Jun 222011
Naki’o the dog lost all four paws to frostbite. Naki’o the dog got four prosthetic limbs, and can now run. A bit clumsily, but still…
[youtube 6z_LZWk34xI]
9 Responses to “The Six Million Dollar Dog”
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He reminds me a bit of that droid, Muffit, from the original Battlestar Galactica.
They should stick those springing type units that runners who’ve lost their feet use on him.
Next thing you know you’ve got this dog that can jump ten feet into the air and go cross-country at 50 mph
Wow
My dog is in a similar situation, he lost significant portions of his rear feet to a nasty illness. He can walk somewhat, but it hurts his nubs and he’s a bit slow. The work this company does could really help him. I just need to figure out a charity plan or a scam to get the money. *eyeshift* I imagine their work isn’t cheap.
Isn’t there some way to put some sort of cushioned cups on the bottom of his rear legs to at least save him the pain of walking around on the stubs, rather like the cushioned cups that were put on the bottom of an amputee’s leg?
Making such a cup would be easy. Making such a cup that would *stay* *on* might be substantially more challenging.
Pat, That’s almost exactly what I’ve been thinking about for him. Right now he wears a pair of medical boots on his rear feet, they’re secured on with velcro but they’re really designed for a dog that still has some of his foot structure, so its not exactly as well cushioned as I would like. But it works fairly well, but there has to be a better option. The company that made the prosthetic in this case actually makes something that fits what I’ve had in mind. It also solves the issue that Orionblamblam brought up, its like his boot, but appears to be cupped, and straps in multiple places from the lower leg up to the hind leg.
I’ve thought about trying to have the work done locally, we have a lot of crafty people but I’m not sure if they’d be capable of this kind of work. After reading this story I wish I’d documented his case better, it was a six month ordeal and everyone has told me I should write a book or newspaper article about it. It was quite an epic tale.
Six months of sickness, three blood transfusions, came close to dying at least three times, lost his feet, but never gave up. And through it all he was a trooper, tougher then most people I know. All of it due to a fluke disease that’s not even common to Arkansas, and on top of everything he was born deaf. Hell, you could turn that into a tough as nails survival movie for the family crowd.
But I am glad to see this article, Its re freshened my thinking on the matter somewhat.
It’s nice the dog can walk, but there are whole countries full of people who would look at this news story and conclude that americans are insane to spend 6 million on a pet. And I can’t say as I blame them, either.
A: Is “The Six Million Dollar Man” so far in the past that the kids these days don’t get the reference?
B: Fuggem’. People can spend their money on whatever the hell they like, be it artificial legs for dogs, booze, smokes, hookers, movies, music, fast cars, churches, paintings, video games, DVDs, sculptures, parties, fatty foods, sugary foods or any other useless damned thing… so long as it’s *their* money.
Damn whippersnappers! Get a education in pop culture, sheesh!
And the money argument is a good one, plus? I spent three grand on my dog when he went through his illness, some people thought I was crazy. Frankly? He’s been a far better companion then 90% people I know, tougher then most people, and I say a fair bit smarter then a lot of people I’ve met. So yeah, those people can kiss my ass.