Adopter Name

Erin Kowalski

Rescue Dog’s Name

Bialy

Where Did You Find Your Dog?

Bialy was found as a stray on the south side of Chicago with a fractured back and stab wound to her neck at 2 months of age leaving her unable to use her back legs. She came into animal control and Secondhand Snoots Rescue pulled her into their adoption program and I volunteered to foster her and ultimately adopted her.

Tell Us About the Moment When You Knew that You Two Were Meant for Each Other.

Bialy was seen by a veterinarian that told us she would never walk again. We were given some hope by the neurologist who put her in a splint for 7 weeks and said there was a chance she would regain function in her hind legs. As a canine massage therapist I knew that Bialy was going to need a lot of special attention and was performing massage therapy session on her up to three hours a day. I couldn’t imagine not being able to see the possibility of Bialy walking. After 64 foster puppies, she was my first foster failure and shortly after adopting her she started to walk on her own. Today Bialy has a cart to assist her. She does not use it all the time – it is to help take some stress off of her body and works to help keep her muscles toned and strong sitting low enough so that she can still use her back legs.

How Has Your Hero Changed Your Life?

Bialy has taught me the value of patience and what unconditional love, a positive attitude and determination can accomplish. She is now an advocate for all special needs animals and has a facebook page dedicated to help other people recognize the impact adopting a dog with special needs has not only on the life of the animal rescued, but also the person that opens their heart and home to the dog in need: https://www.facebook.com/BialyBoops