Dog Walks Upright Like Humans Achieved Through His Determination And Resilience
This is an amazing story of a dog named Dexter. He was adopted by a loving family in June of 2015. They were very excited to make Dexter a part of their family and developed a great bond with him in a short time. To everyone's nightmare, Dexter had a near-death experience just nine months after his adoption.
“An owner's WORST nightmare, a freak accident,” Dexter’s mom, Kentee Pasek, shared with The Dodo. “Dexter escaped from the yard, and we were searching for him as soon as it happened, but he is fast. My husband Tim … found him running alongside the road. Dexter crossed the road right in front of a moving van. I got a call from Tim that ‘Dexter kinda hurt his front legs.’ When I arrived on the scene, it was WAY worse than I imagined possible. We live in the middle of the mountains and had to drive almost an hour for emergency veterinary care. We were not sure he would make the trip, but he did, and his outstanding vet, Dr. Franklin, at the San Juan Vet Clinic, saved Dexter’s life. Dr. Franklin credits Dexter’s determination to live.”
Dexter in a playful mood
Although he survived the freak accident, he suffered a great deal as well. The accident left him handicapped, with one front leg gone and the other attached at his elbow. There was a lot he had to learn again, especially how to manage his movement with his remaining limbs. He wore a cone for several months. Through all his ordeals, Dexter maintained the high spirits he is known for.
“He was super happy just being alive,” Pasek said. “He was smiling, happy, and positive. There were many days when his attitude was infectious for the rest of us. He was happy just to be. One day, I placed him outside in his kennel in the sun, and he was so happy to be outside, even as injured as he was. He just loved being with us.”
Dexter standing on his hind legs
On his way to recovery, Dexter had to manage to move around on, as his mother puts it, his “tripod peg leg hop walk.” Prior to the accident, Dexter loved exploring and was quite fast at doing so. But after his ordeal, he gradually learned that this was no longer possible.
Dexter was a determined chap. So when he was left with two legs and realized that he would have to improvise a way to keep up with his explorations, he learned to walk on his remaining two legs, and that too upright, just like humans. His mom couldn't believe what she witnessed when she saw him do that for the first time.
Dexter on one of his walks
“One morning, I had Dexter in the front yard for his morning routine, and he was so happy that I went back inside to get my coffee,” Pasek said. “When I came back outside, he was up on the front porch. I was shocked and a bit upset because he … had just had another surgery. I knew he was not putting any weight on his front leg, so I had no clue how he climbed those stairs. I carried him off the stairs and back to the yard and took out my phone to record his actions because I needed proof for myself and for everyone else in our household. He turned around and did it again. I caught him walking upright up the front stairs … I was shocked and scared he would hurt himself again. I remember feeling both amazement and apprehension over this determined dog.”
Dexter doing what he does best
Dexter made history that day and became a celebrity. Over time, he became an expert at walking on his hind legs in an upright posture. He mastered this skill and has now picked up speed as well. It is not every day that one sees a dog walking like human beings do, hence his celebrity status. But this hasn't made him proud or vain; he is still the happy-go-lucky and friendly dog he has always been known for.
“If Dexter wants something, he will do anything to get it,” Pasek said. “We slow him down.”
Dexter mastering the art of walking again
Dexter has risen from his local celebrity status to that of an online star. His human-like perfect walk has garnered him many fans online who are left in awe watching this larger-than-life act.
“You can imagine what happens when a dog walking upright passes you and you have never seen that before … we really shock people,” Pasek shared.
Dexter enjoying his walks
Although it all looks amazing to everyone who sees it, Dexter went through a lot to reach this stage. What he didn't give up through his ordeal was his determination and resilience.
“Dexter's story is about adapting, changing, and embracing a new normal,” Pasek remarked. “If we can remember how Dexter changed his life, I think we can too … This has shown me that even in our darkest, hardest times, we can overcome.”
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