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This amputee dog is the happiest pup on the internet | New York Post
Posted
November 27, 2018
Views
2,491
Likes
33
Comments
3
Engagement
1.45%
November 27, 2018
2,491
33
3
1.45%
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0:59Now PlayingAfter suffering a particularly bad broken bone as a puppy, Miniature Minzi had to have one of her legs amputated. Now, at 3 years old, the Pomeranian is one of the happiest dogs in cyberspace.
An adorable amputee dog has become an online sensation as 'the happiest dogs on the internet' as she showcases her running blade prosthetic.
Miniature Minzi, the three-year-old Pomeranian, from Oldenburg, Germany, shows that despite having three legs she will not be slowed down.
She broke her leg as her puppy and despite surgery to insert a metal plate and screws, the limb couldn’t be saved.
She was four-and-a-half-months-old when vets told owners Sandra and Andre, 24 and 25, that she needed an amputation after blood stopped flowing to the leg and it was declared ‘dead’.
They created a social media page for their puny pup, who weighs less than a can of soup at a tiny 2.8lb, and has attracted over 112,000 followers.
Sandra Drolshagen, who’s studying a PHD in Robotics said: “The blood wasn’t flowing in her leg any more, the tissue in her leg died and had to be amputated immediately.
“We want to show people that a dog with three legs doesn’t have restrictions and they can do whatever they want.
“She is an inspiration, we get messages from people missing a limb and in wheelchairs, saying they want to be as strong as Minzi.
“Some owners put their dog to sleep if they lose a leg as many people don’t know about prosthetics for pets.
“It’s important to show that dogs on three legs can have a lovely life with a prosthetic and can live perfectly just like humans with prosthetics can.”
This year Minzi was fitted with her own custom prosthetic made by the couple who worked with an orthopediatrician to produce a fake limb of their own.
Inspired by running blades used by Paralympians, it took 18 months to design, develop and create.
Sandra said: “We had her first prosthetic after her leg was taken-off, but it didn’t fit at all and we went through more than three others. Then I made one with a 3D printer myself to get it right, which is when we sorted the shape and size.
“We designed this new prosthetic to help her jump, it’s made out of carbon which is rare to have for a dog prosthetic.
It’s hoped it will help to reduce the strain and damage caused to Minzi’s spine through missing a limb.
Andre Padecken, a student, said: “All of her muscle disappeared, so we have been trying to build them back up again by practicing with her prosthetic a couple of times a day.
The couple who also have two other Pomeranians Monty, 3, and Lia, 4, as well as Keeshonds Aisha, 11, and Cora, 14, maintain they only photograph them when the dogs want to.
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