In a world where ableism is still prevalent, stories of kindness and compassion towards animals with ᴅɪsᴀʙɪʟɪᴛɪᴇs often go unnoticed. However, the story of a young boy who adopted a dog with a six-legged disability is a shining example of love, empathy, and resilience in the face of adversity.
Roo is an eight-week-old Labrador mix who got her name from a kangaroo because she tends to hop around using her back legs. Roo leans on her elbows and sticks her bottom up in the air when she walks. While her odd little way of getting around sometimes is a little troublesome, the reason is that Roo was born with six legs – two extra ones in the front.
Roo was first spotted online being advertised by a breeder. Lauren Salmon’s 15-year-old son, Luke, was the one to notice the ad. The family immediately knew they had to have her. As she was born with a ᴅᴇꜰᴇᴄᴛ, they knew the breeder would likely have her ᴇᴜᴛʜᴀɴɪᴢᴇᴅ if Roo couldn’t find a home.
When Luke and Lauren went to pick up Roo, the little pup came hopping out of her pen and jumped up on her back legs. Roo was so happy to see them. Lauren and Luke could tell immediately that she was full of life despite her little ᴅᴇꜰᴇᴄᴛ.
“She’s full of puppy energy, so we’d describe her as peaceful but playful. “Not many dogs like Roo are out there,” Lauren told Fox News. “I think the breeders κιʟʟ them off because they’re not worth anything, but to us, she’s priceless.”
Ever since Roo arrived home, she and Luke have been inseparable. And Luke knows something about being the one ʟᴇғт out. The teen boy has ᴘsᴏʀɪᴀsɪs, a skin condition that leaves him covered in red patches. Because of his ᴘsᴏʀɪᴀsɪs, Luke has been ʙᴜʟʟɪᴇᴅ in school. But now he has a best friend, as does Roo. Besides a home with loving humans, Roo has also gained a new doggie sibling and two cats and rabbits!
Meanwhile, Lauren is working with Dr Noel Fitzpatrick to see what can be done to help improve Roo’s mobility. While her two extra legs hinder Roo from walking like an average dog, they don’t cause her ᴘᴀɪɴ.
The story of Roo and Luke is a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and compassion towards animals with ᴅɪsᴀʙɪʟɪᴛɪᴇs. It shows that ᴅɪsᴀʙɪʟɪᴛʏ should not be a barrier to love and companionship and that with care and support, even animals with ᴅɪsᴀʙɪʟɪᴛɪᴇs can lead happy and fulfilling lives. This story inspires us to look beyond physical appearances and ᴅɪsᴀʙɪʟɪᴛɪᴇs and see the beauty and potential in every living being.
You can catch a video of Roo below: