Paralyzed pets rock their wheels: 30 awesome animals
Think wheelchairs are just for people? These dogs, pigs, rabbits, and other animals prove otherwise.
Dogs of all shapes and sizes have been fitted with wheels that give them free rein to run, play, sniff, and lick.
And canines aren't the only critters to be fitted with assistive devices - provided by rescue charities like Pets with Disabilities, and wheelchair manufacturers like Doggon' Wheels, Eddie's Wheels, and K-9 Cart Company East.
Pig on wheels
Pigs in a blanket? How about pigs on wheels? Bacon, a 150-pound pot-bellied pig used his wheels after being paralyzed by a spinal condition.
Yorshire Terrier with wheels
A Yorkshire Terrier named Hope shows off her uni-wheel attached to a doggie vest in Longmont, Colorado. Hope is missing one limb and is able to walk with the wheel attachment.
Great Dane on wheels
Stroker, a Great Dane with champion bloodlines, belongs to NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. After having surgery for a spinal cord disease, the Great Dane was fitted with a cart to speed up his rehabilitation.
Stroker was named after fictional race car driver Stroker Ace, played by Burt Reynolds in the 1983 movie by the same name.
Dog on wheels
This Border Collie, Kiri, got her chair after being hit by a car when she was five. She seems to enjoy her mobility - but the same can't be said for the sheep she sometimes chases.
Dogs of all shapes and sizes have been fitted with wheels that give them free rein to run, play, sniff, and lick.
Rooster with wheels
Some chickens wind up on the dinner table. This lucky fellow from New York got a nest-shaped wheelchair after being hobbled by a broken leg.
Welsh Corgi on wheels
Llyr, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, has a spinal cord disease. When he's not using his wheelchair, he can sometimes be found getting swimming therapy at a rehab center.
Chihuahua on wheels
Born without front legs, little Ruby Roo was fitted with this custom cart.
Lamb with wheels
Spin the lamb was unable to walk due to a spinal cord injury. From 12 days until she was 18 months old (and 160 pounds), she used a wheelchair. Here she is at 7 months old, playing Willa, a Chi-weiner born without front legs.
Chihuahuas on wheels
Kandu and Footloose, Chihuahuas from Colorado, were born without front legs. When winter comes, they trade their wheels for skis.
Guinea pig with wheels
Even little animals are sometimes fitted with wheels - including this guinea pig, Silvietta, who lives at a shelter in Italy.
Dog with wheels
Ernie was adopted just hours before his scheduled euthanasia. The little Samoyed lost his ability to use his back legs in a car accident but has been all smiles since he getting his wheelchair.
Alpaca on wheels
Ben is an alpaca from Hillsdale, N.Y. He's gone now, but he lived with his wheels for almost seven years after being paralyzed by a parasitic disease.
Dog on wheels
Bobbi was born with cerebellar hypoplasia, a brain disorder that causes spasticity. His owner thought a headrest-equipped wheelchair might allow Bobbi to get around. She was right.
Cat on wheels
Patty got her chair after suffering a spinal injury.
Datsun with wheels
Frankie visits nursing homes and schools as a therapy dog and even stars in his own children's book series. He became paralyzed after experiencing a spinal disc problem.
German shepherd with wheels
Rocky Perl is one German Shepherd who likes to hang with the horses.
Bunny with wheels
This cute bunny got a wheelchair following a spinal fracture.
Pets with wheels
Here's Topaz frolicking in the ocean. He got the cart after being diagnosed with a paralyzing neurological disorder.
Pets with wheels
Tuzik hails from St. Petersburg, Russia. He was brought to the U.S. after being struck by a car. Here's a video of his arrival in the U.S.
Pets with wheels
Cute little London was born with a congenital brain disorder that made it hard for her to walk.
Pets with wheels
Meet Rabbit Roo. She got a wheelchair after breaking her back.
Pets with wheels
Here's Duke, "co-founder" of the rescue charity Pets With Disabilities. When he was six months old, a spinal cord injury had people talking euthanasia. But his owner decided to get him a wheelchair instead.
Duke toured the country in his wheels, inspiring dog-lovers of all ages, leading to more rescues and adoptions.
Pets with wheels
Willa and Webster, sibling Chi-weiners born without front legs, tussle over a stick.
Pets with wheels
Here's Boomer, a paralyzed German Shepherd, hiking in the Canadian Rockies.
Pets with wheels
Joe, a Border Collie, can herd sheep with the help of his wheelchair. He got it after a herniated disc left him paralyzed.
Pets with wheels
Annie was found living under a porch, still nursing her puppies despite being paralyzed. Euthanasia was considered, but the white shepherd was fitted with a wheelchair instead.
Pets with wheels
With the help of her wheels, Dottie, a Dalmatian who was paralyzed by a herniated spinal disc, can run on the beach.
Pets with wheels
Pugs are prone to disabling spinal problems - and are a big user of doggie wheelchairs.
Pets with wheels
Dixie got her chair after a car hit her, shattering her legs.