Peanut The Puppy Walks Again

He has had two splints on his front legs for a few weeks, making his walk resemble a fawn from a Disney film - stiff legged and bouncy at the same time - but puppy Peanut is definitely moving in the right direction.

Abandoned last month with two severely broken legs, Peanut, a two-pound Chihuahua/miniature pinscher mix, was rescued by LifeLine Animal Project, after he was found all alone in a parking lot.

When his owner could not be located, the Avondale Estates animal advocacy/rescue non-profit accessed his situation and quickly realized that specialty care was needed to put Peanut back together.

Make that expensive and extensive specialty care.

Georgia Veterinary Specialists offered to help Peanut with his orthopedic surgery, and even gave LifeLine a break on the cost, lowering their fees to $2,700 for the homeless dog.

LifeLine put out a call to pet lovers on social media to raise the funds and an  shone a spotlight on the four-month-old puppy's needs.

Figuring in after-care, the cost to save Peanut came to about $3,000 total.

Pet lovers from around Georgia and around the nation responded and the money was raised in less than two weeks.

Peanut's surgery, successfully performed by Dr. Alan Cross, will allow the tiny pup to eventually live a normal life. He might have a slight limp, even after complete recovery. Time will tell.

Peanut is in a foster home now and his caretakers report that he is getting around very nicely, even with the two splints on his legs. The splints will be removed later this month. They say the genial little pup is attempting to make friends with a cat, likes other dogs, and is eating like "a little piggy."

"Peanut's story touched so many hearts, and we're thankful for the many donations that poured in to help cover the costs of his surgery," said Cynthia McGuinness, who serves as development director for LifeLine.

"That kind of support is the reason LifeLine is able to take on challenging cases like this. Now Peanut not only can have a normal life, he can have a completely new life. When we each do a little, together we can do a lot."

Once he is fully recovered Peanut will be placed up for adoption through LifeLine. Applications to adopt him can be placed through their website or in person at their Avondale Estates Spay & Neuter clinic at 129 Lake St.