An injured pooch whose story touched the lives of many was back on her feet for a while Saturday after she test drove a new wheelchair built for her by a Good Samaritan.
It’s assumed Maggie the dog was hit by a car and suffered for weeks before being rescued in June by Nicole Thibeau, who rescues animals in New Brunswick’s Kent County.
After her back leg was amputated, it took Maggie a while to walk again. Thibeau thinks it will be the same in her new mode of transportation.
“When she gets used to it she'll be going too fast for me I’m pretty sure,” said Thibeau.
Maggie was supposed to have her second broken leg amputated, but veterinarians determined it unnecessary.
They’re now considering fitting Maggie with a prosthetic leg.
“I left it completely to them,” said Thibeau. “I said, ‘You know what, you guys are the experts in this field so just do what's right for Maggie and I’ll go along with whatever you decide.’”
Cory Eagles designed Maggie’s wheelchair. He’s stepped in to help other dogs in need past, creating a therapy pool to help a Newfoundland dog recover from surgery.
“I guess I like dogs and it just seemed like something I could do fairly easily,” said Eagles.
Donations from the community have poured in. Thibeau says she’s overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers.
“These guys are amazing,” she said. “They've been working on this for a couple weeks now. Just to see people willing to help like that – it just warms my heart.”
Eagles’ current model is just a prototype. He will take it back to his shop and tweak it before trying again.
“[Maggie] did really good off the start, but then I think she got a little bit scared of it,” said Eagles. “I think we'll make some adjustments to the harness that holds her in there and I think it's going to work.”
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Jonathan MacInnis.
