When Scooty was just a tiny pup, the poor pup suffered from a car, leaving her unable to use her back legs. In 2012, Erica Loring stepped in to give her the life she deserved, even though she wasn’t sure what kind of future Scooty would have.
“I had no idea how long a dog with disabilities might live,” Loring shared with The Dodo.
Determined to give Scooty the best life possible, Loring got her a wheelchair. She wasn’t sure how Scooty would adjust to it, but the moment Scooty was secured in her wheels, all worries vanished.
“She didn’t wait a second; she was off like a shot in her wheelchair from the very start,” Loring recalled with a smile.
Scooty’s boundless energy and zest for life have charmed people for years. Back in 2016, The Dodo featured her in a video showing Her zooming around at top speed—both with and without her wheelchair.
Now 13 years old, Scooty has only become more spirited. You might expect her to have slowed down, but if anything, she’s even more active. Sometimes, she gets so excited that she takes a tumble. (Don’t worry, she’s just fine.)
Scooty has always loved the beach. There, she can sprint freely without worrying about obstacles. She also loves the soft sand, which is gentler on her paws than on hard surfaces.
“She’s carefree and can run to her heart’s content,” Loring said. “Even after 12 years, she’s still dashing down the beach.”
Other beachgoers sometimes express concern that their dogs might accidentally hurt Scooty. But Scooty, as always, leaves them in the dust. Recently, Scooty got a little brother, and now, one of her favorite activities is chasing after him.
Loring hopes that seeing Scooty’s happiness and health will inspire others to consider the many options available for dogs with injuries or disabilities.
As for Scooty, she’s not slowing down any time soon.
“These days, I cherish every zoomie,” Loring wrote on TikTok.
