Beautiful Betty is one of our very special “handicans” looking for her forever home, and what a character she is.
Betty came to us without the use of her back legs, unable to bend them or move them independently. This caused her legs to rub against one another, resulting in painful pressure sores and drag wounds. After being assessed by our orthopaedic vet, X-rays revealed that one side of her hip was severely damaged and likely causing her significant pain. Our vets recommended amputation, and we made the decision to proceed, hoping Betty would be able to manage with her remaining leg.
Sadly, despite weeks of recovery, her remaining leg continued to cause problems with both her mobility and comfort. Following a further assessment and X-rays, it became clear that further intervention was needed to give Betty the best possible chance of living a comfortable, happy life.
Betty is now a double amputee and is recovering well. We are closely monitoring her as she adjusts to life on two legs and assessing how well she manages her mobility. Once Betty has fully healed from her amputation we will introduce her to wheels.
Please don’t let her disability fool you… Betty is a bright, happy and fun-loving girl who absolutely does not let it hold her back!
During her time with us, Betty has shown herself to be a sweet and friendly girl, but she can also become defensive when she feels uncomfortable or worried.
When Betty first arrived with us, her disability meant that she needed regular handling and had to wear protective boots to help prevent pressure sores developing on her feet. Over time, she became increasingly intolerant of wearing the boots and the repeated handling involved. We believe that pain and discomfort also played a significant role in how she responded, and as a result she began to lose trust and became more suspicious of people when they approached or handled her.
Betty will need a patient and understanding home with someone who is experienced in reading canine body language and can respect her boundaries. Building trust will be important, and she should be given the time and space to develop confidence at her own pace, without being forced into interactions or handling she is uncomfortable with.
Betty also finds veterinary visits extremely stressful and can become very reactive at the vets. She will need an experienced owner who understands this and can work with her slowly and positively to build her confidence around handling and vet visits.
Despite these challenges, Betty has so many wonderful qualities. She loves people, enjoys affection and has a fantastic personality. She is a playful, cheeky girl who loves being around other dogs and especially enjoys a good game of “bitey face” and rough-and-tumble play. She would benefit from living with a confident dog who enjoys playing and can match her energy.
Betty is a dog who knows her own mind. She enjoys her own space and will need a home that understands and respects her boundaries. She is not suitable to live with cats or visiting children and is looking for an adult-only home.
She is used to living in a home environment, is clean indoors, non-destructive and can be left alone for several hours. She will need a secure garden and a ground-floor property, as she cannot manage stairs.
Betty absolutely loves her food, but care is needed around mealtimes as she can display food-guarding behaviours. She will need to be fed separately to ensure she feels comfortable and relaxed.
Betty is a truly special girl who has so much love to give and joy to spread. She doesn’t see herself as different and neither should you. She simply needs a home that understands her needs, celebrates her personality, and gives her the patience and support to thrive.
If you’re looking for a unique, affectionate and wonderfully quirky companion, Betty could be the one for you.
