A special dog who captures the hearts of everyone he meets has a new set of wheels, thanks to our Maritimers of the Week.
When Guinness’ owners dropped him off at a boarding kennel in Keswick Ridge, N.B., he had been without the use of his back legs for about a year.
Stephanie Shipley, who runs the ‘Paw and Order’ boarding kennel, said she and her staff fell in love with the 12-year-old cocker spaniel during his two-week stay.
They wanted to do whatever they could to help the aging pup.
“He has so much life left in him,” says Stephanie. “We measured him and contacted a company in Calgary and they were wonderful to work with and they worked with us and sent the wheelchair overnight and then we had a week to get Guinness all trained, so that he could run out and meet his mom when she came.”
Jacqueline Critch helped with Guinness’ training.
“The training that we did was put him up on the deck with a bag of liver treats, put him in (the wheelchair) and nothing held him back. As soon as he went in it he just went forward and just walked with everybody,” says Jacqueline. “He’s an amazing dog. He is just very strong and very happy.”
Guinness’ owner Susan Mesheau says she got a big surprise when her daughter brought Guinness home from the kennel.
“She got out of the car and she took a long time, so I started to get up to come and see and she said, ‘no, no, don’t come over, I have a surprise,’ and the next thing I know, Guinness was trundling up the driveway with his new set of wheels. I just sat on the grass and cried,” says Mesheau. “He means so much. He has been my constant companion and that of my children for 12 years.”
Guinness has embraced his newfound freedom. Susan says he’s even started chasing the neighbours’ cat again.
“When you see that, it is worth it, it is just worth it. He is just happy and she is just as happy,” says Jacqueline.
Congratulations to Stephanie Shipley and the Paw and Order Kennel, our Maritimers of the week!
If you know someone deserving of our Maritimer of the Week award, we want to hear about it.
It doesn't matter how old they are, the nature of the "good deed" they've done, or what part of the region they live in – we want your ideas!
Please send your nomination to:
maritimer@ctv.ca
or
Maritimer of the Week
P.O. Box 1653
Halifax, N.S.
