Angel (left) and friend Pooter at her new home near Redwater. (Supplied)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

heartwarming update

Paralyzed Sylvan Lake dog ‘Angel’ enjoying new home

Jan 12, 2020 | 2:35 PM

Angel, a dog brought into the Central Alberta Humane Society in early December malnourished and without the use of her hindquarters, is thriving in her new home.

Believed to be less than two-years-old, Angel was found outside an apartment in Sylvan Lake; an investigation was launched to try and determine whether animal cruelty charges were necessary. However, the only update on that front is that her spinal injury has been diagnosed by three vets as a birth deformity, leaving her lack of nutrition the only lingering concern.

On Dec. 11, rdnewsNOW reported Angel had been adopted, and now her new owners, who live near Redwater, Alta, say she’s adapting well to the new surroundings.

“Among our rescue dogs, we have one named Pooter, who is 10 now. Six years ago, he was hit by a car and paralyzed. Most of the time he’s in a wheelchair,” explains Lisa Dakus, Angel’s new mom. “I saw the Facebook post about Angel, read the story, and within about five minutes, I was messaging with the executive director at the Humane Society.”

Angel is now also in a wheelchair purchased with the approximately $9,000 raised immediately following her arrival. She and Pooter also wear diapers because of incontinence, something Dakus says isn’t a big deal.

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“The first time we went for a walk, Angel and Pooter had a good time. They enjoyed running together, and now running is Angel’s favourite thing,” says Dakus. “Angel’s first best friend here though is our black cat named Spirit. Everybody’s accepted her.”

(Supplied)

Dakus and husband Jeff want the world to learn more about how full a life an injured dog can live, while also promoting the benefits of adopting rescue animals. A Facebook page and YouTube channel have been created so the public can follow Angel on her journey.

“A lot of people think rescue dogs are broken, and they’re not. They’re just different. When you can help a rescue dog heal, it’s the most rewarding thing you’ll ever do, and for that dog, you are the world,” she says.

“I’m not against good breeders, but what we believe is that there are so many dogs out there who don’t have a home, and they need to be shown there are good humans too.”

Angel, originally thought to be a chocolate lab, is more likely a heeler/collie mix, Dakus says. She’s gained four pounds since being adopted.