Moment Baby Goose Takes 1st Steps in Wheelchair, Rescuer Knows He's Going To Make It
Many people and animals are blessed to be able to move around and do what they want to do without too much assistance. Until you experience a crippling injury, or know someone who does, it’s hard to imagine how routine daily movements could be so difficult.
There are critters and people out there who need a little more love and support in the mobility department. People are often able to get help, but the amount of work it takes to get animals back on their feet can be obstructive.
There aren’t many people who are able to just pay for extensive rehabilitation for rescue animals. In many cases, it’s kinder or easier to put the animals down and save them from a life of misery.
But in some cases, all it takes is a little investment to get a critter right as rain again. That was definitely true for PJ the goose.
PJ and his sister started life out in a bad situation. They were owned by someone who was a hoarder and unable to properly care for the two baby geese.
Once they found out about the situation, the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue was up to the task, but unfortunately the baby female goose died before they got to her.
“We got a call from somebody who had rescued him,” one rescuer said. “Baby PJ had a sister and the sister died before the transport.”
“Both of them were just living in what I would describe as a hoarder situation. She found them living in their own waste and without food. And she couldn’t find anyone locally, so she made arrangements to drive him to us.”
But PJ had a serious problem. He couldn’t walk.
His legs were floppy and splayed out behind him. He couldn’t move around and get to his food or water or even move out of his own waste like a normal goose could do.
“His legs were basically almost behind his back,” the rescuer continued. “He had no way to move himself at all.”
“We decided because he was so sweet and so loving that we just didn’t have the heart to put him down and that we would at least give him a chance.”
So they rigged up a little cart for him. You’ve probably seen carts for dogs and cats who lose the use of their front or back set of legs, but geese only have two, so the design had to be a little different.
They put together some PVC pipes and made what looked like a miniature walker. In the middle, they stretched a piece of fleece with leg holes cut out.
PJ’s feet still weren’t stable, so they gently taped his legs so they were held at the right distance apart and forced his feet to hit the floor the way they’re supposed to.
Over time, his legs grew stronger and he was able to walk on his own. He has a little limp that will always be with him, but he’s free to live his life and has quite a personality to boot!
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