Spirit Gets Measured For Her Wheelchair

Lori and Chad Holbein, owners of Doggon' Wheels in Bozeman, Montana, came out to the ranch today to measure Spirit for her wheelchair.  (See our post about Spirit's arrival here.)  I took the photo of Chad and Lori measuring Spirit in our welcome center.  If I recall correctly, I think Spirit's chest -- the distance between her two front legs -- measured a whopping two inches!

Lori and Chad wanted to see how she moved with her front end paralyzed, which would help them determine what type of chair to manufacture for her. Spirit didn't want to walk on the linoleum floor in the welcome center -- even on the mat -- so we took her outside and put her on the grass.  Sure enough, that's what she wanted.  Off she went, hopping and sliding face-first.  That was enough for Lori and Chad to see how her back legs moved, and that she clearly had enough strength to propel a wheelchair.

It will be a week or two before Spirit's new wheels are ready, and we'll let you know when she gets ready to roll for the first time!

(Click on photo for larger image.)

Comments

[ginger & Tobias (the greythound)]

This might be the tiniest chair they've had to make yet! She'll probably be running between everyone's legs when she gets her wheelchair!
ginger & Tobias

[Karen SA/TX]

Yippee!! This is the best news I've had all day. I think Spirit will LOVE her chair!!!!

[Roz]

Here's hoping the wheelchair will be a total success for Spirit, so glad she has the back leg strength she has.

[Leigh]

I can't wait for her to roll ! How is she doing otherwise?