalid dog on a daily basis. The second choice was euthanasia.

Mrs. Burns could not bring herself to euthanize Rooster. “He was only two-years-old and I thought he deserved a chance at life,” said Mrs. Burns. “I knew the odds of him recovering were very slim and I didn’t want him to suffer any longer, but I could still see the old Rooster when I looked into his eyes and I thought to myself, ‘I can do this.'” The PDSA PetAid hospital provided Mrs. Burns training in caring for Rooster at home. For the next two weeks, Mrs. Burns cared for Rooster 24 hours a day. Rooster needed help eating, going to the bathroom, and getting in bed. She even gave Rooster physical therapy. Slowly, Rooster responded to Mrs. Burns’ tireless efforts and began walking again.

Four months later and Rooster is walking again. Mrs. Burns says, “We couldn’t have done it without the support and guidance of PDSA. Rooster needed so much treatment and we would never have been able to afford to pay for it all.” The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals of the Poor (PDSA) is a charitable organization providing veterinary care for low income pet owners in the United Kingdom.