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Kansas City pup gets new chance at life

Posted at 2:56 PM, Nov 03, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-03 17:50:34-04

A Kansas City, Kansas pup that was nearly paralyzed is learning to walk again. 

Boomer is just 6 1/2 months old and full of smiles. Those who care for him at the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City said he's been that way since the day he was brought to them. 

"Animal control picked him up," said Christine Blank, the Dog Adoptions Counselor at the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. "He was wandering around, pulling himself around at an apartment complex in KCK."

The pit bull pup, now known as Boomer, couldn't use his back legs. 

"He suffered some type of trauma, but we don't know what it was," said Blank. "It had happened awhile before he was found like that. It basically caused the fluid to divert and build up on his hind end so he didn't have much use of the pelvic limbs. It was not an accident most likely. Somebody probably did this to him and he came in here and just, every person he's met he's greeted with love." 

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Thanks to a program called Ray of Hope, a partnership between animal control and the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, Boomer was given a new chance at life. 

"We help keep the euthanasia rate at animal control down by taking in dogs like him," she said. 

Boomer is now on medication that helps reduce the swelling. He goes to acupuncture sessions and physical therapy. 

"He's always been determined to move and to walk around on his own," said Blank. "He'll get tired after a little while because he's trying to build up his strength and stamina." 

He's able to run and play with other dogs using a cart that was built for him. 

"I don't think he's ever going to be 100 percent normal, but he'll get to a point where that’s normal for him. How can you look at this guy and think that he wouldn't have a good quality of life? He's so happy!" 

Now, the humane society is looking for a foster home for Boomer. 

"Just finding a foster who would be willing to put in all that work with him," she said. "Taking him to all the appointments he needs to, helping him with his exercises, being really, really patient with him. No real young kids just because he's still learning how to use his car and he is running into things. He would really love someone to play with because we want to keep him really well socialized with other dogs." 

If you'd like to foster Boomer or any other animal at the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City click here: http://hsgkc.org/volunteer_foster.html

For more on the Ray of Hope program or to donate click here: http://hsgkc.org/rayofhope.html

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Jade DeGood can be reached at Jade.DeGood@KSHB.com.

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