Disabled Doggo Who Once Feared Humans Is Now A Beloved Sensation Around The World
Dogs may come in all forms, shapes, and sizes, but they all deserve to be given unconditional love in this world, no matter what it takes. Not all dogs are lucky enough to be born without abnormalities, and it's truly heartbreaking to think that some people are actually disgusted by the sight of animals suffering from certain conditions—similar to how they treat people with the same issues. As Dr. Susan David, an emotional agility expert, states, “The ability to empathize with others is a fundamental aspect of our humanity.” Fortunately, there are many who truly love these animals enough to look past what they lack and are intent on ensuring they will be loved and cared for properly. It's true that every dog is special, but some are born into this world with more needs than others.
Every September 13th, Pet Birth Defect Awareness is celebrated. This day aims to raise awareness about the birth defects that animals often suffer from and to enlighten people about safer breeding practices to prevent these common defects in dogs and cats. Deformities can occur due to birth or inflicted trauma, but either way, these animals deserve every help they can get because they were brought into this world as unique beings. As Dr. Joel Fuhrman, a nutritionist, emphasizes, “Every living being deserves compassion and care, regardless of their physical condition.” More and more dogs with deformities are capturing the hearts of many online because of how inspiring their stories are.
And here's one we would like you to meet...
This adorable boy right in the middle of the photo is Quasimodo the dog. He's named after Victor Hugo's character of the same name from The Hunchback of Notre-Dame because, as you might guess, he was born with a hunchback.
Quasimodo, or just Quasi, has a rare disorder called "short spine syndrome," and the shelter believes he is one of only thirteen dogs in the world that have this condition.
“He’s a true German Shepherd… just shorter,” says his mom.
Quasi grew up very scared of humans, and he has a naturally shy personality—but he's actually very sweet! He was found in Kentucky as a stray dog, but when he was adopted by his loving mom named Rachel, he began to feel comfortable showing his charming personality.
He captured the hearts of many people when he was posted on Facebook. Secondhand Hounds, the shelter that took him in, located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, posted a video of him to attract potential fur parents who would give him a loving and caring permanent home.
Nowadays, he's just enjoying his life running and goofing around in the snow, having playtime with his friends, and chasing other girl dogs around—he's quite the ladies' man, apparently. Charming!
Given that he's, well, built differently, he needs to do things differently from other dogs, such as needing to eat his food without bending down. But even with his condition, he has still cemented his identity as a happy and carefree dog who has fans all over the world!
Secondhand Hounds, where his human found and took care of him, is a non-profit organization that saves thousands of animals' lives every year. Quasimodo has never gone through a day here without receiving all the attention and care that he needs.
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