Cooper is one of the few dogs in the world.
The American foxhound was born “without a neck” on a puppy farm and was never expected to live. While he was in the womb, many of his vertebrae were squeezed and fused together.
Cooper, now two years old, is unafraid of his unique condition, even though it requires him to spin his entire body to see behind himself.
Cooper was rescued in 2017 by animal control authorities in Halifax, Virginia, after he was discovered near a puppy factory. He was just two months old when he was taken to Secondhand Hounds in Minnetonka.
Cooper was found by cops who believe he was abandoned due to his uncommon illness. He finds it difficult to walk for long periods of time, and because his bottom end is placed a distance up his back, he finds it tough to defecate. When SecondhandHounds took up Cooper, they realized they had their work cut out for them.
Cooper had ear mites, worms, and a hernia repaired. He also need surgery in order to defecate correctly. To make matters worse, Cooper’s initial placement did not work out. Even though it was tough for the dog, he couldn’t stop pursuing the family’s cats.
Fortunately, his next choice worked out.
Elly and Andy Keegan, who had dogs Skylar, 13, Tuva, 4, and Waylon, 3, were a fantastic match for Cooper.
“I am fortunate to have the support of Secondhand Hounds as well as the appropriate environment for a special needs dog,” Elly remarked. “That’s not to suggest there haven’t been incidents. He suffered a fall a few months after he arrived and shattered his neck in five places.”
Cooper’s spine has remained infection-free thanks to a daily regimen of medicines. He can go to the restroom by himself and is making the most of his independence. He’s also a minor star on social media, even if he isn’t aware of it.
“It’s difficult since he can’t go on lengthy walks or spend a lot of time on hard surfaces,” Elly explained. “He must be on soft ground, such as grass or carpet.”
‘However, he’s still the happiest dog.”
Cooper’s illness might have been caused by inbreeding, and he was abandoned when he was declared unfit for sale. He is, however, wonderful for his new family and many others who have heard his tale.
“Cooper is proof that dogs with impairments have a lot of love to give and make wonderful companions,” Teri Woolard, owner surrender coordinator at Secondhand Hounds, said. “We’re overjoyed to have been a part of his adventure.”
This Great Dane, like Cooper, defied the odds.
Cooper is a very special dog, and he’s very protective of his forever family. See just how incredible this “short-on-spine, big-on-love” pup truly is in the video below!
