FRISCO, Texas (CBS/KTVT) - Two puppies born without front legs are getting a new lease on life while inspiring others.
Young and frisky, these two little brothers like to play rough. Born with just one set of legs, these 6 month old puppies "are" different, incredibly so. They can sit, stand, and jump like few others.
People first met Moose and Maverick back in June. Abandoned at Dallas Animal Services, when they were just a few hours old, they were rescued by veterinarian Dr. Erin Schults, but even she had her doubts that they could, or should, survive. She says, "I thought about euthanizing them. In my mind, I was prejudice in thinking they couldn't have a good quality of life. But my mind was changed very quickly."
Schults began designing ramps, encouraging the pups to stand on their back legs. At the time, she was determined to teach them to walk like humans, but then she noticed something interesting. The dogs were developing their own way of getting around.
Today, she says they are thriving. She says, "Moose is just very laid back. Maverick is the trouble maker."
The two even volunteer, spending time once a month at a daycare for homeless children. Schults says, "I think they teach the kids its okay to be different."
Since the story first aired, Schults has received adoption applications from as far away as New York. But her family's starting to get attached and she's not sure just when she'll be ready to let them go.