Shropshire Star

Plucky pooch Mojo goes from walkies to wheelies

[gallery] A plucky pooch has been making a wheely-good impression as he cruises through the streets of Shropshire on a set of wheels.

Published

Paralysed dog Mojo has been causing a stir in Shrewsbury as he makes use of an unusual 'doggie walker' device to get around.

His proud owner Julie Fletcher said Mojo has become the talk of the town as he makes his way about with the help of the equipment.

The previously healthy dog became paralysed last September in his hind legs and unable to walk shortly after returning from a five-week holiday in Cornwall.

Mrs Fletcher, 54, rushed him to the vets where at first it was though Mojo had broken his back.

But an X-ray revealed that the cause of his problem was a disc becoming dislodged in Mojo's spine, resulting in the paralysis in his hind legs.

Mrs Fletcher said she was given the option of putting Mojo down, but instead he underwent an operation to minimise the problem.

"We were told he could be put down but we said no," she said.

Since the five-year-old Chihuahua and Jack Russell cross underwent an operation to remove the disc he has gone on to make a remarkable recovery – all with the help of his walker.

The device helps Mojo to walk by keeping his back legs propped up while his front legs set the pace – allowing the rear wheels to follow along.

Mrs Fletcher, a mother-of-three, of Allerton Road, Sundorne, said plucky Mojo had become the talk of the neighbourhood on his regular strolls.

She said that he is adjusting to life with his disability and is a 'very happy dog'.

"People are always coming up and asking about him," she said.

"People think he hasn't got any hind legs but I tell them they are just in special shoes.

"He still plays with his toys and he is a very happy dog.

"He looks a bit like a sea lion when he walks."

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