Archie (Boxer Catahoula X) received his apparatus July 2007 and I don't know how we did it before it.

Before he would hurt his amputated front leg on every walk – especially in the winter. He would break open skin, get an infection, and re-open the injury to start the cycle again. He would avoid certain outdoor landmarks and hold back. We have not had an injury since July 2007 and you should see him leap and play now.

Archie is a rescue from Louisiana. He was displaced after the Katrina hurricane and injured by other dogs while he was in an over-crowded shelter.

I work in dog rescue and the shelter asked us to take him. He came to us so timid and scared he hid under my bed for a month. It was a major ordeal everyday to get him outside to use the facilities. It took him over six months to start coming out of his shell. He stole my heart and I adopted him.

archie2Archie Soon after adopting him we got him his apparatus. He really loved his new found freedom. He has been without his front foot most of his life so he still only places it down every third step unless he is in a full run. That is beautiful to see – he is free and running on four legs. He still is nervous around new people and situations but he is a completely different dog. He will even take a protection stance once in awhile and bark at the door. I know that is a normal dog thing – but not for Archie. The old Archie would be hiding under a bed. He has come a long way.

We are now working on having a "normal" dog day and giving back:

Last year we tried agility and he loves it. He has trouble with some of the activities but most he has no trouble with. It is a joy to see him play.

Every year Archie walks in the Cochrane Humane Society Mutt Strut to raise money for the shelter.

He is a good example to foster dogs and puppies that live us through dog rescue.

Thank you for working with my family to help give Archie a second chance at a normal life. Believe me, he is enjoying the smoked bones, healthy food and pillow chair he has with us. I have attached some pictures of him doing agility.

Sandra Scott