Nora Chen has started an online campaign to help raise money for Muppet who will need surgery to correct his spine 87823 Picture: VANESSA VALENZUELA
By VANESSA VALENZUELA
DESPITE being unable to walk on all fours, Muppet the pug is still one happy pup.
The eight-month-old pooch was born with Hemivertebrae, a serious condition where part of the vertebra fails to form properly, placing pressure on the spinal cord and causing the back to arch.
As a result of the condition, Muppet is unable to use his two hind legs and is forced to move around using his front paws to drag his entire body weight.
Muppet has both of his back paws bandaged daily to prevent lacerations to his skin and sometimes requires the help of a specially designed dog wheelchair to help him move about.
He is currently under the care of veterinary science student Nora Chen, 32, who studies at the University of Melbourne’s Veterinary Hospital in Werribee.
The Footscray resident said Muppet had arrived at the hospital as a patient after being surrendered by a breeder to a nearby clinic for ‘research purposes’.
Even without the use of his hind legs, Nora said the energetic pup continues to behave like any other dog.
“He’s pretty boisterous and pretty outgoing. He’s a bit of an attention seeker,” Nora said.
“Other than his condition, he’s a happy, healthy, eight-month-old puppy.”
To correct his condition, Muppet will need to undergo surgery by a specialist surgeon but the procedure is expensive and expected to cost a minimum of $5000.
In order to raise enough funds for Muppet’s surgery, Nora created a Facebook page called ’Muppet Needs Your Help’ asking the online community to help donate money towards his treatment.
“I started fundraising not that long ago and I got a good response,” Nora said.
“It’s really nice to see people donating and caring about Muppet even though they haven’t met him.”
More than 100 people have signed up to the page since it was created almost two weeks, helping Nora raise more than $1500 for Muppet’s surgery.
However, the playful pooch will have to wait until his bones have fully developed before he can have the much-needed procedure.
To find out more about making a donation visit the ‘Muppet Needs Your Help’ Facebook page.
