No paw? No problem.

Emma Rose was walking on three legs when she arrived at the Humane Society of Sullivan in Indiana. One of her back legs was missing its paw.

Maybe she got it caught in an animal trap or was hit by a car. Either way, Emma Rose didn’t seem to notice her limitations. Like most dogs with missing paws or limbs, she made do with her circumstances, running around and looking for affection from every person she met.

A better chance at a forever home
The Humane Society of Sullivan, however, knew it would be difficult to find Emma Rose a new home in their community. When there are more dogs than potential adopters, special dogs like Emma Rose are easily overlooked.

So the Humane Society of Sullivan boarded Emma Rose onto PetSmart Charities® Rescue Waggin’® vehicle. Rescue Waggin’ is a national transport program that moves adoptable dogs from communities with high pet populations and few adopters to animal shelters elsewhere in the country where adoptable dogs are more in demand.

Finding someone to love
When Emma Rose arrived at the Wisconsin Humane Society Ozaukee Campus, the staff veterinarian examined her leg more closely and felt she might be in more discomfort than she was letting on. To ensure a happy and pain-free life, the vet decided to amputate the rest of her leg. After her recovery, Emma Rose was available for adoption. Within a few hours, she found someone to love.

A veterinary technologist and certified canine and equine physical therapist, Gail Eder, saw Emma Rose’s story online. She knew dogs with amputated limbs often needed ongoing massage and physical therapy to keep the rest of their body strong.

“My daughter said, ‘Mom, with your background, you’re the perfect person to have a dog like that,’ ” said Eder.

Emma Rose now shares a home with Eder’s family, which includes another dog named Jackson, also adopted from the Wisconsin Humane Society. “The two of them are often found sleeping on my bed,” she said. “Emma Rose has no problem jumping or getting around.”

Because of partnerships with shelters like the Humane Society of Sullivan and the Wisconsin Humane Society, the Rescue Waggin’ program can help dogs, like Emma Rose, find the resources and adoption opportunities they need to find a new home.

Photos courtesy of Wisconsin Humane Society.