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Hoover with his new and
improved wheelchair that allows him the same freedoms he once had
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Hoover's
Upgrade!
The Cycle of Love
by Kim K
Approximately
three weeks ago we related the story of how Pasado’s Safe Haven had come
to the aid of Hoover, a six year old dog that had been partially
paralyzed in a freak accident. Read his story
here. At the time of that
report, Pasado's staff and volunteers traveled to Hoover’s home where
they were able to work with Hoover and his owner to assess how we could
help. We worked with Kevin, Hoover’s owner to fit him to a wheelchair.
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The
first chair raised Hoover’s paralyzed hind legs and allowed him for the
first time in more than a year to chase and play as he so desperately
wanted to do. The spirit and drive of this sweet soul is blatantly
apparent the moment you meet him.
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Kevin helps Hoover get
settled into his new wheelchair which is much easier to get him in and
out of |
Over the past three weeks
we continued to check in with Kevin to see how Hoover was doing with his
new chair. Despite the fact that Hoover loved the chair and ran around
the yard for six to eight hours each day in it, we were still not
satisfied that this was the best chair for him. The chair we felt was
not as steady as it needed to be for Hoover, and it also was difficult
for Kevin to get Hoover, who is a hundred pound dog into and out of the
chair easily. |
At the same time, a
wonderful Pasado's volunteer named Eileen saw Hoover’s story on our
website. Eileen approached us about the possibility of donating another
chair to Hoover, which she felt would possibly serve him better. Eileen
wasn’t only a volunteer for Pasado’s but the mom of one of Pasado’s past
rescues, Fred. |
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Fred was saved from
death row and then adopted by a wonderful Pasado's volunteer, Eileen
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Fred came to Pasado’s from
death row in a local shelter. Eileen and her husband welcomed this
sweet soul into their home with open arms. When they got Fred they were
told that he had only months to live. With the incredible love and care
given by Eileen, Fred continued to live a full and fabulous life for two
years! In Fred’s later days he had become afflicted with degenerative
myleopathy which claimed his ability to control the back half of his
body. No way was Eileen going to deny her best friend any bit of the
life he had ahead of him. After searching high and low, they found a
top of the line cart for Fred. With his mobility back, Fred was once
again walking on the beach, romping in the snow and hiking in the woods. |
Sadly, only months ago,
Eileen related to us that she had lost her precious friend Fred back in
November. After loosing this very special part of their lives, they
wanted the cart that was able to allow Fred such a wonderful full life,
to go to another dog in need. They had been looking for exactly the
right home where they could donate Fred’s wheelchair.
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Ready, Set, GO
chase squirrels, Hoover!
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After speaking with
Eileen, Pasado’s arranged a convenient meeting time for the interested
parties. Eileen then traveled over to meet Hoover. Quickly it was
evident that this chair was the perfect chair for Hoover. It was much
lighter, easier to get in and out of, and allowed Hoover to once again
be part of his pack, running with neighborhood canine buddies in the
back yard. |
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The
new chair is manufactured by K9West Inc. of Whidbey Island. It provides
even greater stability for Hoover due to its splayed wheels, its unique
design and the simple harness mechanism that keeps him securely in
place.
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Hoover wanted us to thank everyone involved in this continuing story and
for the work on this project. A special thank you goes to Eileen and
Fred for their generous donation of the new wheelchair. Pasado’s Safe
Haven is happy to be a small part of this wonderful dog’s life. We also
have the original chair back in our possession and are now looking for
the perfect candidate who can benefit from its use as well.
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